PRAYER: GOD IS PRESENT AND ACTIVE WITHIN US

STAGE 1: PRAYER

Students are in Marianella because they are interested in the Redemptorist way of life. During their years here the following questions should be uppermost in their minds:

Is God calling me to the Redemptorist way of life?
Do I have a religious vocation?
Am I trying to make God a priority in my life?
Am I developing a personal relationship with Christ?

These are questions which we can answer only if we are growing in faith and openness to God, and in the conviction that God is present and active within us and among us. The faith-life of each of us is expressed and nourished in our community worship and prayer and in our personal prayer life.

First of all there is the Eucharist.

It is celebrated daily in Marianella and all are expected to attend. It is our most important community gathering. The Redemptorist Constitutions state that

Redemptorists regard the Eucharist as the source of their whole apostolic life, and the sign of the solidarity that binds them together for their mission.

The daily celebration of the Eucharist is the constant reminder for us of the presence of Christ among us, not only at the time of the celebration, but throughout the whole day. It continually speaks to us of who we are and who we are called to be. The daily homily is aimed at helping us to be attentive to the action of God in the world around us and among us and to respond most generously to His action.

There are a number of communal celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the year (Advent and Lent). This celebration brings home to us that, through Christ, God loves each one of us unconditionally, forgives us, understands us, challenges us and in this way saves us.

A Redemptorist must first of all make this Good News his own and part of himself. Since he knows the weakness within himself he understands only too well the struggle that goes on within each person, a struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, selfishness and love. The effective Redemptorist is a good forgiver because he knows that he has been forgiven himself.

TRAINING STAGES

STAGE 1

DETAILS / STUDY / PRAYER / COMMUNITY/ MINISTRY

We also pray the Liturgy of the Hours in common, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours is drawn mainly from the Book of Psalms. Most students find that it takes time to become accustomed to this form of prayer. Initially they experience it as foreign and difficult. However in time they may come to appreciate in the psalmist's relationship with God their own hopes, longings, fears and struggles.

READING THE BIBLE AND KEEPING A PERSONAL JOURNAL>