The Virgin Mary: Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast

How many people here today chose their mother before their birth?

No one!  None of us were able to choose.  Jesus Christ was the only Person in all of human history who has been able to do so.

If we could choose our mothers, we would probably not want them to be different from what we already have. Thank God! But just think for a moment.

Be vigilant!

Dear brothers and sisters, Happy New Year! Today over 1.5 billion Catholics from all over the world celebrate the first Sunday of Advent.  It is the beginning of a liturgical new year.  We have 3 liturgical cycles, A, B and C. Today we begin year C.  The Gospel of Luke will be read over the course of this year. The Church offers us this special moment to help us stop and reflect on the most important questions about life. It is easy to get caught up with everyday life such as taking care of the children or herding the animals.

Father Peter’s First Sunday Mass in Arvaiheer

Our people are very happy to have a new priest among us. They had prepared a very simple and beautiful feast to welcome Father Peter back to Arvaikheer on Sunday, November 18th, 2012.  Compared to previous Sundays, many people came on that day knowing that there was a new priest celebrating.

It was good because they knew him as a brother and then deacon who was preparing for the priesthood. The children were always asking about him and wanting to know when he was going to return.  In fact, our children were praying for his quick return.  One day, Father Daniele mentioned that Father Peter had just been ordained. The people were very happy and prayed all the more for him.

Chinggis Khaan Festival

The year 2012 mark the 850^th  anniversary of the birth of the Great Chinggis Khaan, the founder of the Mongol empire.  By a decree of the President of Mongolia the 14 of November, the day chosen for this celebration, will be a national holiday and at the same time it will be celebrated as a “National Pride Day”.

Surely this has nothing to do with homonymous celebrations going on around the world.  Chinggis Khaan, the legendary initiator of the Mongol empire remains a major figure of reference for the recovered identity of this young post communist democracy.

No doubt Mongolia has many reasons to be proud of.  The last June political elections which saw the passage of power from the ancient communist party to a Democratic coalition, is indicated as an example of great democracy, peace and stability among many regions in central Asia.

Ospiti alla missione

Approfittando della bella stagione (sempre troppo breve!), un discreto numero di amici e visitatori passa di solito dalla missione di Arvaiheer. Quest’anno poi, essendo stati eretti a parrocchia, abbiamo avuto la gioia di avere anche una rappresentanza di altri missionari e missionarie di altre congregazioni che lavorano in Mongolia, venuti a rallegrarsi con noi. Sono stati i primi ad inaugurare i nuovi ambienti appositamente pensati per l’ospitalità: in questi mesi infatti abbiamo ingrandito la nostra casa per avere alcune stanze in più dove fare accoglienza.

Hanno scritto :

“E’ difficile tradurre in parole l’esperienza dell’incontro con le vostre comunità ad Ulaanbaatar e ad Arvaiheer. La gioia profonda e la commozione provate durante la Messa con i battezzati e i catecumeni non si cancellerà facilmente  dal mio cuore.” ( Milly da Genova)

“La mia breve permanenza con voi in comunità, con la preghiera e l’Eucarestia celebrata con i nostri fratelli e sorelle mongoli è per me un esperienza del Regno di Dio in mezzo a noi…”(missionario dagli Usa)

 

“In questa nostra permanenza, sono stato colpito dal lavoro che Dio costruisce attraverso l’essenzialità della vostra testimonianza  e l’amore che nutrite per questa terra e il suo popolo. Questa essenzialità mi ha fatto ripensare ai primi passi della comunità cristiana, come viene descritta  negli Atti degli Apostoli” (Roberto)

“Siamo stati molto toccati dalla vostra accoglienza. Che gioia incrociare sulla nostra strada dei missionari/e che fanno vivere una Chiesa che noi amiamo….!” (turiste francesi)