Secular Servite NewsFall 2009 DAYS OR PERIODS OF RECOLLECTION JORNADAS O PERIODOS DE RECOGIMIENTO The Rule of Life of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary states: “It is one of the duties of the Secular Fraternity to organise regular days or periods of recollection, in which all the sisters and brothers strive to participate”. (RL #31) In the commentary on the Rule of Life, Building a New World, we read: “Growth in the spiritual life requires not only a daily rhythm of prayer which accompanies our usual work, school, home routine. It also needs periods which break the routine of time and place so that for shorter, more intnese periods we can reflect with calm and ease on our journey to God The Rule therefore wisely states that it is a duty (not merely an exhortation) of the Secular Community to organize days of recollection, weekend retreats, and other spirtual opportunities to become more aware not only of God in our lives but also of each other. Ordinarily these should be away from the usual meeting place of the Community. Just as the community as a whole has a duty to organize these, each member must “strive to participate”. (p. 88) La Regla de Vida de la Orden Seglar de los Siervos de María dice: “La Fraternidad Seglar programará jornadas y periódos de recogimiento, a los que todos los hermanos y hermanas se Violet Murphy, OSSM, Bruce Almeroth, OSSM, comprometerán a participar”. (RV #31) En el comentario a la Regla Cary Watt, OSSM- Sts Alexis and Juliana de Vida, Construyendo un Mundo Mejor, leemos: “El crecimiento Community, Hillside, IL en la vida espiritual requiere no sólo un ritmo de oración diaria que acompañe el trabajo cotidiano, la escuela o las labores del hogar. También se necesitan períodos en que se rompa esta rutina del tiempo y del espacio, para poder tener de esta forma momentos más intensos de reflexión y tranqulidad en nuestro camino hacia Dios. Esta es la razon por la que la Regla establece sabiamente que es tarea de la Fratenridad Seglar el organizar días de recogimientos, retiros de fines de semana u otras oportunidades a nivel espiritual para trabajar a nivel de la persona, reflexionando no sólo sobre la presencia de Dios en nuestras vidas, sino para hacer también una evaluación de la relación mutua. En general, esto debería realizarse fuera del lugar de las reuniones de la Fraternidad. Así como es obligación de toda la fraternidad organizar los retiros, debe ser tarea de cada miembro “comprometerse a participar”. (p.80) Comunidad Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Santiago, República Dominicana OSSM MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETING: PRAYER, ONGOING FORMATION, & SOCIAL Article 17 of the Rule of Life of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary states: “The Secular Fraternity meets to proclaim the Word of God and reflect on it together and to examine and study the Rule, matters of human, social and religious concerns, and issues related to Servite life”. This article clearly states that a monthly gathering of the Servite Secular Order community is not for the sole purpose of prayer alone. The Secular fraternity meets for prayer (which should be liturgical and Servite in nature), study and social time. This ideal of the community’s monthly gathering comes from some of the routines of our Servite religious life, which are: meditation on the Word of God, communal prayer, and taking interest in the lives of each other. The monthly gathering of the Secular Order community is meant to foster and build a stronger sense of community among the local Secular Servites. Scheduling the Secular community’s monthly meeting to include prayer, study and social time allows the process of community building to work effectively within the group. Some of the local Secular Order communities gather solely for prayer and social time. While these two activities are important for people to get to know each other and to praise God, the recommended time for study should not be overlooked. The Rule of Life clearly has the ideal of community as the basis for the life of the Servite Secular Order. As we friars find support, affirmation and challenge in our religious life with the brothers of our local community, so too should the Secular Servite be afforded the same support from the members of their community. But, if time for “getting to know” each other is not a regular part of the monthly gathering, the support needed to live the lay Servite life will be difficult to find. Likewise, study is imperative to the life of the Secular Order community, for it allows the Secular Servite the opportunity to better know and comprehend the faith that they profess and the Servite spirituality which gives flesh to the faith they profess. The monthly gathering of the Servite Secular Order community is not about holy hours, rosaries and devotions only. It is about building a living community of Christians who