Laity of the Chevalier Family, Days 4 and 5
Re-election of Alison McKenzie, Secretary General
Day 4: The day started with the morning prayer, prepared by the Korean delegation.
The keynote speaker of the day was Boni Dano. His lecture entailed why choose the Spirituality of the Heart? It is life giving. It inspires us in our way of life. It opens our hearts to healing the ills of the world. In humility we can truly live.
Live HEARTILY - Humility, Empathy, Active Participation, Reconciliation, Trust in God, Interconnectedness, Love, and Yearnings. A delegate said in A problem can be a gift if we see it as an opportunity for growth. Something we can build on and be transformed by.
After the coffee break there was sharing from the regions: Europe, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific. So interesting, but also moving to see how these different lay groups experience and live Spirituality of the Heart.
After lunch we continued with spiritual sharing - reflect, share, listen, and discern. A very inspirational exercise!
The Korean delegates prepared a beautiful mass with music, including traditional Korean drums.
After dinner, the voting procedure started. With the majority of votes, Alison McKenzie was re-elected for the coming six years. Her acceptance speech was very moving and inspiring. A new era awaits!
Day 5: An early breakfast today as we went on pilgrimage to the basilica of Senor Santo Nino.
The basilica is based near where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in 1521. The image of Santa Nino was found by an expedition in a house near the present site. We visited the museum, which has gifts and donations from people who wanted to thank Santa Nino for his intercessions. The collection varies from clothing to rosaries and silverware and so much more - Incredible! The basilica reminded me of colonial times.
A very large but beautiful building where you can feast your eyes on the stained glass windows (which I love), the main altar, and the vastness of the inside of the building. Here we celebrated mass, with Father Absalon, the MSC Superior-General presiding. It was heartwarming to hear him speaking about the laity - he introduced us to the other pilgrims who also attended the mass and explained briefly our spirituality.
Then we went to the mall where we had an excellent buffet lunch with food choices from all over the world.
Then… shopping! For many a must, for others a burden. The big and well-equipped shops were nice to see, yet at the same time we reflected on the poverty just outside the shopping centre.
We headed back to the retreat house for dinner and a much needed free evening.
Re-election of Alison McKenzie, Secretary General
ALISON
Day 4: The day started with the morning prayer, prepared by the Korean delegation.
KOREAN PRAYER
The keynote speaker of the day was Boni Dano. His lecture entailed why choose the Spirituality of the Heart? It is life giving. It inspires us in our way of life. It opens our hearts to healing the ills of the world. In humility we can truly live.
MARIFE
Live HEARTILY - Humility, Empathy, Active Participation, Reconciliation, Trust in God, Interconnectedness, Love, and Yearnings. A delegate said in A problem can be a gift if we see it as an opportunity for growth. Something we can build on and be transformed by.
PRAYER
After the coffee break there was sharing from the regions: Europe, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific. So interesting, but also moving to see how these different lay groups experience and live Spirituality of the Heart.
ALTAR GROUP
After lunch we continued with spiritual sharing - reflect, share, listen, and discern. A very inspirational exercise!
The Korean delegates prepared a beautiful mass with music, including traditional Korean drums.
ALTAR
After dinner, the voting procedure started. With the majority of votes, Alison McKenzie was re-elected for the coming six years. Her acceptance speech was very moving and inspiring. A new era awaits!
Day 5: An early breakfast today as we went on pilgrimage to the basilica of Senor Santo Nino.
SANTO NINO
The basilica is based near where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in 1521. The image of Santa Nino was found by an expedition in a house near the present site. We visited the museum, which has gifts and donations from people who wanted to thank Santa Nino for his intercessions. The collection varies from clothing to rosaries and silverware and so much more - Incredible! The basilica reminded me of colonial times.
APSE
A very large but beautiful building where you can feast your eyes on the stained glass windows (which I love), the main altar, and the vastness of the inside of the building. Here we celebrated mass, with Father Absalon, the MSC Superior-General presiding. It was heartwarming to hear him speaking about the laity - he introduced us to the other pilgrims who also attended the mass and explained briefly our spirituality.
PLIGRIMS
Then we went to the mall where we had an excellent buffet lunch with food choices from all over the world.
FOOD
Then… shopping! For many a must, for others a burden. The big and well-equipped shops were nice to see, yet at the same time we reflected on the poverty just outside the shopping centre.
SHOPPING
We headed back to the retreat house for dinner and a much needed free evening.
POSTER
