Living Out the Consecration: Instruments of God’s Healing Presence
QUEZON CITY, Philippines - The Epistle of James, Chapter 2:14-18 says “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? In the same way, faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Taking from these words of St. James, we can say that in the missionary life of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, this is evident. This Apostolic Missionary is not only concerned with the spiritual well-being of the people during his time but also of the necessities of the body. He begged food for the inmates of the Poor House of Poitier. He had his soup kitchen for people during mission especially for children during catechism. This only shows his holistic understanding of the human person. Doing mission in this manner is one mark of the Congregation he had founded and is trying its best to be faithful in its mission activities with its continuous collaboration with the lay people.
With this inspiration, the Montfort Missionaries, through the Association of Mary Queen of All Hearts (AMQAH-Philippines) had a two-day Medical and Dental Mission held at the Montfort Center of Spirituality at #47 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle, Quezon City last October 12 and 26, 2019. The SMM Philippines has been into Medical and Dental Mission several times already but for the AMQAH members, it is their first time to organize this activity.
Medical check-up started on the first day in cooperation with Hi-Power Diagnostic Center which started at 6 o’clock in the morning. The 72 persons who availed the services had an 8-hour fasting as a preparation for their laboratory examinations such as ECG (Electrocardiogram), FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar), Total Cholesterol, BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), Uric Acid, CBC (Complete Blood Count), SGPT (test for liver diseases) and Urinalysis. Alongside with the medical check-up, there was also a dental check-up and tooth extraction among the 20 persons who have dental concerns. This is in collaboration with Dra. Carmencita Galvan and her son, Dr. Marc Angelo Galvan.
Most of the people who availed of these services are from the urban poor community near the Montfort Center of Spirituality. After their check-up, they were given food for breakfast. Some SMM priests, seminarians and staff also took the opportunity to avail of this medical and dental services. The beneficiaries were then asked to come back on October 26, 2019 for the test results. After the activity, the medical staff, volunteers and the AMQAH members celebrated Mass in thanksgiving for a meaningful first part of the Medical Mission. The celebration was presided by Fr. Arnel Pagaduan, SMM. The SMM collegians (aspirants) and some scholastics also joined the celebration.
The second part of the Medical Mission was on October 26, 2019. It started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 6 o’clock in the morning and was presided by Fr. Federick B. Yumang, SMM, the AMQAH National Director. Then, around 7 o’clock, the free eye check-up begun for the 96 persons who have eye concerns. The free eye check-up with free eyeglasses was in cooperation with the Centro Escolar University Compass Optometry Chapter led by Dra. Carla Ocampo. There were also 80 persons who availed the wellness treatment (Acupuncture, Ventosa, BMR and Chiropractic service) during that day as provided by Alpha Phi Omega Caravan led by Mr. Aldo Rosaria. There were about 72 persons who availed of the free doctor’s consultation from 8:30 AM to 12 NN. The people were provided with snacks and some free medicines for the diabetics and hypertensive patients.
This two-day activity was indeed a grace-filled experience not only to the people who benefited from this activity but also to those who offered their free services. It was truly a manifestation of God’s loving care to His people. He touched the individuals and the groups to respond to the invitation to share their time, expertise and material blessings for this activity. The spirit of working together among the dedicated Associates of the Montfort Missionaries (AMQAH) is a true inspiration and manifestation of “Jesus Living in Mary” aspect of the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. Here in the Philippines, we call it TOTUS TUUS JOURNEY for the glory of GOD ALONE!
Fr. Federick Yumang, SMM
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