MES DE MARIA

We, the Sisters from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Community and St. Therese of the Child Jesus Community in Taiwan, shared our Marian Spirituality by praying daily for the whole month of May, the Mes de Maria with the Filipina Staff of both centers, respectively.

It was a yearly tradition of both communities to gather the Filipina staff for this Marian devotion to share with them this legacy of our Father Founder Francisco Palau, a very Palautian way of learning virtues from our Mother and Lady.  With some guidance from the sisters, the Filipinas were responsible for assigning the readers, offerers, and leaders.  This year was quite special because of Covid-19, which the 2 Centers experienced towards the end of May.  Although globally, Covid -19 is slowly becoming a thing of the past because of its decreased prevalence and virulence, the center, being a health institution, is still strict in following health protocols.  Some Filipina Staff were isolated, but the devotion continued until the end of May.  Even in small numbers, their faithfulness to attend is a show of dedication that only a Mother like Mary can inspire.  It is likened to Mary’s fiat “Yes to God” even amid the trials and challenges she faced as a faithful servant of God.

Here are some of their reflections from their experiences on Mes de Maria:

What I experienced and learned about Mes de Maria is how to continue learning and trying to follow the virtues of Mary.  Every day, I am making an effort to follow especially being patient and obedient to the words of God.  Also, in times of crisis (COVID), it helps me be more optimistic in life.  I chose to be hopeful and have peace in my heart, rather than being pessimistic, by praying because I believe that everything happens for a reason and God will never put us or give us some challenges in life that we can’t endure.  And her virtues really help to put our faith in God, to bind us as a community, to love and be more understanding towards each other. 

~ Rica

When I came to Taiwan and worked as a caregiver in Francis Home, one of the practices we have every May is the Mes de Maria.  As a Catholic, I tried to attend the prayer every day.  The Mes de Maria allows me to reflect every day on the virtues of Mama Mary, and I was surprised to learn that we can learn many virtues from her.  One of the virtues that I learned from her is faithfulness.  It taught me that faithfulness will lead me closer to God.  And even though I am not attending mass every day, I always pray, asking for His guidance and help to have peace of mind.  And I would like to follow this example of the faithfulness of Mary to God.

~ Ann Jenny

Here in Sacred Heart, we spent the whole month of May praying and offering flowers to Mary.  Among the virtues of Mary, the one that struck me most is the virtue of Patience.  A month ago, our faith and patience were tested when three children and one staff were infected with Covid-19.  We don’t have any choice but to pray to God and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, to give us courage, faith, and patience to face our problems and sufferings.  Prayer helped us endure the pain and sleepless nights, to have the appetite to eat, and not complain.  I know God will answer our prayer; I must be patient in his perfect time.

~ Marie

This is my second year attending the Mes de Maria daily in May.  Here in Francis Home, after our night duty, we will proceed to the chapel to pray the Mes de Maria and offer flowers to Mary.  This activity promotes unity because we gather in one place to pray.  From this experience, I gained more peace of mind, and I found myself growing in my spirituality and my relationship with God by following the virtues of Mary.  And to be more understanding to my fellow workers.

~ Eva