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SecularServite News

Fall 2009

DAYS OR PERIODS OF RECOLLECTIONJORNADAS O PERIODOS DE RECOGIMIENTO

The Rule of Life of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary states: “It is one of the duties of the Secular Fraternity to organise regular days or periods of recollection, in which all the sisters and brothers strive to participate”. (RL #31) In the commentary on the Rule of Life, Building a New World, we read: “Growth in the spiritual life requires not only a daily rhythm of prayer which accompanies our usual work, school, home routine. It also needs periods which break the routine of time and place so that for shorter, more intnese periods we can reflect with calm and ease on our journey to God The Rule therefore wisely states that it is a duty (not merely an exhortation) of the Secular Community to organize days of recollection, weekend retreats, and other spirtual opportunities to become more aware not only of God in our lives but also of each other. Ordinarily these should be away from the usual meeting place of the Community. Just as the community as a whole has a duty to organize these, each member must “strive to participate”. (p. 88)

La Regla de Vida de la Orden Seglar de los Siervos de María dice: “La Fraternidad Seglar programará jornadas y periódos de recogimiento, a los que todos los hermanos y hermanas se comprometerán a participar”. (RV #31) En el comentario a la Regla de Vida, Construyendo un Mundo Mejor, leemos: “El crecimiento en la vida espiritual requiere no sólo un ritmo de oración diaria que acompañe el trabajo cotidiano, la escuela o las labores del hogar. También se necesitan períodos en que se rompa esta rutina del tiempo y del espacio, para poder tener de esta

forma momentos más intensos de reflexión y tranqulidad en nuestro camino hacia Dios. Esta es la razon por la que la Regla establece sabiamente que es tarea de la Fratenridad Seglar el organizar días de recogimientos, retiros de fines de semana u otras oportunidades a nivel espiritual para trabajar a nivel de la persona, reflexionando no sólo sobre la presencia de Dios en nuestras vidas, sino para hacer también una evaluación de la relación mutua. En general, esto debería realizarse fuera del lugar de las reuniones de la Fraternidad. Así como es obligación de toda la fraternidad organizar los retiros, debe ser tarea de cada miembro “comprometerse a participar”. (p.80)

Violet Murphy, OSSM, Bruce Almeroth, OSSM, Cary Watt, OSSM- Sts Alexis and Juliana Community, Hillside, IL

Comunidad Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Santiago, República Dominicana

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OSSM MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETING:PRAYER, ONGOING FORMATION, & SOCIAL

Article 17 of the Rule of Life of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary states: “The Secular Fraternity meets to proclaim the Word of God and reflect on it together and to examine and study the Rule, matters of human, social and religious concerns, and issues related to Servite life”.

This article clearly states that a monthly gathering of the Servite Secular Order community is not for the sole purpose of prayer alone. The Secular fraternity meets for prayer (which should be liturgical and Servite in nature), study and social time. This ideal of the community’s monthly gathering comes from some of the routines of our Servite religious life, which are: meditation on the Word of God, communal prayer, and taking interest in the lives of each other. The monthly gathering of the Secular Order community is meant to foster and build a stronger sense of community among the local Secular Servites. Scheduling the Secular community’s monthly meeting to include prayer, study and social time allows the process of community building to work effectively within the group.

Some of the local Secular Order communities gather solely for prayer and social time. While these two activities are important for people to get to know each other and to praise God, the recommended time for study should not be overlooked.

The Rule of Life clearly has the ideal of community as the basis for the life of the Servite Secular Order. As we friars find support, affirmation and challenge in our religious life with the brothers of our local community, so too should the Secular Servite be afforded the same support from the members of their community. But, if time for “getting to know” each other is not a regular part of the monthly gathering, the support needed to live the lay Servite life will be difficult to find.

Likewise, study is imperative to the life of the Secular Order community, for it allows the Secular Servite the opportunity to better know and comprehend the faith that they profess and the Servite spirituality which gives flesh to the faith they profess.

The monthly gathering of the Servite Secular Order community is not about holy hours, rosaries and devotions only. It is about building a living community of Christians who live a 776 year-old tradition of fraternity and service to others always drawing abiding inspiration from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord. Strong Secular Servite communities will enable lay Catholics to live their faith in a practical and meaningful way, especially if they pray, study and know each other as sisters and brothers in the Lord. (Article was first published: The Secular Assistant’s News, Summer, 1996).

