“Here I am, Lord, to do your will”
It can be a slogan but it is much more than this!! It is an interesting sentence that appears very often in the O.T, but specially was pronounced by our Mother Mary that changed to story of the humanity. It was pronounced by Jesus along his life, but particularly when he arrived at the end of his life in this world to enter in his passion and death.
After these supreme moments that brought to all people life and salvation, many courageous persons have repeated the same words: “here I am, Lord, to do your will”. We want to remember our Blessed Mother Speranza. How many times, with a great generosity, with a great trust in the love of Jesus, she said again and again this sentence, “Your will be done even in what makes me suffer, even in what I do not understand and even when I do not see”.
This capacity and disposition gave the Church two Congregations, the wonderful Sanctuary of Merciful Love and countless graces that she obtained from God for the people who asked her prayers.
We can see these YES as the biggest in the story, but there are many, many other YES, perhaps not so famous, but essential to whom has the courage to say and to live the consequences.
This was what happened yesterday, 13th of January, in Nanthirickal, India: Anuradha and Liya, two young girls, the first from Andhra Pradesh, the second one from Kerala, in front of the Bishop, other 11 priest, the community of EAM and FAM and their families, in loud voice, proclaimed the same sentence: “here I am to do your will” .
These are not magic words that avoid difficulties, problems, but show, reveal the intention and decision that put the seal to the call received from God: “If you want, come and follow me”.
Wonderful dear sisters!!! Be courage and perseverant in the fidelity to this marvellous vocation: to be Handsmaid of Merciful Love and to spread wherever you go the message that God is love and full of mercy.
Jesus Christ, the Savior, was born
The light glitter, the sound of the bells, the expression of joy on the child’s face….it seems that there is no doubt: it’s Christmas!
The Atmosphere helps, but it’s not enough (at least if there’s not an inner attitude) in order that everyone could live the big mystery we could contemplate in this Holy Night:” And the angel said, have no fear; for truly, I give you good news of great joy which will be for all the people: on this day, in the town of David, a Saviour has born, who is Christ the Lord” (Lc 2,10b-11).
Mother Esperanza, while Christmas is arriving, writes to the different communities of the sisters of the Merciful Love: “ I think that you all are very busy while preparing your hearts to receive Jesus that has just been born. Let’s make sure that Jesus will find our hearts warm for the love and charity fire. “(El pan 20, cir. 8).
Our Mother always lived (and the people who stayed with her too) the Christmas day in a very special way. She wanted that the Sisters, and the Sons too, prepared themselves intensely and with great love for the celebration of Jesus’ coming on earth. Even if the Sisters were always busy with their work, they anyway found the way to prepare the “Bambinelli” and the nativity scene all over the house: all different and meaningful and the Mother went to visit them on Christmas day with her Daughters.
Our religious family wishes all of you to live fully and intensely this Holy Christmas, in contemplation of the poverty and humble condition in which our Saviour became flesh.
God grant your families peace and serenity, especially for those who are facing difficult moments.
Sons and Sisters of Merciful Love
Perpetual religious profession of Br. Joji Jerone FAM and Vows Renewal of Bros. Michael Viyagappan FAM, Pramod Roy FAM, and Joy Antony FAM
On 18th December 2015, Br. Joji Jerone FAM made his Religious first profession before the then superior Fr. Miguel FAM; it was a great day of joy for his family as well as for the family of Merciful Love. It was just the temporary profession, but it gives more joy for the family of Merciful Love when one of its brothers commits himself completely to the Merciful Love. On 18th December 2021, Br. Joji Jerone FAM, son of Mr. Jerone and Mrs. Selvi Jerone, made his final decision to follow the Merciful Lord until his last breath. ‘My Jesus, make all my actions similar to yours and strengthen me in your love and peace.’ Bl. Esperanza of Jesus
The ceremony of the perpetual profession began at 5: 30pm on 18th December 2021 at Sons of Merciful Love Seminary in Perayam. Fr. Libin Das FAM, the delegate of the Superior General of Sons of Merciful Love, presided the Holy Mass. Fr. Byju Alphonse FAM, Fr. Vincent Antony Pragasam FAM, Fr. Ashlin Andrew FAM, Fr. Binny, Fr. Aji OCD, Fr. Joseph OFM Cap., Fr. Shaji Wilfred OFM Cap., Fr. Shajan, Dn. Jesmon FAM and Dn. Antony FAM were present for the Holy Mass. Fr. Binny, priest from Quilon Diocese, delivered the homily about the four important jewels that our Mother Esperanza teaches us. After the homily Br. Joji made his perpetual profession before the delegate and the community.
