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Sr. M. Ceceliatook her perpetual vows on July 9th, 2011 at Most Holy Trinity Parish Church in San Jose, California. View the gallery. |
A Pauline Centenary Pastoral Tool
PAULINE SPIRITUALITY AND MISSION, n. 12
THE PAULINE FAMILY REFLECTS AND PRAYS BEFORE THE EUCHARISTIC MASTER
The following are insightful and heartwarming reflections shared by four members of the Pauline Family during the Eucharistic Adoration held at the PDDM convent in Fresno, in the evening of August 20, 2014, to celebrate the Pauline Centenary. For the prayer context of the talks, cf. Eucharistic Adoration, n. 11 of the Pauline Centenary Pastoral Tools (August issue) in our website, www.pddm.us. The theme of the Adoration is Congregavit Nos In Unum: “The Love of Christ Has Gathered Us Together into One”.
I. “WHAT DOES BEING A DISCIPLE OF JESUS MASTER WAY-TRUTH-LIFE MEAN TO ME”: By Sr. Mary Eugenia Pia Bianco, PDDM
I am sharing a few thoughts from the heart; therefore no systematic order…
I believe that “discipleship” is first of all a call from God. Jesus called his disciples and they responded.
For us Catholic Christians a disciple is one who hears God’s Word and listens; then follows and imitates Jesus in action.
I felt called by God to religious life among the Sister Disciples at an early age and the understanding and life experience of discipleship has grown through the years.
I had the grace to be steeped in the Pauline spirit of dedication to Jesus Master Way, Truth and Life, like many others of our Sisters by listening to our Father and Founder, Blessed James Alberione.
He used to tell us: “Every day you seat at the school of Jesus Master in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. How could you not become “Gesuina” – like Jesus … another Jesus.
The habit of daily Eucharistic Celebration and Adoration in a way is routine; but I always humbly prayed that I may be open to learn the lessons Jesus wishes to teach me with His Word and deeply trust that the Mass, Communion and Adoration are gradually transforming me into Him.
Each one of us is called in a unique way to discipleship of Jesus Master and he or she may respond fully or less.
But let us all be confident that Jesus Master definitely teaches us His Way, enlightens us with His Truth and sanctifies us with His Life – everyday!
I encourage all of you to live in grateful joy and keep our hearts constantly open to grow in discipleship, with Mary’ help, the first Disciple.
II. “HOW DOES JESUS MASTER-SHEPHERD IMPACT MY LIFE”: By Rachel Plata, HFI
How has Jesus Master-Shepherd, the Way-Truth-Life, impacted my life? I have been asked to share my experience. Well, before I became a consecrated member of the HFI (Holy Family Institute) I must say that Our Lord, the Divine Master-Shepherd, rescued His black sheep out of darkness and safely brought her into the light of His Kingdom. I was very much in the world and of the world. However, my soul longed for joy, for peace, for love. My Divine Master found me, embraced me, and carried me home. I was radically changed and never looked back.
As a newly-wed desirous of forming a good foundation for my vocation as a married Christian, I was further led by the Divine Shepherd to the Holy Family Institute. Through the Institute I have embraced Our Lord as the Divine Master, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus has given His whole self to me and I have been called to give my whole self to Him. I have taken and been mindful of my vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Taking the Holy Family as my model to living more deeply the evangelical perfection in my marriage that all members are called to live.
Since God wished to restore all things through His Son beginning with the family, I have definitely been seeing how He has been doing that in my own family. Taking these vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience has been the anchor in my life amidst the fallen world – a world where promiscuity is easily accepted, sexual propaganda invades all media and seemingly the air, where unsurprisingly divorce is rising, and finally where the chase for wealth, honors, prestige, titles is relentless in our modern and affluent society. In contrast Jesus the Way, the Truth, the Life, has been purifying me and my family – molding us to be that Family of Nazareth. I am a simple wife and mother whose occupation revolves around her home, her family. I have no title, or prestigious position, no exciting career to boast of in the world. My husband is a simple hardworking laborer in a factory. Though we lack what the world values there is no lack of love in our home. With all our defects, faults, and shortcomings, Lauro and I have accepted and loved each other. Chastity and obedience have taught me to love and respect him as a person, as the husband God has chosen for me – like St. Joseph was chosen for Mary. We collaborate as husband and wife, as parents, as best friends; we are faithful to each other; we learn from each other (I however have yet to match his spirit of sacrifice, his unflinching faith, his endless patience, and generous heart). Hand in hand, together we journey to our heavenly home.