live a 776 year-old tradition of fraternity and service to others always drawing abiding inspiration from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord. Strong Secular Servite communities will enable lay Catholics to live their faith in a practical and meaningful way, especially if they pray, study and know each other as sisters and brothers in the Lord. (Article was first published: The Secular Assistant’s News, Summer, 1996). In their Initial Formation, the Secular Servant of Mary undertook: • “to gradually discover and assimilate the specific vocation of the lay-person in the Church and the characteristics proper to the Servite Secular Fraternity; • to study the Rule and Statutes proper to the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary; • to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the doctrine on the Virgin Mary in the Mystery of Christ and the Church; • to understand the essential elements of the history and spirituality of the Servite Order.” (RL #53) “In their continuing formation, the Secular Servant of Mary will seek through study to deepen their knowledge of the official documents of the Church and the Order”. (RL #44b) RECOMMENDED OUTLINE FOR MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETING BASIC STRUCTURE: • Servite Community Prayer (30 min.) • Ongoing Formation (60 min.) • Community Meeting (30 min.) • Fellowship SERVITE COMMUNITY PRAYER: The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows; the Via Matris; the Vigilia of Our Lady; the Servite Saints and Blessed: a reading about their life and a prayer (OSSM Prayer Book). ONGOING FORMATION: The Council can consult with the community to identify topics to be considered in future sessions. For example, to learn more about the life of St. Peregrine, of the Seven Holy Founders; to study more about Mary and about the Seven Sorrows and how each of these are experienced today by ourselves, others, the Church, society at large; to learn more about life-threatening diseases: cancer, AIDS, and others, and how we can make others aware and prevent disease (Health Fair; talks by doctors and other medical professionals). COMMUNITY MEETING: The Prioress (Prior) convokes and presides at the meetings: to ask the opinion of the community members regarding activities to be carried out or issues of concern to be discussed; to inform the community about upcoming activities, meetings, Masses or prayer services; to receive suggestions from the community; the Treasurer gives a report (monthly, every two or three months). It is important to maintain an open communication among all in the community. The “candidates” (those “in formation”) also take part in the meeting. The Secretary should prepare a “calendar of events” for the month to be distributed to all at the meeting. 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SERVITE PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES Wilma Suemith His Eminence Bishop Jessie Dubbed Hesed, the Hebrew word for God’s Mercado, of graciousness, the St. Peregrine Philippine Vicariate, the Diocese Order of the Servants of Mary, just celebrated its of Paranaque, 25th year in the Philippines. It was a year-long Las Pinas and preparation, capped by the unveiling of the life- Muntinlupa, size statue of St. Peregrine on August 22, 2009. officiated at The site of the statue is at the main entrance of the the solemn St. Peregrine Shrine in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City, u n v e i l i n g southern Philippines. c e r e m o n y assisted by the Prior to the unveiling, there was a motorcade Servite friars participated in by the parishioners. Each community/ headed by subdivision within the parish wore assigned colors the Father General Angel Ruiz Garnica, OSM who for their motorcade. It was a beautiful combination came all the way from Italy to grace the occasion. of colors of pink, green, red, black & blue t-shirts At hand to witness the momentous event were OSM worn by people who joined the parade holding small brothers, aspirants, novices, Servite nuns, Secular flags which bore the word Hesed. Servites, Secular Institute, other members of the cont. on page 9 VISITATION OF THE SECULAR ORDER COMMUNITIES During the four-year term of the National Council, each Secular Order community will receive one visit from two members of the National Council. There should be a minimum of two Council members who make the visitation; preferably one Friar and one Secular Servite. Arrangements are made to visit the community and to meet with the local Council. What is the purpose or the goal of this visitation? Goals: • To promote fidelity to the Servite charism. • To promote observance of the Rule of Life. • To provide support in the life of the community. Ways to Achieves Goals: • By helping the community to evaluate itself. • By providing inspiration and information • By providing an experience of unity with the total Servite Family.