Marathon of Spiritual Retreats ....Over........

 Last week i returned from Mangalore where i preached my last retreat to the Adoration Monastery sisters....with this monastery i completed 12 retreats for the adoration sisters.....now only one is remaining in India, that is Vizag.....and then two more in Bangladesh.....hope to preach them too....

 A great experience with our poor sisters...they love the friars so much that they pray every day for all the friars....they also depend on the support of the friars especially for spiritual animation

 In all the monasteries i dealt with Franciscan spirituality and how can we revive and make it more effective through our lives of witness

 The young and old sisters attended the classes and were very attentive and exemplary by their holy presence...

 The young sisters are showing willingness to learn more and bring about a change in living the Charism and spirituality of Sts. Francis and Clare

 Someone remarked: Father Michael now that you have been so much part of the adoration monasteries, why not decide to become a cloistered Capuchin Adoration friar" not a bad Idea....

Retreat for the Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima, Goa.....

Six days of prayer and reflection with the sisters of Fatima....they were 14 of them....they run a aged home and there are 45 inmates....mostly all goats....the sisters do a wonderful work for these women...they are all well looked after and cared for.....the convent is just opposite across the road of our Monte Guirim Friary....it is about 2km.....lovely place...paddy fields all around and a quite sleepy village....Hindus and Catholics living peacefully.....

 I would walk up to our Friary ....it would take 20 minutes to go up and 20 to come down....wonderful sight of the sunset.....lovely fields....chapels all around....

 Paddy harvesting is going on....so the whether is very humid....

 Young and old Fatimaties.....

 A group photo.....small group easy to animate and a lot of time for spiritual direction.....

Retreat for Apostolic Carmelites ....At Margaon Goa.....

 First time I was preaching to AC nuns....had to do a lot of reading to be in tune with the sisters...they normally have retreats organized on community level so you can expect small numbers....if you are used to big numbers then you might get disappointed.....they were 12 sisters.....some seniors and juniors.....Margaon was a familiar shore for me...as I have spent three years in our erstwhile formation house of KGM....I went around in the evening walks....especially Margaon market where I would shop....it is same after 25 years.....

Retreat ends at Fatima Friary, Kirol

Last five days were the days of spiritual renewal and encounter with the Lord....God's experience was offered by the retreat preacher....he did his job well.....the rest is now in our hands ....to come down the mountain....pitch our tents....the Holy Spirit will accompany us....to walk in the footsteps of Jesus...

 ·      Mary has taken a centre stage in the lives of many people

·      Father please pray for so that I may do Mary’s will

·      Many go on pilgrimage to marian shrine? Are there any changes and transformations?

·      Right approach to Mary…Approach of Jesus…how did he look at Mary…no mention of cordial relationship between two of them…Blessed are those who do the will of God….harsh treatment towards Mary…Brothers and sisters and Mary came to see..

·      Gospel present Mary as some one who is great because she did God’s will…she great…so relationship between them is not so cordial…emotionally attached…

·      Purpose of Jesus to present Mary who is one who leads us to God…

·      At the foot of Cross….new eve one who leads you to God…new life….at foot of cross is a woman who is suffering with Christ…

·      John had already a Mother….why another mother is present to disciple? Why does he need? Because mother like Mary is needed…their natural mothers are too petty and emotional…this not enough…you need a mother who will lead you beyond…

·      John learnt from Mary what it means to be a disciples…how to yield your positions to others….teach you what God wants you to learn and know

·      Luke is devoted to Mary…presents and compares her indirectly to Ark of the Covenant

·      Ark of Covenant is sign of God’s presence…sign of priesthood…Staff….Rod…ten commandments will lead you to God and promise land…through the mediator….guidance and food is secured…. 

·      Mary is bearer of ark of Covenant…. priesthood, Eucharist and new commandments….she is carrying Jesus and all three all present..

·      How to take life as it comes: Mary anticipated a cross for her son Simeon had already predicated that a sword would pierce through her soul.

·      Mary was always prepared

·      She was always insulated….ready to speak and spread the word….deal with every situation…learnt to be content with what I have…secret of well fed and hungry, having plenty and in need…

·      She was always welcoming…she is a refuge….all disciples come to crying after the death of Jesus….mary could have driven them away…where were you when he was crucified….she offers refuge and gather them in upper room

·      We recite rosary in the company of Mary

·      Do as he tells you….she says at the end of the Rosary

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