Sister Hughes, noting that the seven astronauts “represented so much that is noble and good in our world,” said she was profoundly grateful for the beautiful expressions of sympathy and support.

Some excerpts from the letters follow:

From Sister Clare Pratt, Superior General of the international Society of the Sacred Heart in Rome: “I am united with you and all in the U.S. as once again we mourn the loss of a space crew. … Just know that all of us have all the more reason to keep the U.S. in our prayer.”

From Sister Maryvonne Keraly of France, in formation ministry in Egypt: “Except for those who have hardened hearts, everyone is very sad since this accident. I pray for the American people and for my grieving sisters of the U.S. province.” The seven astronauts represent more than seven men and women, she said. “One is tempted to say they are seven figures emblematic of our modern world.”

From Seoul Korea: “Dear Kathleen and all the Sisters, We are deeply united in your grieving for the seven astronauts. There is no word to express our sorrow and this fact pains us. In close union of mind and heart, Catherine and Agnes Kim.

From Sister Joan Pender, Provincial of Australia-New Zealand: “I cannot let another day pass without letting you know that your country is very much in my prayer, particularly as we awoke to the news of the tragedy of Columbia. Our world is certainly at a crossroad and it is almost impossible to come to grips with the magnitude of the problems facing us.”

From Sister Veronique Thibaut, Provincial of Belgium and the Netherlands: “We are in union with the sorrow of the families and with the women and men who have given their lives for science and progress.”

From Sister Myriam Gomez in Bogata, Colombia: “We want to say how much we are shocked by the terrible accident. We followed up all the events and every minute of the tragedy. We are all united with our prayers.”

From Sister Carol Burk in Sweden: “This is to say that we have all of the families, all of our sisters, all of the USA in our prayer today as we begin in ten minutes to sing of the coming of the Light in the world. It is the only thing that helps now, to read and believe and make our own the Benedictus.”