Day 23 of September: Go forward!
Morning Prayer invited us to return to our roots and at the same time to go forward allowing nothing to impede our progress. On this last day we felt the presence of our Founder as we read the story of his dream.
“I dreamt that the centre of a vast Association would be better situated in the countryside rather in a town. In the city, the noise, the bustle, visitors, trivialities of all type would distract from the contemplation of God. In my dream, the Holy Family appeared as a large tree, like an oak, and on it were flowers and fruits of all seasons; there were birds of different colours from every country; each species had its own characteristic song but at one moment all sang with a single voice in perfect harmony and they seemed to sing Glory to God! Glory to God Alone all through Mary! In order for this tree to grow and develop, it needed air and space and I spontaneously situated it here”
After prayer five members of the Council of the Family, one from each vocation, spoke in the name of the Council expressing their gratitude for the messages of support and assurance of prayer which came from our members worldwide.
The reflections of members during the first stage of the Congress were vital for this second stage. We can say in all truth that these have been fruitful days thanks to the reflections of the whole Family in their different vocations and countries. The first stage was compared to the earth that was being tilled before the sowing of the seed. Now follows the harvest and gathering in of the fruits of the Congress.
We are here because we have been sent by the members of our Family, present in four continents. We, in the name of the assembly, are responsible for the transmission of all that we have experienced. Let us do this creatively and let us communicate the calls that we have received so that we can renew our lives
The assembly was informed that a letter from the Council of the Family would be sent out. This letter would communicate the decisions of the Congress which will be presented as a document and sent out as soon as possible.
Margaret then presented the document to the Assembly for the approval of all. The assembly responded by giving unanimous approval.
ALLELUIA! (only by clicking the mouse)
EUCHARIST ON THE ISLAND
CELEBRATION (only by clicking the mouse)
Participants, friends, sisters from neighbouring communities all gathered together for the celebration of the Eucharist which had a marked intercultural dimension. During the celebration we keenly felt the presence of our Founder and rejoiced in how his dream was being realised.
This experience of Eucharist was prolonged during an informal lunch on the lawn.
In the evening the groups met in order to think of ways in which the experience of the Congress could be shared in the different contexts.
After sharing the fruits of this reflection, Margaret thanked all those who had contributed to the Congress.
CLOSING
A moment of silence invited us to recall all that we had lived and to express our gratitude to God, our Founder and all those who had gone before us.
I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me
I am stronger for their courage; I am wiser for their words
I am lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future
I am grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth
Joyce Johnson Rouse
Then each group presented a symbol expressive of their experience during the Congress.
The final document of the calls heard during the Congress was read in the three languages as participants extended their hands as a sign of their commitment to implement the calls.
A loud and joyful ALLELUIA marked the end of this second stage of the Congress.
GO FORWARD!
Thank you for letting us share in your wonderful experiences of this special time in Martillac. United in ‘Family’ Prayer, in our world-wide Family of PBN