The Maronite
Servants of Christ the Light recently concluded their annual silent retreat
which commenced on Sunday, August 21st and concluded on Sunday
August, 28th. The sisters remained at the Mother of Light Convent in
Dartmouth for this week-long retreat of silence and solitude. The theme of this
year’s retreat was “The Beatitudes”. Each day we were blessed with the presence
of our retreat master, Fr. James Doran, who offered Divine Liturgy and preached
two conferences daily on our retreat theme. Fr. James is a priest of the Roman
Rite with bi-ritual faculties and is currently assisting at St. Anthony of the
Desert Maronite Church in Fall River.
A prayer written by Sr.
Therese Maria Touma
Blessedness
Lord Jesus, I desire to
reflect your face of mercy and radiate your light and charity to all those I
encounter. May I become one with each Beatitude:
Help me to be
compassionate, courageous, sacrificial in suffering love, and authentic in
living out “meekness”.
Help me to be detached,
docile, trusting and giving of myself in my striving to be “poor in spirit”.
Help me to shed all
that displeases you and sincerely “mourn” my willfulness and selfishness, in
order to freely love you and my neighbor.
Help me to be your
“Reservoir of Light” in extending “mercy” and comfort to all those who suffer,
want or need a hand.
Help me to clearly
distinguish what comes from you and what does not, so that I can choose you in
“purity of heart”.
Help me to uphold the
awesome dignity we have as children of God by sowing words and deeds of “peace”
and love.
Help me to serve and
seek what is Good, True and Beautiful, and “hunger and thirst” for you, the
Hidden One, the Radiant One.
Help me to remain
undivided in loving and following you, my sweet Jesus, despite what
“persecutions” may come….
You are my life
You are my all
My eternal home is with
you!