GUIDELINES FOR THE RETURN TO GALILEE THEME WEEKEND
RETREAT ECHO
SESSION SPEAKERS’ AND SHARERS’ PROFILES
EXPANDED TALK OUTLINES
PROLOGUE: TO GALILEE! WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!
SESSION 1: REJOICING BEYOND THE EMPTY TOMB
ANNEXES 04 13 20 21 28
SESSION 2: REMEMBERING OUR LOVE STORY WITH CHRIST SESSION 3: REJUVENATION: NURTURING INTIMACY WITH CHRIST SESSION 4: RECOMMISSIONING: FROM GALILEE TO THE NATIONS
38 48 60 71
May this guide serve as a tool for us to collaborate effectively and facilitate a spirit-led, Christ-centered experience for all participants.
Below are the key guidelines for organizing our CFC Return to Galilee Theme Weekend Retreat Echo:
1. The Retreat
The 2025 CFC Theme Weekend Retreat entitled “Return to Galilee” is a retreat, not a conference. The atmosphere is introspective, aiming to guide participants toward a deeper reflection on their relationship with God.
2. The Venue
Selecting a venue conducive to introspection and reflection is crucial. Look for a place with peaceful surroundings, away from disturbances and loud noises. Retreat centers with designated spaces for prayer and contemplation are highly recommended.
3. Face-to-Face
It is strongly advised to conduct the retreat in person, prioritizing face-toface interactions. A hybrid setup is not recommended.
4. The Program Schedule
CFC Areas are free to choose the schedule that best suits them. Below are the recommended options for guidance:
a. Three-Day Retreat starting on a Friday
Friday (PM) : Prologue
Saturday (AM) : Session 1 and 2
Saturday (PM) : Session 3
Sunday (AM) : Session 4 and Praisefest
b. Two-Day Retreat Starting on a Saturday
Saturday (AM) : Prologue and Session 1
Saturday (PM) : Sessions 2 and 3
Sunday (AM) : Session 4 (with Praisefest)
5. Conduct of the Retreat
a. It is imperative that we include all elements in each session and throughout the entire retreat. The following elements must not be omitted:
• Making Confession available on the first and second day.
• The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated daily before the opening worship, except on Day 2 when Session 3, which is about the Holy Eucharist, is followed by Adoration and then the celebration of the Holy Mass.
• Personal reflection in all the sessions and writing activity in sessions 1 to 3.
b. Sessions should be conducted in chronological order, as the central message of the weekend builds up progressively from one session to the next. Talks should not be swapped, compressed, or merged. This rule must be strictly followed.
c. Areas are given room to contextualize/ localize the message we wish to convey. A 70-30 guide may be used. 70% of the original content and creatives shall be kept, and 30% may be aligned to geographicspecific needs and realities (i.e., CFC audience’sculture,social,educational, andeconomicbackground,etc.).
d. The creative theme for this year is Musical Theatrical Play. It is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, and acting. The stage is inspired by a theater design to put emphasis on the elements of each session. With black curtains covering the rest of the stage, the focus is on the set that is specific to each session. While the art direction for visual design in the companion, kit and slides takes inspiration from colored sketch art like those found in travel brochures to reinforce the element of Pilgrimage to bring the participants back to Galilee.
a. A retreat companion and kit are indispensable pastoral tools of this retreat. We deem it necessary that all areas obtain copies of this companion and secure the items that come with the kit for all participants of the weekend retreat.
b. Each participant (not per couple) should have a companion. Areas may translate the companion into their language while notifying our CFC PFO at cfcpastoralformation@couplesforchristglobal.org of this initiative.
c. The retreat companion must be sourced out through our CFC Global Mission Center c/o Genrina Jadulco at genrinajadulco@couplesforchristglobal.org.
a. Speakers for each session should be members of the Mission Core who have attended the pilot retreat. The provided speaker profiles act as a reference for selecting the most suitable speaker for each session. When choosing speakers, prioritize individuals who can genuinely share personal experiences, insights, and reflections that resonate with the session's message. It is also highly encouraged that local speakers be lined up and empowered.