In their Initial Formation, the Secular Servant of Mary undertook:“to gradually discover and assimilate the specific vocation of the lay-person in the Church and the characteristics proper to the Servite Secular Fraternity;to study the Rule and Statutes proper to the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary;to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the doctrine on the Virgin Mary in the Mystery of Christ and the Church;to understand the essential elements of the history and spirituality of the Servite Order.” (RL #53)

“In their continuing formation, the Secular Servant of Mary will seek through study to deepen their knowledge of the official documents of the Church and the Order”. (RL #44b)

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RECOMMENDED OUTLINEFOR MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETING

BASIC STRUCTURE:• Servite Community Prayer (30 min.)• Ongoing Formation (60 min.)• Community Meeting (30 min.)• Fellowship

SERVITE COMMUNITY PRAYER: The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows; the Via Matris; the Vigilia of Our Lady; the Servite Saints and Blessed: a reading about their life and a prayer (OSSM Prayer Book).

ONGOING FORMATION: The Council can consult with the community to identify topics to be considered in future sessions. For example, to learn more about the life of St. Peregrine, of the Seven Holy Founders; to study more about Mary and about the Seven Sorrows and how each of these are experienced today by ourselves, others, the Church, society at large; to learn more about life-threatening diseases: cancer, AIDS, and others, and how we can make others aware and prevent disease (Health Fair; talks by doctors and other medical professionals).

COMMUNITY MEETING: The Prioress (Prior) convokes and presides at the meetings: to ask the opinion of the community members regarding activities to be carried out or issues of concern to be discussed; to inform the community about upcoming activities, meetings, Masses or prayer services; to receive suggestions from the community; the Treasurer gives a report (monthly, every two or three months). It is important to maintain an open communication among all in the community. The “candidates” (those “in formation”) also take part in the meeting. The Secretary should prepare a “calendar of events” for the month to be distributed to all at the meeting.

�5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SERVITE PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINESWilma Suemith

Dubbed Hesed, the Hebrew word for God’s graciousness, the St. Peregrine Philippine Vicariate, Order of the Servants of Mary, just celebrated its 25th year in the Philippines. It was a year-long preparation, capped by the unveiling of the life-size statue of St. Peregrine on August 22, 2009. The site of the statue is at the main entrance of the St. Peregrine Shrine in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City, southern Philippines.

Prior to the unveiling, there was a motorcade participated in by the parishioners. Each community/subdivision within the parish wore assigned colors for their motorcade. It was a beautiful combination of colors of pink, green, red, black & blue t-shirts worn by people who joined the parade holding small flags which bore the word Hesed.

His Eminence Bishop Jessie Mercado, of the Diocese of Paranaque, Las Pinas and Muntinlupa, officiated at the solemn u n v e i l i n g c e r e m o n y assisted by the Servite friars headed by the Father General Angel Ruiz Garnica, OSM who came all the way from Italy to grace the occasion. At hand to witness the momentous event were OSM brothers, aspirants, novices, Servite nuns, Secular Servites, Secular Institute, other members of the

cont. on page 9

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VISITATION OF THE SECULAR ORDER COMMUNITIES

During the four-year term of the National Council, each Secular Order community will receive one visit from two members of the National Council. There should be a minimum of two Council members who make the visitation; preferably one Friar and one Secular Servite. Arrangements are made to visit the community and to meet with the local Council. What is the purpose or the goal of this visitation?

Goals:• To promote fidelity to the Servite charism.• To promote observance of the Rule of Life.• To provide support in the life of the community.

Ways to Achieves Goals:• By helping the community to evaluate itself.• By providing inspiration and information• By providing an experience of unity with the total Servite Family.a. Regional, National, International Eventsb. Sharing experiencesc. Inform of “new beginnings”d. Awareness of International Reality

Reporting• The visitor should make a written report of the visitation to the National Council and copies sent to the local community council.• The report should contain a summary evaluation of:

1. The quality of the spiritual growth and Servite awareness through prayer, community and ministries.2. The quality of initial and ongoing formation.3. The quality of rapport with other Secular Order communities and with the local church.4. Integration of the life and work of the community.

St. Juliana Falconieri Community, Ladysmith, WI

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“THE JOURNEY OF ST. PAUL” PILGRIMAGEGayle Ponseti,OSSM, PrioressSt. Anthony Pucci FraternityMarrero Louisiana

The Mini Pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year of St. Paul was a combination of general “meeting on wheels” and adventure. It was a damp day, caused by a light, steady rain, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. 33 Secular Servites and guests attended.

