The devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an important event in the life of the Filipino Catholics. Besides the ‘Flores de Mayo’ celebrated in the month of May during which beautiful flowers are offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary in a colourful ceremony, the month of October is another period when the Marian feast takes a prominent stage. Our Lady of the Rosary was, therefore, celebrated by the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda on the 4th Sunday of the October, on which they regularly have their monthly community Eucharistic celebration in English language garnished with Filipino songs.
This year’s Living Rosary was a special one. Clothed in beautiful blue dresses signifying the mantle of our Lady of the Rosary, the entire community made a solemn procession, led by well decorated children, starting from the outside the church. Singing Maria hymns, the children lifted ‘Ave Maria’ plaques while the others, holding lighted candles marched solemnly into the Church. Words of welcome, a short and meditative reflection by the leader of the FCC Gouda, Amor who introduced the program, followed by the recitation of the rosary. Each part of the rosary was preceded by a reflection emanating either from the bible, Marian teachings of the church or devotional reflection as already chronicled in the booklet for the ‘Living Rosary’.
Two of the members of the FCC community who had undergone serious medical situations in the recent past recounted their experiences in a testimony to show how God, in the midst of their difficulty, was the source of their strength. Having battled with a terrible sort of cancer, Kathy Grimme was pleased to recount how remaining positive and believing in the strength from within (God) has kept her going.
In the same line, Mary Lynn who was involved in a road accident that nearly cost her her life radiated with joy as she led the community through the painful period where it became clear to her that only by the grace of God is she alive today. Their testimonies were touching. More important was the fact that the community maintained a close relationship with both persons in their times of suffering through visits, prayers and other helpful ways. The compassion and faithfulness of the FCC community to its members during their trying times is underlined as a very important binding factor and a sign of a living Christian community.
Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe encouraged the community to continue to be the sacrament of God’s presence among his people in their difficult times. Moreover, he noted the strengthening power of testimonies in reinforcing the faith of the people and encouraging them to do more, noting that our present world needs love and show of concern more than anything else. Indeed God is love (1 John 7-12).