b. All sessions must be conducted live and in person to ensure that the audience can better relate to the content and the examples, given their realities. Additionally, this will encourage greater engagement and interaction, prompting the audience to participate actively rather than listen passively.
c. Thus, the recording of the CFC “Return to Galilee” Theme Weekend Retreat last January is only provided to be used as a guide, for the pilot MC retreat was meant for a specific audience: the Metro Manila Mission Core and top leaders of different CFC geographies, whose profiles, collective realities, current life situations, and circumstances might be different.
d. The speaker's speaking time is limited to 45 minutes. The remaining 30 minutes will be allocated for pre- and post-talk activities such as opening creatives, sharing, and reflection or activity. Participants can continue post-session activities like personal reflection at their convenience.
e. Speakers are instructed to remain faithful to the session's main three (3) points / key messages. This ensures they stay on course with the session's primary message and prevents redundancy or overlap of points across sessions.
a. There should only be one live sharer for each session. If there are two sharers, the second one must be a video recording of the person’s sharing.
b. Sharers are likewise discerned and guided by the profiles indicated in each session.
• First, they are requested to pray for what they will share.
• Second, they must write their onepage sharing.
• Third, they are to be processed and eventually confirmed to share by the PFO-in-charge and speaker, as approved by the Head of Event or Elder-in-charge.
c. Live sharer is given only 5-7 minutes to share. If possible, the written sharing is memorized by heart or read to manage time. Additional spiels or ad-libs in between are strongly discouraged. The recorded sharer is pegged at a maximum of 5 minutes.
d. Before giving the sharing, they are requested to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
e. For reference, a Guide for Sharers is included in the Annex of this Echo Guide.
Ensure that attendance is checked via the CFC Members’ Attendance Capture and encoded to the One Global Data. Kindly coordinate with your local Mission Support or with our CFC Global Mission Center’s MIST.
a. Data Privacy
In adherence to the Data Privacy regulations, please be reminded of the following guidelines:
i. Kindly advise the delegates against recording or taking video footage during the sessions, especially the testimonies of the sharers. An announcement should be made before the retreat date to inform the delegates in advance and on the day of the retreat before the official program starts. The Team of Servants must ensure that delegates adhere to these guidelines.
Furthermore, please display the CFC Data Privacy Notice onscreen, which can be found in the provided link.
ii. All session sharers are required to sign the CFC TWR Sharers Data Privacy Compliance Consent Form, enclosed in the Annex for your reference.
• Please ensure the signed Sharers Data Privacy Compliance Consent Form is securely stored. It is advisable also to scan it for backup purposes.
iii. For the International Missions TWR Echo, this may be used solely as a template. Please feel free to modify it as needed to comply
with the specific requirements of applicable data privacy laws in your respective countries.
iv. If your TWR Echo would like to use the video sharing for Session 3, please note that it should be used exclusively within the TWR Echo and not for any other CFC events.
b. The area is responsible for assembling its own Team of Servants to support the pre-, during, and post-retreat needs.
c. Spiritual preparation is of utmost importance. Obtaining the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receiving the Holy Eucharist should be top priorities for those serving. Fasting is highly encouraged for those who are able. Furthermore, CFC prayer warriors, especially during sessions, need to be assigned and scheduled.
a. Reflection questions in the companion may be used in CFC Households.
b. All biblical references are lifted from the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) unless otherwise specified. The CFC Pastoral Formation Office uses NABRE as it is the same version used in liturgy.
c. All expanded outlines, PPT presentations, creative videos, digital materials, and other echo needs are available at:
i. Link: CFC TWR 2025 ECHO GUIDE MATERIALS
ii. QR Code:
SPEAKER’S PROFILE
A CFC Mission Core brother who embodies the joy of service that flows from a grateful heart. He recognizes
Mother Mary’s role in our collective journey of faith. He should be able to invite everyone to reflect on their journey back to Galilee and look to the future brimming with hope.
A CFC Mission Core brother who has journeyed through his transformative encounter with Christ. He must be able to share with enthusiasm his awe and wonder in serving the mission of CFC. He should be able to witness with integrity how he overcame the hindrances that robbed the joy of his first encounter with Christ.
