A simple Sharing on the Feast

A simple Sharing on the Feast

On this feast of the Annunciation, I could not resist to share my reflections…

We often refer to the “ECCE and FIAT” of Mary as the core of our charism. These words were in former times, inscribed on the ring we received at our final vows. While the Latin may be outdated, the YES of Mary continues to inspire the life of every Franciscan Missionary of Mary. To be ready to say ‘yes’ to what God asks of me in the daily events of my life is what characterized the spirituality of Mary at Nazareth.

Returning after many years of missionary service ‘ad extra’, ‘reculturation’ has been my greatest challenge! The spoken and unspoken language often called for silence and self-emptying, yet the joy of uniting with the YES of the Word brought a deepening beyond measure. I cherish this time of my missionary life, which has brought a ripening in age and in maturity and a preparation for the final encounter.

Every year we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation in Lent – 9 months before Christmas. Mary of the Passion united the YES of Jesus in the Agony at the Garden at Gethsemane to the YES of Mary at the Annunciation. The YES of the Word to become human in the incarnation and to walk the painful road to Calvary for the salvation of the world was not easy. The self-emptying was a daily struggle for the God-Man, Jesus. Nor was it easy for Mary to say YES, in the face of misunderstanding with Joseph and in the culture of her time. She could have be stoned to death. Yet trust was the key… Nothing is impossible to God! May this trust animate our every YES today and, in the days ahead in the face of the current world situation. United with the YES of our sisters living in risk, may our FMM bond grows stronger for the salvation of the world.

Sr. Merlyn Dsa FMM

Accept all that he permits

Accept all that he permits

“Each passing second, every unfolding event, and all the processes of life quietly shape our growth and broaden the horizons of our destiny.

  “There is a purpose for everything.” In this spirit, Mary of the Passion accepted all things for the sake of Christ, surrendering everything into the hands of God. She believed firmly that there is no glory without suffering in life. Her journey was marked by trials, yet she embraced them with courage and unwavering faith, trusting that God was guiding her mission.

    Her confidence in God is beautifully reflected in her words:
“We must abandon ourselves completely to God’s will, ready to accept all that He permits.”

         Through her mission and sacrifices, she showed that true faith means total trust — allowing God to lead, even through suffering, knowing that His purpose unfolds in love.

        Each missionary should have the same spirit and complete trust in God, accepting His will with faith and obedience. As we continue this journey and step into the 150th year since our foundation day, may we move forward toward our destiny under God’s guidance, embracing whatever He permits with courage and hope.

                               Hilda Mary Bernath fmm

                                  Peru (South America)

Love never ends

Love never ends

Every person creates a unique place in history through the struggles of their time and the gift of their uniqueness.
I, too, have created a history simply by being here for seven years.

“I am consecrated to God; my end is Love.”
— Mary of the Passion

With love, I can act sincerely.
With love, I can remain faithful in every situation.
With love, I can sacrifice myself.
With love, I can be honest.
With love, I can live simply on my life’s journey.
With love, I can continue forward with courage.
With love, I can dedicate my service to others.
With love, I can do my very best to hasten the work of Love.

For Love is like Jesus — and Jesus is Love.

 

         Hilda Mary Bernath fmm

                     Peru (south America)