Mother of the Church

Mother of the Church

I used to wonder what my favorite term for the Immaculate is. She is greeted with so many titles that probably each of her devotees is particularly close to one of them. Personally, I rarely call her by name. Mother of God is definitely closer to me, and in a very personal prayer simply Mummy ... Everything comes from her Divine Motherhood, all the veneration that is surrounded by Jesus' disciples. When we invoke the intercession of Our Lady in the Litany of Loreto, we also call her the Mother of the Church. This is the second title that I often address to her also when it falls me to lead community prayers. And although this title of Mary was solemnly announced only by St. Paul VI on November 21, 1964, its value and pronunciation are present throughout the history of the Church from its beginnings. Today, in the age of pandemics, unrest in many parts of the world, great social differences, prevailing ideologies and other things far from the Gospel, there are many seers, prophets and apostles of the apocalypse. The thought that we are living in the end times gives rise to all sorts of pious practices that are good in themselves and belong to the wealth of the Church. However, their excessive multiplication seems to betray a certain spiritual anxiety, nervousness, distrust, or a tendency to panic. The fullness of time has come with the coming of the Savior into the world (see Gal 4: 4). The end times full of expectation, longing, trials, and hope are inscribed in the time of the Church (see CCC 672-677). Already from the Ascension, the Lord's coming is close, and while awaiting this event, the Church is accompanied by Her Mother. You have to listen to your mother. This statement seems so obvious, but it is not always as we think it is. In private revelations recognized as true and approved by the Church, she says the same as in Scripture through her attitude, presence with Jesus and the young Church. It says the same as in the few words written by the Evangelists. For me, the most specific clue is the command given at the wedding to the servants of Cana in Galilee, whom he sends back to Jesus saying: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2: 5). The title of Mary, Mother of the Church reminds me of a beautiful medieval Madonna with a Protective Mantle, the original of which is in the Church of St. Nicholas in Markdorf. I have never been there, but I got a picture with her image from a late Franciscan who, years ago, accompanied me in the discernment of my vocation. Today, when we live in times when everything is or must be special, I think that such simplicity and ordinariness are needed in protecting oneself under her maternal protection, with which, under the mantle of Mary, the figures representing the medieval inhabitants of the town are protected. We need simplicity and ordinariness in the spiritual life, prayer and work, in interpersonal relationships within and outside communities. Then we are most like the Mother when, following Her commands, we live as she lived - in the presence of Jesus. Then we are like her when we let the Spirit of God guide us and permeate us as he fills and guides her. So it is not only about addressing Mary in a solemn, pietistic way in solemn moments, or about undertaking various works or apostolic actions as her Sisters. Rather, it is about daily faithfulness to the simple way of living, following her example, which is also manifested in the forms of piety, the way of being, speaking, behaving ... Finishing my reflections on Mary, our Mother - Mother of the Church, one more thought comes to my mind. The aforementioned time of vocational discernment ended with the decision to enter to the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, although I knew a few other religious congregations, and some of them contributed greatly to my religious development through catechesis, running a group of the Children of Mary, a choir, parish camps and retreats for girls. It is difficult to say why the Lord Jesus brought me here. But I can say with certainty that what distinguished the Sisters of Mary was the simplicity, the family atmosphere that can be felt in the religious house and the ordinariness of the Sisters with whom I had contact then. Sr. M. Michaela Musiał
Work

Work

Every work we do is actually a participation in the creative activity of the Creator. The work is the bridge between why we are created for and what we are created for. By each work done with the intention of making the world around you better for the other, you are realizing the God’s plan in history. Each work, either big or small, is an opportunity to make a change which brings the presence of God where you are. Bringing light and joy. It’s often doing the necessary and the possible with commitment and passion. Each work done selflessly leaves the fingerprint of God and each work done selfishly leaves the fingerprint of your ego. Don Giorgio
Cabinet Psychotherapy doM

Cabinet Psychotherapy doM

Psychotherapy doM is a place where you can express problems, difficulties that are perceived by strength and willingness to live. It is a place where you can experience the dignity of yourself, discover your beauty, feel that you are loved. This is the place where Mary, the patroness of the office, wipes the tears flowing down her cheeks herself, and bends over every human story. It is a place where, apart from me and the person who comes, Mary is present in a special way. I feel grateful that SHE Herself, through my superiors, trusted me, entrusting each person in this and no other job. I know that every person who comes to the meeting is here not by accident. It gives me such confidence that it is a good time.   The office is a meeting place, it's TIME. A time that is often fraught with feelings, emotions, memories, where everything becomes alive and real again, where you can experience yourself. Each pain is a profound experience. We fight it so often because it is unbearable. But being with this pain helps you accept it, helps you experience yourself.   To experience yourself in a difficult situation is to know that even if everything is falling apart, I AM, you can feel deep support, even though there is nothing stable around. It is to touch your innermost being, which is stable, calm, confident, despite the fact that it is hard outside and various turbulent feelings. This pain can often help you make your way back to yourself.   As a sister, I cannot help but write that this innermost being is the holy place of the saints in us, where God resides. The time when we are with our own pain, when we experience it, sometimes deeply, truly and vividly, allows us to meet ourselves. It allows you to peel off all layers that have covered like dust, what is most beautiful in us. The layer of expectations of others towards us, unfulfilled hopes, all feelings that today are so different tomorrow, bad words about us, wrongs ... what we have, God makes the way to Himself. We begin to enjoy ourselves as we are, with our wounds. Pain and time to be with it, to reach the depths of yourself. Difficult experiences, well lived, often leave the most beautiful trace.   We experience a time of joy in the Octave of Easter, Jesus stretches out His wounded hands, shows His pierced side, these wounds are all Love This is my job, my service - I am with another person in their pain, worries and sadness.   Sr. M. Dominika
Be reconciled with God