1. A CFC leader who has served in different CFC mission areas and programs/ministries through the years. He must be able to share instances in the mission where he found himself in awe of God’s greatness (e.g., unfolding of God’s promises, witnessing answered prayers, transformation of lives and communities, etc.). He must also be able to share how he experienced the joy of encountering Christ and of serving in CFC and how this has inspired him to say yes whenever and wherever he and his wife are sent to serve.
2. A CFC leader who has served in a challenging mission area due to geographical location, geopolitical issues, cultural differences, language barriers, or religious oppression but has remained faithful in his/her commitment to serve God through CFC and because of that, he/she has seen how CFC is received in
this area and has witnessed the community grow. He/She must also be able to share how he/she entrusts and abandons everything in the goodness of the Lord and how God’s faithfulness is revealed in every difficult circumstance.
3. A CFC leader who has experienced the newness of life after a transformative encounter with Christ. This encounter could be through CFC CLP, household, teaching, or being journeyed by a pastoral head or his/her experience with his/her service in the parish. He/ she must be able to share how his/her renewal has moved him/her to rejoice and proclaim Christ to others through active service in the community.
A CFC Mission Core brother who can rally our brethren in going out into mission. He should encourage people to go on missions not just by serving the Lord but also by serving our brothers and sisters. He should be able to witness to the love of God and should be able to share that love through the people that he encounters.
SHARERS’ PROFILES (CHOOSE ONE SHARER ONLY)
Diversity of Gifts
1. A CFC Family Ministries coordinator who can attest to the giftedness of the young brothers and sisters they serve. Beyond serving the young, he/she should be able to share how being with them has allowed them to understand the gift of the younger brothers and sisters in the community.
2. A CFC leader serving in the Work with the Poor (ANCOP and Missio Amare) programs of Couples for Christ. He/ she should be immersed in the life and mission of the WWTP programs and recognize the gift of the brethren that they are serving.
3. A CFC leader who is now a senior citizen and is continuously and actively serving the Lord through Couples for Christ. He/she continues to serve because his/her leaders assign him/ her, but he/she is actively mentoring young CFC leaders because they trust that they are the future leaders of CFC.
4. A CFC leader who is assigned to an international mission area and is serving with locals. He/she could have struggled initially because of the difference in culture and language, but he/she has recognized the beauty of the culture. He/she is now ensuring that he/she can adapt the CFC culture to the area they are serving.
To the Nations
1. A young couple serving as missionaries in a foreign land. They should be able to share how the Lord led them to respond to the mission to go to the nations and how being sent to a different mission area allowed them to recognize the beauty of the mission.
2. A CFC leader who serves in the Family is a Gift program. He/she recognizes the value of serving the Lord through the family. He/she acknowledges that the mission of FIG, which is to reach out to families who are not necessarily members of Couples for Christ, is essential.
3. A CFC leader who balances family life and mission life, making sure that he/ she takes care of the family and the mission entrusted to him/her by the Lord. He/she ensures that the family time is not only important but makes the effort to bring the family closer to God by doing family household and bringing children to join CFC activities.
ANCHOR VERSE
“Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples… Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’” (Matthew 28:8,10 NABRE)
SUPPORTING VERSE
“…God sent his Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4, NABRE)
For the speaker:
1. to emphasize the great importance of Galilee, where Mary gave her fiat and where Jesus called His twelve apostles;
2. to highlight Mary as the Lady of Hope in connection with our Church’s Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”;
3. to reflect and ponder on our return to Galilee; and
4. to give a summary of the TWR Sessions.
KEY MESSAGES
1. Galilee
Galilee is of great importance for two reasons: First, it is a defining moment in the history of salvation. It was in Galilee where Mary gave her fiat. Second, it was in Galilee where Jesus called His twelve apostles and where the Lord changed them into fishers of men. Carrying with us the inspiration of Mary’s acceptance of the Father’s will and our call to be servants and bearers of light, we ask ourselves, “Where is my Galilee?” The invitation is to go back and rediscover, with renewed eyes of faith, the beauty, richness, and depth of meaning of our own Galilee.
