PARISH MISSIONS: LEARNING TO BE DISCIPLES FROM MARY
For a population used to hard physical work, it was essential that the mission provide more than only sermons to listen to – the people had to be involved with their senses and their actions. One of the ways of doing this was through processions. Accompanied by an explanatory sermon, these actions became moments of learning and consolidation. As they walked in procession with other like-minded people, they experienced solidarity in the journey of their lives. The hymns they sang, the prayers they recited and the visual image that led the procession became teaching moments and opportunities for reflection. One of the processions was always focused on Mary. Eugene wrote,
The consecration to the Blessed Virgin is made when the procession held in honour of the Mother of God comes back; it is obligatory. It is made from the pulpit, before the Blessed Virgin’s statue, placed on a throne, as beautiful as the locality can provide.
Letter to Fr. Bruno Guigues, 5 November 1837, EO. IX n. 652
The procession was meant to lead the people to make a personal and community act of commitment to following Mary’s Gospel example of discipleship as Christians, and of having Mary as intercessor and guide.
Sevrin describes the solemnity of the occasion:,
It was one of the most beautiful days. Well before the hour, an enormous crowd flocked to the church, and almost all were carrying candles. The high altar had become a gigantic altar of repose of the Virgin, flooded with light, decorated with greenery and flowers. After a song and a sermon, the girls dressed in white, crowned with flowers, lined up around the sanctuary and dedicated the parish to Mary. They then came two-by-two to leave their crowns at her feet. In some places they imitated the question-and-answer style of the renewal of vows; in others the faithful repeated the formula of this consecration after the missionary, and at the given signal raised their candles in the air. Around six thousand persons, in Arles, took part in the ceremony, almost all with a torch. There were often two different consecrations, the one for the adults and the other one for the children.
(Les missions I, p.230-231)
The recitation of the rosary and the teaching and spread of its use as a Gospel meditation prayer also formed part of the program of the missions.
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Sometimes we find ourselves being a little surprised with our own actions and ways of expressing ourselves: they seem to come from a place that is hidden within the deepest part of ourselves. And though we might ask ourselves “where did that come from?” we unconsciously decide to let it be…
Dear Eugene, I keep thinking about how passionate you are, and reminding myself that I am a little bit like you. And you eventually spoke of your encounter with God: “when His eyes met mine”. While I knew of Mary I took awhile before actually meeting with her; talking, listening, sharing and allowing her to become my Mother. Reading of the little girls dressed in white with crowns made of flowers I found myself wanting to scoff at the idea of that being done in today’s world. I scoff only because of the fear that someone will decide that I am really unworthy of doing that because it is only for the very good. Old programming just waiting to become alive again.
I think of how you have often shared your struggles and fears in your conversations and prayers with God, and how Our Lady must have stood with you as you placed yourself at the foot of the Cross. I am not abandoned and while I believe that I am being embraced by both Jesus and Mary, within the hearts and beings of both I dare to ask you as one of your daughters to once again intercede for me with God.
Not sure that I am learning to be a disciple from Mary but I hear the words in my heart:
“Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me and I will give you rest.” (Bob Dufford, S.J., started writing “Be Not Afraid” when he was, well, afraid. His spiritual director suggested that he pray with the Annunciation in mind. Perhaps he could relate to Mary, who was “greatly troubled” when the angel appeared to her and said she would give birth to the Messiah. Jun 14, 2018, America Magazine)