Vocation is a free gift of Merciful Love, on the same day our Bros. Michael Viyagappan FAM, Pramod Roy FAM, and Joy Antony FAM have renewed their vows for two more years. Each call is God’s victory; each call is God’s hope. On this great occasion the Family of Merciful Love rejoices for the perpetual profession of Br. Joji FAM and the renewal of vows of the three brothers and at the same time for the commitment of various brothers (FAM) and sisters (EAM). We continue to seek the intercession of Blessed Mother Esperanza of Jesus. May she inspire us more and more that people may see us and follow the Merciful Love.
Hearty congratulations to all our brothers and sisters. Wishing a peaceful and prosperous Christmas season.
written by
Br.Joy Antony FAM
FEAST OF MERCIFUL LOVE
Our mother, Blessed Mother Speranza tells us: “From this throne of wood is where the good Jesus makes the greatest conquests and continually we can see souls, thirsty to suffer for their God, who devote themselves totally to his service in the exercise of charity and feel happy when they can suffer something for the good Jesus despite the repugnance of nature, they are seen courageously carrying their cross with love to resemble their Divine Master” (Pan 15:13).
We , the Religious Family of merciful love celebrated the feast of Christ the King…the king who is merciful.
On that day the presence of His excellency rev.Dr .Paul Antony mullassery, Bishop of Quilon, was a heavenly blessing for our family toghter with our sisters.
We sons of merciful love renewed our vows devotionaly as we do twice a year
21/11/2021: the solemnity of Christ the King
On November 21st 2021 we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King and this date marks the end of the liturgical year too. It is the feast of Jesus Merciful Love, the Holder of the two Congregations founded by Mother Esperanza, and it marks the beginning of the Advent’s season.
Christ’s royalty should be a reason for reflection, deepening and imitation because His royalty is service royalty, love royalty, not power, richness, arrogance royalty, but love.
In the Sanctuary of Merciful Love of Collevalenza, the Crucifix dominates over the Altar, as Consecrated Esperanza of Jesus wanted, a Christ nailed to the Cross, that is wearing a crown of thorns: the throne of the Cross and the crown of thorns, here Jesus’ royalty.
During this solemnity all the Sons of Merciful Love renew in the same day their religious profession; this acknowledges their adherence to the Charism, on the steps of Jesus Merciful Love, King of the Universe.
THE AMAZING INDIA
Anyone who has lived in India for some time will not be surprised by what is about to read.
We are located specifically in the southwest of India, in Kerala.
The images that you can see are from the garden-park of the EAM community in Nanthirickal, Quilon. It is a splendid relax to contemplate so many trees and so much green. Among the trees there are many palm trees that have large leaves, party food for many animals, among them also for the huge elephants. It is known that in Hindu culture it is considered as one of the sacred animals and its mystical and religious value is unpredictable.
Well, with these pachyderms we remain!
We contacted some elephant owners offering them the possibility to come and collect abundant food for their “children”. They accepted. Thus, a few weeks later, one morning they informed that they were coming. Vow! What will happen!!!
Three men arrived with a 16-year-old pachyderm, about 4 meters tall and 2200 kilos, a perfect fitness model! They said there are some that weigh up to 7 tons, that he is the largest terrestrial mammal, and its pregnancy lasts 22 months and when the baby elephant is born it already weighs 90 kilos.
It took only a few minutes for the sisters and the girls who live with us be in front of the new visitor! Suddenly he began to eat palm leaves that we put to reach easily. From time to time he moved to eat the fresh green grass. Fed up with eating, he gave us part of his perfect digestion that, seen as seen, showed that he did not need laxatives! They said they eat about 180 kilos of food a day. That’s how they are!
There were moments of real euphoria taking photos, selfies. The most courageous came to touch him, but they ran fast as soon as he moved his trunk or his enormous ears, the largest in the world, which serve as a fan every time they flap.
We ask for information about the proboscis or trunk. In short: it is like a multi functional key: it helps them to breathe, lift objects, drink water, caress… They have a very developed sense of smell, useful for recognising the best food, perceiving danger etc. They told us that they are intelligent with a great memory, solidarity, docility and loyalty. We know that there are many and curious episodes about these pachyderms.
Then came the moments of the orders of its owners: to lie down… and the enormous pachyderm, docile as a lamb, lay down on the ground until another order told it to get up; later, close to a tree, he was told to pick leaves and that was what the obedient animal did. Another order was to lift a leg for the tamer to climb on, and it was.
Finally, having prepared the great bunch of palm leaves, they ordered him to take it and with the help of his tusks and his trunk, he lifted up the heavy bunch easily.
Last order: walking out of the garden with his precious food, before to reach the exit, the suggestion was: say hello and, flapping his huge ears, he gave us a friendly farewell greeting. Excellent obedience!
We do not pretend to give exemplary lessons, because we do not need animals to imitate, but with a little good inner imagination, something can be learned from the docility, loyalty, and solidarity of the largest animal in the world: ELEPHANTS!