2. Mary of Galilee
God has sent his Son, born of a woman.1 That woman is Mary. There is no Jesus of Nazareth without the Mary of Galilee. It is meaningful that Luke wrote, “the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,”2 mentioning Galilee first rather than the usual “to the town of Nazareth in Galilee.” Thus, subsequent scholars and authors generally refer to the Blessed Mother as the “Mary of Galilee.” The role of the Blessed Virgin Mary is pivotal in the story of Salvation history. Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, is our model of faith and consistency. She gave her FIAT even if she was deeply disturbed by the angel’s greeting.3 She considers herself ‘lowly’ but her soul is magnanimous. She entrusts her whole self and being to the Lord. She is Our Lady of Hope.
1 Galatians 4:4
2 Luke 1:26
3 cf . Luke 1
3. Pilgrims of Hope - 2025 Jubilee Theme
Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.4
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is Pilgrims of Hope. The Blessed Virgin Mary is also honored as Our Lady of Hope. Tradition holds that during the Franco-Prussian War, Mary appeared to six children on January 17, 1871, in the village of Pontmain, France. She told them to pray for protection as troops approached the village and assured them that the conflict would soon come to an end. This apparition of Mary came to be known as Our Lady of Hope because the villagers repeatedly sang the hymn:
“MotherofHope,whosenameissosweet. ProtectourlandofFrance.Pray,prayforus.”
The Feast Day of Our Lady of Hope is celebrated every January 17. This weekend, we should reflect on Our Lady of Hope as we join the Holy Father and the global Church in celebrating the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope.
4. Return to Galilee
This weekend we will reflect and ponder on our return to Galilee. We return to Galilee with the joy of our first encounter with the Risen Christ. We remember our love story with Christ knowing fully well that returning to Galilee is a call for rejuvenation and recommissioning. And from Galilee we must go and make disciples of all nations.
TENOR
Uplifting, Hopeful, and Reflective
SPEAKER’S PROFILE
A CFC Mission Core brother who embodies the joy of service that flows from a grateful heart. He recognizes Mother Mary’s role in our collective journey of faith. He should be able to invite everyone to reflect on their journey back to Galilee and look to the future brimming with hope.
I. Introduction
As we embrace this year’s theme, “Rejoice, Take Courage, Return to Galilee,” it is essential to understand the thoughtful process behind its selection. Each year, the International Council gathers for a weekend retreat to discern and choose Bible verses that will guide us. This year, our theme is based on two distinct verses.
The first verse, from Matthew 28, is well-known and widely publicized. Additionally, the International Council selected a sub-theme verse: Galatians 4:4, which states, “God sent His Son, born of a woman.” These verses, though seemingly far apart, were chosen to complement each other and form the foundation of our theme.
4 Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Manila: Word a Life Publications and CBCP/ECCCE, 1994). no. 1817
In this prologue, entitled “To Galilee Where It All Began,” we will explore the unity between these verses and how they guide our journey this year.
II. Galilee
Galilee holds great importance for two main reasons:
1. The Annunciation. This is where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Nazareth, announcing that she would be the mother of Jesus. This event highlights Galilee as the place where God chose Mary for the incarnation of His Son.
2. The Calling of the Apostles. Jesus called many of His apostles in Galilee, especially by its shores. While not all apostles’ origins are explicitly mentioned in the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles confirm that they were from Galilee. After Jesus’ ascension, angels addressed the apostles as “Men of Galilee,” reinforcing their connection to this region.
These reasons highlight Galilee’s crucial role in our faith. However, there is even more that makes Galilee profoundly significant, which we will explore further.
III. Mary of Galilee
God sent His Son, born of a woman.5 That woman is Mary. There is no Jesus of Nazareth without Mary of Galilee. Significantly, Luke wrote, “The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,”6 highlighting Galilee first. Scholars often refer to her as “Mary of Galilee,” emphasizing her pivotal role in salvation history. When she gave her fiat: Let it be done to me according to your word,7 she fully entrusted herself to the Lord. Her acceptance of God’s will and her role in the Annunciation make Galilee a place of profound importance.
