The mission is on. Last night we kicked off the mission with Mass. Thomas presided as Frank, Dominique, and Charles concelebrated a beautiful liturgy that reminded us all why we are here for the mission: to make known the person of Christ. The Mass was immediately followed by an evening program of praise and testimonies.
The night began with a time of praise and worship as more people began to fill the church. Following praise, the ESM students gave a short presentation about the pillars of the school in Rome: community life, spiritual formation and mission. Next, Jitka, an ESM student from Czech Republic, gave her testimony on how she decided to live joy in her every day life. The Lord was the only one who could help her in her time of need and it was only then that she realized that the joy she longed for could be lived despite any problems or sufferings that she was going through.
Jitka’s testimony was followed by Anne-Laure and Damian, Sts. Paul and John parishioners, who gave their testimony as well. Ann-Laure shared her own experience of how the Lord came to fulfill a long time desire of being embraced by Him. God eventually granted her this desire in the most unexpected of ways. Her husband, Damian shared how the Lord helped to make the longest and most difficult journey of his life, from the mind to the heart. Eventually Damian discovered that in his very own brokenness, God is able to shine even brighter. Finally, a long time parishioner by the name of Elaine shared her own touching story of how she came to fall in love with the Lord. The Lord writes His story of love in each of our hearts.
The evening ended with a proposition for each person to make a concrete step towards the Lord. All present were asked to write down one thing they desired to receive from the Lord during the mission. Next, they were invited to place their petitions before the altar along with a lit candle, the sign of our hope in Christ.
The evening was simple yet very powerful. The fruitfulness of the evening was reflected in the simplicity of each of the testimonies. God loves us simply, fully and passionately. He calls us each to love in this way. It was a wonderful start to an already grace filled mission.
Stay tuned for more on the Larchmont mission.
Alejandra (MI)