Solemn
and fantastic post-semestral recollection happened in the seminary function
hall this 3rd day of October. As one catholic defender will say, “Catholics
are frequently criticized because of the prominence and respect given to the
Virgin Mary while simultaneously condemned for not giving enough prominence and
respect to women.”
October
is the month of the Most Holy Rosary and the Congregation considers Mary, Mother
of the Church, as our heavenly foundress. God, the Father did not chose Jesus to
come for us except through the “Fiat”
of Mama Mary, and we cannot go to Jesus without the aid of His mother.
Fr.
Stefan Bulai, FDP, the Vicar of the Community with his great insight has leaded
our seminarians to feel the special role of the Mother of God in the history of
the Church and the salvific mission. Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ got
a special mission in God’s plan of Salvation. As Mary became the first disciple
of Jesus who listened to Him in His words and teachings, many saints also
imitated her and has this special devotions to her. In particular, St. Jerome,
St. Dominique, St. Louis of Montfort and even St. Maximilian Kolbe who
intensified the devotion to the Immaculate Conception. Many of them expressed
their veneration and love through simple gestures of placing flowers in front
of the image of the Blessed Virgin. They are the one who promote God’s love
through His mother.
In
the liturgy of the Catholic Church, Mary is mentioned with great veneration and
respect. She occupies a single position in the journey of the Church. St. Luigi
Orione has this genuine love to the Blessed Lady, the Virgin of Nazareth. In
his letter he will say, “the Sons of
Divine Providence will never be weak nor last in their devotions to the Lady,
we wish to be the first, or in the first rank, and second to none in loving
you, Mama Mary!” (letter last June 26,
1937)
Don
Orione will often report the actions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in his own life
and the life of his family. Taking for example the conversion of his father, he
associated it through the help of Mary. He will also use to invite his
spiritual sons by this, “Hail Mary and forward!” The Congregation upholds the
loving presence of Mary, the Mother of the Divine Providence who always moved
us in all our works.
Lastly,
as the newness of October days, the Community started with a Sacrament of
Penance as we traditionally do at the end of the month. We expressed our
heartfelt gratitude for making this confession possible by the aid of many
priests, Fr. Julio Cuesta, FDP, Fr. John Castillo, FDP and the two invited
priests who inspired us, Fr. Achille from Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of
Verona and Fr. Nnamdi from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Now
as the semester will end, we all thank God for different gifts- the friendship
and belongingness as a family of St. Luigi Orione. We would like to believe
that each vocation stems from both mysterious inspiration from Jesus through
Mary and free will, our upbringing and family is one of our one great influence
in choosing this vocation. It is in the family that the seed of vocations are
sown, and these seeds are both nourished and watered by a person’s experience
within and outside a HOME. God reminds us to be more vulnerable to revitalize our
personalities in embracing this little works. All we know is the courage we
have to face them without concessions and the only thing in restoring peace in us
is to shout the resounding “Thanks be to God!”
Sem.
Pablo B. Jordan, Seminary
Beadle, Contributor
Some articles
credited from: Fr. Stan G. Achi, FDP, The Rector
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