Reflecting on Pope Benedict XVI’s homily in the Holy Land on May 14, 2009, we are reminded of Mary’s words, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the word of God became flesh.8 This joyful mystery gives us hope that God will continue to act in our history, achieving what seems impossible.
Mary of Galilee is also known as Our Lady of Hope, a title from her apparition at Pontmain, France, on January 17, 1871, during the Franco-Prussian War. She appeared to six children and assured them that the conflict would soon end, urging them to pray for protection.9 This led to her being called “Our Lady of Hope” as the villagers sang, “Mother of Hope, whose name is so sweet, Protect our land. Pray, pray for us.” And the Prussian army retreated, sparing the village.
5 Galatians 4:4
6 Luke 1:26
7 Luke 1:38
8 Benedict XVI, “Celebration of Vespers with Bishops, Priests, Men and Women Religious, Ecclesial and Pastoral Movements of Galilee: Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI,” TheHolySee , May 14, 2009, par. 3-4, https:// www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20090514_vespri-nazareth.html.
9 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc., “Our Lady of Hope,” EWTN , https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/ saints/our-lady-of-hope-12760.
As we gather this weekend, let us reflect on Mary, Our Lady of Hope, and join the global Church in celebrating the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”. The Feast Day of Our Lady of Hope is celebrated every January 17. Pope Francis encourages us to “fan the flame of hope within us and help others gain new strength.”10 We are pilgrims of hope, traveling with Mary, Our Lady of Hope, especially during this Jubilee Year of 2025.
V. Return to Galilee
Pope Francis beautifully expressed: We must fan the flame of HOPE that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision.11 Imitating Mary’s trusting heart and as pilgrims of hope, we return to our Galilee. Returning to Galilee means returning to our roots, to Mary’s fiat, and the task given by Jesus to His disciples. It means returning to the very core purpose of Couples for Christ.
The core purpose of Couples for Christ is revealed in the call of the first disciples:
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come after me, I will make you fishers of men.’ At once, they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately, they left their boat and their father and followed him.12
1. Casting Net (Evangelization)
We cast the net to catch people and bring them into the community. We invite them to follow Christ and live a life of renewal.
2. Mending Net (Pastoral Care)
We mend the net to cover holes that may cause people to leave the community. We take care of relationships and resolve conflicts.
That is a beautiful reflection on Mary’s role in the Church’s work of evangelization and pastoral care. It highlights her constant presence and support in our lives, much like a true mother. Her maternal love opens our hearts to faith. It surrounds us with God’s love, making her a vital companion in our spiritual journey.
10 Francis, “Letter of the Holy Father to the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization for the Jubilee 2025,” TheHolySee, February 11, 2022, https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/ bollettino/pubblico/2022/02/11/220211c.html.
11 Francis, “Letter of the Holy Father to the President of the Pontifical Council.”
12 Matt. 4:18-22
VI. Brief Summary of the TWR Sessions
This weekend retreat features four talks that will expand on our anchor and supporting verses, delving deeper into our core task.
While we can engage in various activities like conferences and retreats, we must never forget our primary purpose: evangelization. We need to ask ourselves if our actions are helping to bring people into our community and keep them there. Are we genuinely accompanying them, ensuring they do not slip away?
These talks will help us reflect on these questions and strengthen our commitment to our mission.
Talk1:RejoicingBeyondtheEmptyTomb
The Resurrection of Jesus is more than a historical event; it invites us to rejoice in the transformative encounter with the Risen Christ. This talk focuses on the joy of the Resurrection which compels us to share the Good News. Mary, as the forerunner and model for all disciples, guides us to Christ and helps us share the joy of the Risen Christ with others.
Talk2:RememberingOurLoveStorywithChrist
The love story between Jesus of Nazareth and Mary of Galilee began when Jesus was still in Mary’s womb. This talk focuses on how we can best remember this love story and deepen our relationship with Christ. Like Mary who had the most intimate relationship with Christ, we should strive to emulate her deep bond with Him.
