...not as in "relocated" or "changed posture or position" --
but rather, "stirred the emotions."
This is what Our Lady of Fatima did to us when she visited our parish a month ago.
JANUARY 19.
St. James the Great was blessed to host the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Fatima for an overnight vigil. Upon her arrival, many parishioners welcomed her via a motorcade which went around the various Marian grottos and schools inside Ayala Alabang -- with the final destination being of course, the church.
The school where I work, The Learning Child, was asked to be one of the route markers for this motorcade. And so days before her arrival, we prepared some big and small white flags to wave in the air when she passed by.
When she finally came, it was a special moment for everyone. As we waved our flags and lit some candles, the kids sang:
From the very start of the mass, I found myself MOVED to tears! I couldn't explain why, but the tears just kept coming, quietly flowing down my cheeks. Then I noticed how people around me were also crying! Women AND men alike... people both young and old -- were all simply MOVED by her loving, motherly presence.
Throughout the whole mass, I would see from the corner of my eye, someone drawing some tissue paper out of their bags; someone wiping their eyes with the back of their hand; someone dabbing their cheeks with Kleenex. I have never seen so many people MOVED to tears at a Eucharistic celebration!
It was overwhelming! A beautiful, good, wonderful kind of overwhelming.
Likewise, tears were in everyone's eyes as they carried her out of the church through the center aisle. As she passed where I was standing, I gazed up at her and felt such joy and warmth in my heart!
but rather, "stirred the emotions."
This is what Our Lady of Fatima did to us when she visited our parish a month ago.
JANUARY 19.
The school where I work, The Learning Child, was asked to be one of the route markers for this motorcade. And so days before her arrival, we prepared some big and small white flags to wave in the air when she passed by.
"Dear Lady of Fatima,
we come on bended knees,
To beg your intercession,
For peace and unity..."
People who were part of the motorcade shared with us afterward, how MOVED they were at the sight of all of our students lined up on both sides of street in front of our school, welcoming Mama Mary with big smiles and white flags all around.
JANUARY 20.
After a night of vigil and prayers, where parishioners took turns with hourly slots, it was time for Our Lady to move on to her next visit. And so we celebrated a "Farewell Mass" at 7:30 am. The church was jam-packed with devotees of our Blessed Mother, and that was in spite of an also filled-up church in the usual 6:20 am daily morning mass!
From the very start of the mass, I found myself MOVED to tears! I couldn't explain why, but the tears just kept coming, quietly flowing down my cheeks. Then I noticed how people around me were also crying! Women AND men alike... people both young and old -- were all simply MOVED by her loving, motherly presence. Throughout the whole mass, I would see from the corner of my eye, someone drawing some tissue paper out of their bags; someone wiping their eyes with the back of their hand; someone dabbing their cheeks with Kleenex. I have never seen so many people MOVED to tears at a Eucharistic celebration!
It was overwhelming! A beautiful, good, wonderful kind of overwhelming.
Likewise, tears were in everyone's eyes as they carried her out of the church through the center aisle. As she passed where I was standing, I gazed up at her and felt such joy and warmth in my heart!
* * * * *
After the mass, I recalled what was written on the sign that was placed at the foot of her image, which stood at the front of the church, near the altar. It read:
"Please do not touch her,
She will touch you."
AMEN TO THAT!!! :-)
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