PRAYER, THE BREATH OF SOUL

Mornese: Welcomed by the beauty of the hills of Alto Monferrato and by the hospitality of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a group of ADMA members from Turin, San Benigno Canavese, Nizza Monferato, Mornese and Lerma spent two days of retreat at the College of Mornese on 27th and 28th April.

They were intense days during which moments of reflection and prayer alternated with moments of conviviality.

In the two reflections proposed by Sr. Lucrezia Uribe, world animator of ADMA entitled: ‘To pray well, pray from the heart and with the heart’ and ‘Marian spirituality in Mother Mazzarello’, the young Maín is presented as a woman assiduous in prayer and meditation on the Word of God. A prayer of the heart that is simple, very personal and spontaneous that allows her to enter into intimacy with God and transfigure her life.

Growing in devotion to Mary of Sorrows forged Maín's spirituality who, having become a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, translated her conformation to Christ with the meaningful expression ‘He is here and we are here’, pointing to the crucifix hanging around her neck.

In the reflection by Fr. Pietro Mellano, sdb, chaplain of the FMA community of Mornese and coordinator of the CFP of Alexandria, entitled ‘Mary, Woman of Prayer’, Mary is an example of an open attitude, of a willing heart that in humble and simple prayer puts its life in the hands of the Lord: ‘Lord, whatever you want and however you want’. Mary is the woman who in prayer makes us realise that every day given by God is a call.

The days, spent in silence and meditation were marked by the hour of Eucharistic adoration, the recitation of vespers and the holy rosary with meditations on ‘Mary Woman of the Beatitudes’ led by Sr. Lucrezia Uribe and Sr. Gabriela Patiño, world delegate for the FMA Past Pupils.