1:30PM We began boarding the bus in front of Visitation of Our Lady Church, Marrero. Marilyn Coleman,OSSM began to pray the Servite Rosary, while the pilgrims moved to their seats quietly and orderly. When the Rosary ended, the prioress read the mintues of April 4, 2009, the Lenten Morning of Penance, which replaced our general meeting for April. The prayer request sheet and donation box were passed around. Doris Michel,OSSM read the names of the birthdays for the month of May.

2:15PM The bus pulled away. Fr. Alberto Bermúdez,OSSM, handed out St. Paul prayer cards and novena booklets to everyone. Father’s plan was to pray three of the nine days of the novena at each stop, followed by an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be for each day. Fr. Al began by reading to us the life of St. Paul, as the bus rolled on to the first stop.

2:45PM We arrived at the Chapel of the Daughters of St. Paul at the Pauline Boks and Media Shop in Metairie, LA. We received a warm greeting from the Sisters. In the Chapel, the Prioress led the first of the three days of the Novena and then two other Secular Servites led the other two days. After a few minutes of silence before the Blessed Sscrament, one of the Daughters of St. Paul gave us a short talk about their religious congregation. Upon boarding the bus, we continued our “meeting on wheels”. The Prioress read the list of petitions and included all Servites living and deceased around the world. We prayed the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.

3:45PM We arrived at St. Paul’s Church, in New Orleans East. When we arrived the Church was locked. Since it was raining pretty steady, we remained on the bus and prayed the next three days of the novena.

Fr. Al later received an apology from the priest, because he forgot about us. As we continued our pilgrimage, the Prioress made the announcements.

4:20PM We arrived in the French Quarter to visit St. Louis Cathedral. It was raining. We all had rain wear and umbrellas, so we walked through the square to the Cathedral, which is usually opened for tourists until 5:00PM. The doors were locked. Fr. Al couldn’t find anyone, so we all walked to the front of the Cathedral and prayed the last three days of the Novena to St. Paul in public. We prayed the Angelus and sang the Salve Regina. We boarded the bus, shared our snacks and water on the way ome.

5:30PM We returned to Visitation of Our Lady Church.

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Servites Help Bring Seafarers into the ��st CenturyJack Rhine, OSSM

May, Queen of the Servants Secular CommunityPalm Bay, FL

Since the ministry began in 2000, there has been a Servite presence at the Apostleship of the Sea Center in Port Canaveral Florida. Deacon Bill Wanca, OSSM, Deacon Jack Rhine OSSM, Fr. Carl Feil OSM and about eight others from the Mary, Queen of the Servants Community in Palm Bay, have made the close to 90-mile-round-trip drive on a regular basis to serve the people of the sea.

The center provides a comfortable place for seafarers to worship, relax and most importantly for them, make contact with loved ones at home by phone and over the Internet. Our computer room originally housed a dozen donated computers of various ages, brands and speeds. As better computers were donated, the oldest

were taken out of service and given away. There was competition among the seafarers for the use of the four computers equipped with webcams and headsets.

About two years ago, Deacons Bill and Jack started to explore the possibility of a grant from the International Transport Workers (ITF) Seafarers Trust to replace all of the computers with a modern server, identical workstations, webcams and secure communications equipment. Quotes from several vendors were included in a grant application that was sent to ITF justifying the need for new computers. The grant was approved!Close to 50 boxes of computer equipment arrived from Dell in July 2009 and was stacked in our chapel awaiting installation. Our old computers had been on tables providing little privacy for the seafarers and no way to secure the computers from tampering

from behind. Deacon Bill and Bob Olson OSSM built workstations that afford both privacy and physical security. Tony Ferrer OSSM did the network wiring required. Deacon Jack connected all of the computers to the server, installed and configured software and connected all of the computers to the Internet.

As a result, 12 computers are available to the seafarers and an administrative computer is being used to register seafarers each time they visit recording where they are from, what they intend to do in the center and make suggestions so services the center provides can be improved. Also, wireless and wired connections support seafarers who bring their own laptops. Computer maintenance can be done centrally from the server. The server can also be accessed remotely to do network troubleshooting and repair without having to make the trip to the center.

Most of the old computers are being shipped to the Servite sponsored Child Jesus School in Petit Guave, Haiti where they will be put to good use.

Information on the Apostleship of the Sea, Port Canaveral, may be found at www.aosportcanaveral.org

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Welcome to Our Servite Family!¡Bienvenidos a nuestra Familia de los Siervos de María!

