TODAY WE SHARE THE EVENT AS IT TOOK PLACE IN LOGROÑO IN THE RIOJA, SPAIN
Each year, in the Company of Mary School, “La Enseñanza”, in Logroño, we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Mary. This year, following the directives of the Bordeaux Project, we the teachers and students felt called to GIVE THANKS for all that we have at the present time and everything we have received throughout our lives.
Our theme was: “Detach yourself and be free.” Mary lived her life in a spirit of detachment; her self-giving was lived out in embracing the Word of God and thus making herself an agent of life. Saint Jeanne held Mary up as our model because she wanted us to learn from her. We looked at Mary as presented in the Gospel text, Luke 1, 26–45. And we prayed that she help us to be grateful for the gifts that God has given us, to help us share these gifts and to be bearers of the “Good News” for others.
Each class had different colored papers with the word “Thanks” was written in various languages. On these papers we wrote our own prayer of Thanksgiving and offered them at the celebration of the Eucharist.
Before the celebration of Mass, all the teachers and students processed around the school. We were able to share our joy with the parents, grandparents and alumni who joined us for the celebration of this feast.
The Feast of the Child Mary also served as a platform to introduce our solidarity Project. Through the International Solidarity Foundation of the Company of Mary (FISC), we wish to collaborate in “the social reintegration of girls and women, victims of war and sexual violence” in the city of Bukavu (África). Throughout the year and with different activities, we wish to contribute in our small way. For the feast the 4th year students of ESO prepared “solidarity snacks.”
After the procession and the celebration of the Eucharist, we continued the festivities with different kinds of sports and entertainment activities such as plays, games, etc.
The underlying feeling that permeated the school was one of THANKSGIVING for all that had taken place.
REFLECTION ON THE THEME
This celebration helps us think about the importance of our gifts in order that we might responsibly share them with others:
- Are we aware of our personal and material gifts? Are we aware of our responsibility to share them with others and that we must use them in the service of others?
- Does the celebration of this feast help us see the need to live in a spirit of solidarity? How do we do this, in very specific ways?
- Share experiences of solidarity that take place in your surroundings.
