Over the last month, the Adorno Fathers celebrated its 63rdGeneral Chapter. For two weeks, the chapter fathers labored prominently with the desire to pave the way for the Order’s future while the rest of the Adornos waited in anticipation for what would be the outcome of the Chapter.
With the topic on gratitude in this year’s retreat, the retreat master, Fr. George Burr, SJ, mentioned that gratitude is our essential response to God’s graciousness.
Indeed, God is gracious for the Adorno Fathers. God has blessed us in so many ways this year.
In April, we had two ordinations to the priesthood; Fr. Kevin Daborbor, CRM and Fr. Rufino Madridejos, CRM. The Ordination brought joy and gladness to the Church and to the Order.
During the General Chapter, we elected a new Superior General and new set of consulta. The US-Philippine Delegation has issued new appointments for three years 2018-2021.
Plans are laid out for the US-Philippine delegation for the next three years and amongst other things, as an order of priests of Jesus Christ, our gratitude is united with Him.
In the Gospels, the Lord’s gratitude was engraved in his life as inherited from his ancestors, offering thanksgiving songs as part of the Hebrew tradition. The Eucharistic meal as instituted by Jesus Christ is a thanksgiving celebration.
Small community though we are, we thrive in our ministry and enjoy being with each other in the celebration of the Eucharist and in sharing a meal. God is so gracious; he makes all good things possible in accordance with his own holy will.
The Blessed Mother is a model for our own thanksgiving. In her Magnificat, she reveals how much joy she has in her heart with the realization of God’s wonders.
So also in our own personal gratitude to God. We feel in our hearts the wonder of God’s creation and how he called us individually to be in a community with a common desire to lead holy lives according to the charism and spirituality of the Order.
We are all wonderfully made and despite of our personal flaws and shortcomings, God is gracious of His gift of sorrow for our sins and His mercy which restores and makes us whole again.
These and all things are gateways to gratitude leading us to grow in it each day and be magnified by the Lord who is most gracious.
