ASSOCIATION OF THE
MIRACULOUS MEDAL
Bulletin No. 25
THE CONTEMPLATIVE MARY
Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart (Luke 2:19)
Few other scenes enable us to experience the tenderness of Mary then the one in which
we contemplate her caressing and holding her new born son. This scene has been P
reproduced thousands of times, in all different cultures and from all possible
perspectives. Any one of these representations will always have a profound impact on
us.
R
Last November 7th the Pope E
consecrated the Basilica of
the Holy Family in S
Barcelona. This building is
the genius of a contemplative
architect who has left us a
E
monumental church dedicated
to the birth of the Son of God. N
In the center of one of its
porticos is an unforgettable T
scene which depicts the
tenderness of Mary as she
beholds her new born Son …
A
Mary contemplating the
incredible Mystery. T
A mother contemplating her I
new born child … so natural!
We have seen this any
number of times in our
O
family, among our friends or
neighbors. Nevertheless this N
scene becomes quite different
when at this special time of
the year we reflect on Mary
and her love for her child.
The Scriptures tell us that Mary was amazed, almost the same words used by Saint Luke: Mary
kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. She tried to find some logic in all that was
happening and so she pondered these realities in the depths of
her heart.
This scene is pivotal as we attempt to understand
the meaning of Christian contemplation and
prayer which naturally involves our ability to
stand in awe, our ability to enter into God’s
“logic”. Prayer supposes an openness to the P
encounter with God. Indeed, prayer means that
we open ourselves to the surprise of God who is
revealed to us and who fills us when we have the
R
ability to empty ourselves of our own self-
interests.
E
In the passage mentioned above Mary shows us how to contemplate. Months before S
this event she had said yes to God. Now she experiences the meaning of that yes.
She had to abandon her home and had to set out on a journey that was difficult for
her because of her physical condition. Despite the care that Joseph provided, the
E
journey was nonetheless difficult. When they arrived in Bethlehem Mary’s birth
pains made them forget about the uproar of the people who had gathered together on
N
the occasion of the census and they looked for intimacy in the silence of the night
and the cave. T
Thus appeared the Mystery of God.
encounter this Mystery supposes that one seeks
To A
for this alone. Everything that is not of God has
to be put aside. Only in this way will we be able
T
to achieve the prayer of contemplation.
I
What is surprising here is that the God whom we
encounter is not someone who is from another
world, spiritual … God is presented in the form
O
and the reality of a human person. God is a
concrete, specific person and does not reveal
N
himself in a purely spiritual or emotional
manner. A savior has been born for us … This
is the way that God acts and Mary attempts to understand this God who is beyond all
human and religious logic.
Mary was amazed. Mary pondered these realities in her heart … and she does as she
beholds the weakness and the frailty of her child who wanted to take on our likeness.
In our attempts at prayer we must always confront the limitation of our humanness. And
yet it is as human persons that God reveals himself to us. This may seem like a small
matter but it truly a marvelous reality.
I believe that this magnificent scene of the birth of Jesus surrounded by his mother and father
enables us to live out the virtues of our Association, namely, the virtue of prayer and
contemplation. In our new Statutes we read: Invited by Mary (Come to the foot of the altar…
Oh Mary, pray for us who have recourse to you) the members of the Association safeguard their
encounter with God in prayer and contemplation (on both the personal and community level)
[Statute #10]. Mary teaches us how to cultivate this virtue of contemplation. To enter into the
heart of our Mother is to learn how to do things as she did them. There is no doubt
that Mary, a good Mother and Teacher --- will lead us by the hand to authentic prayer
and contemplation.
C
Mary kept all H
these things, R
reflecting on
them in her heart I
(Luke 2:19) S
T
M
A
S
M
E
S
The International Council of the
Association of the Miraculous Medal S
Extends its greetings to you at this holy time A
and prays that in light of the great Mystery
that we celebrate all of you might be filled with joy
G
and live in the presence of God E
who became incarnated in our human weakness.
Merry Christmas 2010 and Happy New Year 2011
LIFE OF THE ASSOCIATION IN THE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
AFRICA
Cameroon:
The Commission for the promotion of Systemic Change has presented the
Association in Cameroon (led by Angeline Nsina) with significant financing in
order to engage in the cultivation of mushrooms as a way of providing a new crop
for the poor. Congratulation on this achiuevement!