Be reconciled with God

Maintain and deepen unity In the last month's talk we spoke about the fact that unity is not an external matter, but an inner relationship that connects people with one another. We have seen that such a relationship has to be renewed and deepened again and again. Therefore, we were reminded by Sr. Sybilla to be vigilant in order to maintain and deepen this oneness. Today we want to think about how this can be done concretely: maintain and deepen the unity.   Convert us ... (GL 266) During the Easter period of penance - commonly referred to as Lent by us - the focus for many is on fasting and renunciation. That is certainly not bad either. But the liturgy suggests another focus: a time of conversion and reconciliation. When we are marked with the ash cross, the priest says: Convert and believe in the gospel! And in the 2nd reading on Ash Wednesday we heard the apostle Paul's admonition: Be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20 ). That should be our topic today: Reconciliation as a building block of unity.   Vulnerable relationships We know from our own experience how quickly relationships are attacked or even destroyed in everyday life. Righteousness, selfishness, jealousy, arguments ... change relationships and often destroy unity. This applies to relationships with one another as well as to relationships with God.   Experienced sin What is sin, we learned that as children in confession class. And based on the 10 commandments, concrete examples were given: not following the parents, hitting the other, taking something away from him, lying ... What is Unfortunate sin , we didn't learn that in confessional lessons. But we have felt it in everyday life. When we lied to someone, we avoided them. The word sin and the word set apart have the same root. In sin, unity with God and, as a result, unity with one another is destroyed. The story of the first humans (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel) in Gen 3 and 4 is a striking example of the destruction of unity. And since the first fall, we have had to deal with the power of evil. All the more important then is the apostle's admonition to be reconciled to God and thus also to one another.   Forgive but don't forget, You probably know the phrase: forgive and forget. I cannot agree with this phrase. Certainly there are things that I can forget after the reconciliation. But I can certainly not forget many things. But I don't have to forget them either. Reconciliation offers me a new quality of life that includes and surpasses previous arguments and injuries. Yes I know you hurt me but my love for you is greater than any guilt. That is reconciliation. God wants reconciliation How often does the Holy Scriptures tell us that we humans have turned away from God and broken our covenant with him. In the Old Testament the people of Israel turned away from God again and again and ran after strange idols. The most impressive example of God's readiness for reconciliation is found in the New Testament in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15). The father answers the lost unity between father and son with his arms outstretched. This is how reconciliation works. God's love is stronger than our guilt. Hence the apostle Paul's invitation: be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20).   Cut up and knotted together Finally, I would like to share with you one more wonderful experience that people can have when they are ready for reconciliation. This experience can best be portrayed in pictures. Two children sit 3 meters apart. Both hold a string in their hand as a sign of their relationship (friendship). Suddenly there is an argument. One of them cuts the cord with a pair of scissors. But the two make up again and the cord is knotted together again. This happens several times. I have often shown this to the children in confessional classes and asked the question: Has anything changed? The first time the children didn't notice anything. But they soon discovered that the numerous knots had brought both children closer together. This is how reconciliation works: people move closer together - with one another and with God.   Such is reconciliation Like a feast after long grief like a fire in the night. An open gate in a wall opened for the sun. Like a letter after a long silence like an unexpected greeting. Like a leaf on a dead branch an-I-like-you-anyway-kiss.   Ref .: Such is reconciliation such must be true peace. Such is reconciliation so is forgiven and forgiven. (2x)   Like a rain in the desert fresh dew on arid land. Sounds of home for the missing, old enemies hand in hand. Like a key in jail as in distress - land in sight. Like a way out of distress like a radiant face.   Like a word of dead words lips, like a look of hope Like a light on steep cliffs like a continent rediscovered. Like the spring, the morning Like a song like a poem. Like life like love Like God Himself the true light     Prelate Dr. Stefan Dybowski March 10th, 2021 Monthly talk, St. Augustinus Monastery, Berlin-Lankwitz
Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd

Your relationship with your God, your Creator determines your life. Starts with your concept of your relationship with your Creator. The healthier and happy relationship with God helps to build a meaningful life. Healthy relationship in the sense of the absence of fear and the presence of reason in your relationship. And happy in the sense of the absence of hypocrisy and the presence of truthfulness. Healthy relationship starts with a healthy concept. Good Shepherd is a beautiful concept on which you can develop a healthy and happy relationship with your Creator. Don Giorgio