Lenten Recollection for Association of Mary Queen of All Hearts
[FR]
QUEZON CITY, Philippines
- The Montfort Missionaries Association of Mary Queen
of All Hearts (AMQAH) hosted a Marian Lenten Recollection last April 1,
2023 entitled "Mary at the Foot of the Cross: Lessons for Lent" which
featured Recollection Master Rev. Fr. Paul Arnel "Dodong" L. LUCERO,
SMM.
Fr. Dodong's reflective
question, "How can I make my Holy Week really Holy (Santa)?" listed
the five actions - SANTA, which we can practice to make our Holy Week more
meaningful, and learn the messages Mary tells us while she was at the foot of
the cross of Jesus Christ.
S is to Stay, to remain
present when anyone is in need. Mary tells us to stay with those who suffer.
When we encounter friends or family members experiencing pain and suffering, we
must stay beside them who are in need of our help, companionship, and presence,
just as Mary and John stayed at the foot of the cross during Jesus' crucifixion
(Jn 19:25-27).
A is to Associate or to
unite. Mary associated with the passion of her Son. Mary's example of
solidarity with Jesus reminds us that through our suffering, we can find
strength in our connection to Christ. When our hearts are united with Him, we
can find comfort, strength, and courage to overcome any challenges.
Nod is Mary's
"Yes" response to suffering. As she suffered courageously, her faith
and trust in God never wavered. Mary's courage and fortitude inspire us to find
strength in our faith amidst our greatest trials and tribulations, and that God
is with us always.
T is to Trust God's plan
totally. Mary's total trust and surrender to God's will made her understand
that Jesus' death is part of a larger divine plan and submitted to it
unwaveringly. Through this, we can find comfort and hope in the knowledge that
God is always in control and that His plan is ultimately for our own good.
A is for Abound, or
boundless. Mary's love extended beyond her Son, Jesus, whereupon hanging on the
Cross, He looked at her and said: "Woman here is your Son." Then,
Jesus turned to John and said: "Here is your mother." Mary became a
mother to all of Jesus' followers, nurturing and caring for them as if they
were her own children. Mary's selfless love and sacrifice teach us the
importance of extending our love and care to others unconditionally. It reminds us that we are all connected and
how our love can have a positive and powerful impact on the world.
As St. Montfort tells us,
Mary our Queen Mother is very real for all of us. Just as how she loved Jesus,
so must we extend and let our love abound for others, for that is what Mary did
at the foot of the cross.
After the Lenten
recollection proper, there was a small group sharing of inspiring stories from
the participants, an overall positive response. Then, the Recollection Master
concelebrated a Eucharistic Mass with Fr. Fed YUMANG and Rev. Armel COLLANTES
which beautifully capped the day's activity.
Caridad LANSANG, AMM
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