Poverty has taught me to seek outside of my senses to greater things, the things of God. Many times, I have felt the pinch of poverty, especially its train of humiliation. But for me, this poverty, in fact, has acted as the necessary reins that keep me from seeking myself. Otherwise, God knows that I would love my life too much. So this purification continues as I am currently working on becoming poor in spirit. Little by little I am letting go of my desires and really viewing this poverty as a means to come closer to the Divine Master. I have many examples too of how God provided for me and my family, both materially and spiritually. One obvious one is the education that Lauro, Paloma and Pablo have been receiving. Desirous that their education should be in line with our Christian values, we chose a Catholic education. However, it comes with a steep price, especially for a one-income family. We have sacrificed all to the point of only living on necessities and God’s providence. My son and I have recently been marveling at how God makes the impossible possible. We have seen families come and go at their school and, I venture to say, they are a lot more well off than us; yet we remain. And as some of you may well know Laurito has recently received a full paid scholarship to a school I only dreamed would ever happen. My hope is that they put this education at God’s service for His greater glory, not seeking the passing thins of this world.
Thus I continue in my little house of Nazareth following the Divine Master, my Way, my Truth, and my Life, becoming conformed to Christ through conjugal chastity, poverty and obedience. If I ever suffer it is because I have one foot in the world and one in heaven, and I have yet to give myself totally to the Lord. So He continues to draw me closer to Calvary, emptying me as he Himself did for us; and my hope is that one day I can truly say, “My God and My All”. For whoever has God has everything; what more could you ever want!
III. “HOW DO I GIVE JESUS MASTER-SHEPHERD, WAY-TRUTH-LIFE, TO THE WORLD”: By Mark de Catro, HFI
Good Evening!!!
For the last several days, I have been trying to organize my thoughts of what to say tonight and I tried typing the words I needed. But nothing came up in my mind, it was blank. It feels like my brain was drained of those words. My wife even suggested some phrases I can use in my reflection but those do not seem appropriate.
What came to my mind was “Trust in God” and let the Holy Spirit enlightened you and He will implant the words in your head.
We heard tonight the phrases “The Lord lights the lamps, ahead, gradually as we walk and as needed. He does not waste light, but He always gives it at “opportune times”. Truly, He does give the light when I need it.
Today, the Holy Spirit appeared to me in the person of Father Bert Mello at St. Anthony of Padua.
Remember him??? He is the one who greets the congregation in a very expressive way, saying “Gooooood Morning”. I told him that today is the 100-year Anniversary of the Pauline Family and I am to give a reflection on “How to give Jesus Master – Shepherd, Way, Truth, and Life, to the world?”
He said, “You have to receive Christ to give Christ to the world”.
Those words opened my mind. Yes, I have to receive Christ to give Him to others. And I have received him – during the celebration of the Eucharistic Mass, during Adoration, during our first Sunday Recollection, in the Sacraments, and from you…the Pauline Family.
Jesus is in me!!!! And I can give Jesus to others through me!!!
During our weekend Seminar with Father Michael Goonnan regarding Pastoral Ministry, Father Mike mentioned that an integral component of the Pastoral Ministry is listening.
Yes, I can give Christ to others by listening first. This would lead to learning about a person and finding out his or her needs through the Gospel.
At most time, I have this difficulty of listening because my mind is busy thinking how to respond for the fear that I might forget what to say especially as I grow older. In our household of three with an average age of the member of 73 years, there are times that we cannot understand each other because the three of us are talking at the same, never listening what the other is saying.
I have to be patient to listen. Only when I imitate Christ would I be able to attentively listen.
