MOTHER IGNACIA DEL ESPIRITU SANTO IS A WOMAN OF DESTINY

In a gathering sponsored by the members of the Mother Ignacia Movement in New Jersey, U.S.A. they invited Rev. Fr. Pelagio Pateno Jr., SVD, to speak on "The Life, Work and Spirituality of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, Foundress of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, popularly known as the RVM. Oft repeated accolades on Mother Ignacia were brought to the fore. Expressed in different ways the repetitions became devoid of monotony or boredom.

The speaker showed an analogy of the "hiddeness and anonymity" of Mother Ignacia in the posture of the "Blessed Virgin Mary when, away from the crowd, she watched Her Son Jesus carrying His Cross. She is there but cannot be seen. So also was Mother Ignacia as she valiantly overcame the obstacles on her path to holiness. "She guarded the preservation of the original spirit of humility, simplicity, sacrifice, mortification and generous service."

Describing her as a "solitary communing with God under the guidance of St. Ignatius, the fountain of Mother Ignacia's supreme success" Father Pateno was able to construe with keen perception how "Mother Ignacia transformed into a leader after the type of her patron --St. Ignatius." Such leadership was an offshoot of her being strong -hearted, remarkable in her constancy, humble and deeply spiritual."

As a "woman of destiny" Mother Ignacia epitomizes "faith and great courage." The writer saw her as one whose "key of her life" is manifested in her self-abandonment and constancy. Her deep faith made her "live in conscious relationship with the Father." Thus " she spent her life with kindness and constancy. Her life was a constant awareness that God is the source and destiny of all graces and blessings."

 A lesson from Mother Ignacia's example may be drawn namely: " Union with God should overflow and canalized with a deep, communitarian experience." Indeed Mother Ignacia carried the beaterio on her "shoulders of faith."

With her "hallmark of humility" Mother Ignacia was actuated "to abdicate her superiorship." Along with her humility was her mind firmly focused on God alone. This was her springboard for being " a woman of peace." Mother Ignacia was a lover of the poor."Poverty was her clear option in life." She enjoined on her beatas "to bear with constancy the sufferings and poverty of this world."

As we celebrate Christmas let us approach the crib of the Infant Jesus and look at the utter poverty of His birth. He is the King of kings, yet He chose to be poor to show us that poverty is not a disgrace. Rather it is one way of imitating CHRIST as did Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, "the woman of destiny." #

MIM UNIT OF CANADA HOLDS PILGRIMAGE

To celebrate the feast of Our Blessed Mother Mary's Assumption, the Mother Ignacia Movement of Canada held a pilgrimage to different centers of worship in the province of Alberta, Canada. The celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy ushered in the activities that the group undertook. After the Sacred Liturgy, the MIM group joined the pilgrims from all over Canada for the blessing of the sick.

From the church of Our Lady of the Angels in Skaro, Alberta the group proceeded to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Lake where they had the group rosary. Ephphrata, House of Retreat in Stony Plain, Alberta was their next stop. They participated in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Evening Prayer after which they partook of the dinner served to them. The group had the opportunity to visit the St. Theresa's church.

The whole day was spent in an atmosphere of prayer which made each member feel grateful to the Lord for the initiative of Sr. Ma. Cornelia Ramirez, RVM who organized the activity.

A benefactor, Bill Connelly, who owns the Connelly-Mackinly Inc., provided the group with free transportation and accommodation. As a gesture of gratitude for God's goodness they donated the amount of $1,125.00 which they saved, to the St. Theresa's Parish Church. #

MOTHER IGNACIA MOVEMENT
REACHES OUT TO THE POOR

The parish of St. Theresa's Church has a schedule of giving free meal to the poor every Sunday. The officers and members of the Mother Ignacia Movement volunteered to have one Sunday for them to reach out to the poor. As agreed they gathered at the MacNeil Hall of St.Theresa's Church to prepare food on September 10, 2005 in celebration of the 257 th death anniversary of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, foundress of the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.

The Movement went out of their way to raise some amount to buy food for distribution on September 11, 2005. An ecumenical prayer service was held in the Bissel Center in Edmonton. Most of those who attended the activity were native Indians and other ethnic groups. The food served to them was a complete meal of sandwiches, vegetables and fruits.

The benefactors who contributed for the food and the cooperation of the MIM members in preparing the food are gratefully acknowledged. May the love of the Lord be their reward. #