“My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God”
Jubilee of Fatima Theme 1917-2017
Our members remembered fondly the early 80's in our SFX parish, where during the months of May and October, the rosary was recited every week day at the home of a different BEC member. Central to these rosary recitations was a beautiful and divine statue of Our Lady – always proudly placed in the center of any home we went to. Her presence was always surrounded by fresh flowers, candles and statues from respective homes. Certainly a distinct and reverential memory for myself, a young child at the time.
Imagine our Core Group's delight when it was announced that yet again this firm and beautiful SFX tradition will be revived this year in our parish by our parish priests. Having a new statue of Our Lady of Fatima to accompany us in this journey made us ever more keen to revive this tradition in our BEC this year. When our BEC was asked to share our experiences with the SFX parish, I felt that the verses in the Jubilee Prayer of Consecration (located online) summarized our BEC's feelings and experiences to a T.
“In unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ
In Faith, Hope and Love
I surrender myself to you.”
One of the best experiences of this BEC activity was the sense of unity that was re-sparked within members of our Good Shepherd (Sec 5) BEC. Our members have enjoyed years of togetherness and friendships and this has been a real blessing. However, work and life demands are reflected in our occasional frayed attendance at our BEC gatherings. Once it was announced that Our Lady was coming and week day rosaries were being held at different homes, the excitement and interest was immediately noticed.
Husbands were asked to re polish altars at homes, wives contributed to the surge in candles purchases after mass and as one delightful member of my BEC said, “I think I need to find my rosary “woh”!” Another warming experience was that this BEC activity encouraged our new BEC families to be part of the activity. The most powerful and validating experience was that in Faith, Hope and Love, we as a BEC, surrender ourselves to Our Lady and to the Power of Prayer. Praying as a community is a spiritual experience that must not be missed. Our BEC was so very blessed to have the rosary recited in 14 homes this year involving BEC members of all ages and stages in life.
“You are the prophecy of the merciful Love of the Father,
Teacher of the Annunciation...
Sign of the burning Fire of the Holy Spirit.”
Another reflection that I would like to mention is one that was shared with me by another BEC member. Apparently after the third home, this lady began to see the recitation of the rosary not just as “a collection of prayers systematically joined up” but experiencing and feeling the rosary “...as a deep and contemplative collection of Christian prayers. Prayers that explain the journey of Christ and also prayers that invite us to take on the virtues of Our Lady”.
I thought this was every reflective of what Our Lady is and hopes for all of us Catholics around the world. The reflection above was especially meaningful as this lady is new to our Catholic faith. What a joy!
Our Lady makes her rounds:
