MARIANIST REFLECTION November 2008
|
The Holy Spirit is alive and well!
The same Spirit that inspired Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Venerable Ade le de Batz de Trenquellion and Venerable Marie-Therese Charlotte de Lamourous was working hard at the Synod on The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church that ran from October 5 through 26, 2008 at the Vatican.
It is now up to Pope Benedict XVI to accept the Propositions put forth by the Synod's delegates that included 180 bishops, 24 members of the Roman Curia, 10 heads of religious orders, and 32 clerics appointed by the pope.
Judging by the Synod's Propositions, the work we have undertaken as Marianists has been affirmed. The complete list of propositions can be found at http://ncrcafe.org/node/2228 but here are some excerpts:
Proposition 17: Ministry of the Word and women
- The synod fathers recognize and encourage the service of the laity in the transmission of the faith.
- The synod recommends the formation of small ecclesial communities where the Word of God is heard, studied and prayed over . . . [S]mall communities meet regularly around the Word of God, in order to share it among themselves, and they draw strength from it.
- The service of the laity who guide these communities must be esteemed and promoted, because they render a missionary service to which all the baptized are called.
Proposition 22: Word of God and prayerful reading
- Care should be taken so that the prayerful reading of the Scriptures, above all in community, end in a commitment to charity.
Proposition 34: Biblical animation and youth
- The younger generations should be welcomed, heard and accompanied with love by the Christian community . . .
Proposition 38: The missionary duty of all the baptized
- Laity are called to rediscover the responsibility to exercise their prophetic duty, which derives directly from their baptism, of testifying to the Gospel in their daily life; at home, at work, and wherever they find themselves.
- It's necessary, moreover, to open itineraries of Christian formation in which "through listening to the Word, celebration of the Eucharist and fraternal love lived in community" an ever more adult faith can be developed.
Proposition 39: The Word of God and commitment in the world
- The Word of God, . . . sustains the identification of the "signs of the times" present in history; it impels believers to commit themselves on behalf of those who suffer and who are victims of injustices. The struggle for justice and transformation is constitutive of evangelization.
Proposition 55: Mary, Mater Dei and Mater fidei
- The synod, which intends above all to renew the faith of the church in the Word of God, looks to Mary, the Virgin Mother of the Incarnate Word, who with her "yes" to the Word of the Covenant and its mission, perfectly fulfills the divine vocation of humanity.
The Synod has confirmed our Marianist "Yes" as a "Yes" to the entire Church from the Holy Spirit.
peace and love,
aj
|
Contact Information
If you would like information about the Marianist Family visit the website of Marianist Lay Network of North America, The Society of Mary, Marianist Sisters or The Marianist Family.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the Marianist Family, e-mail AJ Wagner. (President of Marianist Lay Network of North America.)
If you have a suggestion or a comment or if you have a story for Saying Yes, send it to AJ
If you experience problems receiving the e-mail, contact Jacqui Griswold MLNNA Communication Coordinator
|
|