“After completing the period of probation, … we ask to be received into the Secuar Order of the Servants of Mary. We wish to follow Christ as people committed to our state of life, giving witness to the Gospel in this earthly city. In this way, we wish to serve the Blessed Virgin Mary according to the ideal of life of the Servants.” (Rite of the Promise)

“Después de la experiencia realizada…pedimos ser admitidos en la Orden Seglar de los Siervos de María. Comprometidos según nuestra propia condición de vida, queremos dar testimonio de los valores evangélicos en medio de la ciudad terrena; queremos seguir a Cristo y servir a la Virgen María según el ideal de vida de los Siervos”. (Rito de la Promesa)

Comunidad San Peregrino, Kissimmee, FLJuly 11, 2009Alice RomeroCandida Carbone

Salve Regina Community, Kissimmee, FLJuly 11, 2009Jason RobertsEvelyne Tilus

CONGRATULATIONS!! ¡¡FELICIDADES!!To those who have just professed their Promise as Secular Servants of Mary.A todos los que hace poco profesaron su Promesa como Seglares Siervos de María.

To the Secular Servites who RENEWED the profession of their Promise in a recent celebration in their community.

A los Seglares Siervos de María que RENOVARON la profesión de su Promesa recientemente en una celebración en su comunidad.

The National Council of the Servite Secular Order recommends that each year, each community plan a celebration of the renewal of the Promise of all the active members. The renewal ceremony will keep alive in the mind and heart of the Secular Servites “the act by which the candidate renews the consecration made at baptism, undertaking to live it according to the spirituality fo the Servite Order, in solidarity with all the communities of the Servite family and in accordance with the Rule and Statutes of the Servite Secular Order”. (RL #55) At the time of the renewal of the Promise all members of the community, who have participated, should be issued a CERTIFICATE OF THE PROMISE.

Trusting in the Lord’s grace,I promise to God

before you, our Spiritual Assistantand you, my sisters and brothers, to live the commitmentof my baptismal consecrationmore intensely.I will be faithfulto my family and social obligations,and observe the Rule and Statutesof the Secular Order of Servants of Mary,in order to share your vocationof service and loving union,drawing inspiration always from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord.

May the intercession of Our Lady,and your love

support me in this commitment.

ecular Order of the Servants of Mary

NAME

SOSM COMMUNITY

PRIOR/ESS DATE

Certificate of Promise

CITY, STATE

SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT

St. Philip Benizi Community, St. Petersburg, FLAugust 22, 2009Verstine E. Drakes Salve Regina CommunityFullerton, CASeptember 10, 2009Elisa Torres

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RENEWAL OF THE PROMISE OF THE HOMEBOUNDRENOVACION DE LA PROMESA DE LOS ENFERMOS EN CASA

When the Council of St. Juliana Falconieri Community, Ladysmith, Wisconsin was planning the renewal of the Promise for the members of their community, they did not want to forget or overlook the members in their community who are either homebound or residing in a nursing care facility. Plans were made to go to their home or to gather them together at the nursing care facility to renew their Promise, pray together and receive a blessing. These members of St. Juliana Community are unable to attend the monthly gathering, yet desire to be included and remembered by their sister and brother Secular Servites. These were very touching moments for the homebound as well as for those visiting them.

Confiando en la gracia del Señor, ante ti, Padrey ante ustedes, mis hermanos y hermanas,

prometo a Dios vivir más intensamentelos compromisos de la consagración bautismaly de observar, según mi condición familiar y social,La Regla y los Estatutosde la Orden Seglarde los Siervos de Maríapara participar en su misma vocaciónde servicio, y comunión fraterna,inspirándome constantemente en María,Madre y Sierva del Señor.

La intercesión de la Virgen, nuestra Señora,y la caridad de ustedes,

sostengan mi compromiso.

NOMBRE

FRATERNIDAD

PRIOR/A FECHA

Certificado de la Promesa

CIUDAD, ESTADO

ASISTENTE ESPIRITUAL

Orden seglarsiervos de maria El Consejo Nacioal de la Orden Seglar recomienda que cada año, cada

comunidad organize una celebración de la renovación de la Promesa de parte de todos los miembros activos. La ceremonia de la renovación mantendra vivo en la mente y el corazón de cada Seglar Siervo de María “el acto con el cual el candidato renueva su consagración bautismal, comprometuéndose a vivirla según la espiritualidad servita, en comunión fraterna con todas las comunidades de la Familia de los Siervos, según la Regla y los Estatutos propios de la Orden Seglar de los Siervos de María”. (RV #55) Al celebrar la ceremonia de la renovación de la Promesa, a cada miembro de la comunidad que ha participado se le debe entregar un CERTIFICADO DE LA PROMESA.