AMERICA
N Argentina:
Julio Adolfo Castellano, a member of the International Committee of the
Association of the Miraculous Medal and National Director of the Association in El
Salvador provided us with some news about his visit to Argentina. In Argentina he
E spent time with a group of the Association at the Sanctuary of the Miraculous
Medal (a metro station near this Shrine is called “The Miraculous Medal”) in
Buenos Aires. This group is directed with great enthusiasm by Father Gabriel
Artaso. He also met with the Visitor of the Province which is composed of
W Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. We hope that this trip was most beneficial.
P
S
N
Brazil:
E Sistar Joaquina Camargo, D.C. of Curitiba is grateful for the new General Statutes of
the Association which will now enable the group in Brazil to begin the process of
revising their National Statutes. She also spoke about the apostolate of the group
which is directed toward men and women living on the street. With the help of the
W Visitratrix and her Council the group is able to assist these people as well as provide
them with means so that they no longer have to live in the streets.
S Colombia - Cali
Sister Luzdari Jiménez, D.C. wrote to us about the celebration of the Fourth
Provincial Assembly of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. During the
Assembly a new Provincial President was elected and time was spent studying the
International Statutes. The new president is María Haydee Valdés and we extend a
warm welcome to her. At the same time we thank Sister Rosalba Naranjo who had
previously exercised this role of leadership. During the month of November the
group will undertake a pilgrimage to the National shrine of the Virgin of the
Miraculous Medal.
N Dominican Republic:
Sister Crescencia Manzueta, D.C. wrote to us about accompanying the groups in this
country. Local and regional assemblies have been held and the National Assembly
E will take place in November. During the month of October the group promoted the
recitation of the family rosary.
El Salvador:
W Julio Adolfo Castellanos has communicated to us news about the very active
participation of the members in the Vincentian Jubilee Year to commemorate the
350th anniversary of the deaths of Saint Vincent and Saint Louise. The catechesis
that has revolved around their study of the International Statutes has helped them
S make the necessary changes in their National Statutes. The group is now preparing
for the celebration of the feasts of the Miraculous Medal and Saint Catherine.
Mexico:
Irma Pérez, the National President, informed us that in May of 2010 the National
Assembly was held and during this Assembly a process of revising the National
Statutes was initiated so that they would conform to the new General Statutes.
Retreats for the different groups has provided her with an opportunity to share in the
life of these groups.
N
E
AUSTRALIA
W Sister Marie Westblade, D.C. has sent us a copy of their bulletin which deals with
the approval of the International Statutes and their work on behalf of people who are
poor.
S EUROPE
Spain:
Father Enrique Rivas has shared with us some news about the activities of the group
in Spain. In all the different regions of Spain the 350th anniversary of the death of
our two Founders was celebrated. Some of the principal activities during the Jubilee
Year were: the Congress of the Vincentian Family which was held in Madrid during
the month of March and in which more than 350 people from the different branches
of the Vincentian Family participated. The closing of the Vincentian Jubilee Year
was held in all the cathedrals of Spain where the bishops presided at the Eucharist
which was organized by Vincentian coordinators and celebrated for the Vincentian
Family. Among these celebrations he highlighted the celebration in Madrid on
September 27th which took place in the Basilica of the Miraculous Medal and was presided by
the cardinal of Madrid. Hundreds of priests concelebrated the Eucharist, the majority of whom
were members of the Congregation of the Mission. Many Daughters of Charity and members of
the Vincentian Family were also present at this celebration.
Spain (continued)
The National Council of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in Spain met in
September, 2009 and decided to render homage to our Founders in a way that
would be most pleasing to them: to promote a project that would help “our lords
and masters, the poor” by creating a fund to offer micro-financing for businesses
N in Haiti. In January of 2010 we are able to send 20,000 euros. But the earthquake
in January of 2010 made the donors more sensitive to this project and the
donations increased so that at the conclusion of the Jubilee Year we were able to
send more than 100,000 euros ($140,00 US dollars) to Haiti. This has been an
incredible project and most of the donations have come from people who do not
E have many financial resources. Yet, these same people were instrumental in
raising more funds by talking with their friends, co-workers and other family
members. All of this money was sent to the superior general who in turn sent this
money to Haiti.
W APPOINTMENTS
In December, Father Eli Chaves dos Santos will take up the responsibility of
S coordinating the International Vincentian Family, replacing Father Manuel Ginete.
We are grateful to Father Ginete for the attention that he gave to our Association
and at the same time we greet Father Eli and assure him that our prayers will
always accompany him. We also thank and bid farewell to Father John Gouldrick,
Econome-General, who with great dedication collaborated in the management of
the finances of the Association.
THANKS
We express our gratitude to the National Councils of the Dominican Republic and
Mexico for their contributions that support the functioning of the Association on
an international level.
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