25 Sept. Thanksgiving

Today  we reflected on St.Mary Mazzarello’s devotion to Our Blessed Lady.  Hers was a practical devotion which we can see from her letters which she wrote to the sisters as they approached the Novena to the Immaculate Virgin. What Mary recommends is a renewal of fervor in their commitment to the vows made on entering the religious life, faithfulness to the Holy Rule, to crush self love and to practice charity towards each other. She also recommends fervor in the practices of piety and in the reception of the Eucharist. Mary’s Marion devotion is Christ centered.

We also reflected on Mary’s wish to go on the missions in order that the word of God may reach many souls. Even though she never went herself, she was generous in sending many of the sisters there. In her lifetime she saw three groups leave Italy for Missionary lands. The first took place even when the Congregation was just five years established, which shows how generous and anxious Mary was towards the spread of the Kingdom of God.

This day is also one in which we express our thanks to all present and especially to our animators, Srs.Edna, Maire, Teresa, and Fr. Joy for all their generous giving during these days. Our Mass was one of Thanksgiving. Each one brought a symbol to the altar to represent our gratitude for all we have received.  The rest of the day was spent in preparation for our concert of thanksgiving to the Community here.