Along with about 60 other brothers and sisters from throughout the Americas (and a few from France, including the moderator of the Emmanuel Community, Laurent Landète), many of us from the U.S. had the joy of participating in the first-ever Pan-American Fraternity of Jesus retreat under the gaze of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
When Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531, she said to him: “Juanito…am I not here, I who am your Mother?…” Her words of consolation and the image she left on San Juan’s tilma (garment) are expressions of inculturation, in which everything that is good in a culture is raised in the praise and glory of God as the seed of the Gospel takes root in local soil. We were reminded of the importance of letting the Emmanuel Community take on the characteristics of our local areas, addressing local needs and nourishing the growing communities with fidelity to adoration, compassion, evangelization and praise.
During this anointed gathering, Therese and David made their first step (“probation”) in the Fraternity of Jesus and Andrew made his final commitment (“consecration”) in the Fraternity, which is for members of Emmanuel who desire to dedicate the rest of their lives to the mission of the Community, at the heart of the Church. Andrew, David and Therese made these momentous steps alongside many other members of Emmanuel from Canada to Brazil.
We entrust the Emmanuel Community to Jesus through the intercession of the Patroness of the Americas with a version of the most ancient preserved hymn to Our Lady, the Sub Tuum Praesidium:
“We fly to thy protection, O holy Mother of God,
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.”
Submitted by Fr. Kevin (MN)
Read another account of this great event and see more pictures here.