Talk3:Rejuvenation:NurturingIntimacywithChrist
St. Josemaria Escrivá said, “If you seek Mary, you will find Jesus.” This talk focuses on deepening our intimacy with Jesus. The Lord nourishes and restores our souls, especially through the Holy Eucharist, among others, and Mary, the Lady of Hope, who is our model for this deep connection.
Talk4:Recommissioning:FromGalileetotheNations
This talk emphasizes that the disciples did not stay in Galilee but went out to make disciples of all nations. With Mary of Galilee, we should proclaim Jesus of Nazareth, following her example, as the star of evangelization. Stories like Our Lady of Guadalupe and James the Apostle show Mary’s crucial role in spreading the faith.
VII. Conclusion
This weekend, we are pilgrims of hope. We rejoice in Christ and remember our love story with Him, knowing that returning to Galilee is a call for rejuvenation and recommissioning. From Galilee, we must make disciples of all nations, trusting that Our Lady of Hope is with us.
Mary is not the end; she is the means. Our end is our Lord Himself, Jesus Christ. Let us altogether pray to Our Lady of Hope:
We cry unto you, O holy Mother of God, Our Lady of Hope full of confidence, both in times of joy and triumph and of desolation and fear.
Show unto us the fruit of your womb, Jesus: Our light in the midst of darkness, Our strength in times of weakness, Our cure in times of sickness, Our hope in times of defeat.
Teach us to gaze
Upon the eyes of your Son
To embrace him and to bear his cross.
O Mary, our mother, Mercifully listen to our prayers
And lead us always to the one Hope, Jesus, your beloved Son, Our Lord, Amen.
VIII. Bibliography
Benedict XVI. “Celebration of Vespers with the Bishops, Priests, Men and Women Religious, Ecclesial and Pastoral Movements of Galilee: Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI.” The Holy See. May 14, 2009. https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/ homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20090514_vespri-nazareth.html.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Manila: Word & Life Publications and CBCP/ECCCE, 1994.
Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. “Our Lady of Hope.” EWTN https://www.ewtn. com/catholicism/saints/our-lady-of-hope-12760.
Francis. “Letter of the Holy Father to the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization for the Jubilee 2025.” TheHolySee.February 11, 2022. https://press. vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/02/11/220211c.html
Francis. “Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium.” The Holy See. November 24, 2013. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/ papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#_ftn8.
The Resurrection of Jesus is more than a historical event because it is an invitation to rejoice in the transformative encounter with the Risen Christ. A call to embrace the truth that death has been defeated, and hope has triumphed. But this rejoicing is not based on our strength or merit. It is a gift from God, a grace that strengthens us to respond with joyful hearts to His invitation. It is not our merit but a grace to serve God. Let us remember the joy and transformation of our first encounter with the Risen Christ which should transform our lives and compel us to share this good news with others. As we rejoice in Christ and affect others, let us take inspiration from how Pope Benedict XVI regarded Mary as: A forerunner and a model for all disciples of Christ and the “Star of the New Evangelization”
TENOR
Celebratory (Joyful) and Introspective
SPEAKER’S PROFILE
A CFC Mission Core brother who has journeyed through his transformative encounter with Christ. He must be able to share with enthusiasm his awe and wonder in serving the mission of CFC. He should be able to witness with integrity how he overcame the hindrances that robbed the joy of his first encounter with Christ.
1. A CFC leader who has served in different CFC mission areas and programs/ ministries through the years. He must be able to share instances in the mission where he found himself in awe of God’s greatness (e.g., unfolding of God’s promises, witnessing answered prayers, transformation of lives and communities, etc.). He must also be able to share how he experienced the joy of encountering Christ and of serving in CFC and how this has inspired him to say yes whenever and wherever he and his wife are sent to serve.
2. A CFC leader who has served in a challenging mission area due to geographical location, geopolitical issues, cultural differences, language barriers, or religious oppression but has remained faithful in his/her commitment to serve God through CFC and because of that, he/she has seen how CFC is received in this area and has witnessed the community grow. He/she must also be able to share how he/ she entrusts and abandons everything in the goodness of the Lord and how God’s faithfulness is revealed in every difficult circumstance.
