Day 3. "Walking Together as Prophets of Communion"

SYMBOL: Picture and relic of Fr. Palau, Books: History of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters, Writings of Francisco Palau, and Constitutions.

PREPARE: Drawing/image of a tree with images of the sisters and our apostolates glued on the fruit and leaves. Distribute leaf cut-outs in advance for the sisters to write on during the liturgy. See the Congregation's website for images.

Introduction

It is the wish of our Father Founder that we should be of one heart, animated by the same spirit (cf. Letter no. 7). The Carmelite Missionary Sisters and the Secular Carmelite Missionaries are called to be prophets of communion.

The path that Father Palau walked in his time is also our path to walk today and always. We are challenged to be bold and to help build bridges of communion in the world. Let us accept the challenge to be the evangelising presence of the prophets of communion for the people of God.

Canto

Hail Francis

Reading

John 15: 1-2, 8-9
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit, he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes so that it may bear more fruit... My Father is glorified by this, because you bear much fruit, and so prove yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love".

Palautian Text

Letter 39, 7
Contemplate and meditate on Jesus crucified, his moral body which is the Church wounded by heresies and errors and sins... Kneel at the foot of the cross, worship it, offer yourself and give yourself entirely to him so that in you and for you and with you he may do what he pleases. Offer yourself in the holy sacrifice of the Mass with Jesus, in sacrifice, in atonement for your sins and for the whole world.

Reflection

As Carmelite Missionary Sisters, we are challenged to live the centrality of the Mystery of the Church: love of God and neighbour as a prophetic sign of communion. Therefore, in this time of remembrance of Francisco Palau, it is appropriate to review our life of discipleship and consecration to Christ in the present socio-cultural context, in order to renew ourselves in our personal and collective passion for the Kingdom.

With humility and trust in the work of the Holy Spirit, we allow ourselves to be nourished and pruned in order to continue to grow and bear fruit pleasing to the Lord.

Silence

Examination of conscience.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we are here before you to contemplate and adore you in the love you have manifested on the Cross. In a few weeks, we enter the holiest time of the Church. We join again in your passion, death and resurrection. Enlighten and purify us from all that is not of you and grant us the grace to remain with you despite the many challenges we face as Carmelite Missionaries and Secular Carmelite Missionaries. Lord, have mercy.

Ecclesiality

In our Church and in the community in which we live, we walk together with others on the same path.

For the times I didn't recognise and accept my fellow travellers...
For the times I treated others differently and held prejudices towards those of another class, race, colour or religion....
For the times I did not promote love and understanding among my brothers and sisters....
For the times when I did not participate in the life of the local and universal Church...

Fraternal Communion

For the times I resisted accepting the changes that would bring unity to all...
For the times when I thought I was always right and did not accept new teachings, new ideas, new perspectives...
For the times I have preferred to be alone and insisted on my own ways....
For the times I did not consult with my sisters, colleagues or elders when making an important decision for the good of the Church or the community....

Contemplative attitude

For the times when I put aside times of prayer in favour of the mission...
For the times I went to prayer unprepared....
For the times I failed to listen and do what the Lord invites me to do....

Missionary Spirit

For the times I hesitated to speak the truth out of fear, pride and shame....
For the times I thought only of myself and did not care for others, especially the poor and the rejected, the powerless and the weak....
For the times I did not care about my environment and the people around me who are on the periphery and do not know God....
For the times I felt lazy and indifferent in my service to the Church....

Eucharist

For the times when I was cold and my mind wandered and did not concentrate on listening to your Word when I attended Holy Mass...
For the times I went to communion even when I was not in a state of grace....
For the times when I was always in a hurry and didn't have time to greet others in the community....

Evangelical asceticism

Because of the times I insisted on my own opinions, did not listen to others and even caused conflicts...
For the times I found it hard to listen to people who hurt me, to people I despised, to people who disagreed with my beliefs, to people I judged negatively, to people who in my opinion had nothing to contribute?

Maria

For the times that I did not imitate Mary's faith, hope and love...

Palautian Tree

In silence, write on the cut-out sheets of paper the resolutions you want to make to help you grow in creative fidelity to your CM vocation.

Day 3. "Walking together as Prophets of Communion".