The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a patronal celebration of the Congregation of Marian Fathers and Brothers. The community of monks in Licheń met at the evening Holy Mass. to renew my vows.
Commenting on the readings scheduled for that day, the chairman of the liturgy, Fr. Bogusław Binda, MIC, the superior of the Lichen religious community, said: “In the Gospel, Mary receives the certainty that her life will be associated with great hardships. She was aware of it when she said "yes" to God. There is something special about her attitude - there is a way of trusting God. We see how difficult it is for us to fully adopt this attitude of trust, to entrust our daily life to Him.
We learn the attitude of trust from her. We have her as our Advocate and Guide in spiritual life - we are not alone. We are on a pilgrimage, we are on our way. Therefore, in order to persevere in this attitude of trust and thanksgiving, we must remain at the Source of Life, which is the Eucharist, that is, meeting with God. Do I see that it is necessary for life? " - asked Fr. Binda.
“If we want to live like Mary, we must take into account that it will not always be easy. You have to reckon with this difficulty. However, we are not alone on this journey. We walk in the presence of the Lord God who puts us on the path of our neighbors. We gather here, we create one family - a community of communities. In this celebration of ours, I would like to emphasize the nature and need to be together, in community. Today we are ending the year dedicated to St. Józef, who teaches us, above all, good relations with our neighbors, ”noted Fr. supervisor. “As religious living together, we know very well that it is not easy. We all learn this. St. Joseph is the patron of the time of learning good relations with one's neighbors ”- to which the celebrant encouraged.
Marians gathered in the parish church of st. Dorothy, in communion with all the confreres from different parts of the world, dedicating themselves to God like the Immaculate One, renewed their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and took an oath of perseverance in the congregation until death. For the congregation caring for the Lichen shrine, the mystery of the Immaculate Conception is the heart of the charism. Mary inspires their lives and apostolic activity: they promote Marian devotion, run Marian centers and sanctuaries, retreats, and publish publications on this subject.
“We are glad that you have been serving in our parish and sanctuary for 72 years. Thank you for being our spiritual guides towards Jesus and Mary, ”said the choristers of Virtus Dei with the conductor. The members of Equipes Notre Dame also wished the religious that, following the example of Mary, they would be able to accept God's will every day. Then - thanking the Marians for their testimony of faith and presence - the parish community "Team for Jesus" wished "holiness and heaven" and perseverance in their priestly service.
After the liturgy, the Act of Presentation to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was renewed by the members of the "Team for Jesus" community, for whom the Immaculate is the Patroness of the community.
December 8 is also a special day for members of the Notre-Dame Crew Movement. In 1947, in the church of St. Augustine in Paris, the founding document of the Equipes Notre-Dame Movement was proclaimed.
Text and photos: Sanctuary Press Office