The act of kindness and compassion are demonstration of giving Christ to other. These virtues influence others to do the same and will spread out like fire. Tolerance with understanding and justice, loving and forgiving, patience…these are easily recognizable as acts of charity and signs of the presence of Christ in us.
At St. Anthony of Padua Church, I have been wondering why the parking lot which is usually full during Sunday Masses is vacated within 10 to 15 minutes after Mass while the parking lot in a sport stadium takes almost an hour to be vacated. People coming out of the Church have Christ in them and are patient as they orderly drive out their cars from the Church parking lot and thus not creating a traffic jam … whereas in a stadium parking, everybody is in a hurry, impatient, thus creating a gridlock.
Christ is in me or you when I am or you are patient and that is easily recognized of us.
When I speak with kind words, when I am thankful, courteous, and giving, I am giving Christ to others. I see Christ in them.
When talking to others about our Catholic Faith, praying before and after meals, giving a helping hand, these actions are giving Christ to others.
The Pauline Family ways are part of my spiritual journey. My formation continues in this journey until I can say “It is no longer I that live, but Christ Jesus lives in me”. The Christ-like image in me will become evident to others, bringing Christ to all. And on the day I am face to face with Jesus…I can say I gave YOU to the world!!!
IV. “HOW DO I EXPERIENCE MY BELONGING TO THE PAULINE FAMILY”: By Sr. Mary Clare Tovio, PDDM
How does one feel to belong to a big family?
I grew up in a family of 11 children.....my parents were not able to have one more to complete the number of the apostles. That’s what I called a big family: 30 plus nieces and nephews, 15 grandnieces and nephews, more on the way. The family is growing every year.
I feel blessed and fortunate, not a perfect family but I feel the sense of belonging to a loving family; we argue, we disagree with each other, we have our own short comings; different characters and interests; some look like my mother but the size of my father, some look like my father but the size of my mother....you can just imagine the activities in the household; despite all these things, at the end of the day we belong to one big family; we are flesh and blood, no matter what.
The reason why I brought up the background of my own family is because now in my religious family again I came to realize that I belong not only to the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master but to a much bigger family, bigger than my own family back home, the PAULINE FAMILY, and I am blessed to belong to this family, I have many more brothers and sisters, and I believe that this is one of those hundred fold reward that Jesus has promised to those who left all to follow Him.
Belonging to the Pauline Family has brought me to experience the richness of the spirituality in the whole person of Jesus Master WAY, TRUTH and LIFE, trying to live in Jesus Master in Mind, Will and Heart.
The multicultural character of each family and its members that contributes to the growth of the Pauline Family and to the Church, embracing many background of cultures and languages; the beauty of each other's talents and gifts which builds and strengthen the bonds of our brothers and sisters in the Family; the sense of belonging; the sense of unity, living in a loving relationship as Psalm 133 says “How good and delightful it is to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters” … it is like precious oil poured on the head … it is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion … for there the Lord bestows his blessings - his everlasting life.
We all sprung from one source, that is, the love of God that flows from the Eucharist; this love binds us together as one family. We as Paulines have a sole spirituality and that is to live the Gospel to the full; to live in the Divine Master in as much as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and to live as St. Paul understood it.
THINK BIG ... THINK PAULINE … THE ALBERIONE WAY!
***
ARCHIVES
1. Blessed James Alberione’s Life: A Service of Worship
2. The Centrality of the Word and the Eucharist in the Life of the Pauline Family
3. The Eucharistic Adoration: The Disciple at the School of the Divine Master
4. Blessed James Alberione: “I Had a Dream”
5. Mother Scholastica Rivata, PDDM: “Symphony of Joy”
6. The Collaboration of Women in the Mission of the Church: In the Mind of James Alberione
7. How Blessed James Alberione Changed My Life
8. Pauline Spirituality and Mission in Today’s Digital Age
9. Blessed Alberione and the Mass Media of Social Communication
10. The PDDM Presence in USA: A Historical Glimpse
11. The PDDM in the Pauline Family: Images of Discipleship and Ministry
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang, PDDM
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Fresno, CA-U.S.A.
Tel. (559) 275-9978