Mary Haasl, OSSM, Dorothy Murphy, OSSM, Celina Verdegan, OSSM

Olga Wojciuch, OSSM Clara Jacques, OSSM

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Cuando el Consejo de la Comunidad San Peregrino, Kissimme, Florida hacía su planes para la renovación de la Promesa por los miembros de su comunidad, les interesa mucho poder incluir a una de sus hermanas que se encontraba recuperando en casa después de una larga y seria enfermedad. Se hicieron planes para hacerle la visita a la casa para que pudiera renovar su Promesa, para orar con ella y para darle una bendición. Actualmente, no puede asistir a la reunión mensual, pero desea ser incluida y recordada por sus hermanos y hermanas Seglares Siervos de María. Fueron momentos de emoción tanto para la enferma como para los que la visitaban.

Servite Family as well as the parishioners. The unveiling was followed by a floral offering led by the Father General, other friars and lay representative, Ms. Nena Atienza of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary. Then, seven doves were released, symbolizing the Seven Holy Founders. Balloons were also released giving a colorful touch to the atmosphere.

Later that day at 7:00 in the evening, we celebrated the high mass for the Solemnity of the Feast of St. Phillip Benizi held inside the Shrine of St. Peregrine. It was a themed Eucharistic celebration where we showcased Filipino attire. The main celebrant was the Father General and the rest of the friars concelebrated.

After the mass, we were treated to a dinner and program at the Professed House. Fr. Rhett Ma. Sarabia, OSM was the master of ceremonies. Fr. Luigi Illari, OSM delivered a message, being the only surviving founding friar who arrived on Philippine soil in 1984. He may not be 100 per cent Filipino at heart but he has certainly adapted to some of our ways and culture that he liked it here in our country and vowed to live his remaining years and continue his vocation here. The stage presentations were shown after dinner and the program ended with the singing of Salve Regina in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mother who has been instrumental in the founding of the Servants of Mary.

cont. from page 3

Layda Márquez, OSSMJose & Gloria Vázquez, Aleja Maldonado, OSSM, Layda , Margarita Colón, OSSM

Prior General Fr. Angel Ruiz Garnica, OSM & Fr. Susaimani, OSM, Vicar Provincial of India with Philippine OSSM members

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www.servite.orgwww.servidimaria.org

Secular Servite News is published by the Office of the National Assistant to the Servite Secular Order

Kindly address all correspondence to:

Fr. Vidal Martinez, O.S.M.Order of Friar Servants of Mary���� W Jackson BlvdChicago IL �0���-����osmsecular@aol.com

Coming Servite Feasts

October � - Bl Maria Gudalupe Ricart Olmos�5 - Bl John Angelo Porro

November �� - All Saints of the Order�� - Commemoration of All Deceased Servites, Benefactors, Relatives and Friends

December�0 - Bl Jerome of Sant’ Angelo in Vado�5 - Bl Bonvanture of Pistoia

January�� - St Anthony Pucci�5 - Bl James the Almsgiver

Servite Peace Pots

Hand crafted and glazed pots with the Servite logo areavailable directly from the potter, Leslie Ann Curry, for $35.00

each, postpaid in the United States. Candles placed in thepots illuminate the Servite Logo.

The pots are approximately 6” tall and 4.5” in diameter andare available in blue and beige.

For each Servite pot purchased, $5.00 will be donated to theServite School in Petit Guave, Haiti.

Contact Leslie at LAMCurry@aol.com to order pots.If you do not have email, call her at (321)223-2669.

Her other pots and information about ordering can be foundat www.peacepotsbyleslie.com

Servite Peace Pots

Hand crafted and glazed pots with the Servite logo are available directly from the potter, Leslie Ann Curry, for $35.00 each, postpaid in the US. Candles placed in the pots illuminate the Servite logo.

The pots are approximately 6” tall and 4.5” in diameter and are available in blue and beige.

For each Servite pot purchased, $5.00 will be donated to the Servite School in Petit Guave, Haiti.

Contact Leslie at LAMCurry@aol.com to order pots. If you do not have email, call her at (321) 223-2669.

Her other pots and information about ordering can be found at www.peacepotsbyleslie.com.