Spread the Message

Blog by Margaret Uche

 We novices just finished armchair lands of Dominic pilgrimage presented by Brian Pierce, OP and Ann Willits, OP. We were joined by Sr. Pelagia from Zimbabwe and novices from the Central and Southern Provinces and their formators. We spent five days learning about the life of Dominic and his preaching days. We learned about Dominic’s trust in the Divine Providence of God through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God.

I learned that Dominic after praying for a sign from Mother of God, saw on the night of July 22, 1206, on the hill of Fanjeaux, overlooking the town of Prouille, what appeared to be a globe of fire descending upon a shrine of Our Lady. It is called the Sign from Our Lady (or Sign of God), “Seignadou” occurred again the next two nights. Dominic understood that he was to establish a monastery of nuns at Prouille. Many heretics were converted including the women who entered the convent.

In another account, Dominic in one of his visions was taken into heaven to the throne of God with the Blessed Virgin at his right. Looking around he saw other Orders but none of his brethren, but God assured him that his Order has been entrusted to His Mother. Mary then opened her arms and to Dominic’s relief, there was Dominicans under her cloak.

I am reminded that the vision of Dominic continues with me. As a novice of the Dominicans to place the same trust in God through Mary, Our Mother with the same love and reverence for her. I was also reminded in my own journey that God has chosen me by name, I am called to follow the vision, carry the torch, the way may be long, dark, unsure, yet as Dominic, I am made strong because God’s Spirit is guiding me and God’s gifts will unfold me under Our Mother Mary’s mantle. That it was through God’s grace and the intercession Mother Mary the answers to prayers of so many people has strengthened me during this canonical year. I am very grateful for those who prayed for me as this canonical year comes to an end.

May we continue to shine that torch started by Dominic which he carried by the way he lived his life and bore witness and pass it onto others.

The month of May has been called the month of Mary by the Church.

This month we also celebrate 100^th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima.

The message of Fatima is a message that is important for me and you today as well.

Our Lord promises to be with us till the end of the world. He continues to work through His mother Mary. She has appeared in so many countries with the message of peace, hope, and love. Her requests for us to pray the Rosary daily for peace, for conversion of hearts, and make reparation for offenses against Jesus and Mary still is needed for us today.

On May 13, 2017, Catholics all over the world stood on streets to pray public square Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Fatima and continue to spread the message that it is only through prayer and intercession of Mary could we bring peace and healing into the world. I was unable to join the rally but I can help spread the message by praying those intentions. We can see that we still live in troubled time, on the positive side, we can pray that through Our Blessed Mother, Mary’s guidance and constant intercession our needs are being made known in many ways in our prayers. She is our refuge, our comfort in the midst of life’s struggles. Please join me in praying for some of the intentions in honor of Our Blessed Mother, Mary as we celebrate this first centennial.

I pray for the end of wars in war torn countries and that they may know peace, I pray that Our lady will touch the hearts of those who cause violent acts and that they be converted, may she continues to protect the Church, the mystical body of her son and grant her many graces. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us who have recourse to thee!