Philippine - Saipan Province

Formators - Animators Meeting

November 24, 2007, Srs. Marta, Luz Mary and Puri, met the Provincial Council, together with the Animators of the Communities and the Formators in all levels of formation.  The day was begun with the common prayer guided by Sr. Marta who led the group to the contemplation of the depth and richness of the Icon of the mosaic of Mary Mother of the Good Shepherd found in the chapel of our Motherhouse in Albano, through some canons of ancient icons.

Gazing at this Icon in a new perspective once more opened our inner eye to the profundity and hidden beauty of one of our charismatic legacies on pastoral spirituality that our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, has transmitted to us.  Indeed when one’s heart is open to welcome the Spirit, new lights profusely gush forth. There is no better way to savor the “taste of God” than to contemplate anew on the personal, unique and abundant love lavished by God to each sister.  The Lord continues to invite us to allow ourselves be touched by Him so as to be able “to take care” in creative fidelity the humanity of today to whom Jesus offers the Spring of new life in Him.

The second part of the day was spent in another guided reflection by Sr. Marta from the speech of Pope Benedict XVI given on the occasion of the 11^th World Day on Consecrated Life, February 2, 2007.  The talk focused on the greatest challenge facing consecrated life today pointed at the very important role interpersonal relationships play in the community, because the world expects from us that we show them how to live “reconciled relationship” among ourselves.  

To enrich each other, the rest of the day was devoted to group sharing and reporting in the bigger assembly so as to come out with the three attitudes each sister  needs to assume in order to live this “reconciled relationship” in the community.

“The religious community is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is the      

love of God  poured  into our hearts  by  the Holy Spirit from

which religious  community  takes its  origin  built   as  a  true

family  gathered  together in the Lord’s name.”  (FLC 8)

“Only God’s love can change man’s life and thus every society from within, for it is God’s infinite love alone that sets him free from sin, which is the root of all evil. . .  Only divine forgiveness and divine love received with an open and sincere heart gives us the strength to resist evil and to sin no more. Jesus’ attitude thus becomes a model to follow for every community, which is called to make love and forgiveness the vibrant heart of its life.”  (Benedict XVI, March 25, 2007.)

                                                                                              PI-Saipan Province