Reading I: Mt 18:1-5
At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child
over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter
the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever
receives one child sucs as this in my name receives me."
Reading II: BT, Doc. 176, pp. 97-99
[From the Spiritual Testament of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, May 18, 1840, less than three weeks before his death]
In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
[1] Here, in the presence of God, under the auspices of the most blessed Virgin and of St Joseph, wishing to make known
to all the Brothers of Mary, the expression of my last and dearest wishes, I summon all my strength to make my Spiritual
Testament according to what I believe most in accordance with the will of God, and most conductive to the good of the
Society.
[3] Also, dear Brothers, I beg you with all the love of my heart, and by all the love you bear me, keep ever alive among
you the Charity of Christ. Love one another as Jesus Christ has loved you. May there be among you but one same heart
and one same spirit. May people be able to say of the Little Brothers of Mary, as they did for the first Christians: "See
how they love one another!..." That is the desire of my heart and my burning wish, at this last moment of my life. Yes, my
dearest Brothers, hear these last words of your Father, which are those of my most Beloved Savior: Love one another.
[6] I ask also of the good God, and I desire with all the affection of my soul, that you persevere faithfully in the devout
practice of the presence of God, which is the soul of prayer, of meditation and all the virtues. May humility and simplicity
always be the character of the Little Brothers of Mary. May a tender and filial devotion for our good Mother animate you
at all times and in all circumstances. Make her loved everywhere, in whatever way you can. She is the first Superior of the
whole Society. With devotion to Mary join devotion to her most worthy spouse, the glorious St Joseph. You know that
he is one of your first patrons. You do the work of guardian angels toward the children entrusted to you; so to these pure
spirits also, pay a special homage of love, respect and confidence.
[7] My very dear Brothers, be faithful to your vocation, love it and persevere in it with courage. Keep yourselves in a
great spirit of poverty and detachment. Let the daily observance of your holy rule preserve you from ever failing in the
sacred vow by which you are bound to the fairest and frailest of the virtues. There are some difficulties in leading the life of
a good religious, but grace sweetens everything. Jesus and Mary will help you; besides, life is quite short and eternity will
never end. Oh, how consoling it is, at the moment of appearing before God, to remember that we have lived under the
protection of Mary, and in her holy Society. May it please that good Mother to preserve you, give you increase and bring
you to holiness. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the imparting of the Holy Spirit be with you
always. I leave you with confidence within the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, waiting the while until we can reunite
together in blissful eternity.
[8] Such is my last and express will for the glory of Jesus and Mary.
Prayer
Lord, Father of all Mercy, through your Son at table with his disciples you have revealed to us the new
commandment of perfect love, and in Saint Marcellin Champagnat you have given us an example of it. By his
prayers, may we love one another as brothers to the end, and bring the world to recognize the grace and truth of
Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
MC, p. 144
* * *
For growth in the Spirit of Mary extract from the "Marist prayer texts for special days", 1997 |
| June 6 The Anniversary of the Death of Saint Marcellin Champagnat in 1840, He was the Father founder of the F.M.S. |
| International Marist Family Year of Prayer 2009-2010 Since September 12th, a new theme has been proposed by the Lay Marists from New Zealand. “Mary, Mother of Peace” May Marists throughout the world be people of PEACE. We are all invited to "focus on Jesus so that his peace fills our hearts and overflows into the lives of others.” Marist Laity Australia and New Zealand are graciously offering you to photocopy the following documents and to spread them world-wide! click here to download a prayer bookmark click here to download the prayer card |
Monthly/Daily/Optional Prayer Intentions I pray for peace … In my heart In my family For those troubled by mental illness For the innocent in war zones For the combatants in war zones Between nations In our neighbourhood Between races and cultures Between religions In the Middle East In African nations In the Holy Land In European nations In the countries of the Americas In Pacific countries In Asian countries |