3. A CFC leader who has experienced the newness of life after a transformative encounter with Christ. This encounter could be through CFC CLP, household, teaching, or being journeyed by a pastoral head or his/her experience with his/ her service in the parish. He/she must be able to share how his/her renewal has moved him/her to rejoice and proclaim Christ to others through active service in the community.
1. The session begins with a video of a pilgrimage scene in which actors visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Holy Land. While on their way, they talk about their joy of service in the mission.
2. An empty tomb scene will be revealed on stage. Two women portraying the two Marys in Jesus’ Resurrection will sing live on stage, accompanied by a pianist.
3. The speaker enters the stage and delivers the session.
4. After the second point, Empty Tomb, the speaker will call the sharer and then he inserts his short personal sharing and reflection afterwards.
5. After the Conclusion, the speaker invites the participants to watch a video clip of the Resurrection scene of Jesus from the movie “The Passion of the Christ.” The speaker will then lead the participants to reflection. He gives instructions about the writing activity.
6. The speaker ends the session with a closing prayer offering to the Lord the reflections written by the participants.
I. Introduction
Rejoice for Christ is risen! Hallelujah! Two scenarios come to mind: Mary’s visit to Elizabeth makes John leap for joy in his mother’s womb,3 and He has risen!4 It was enough for Elizabeth to hear the greeting of Mary in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. With the third person of the Trinity, there was an outburst of joy. Even the baby in her womb was leaping for joy. Mary brings Jesus, Jesus brings the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete brings His gifts and fruits.5 Fast forward to when sorrow, grief, and fear were felt among the apostles because of the death of Christ on the Cross. The next day at His tomb, Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, encountered an opened tomb and empty space. When the angels proclaimed that He has risen, their sorrowful faces transformed into radiant joy. The Passion’s sorrow yielded to Easter’s triumphant celebration, forever changing the course of their lives and human history.
Pope Francis captured it well in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium: The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice... “Rejoice!” is the angel’s greeting to Mary (Luke 1:28)... In her song of praise, Mary proclaims: “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47)... Jesus himself “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21). His message brings us joy: “I have said these things to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11) … He promises his disciples: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John
3 cf. Luke 1:41
4 Matthew 28:7
5 Opus Dei Devotional, IPrayReflections:Luke1:39-45 , December 22, 2024
16:20). He then goes on to say: “But I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). The disciples “rejoiced” (John 20:20) at the sight of the risen Christ.6
In 2016, our CFC community received the call to “Rejoice, Pray and Give Thanks”7 recalling the apostle Paul’s exhortation to the early Christians of Philippi as he lifted their spirit and instructed them to preach the Gospel. Prior to that, Saint Paul says that he wishes to be one with Christ in order “to know him and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10).8 Similarly, this year we go back to the ultimate source of our joy, the very reason of our faith – the Risen Christ. We go back to the Resurrection of Jesus.
Christ is alive! We need to keep reminding ourselves of this, because we can risk seeing Jesus Christ simply as a fine model from the distant past, as a memory, as someone who saved us two thousand years ago. But that would be of no use to us: it would leave us unchanged; it would not set us free. The one who fills us with his grace, the one who liberates us, transforms us, heals and consoles us is someone fully alive. He is the Christ, risen from the dead, filled with supernatural life and energy, and robed in boundless light.9
The risen Christ is “filled with supernatural life and energy and robed in boundless light.”10 What would have happened to us if we met Him, more so in that state? In His Resurrection appearances, Jesus always teaches the transcendence and otherness that elicits fear.11
Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciple.12
The two women who saw the empty tomb and encountered the Resurrected Christ experienced a deep mix of emotions – fear and great joy. This fear was rooted in deep reverence and awe of the overwhelming encounter and the magnitude of what had occurred. This same fear was also intertwined with immense joy. A joy that is inseparable from the cross and Resurrection. Their hope was realized, as the truth of Jesus’ Resurrection confirmed everything He had promised. This joy is deeply rooted in the very person of Jesus Christ and transcends all earthly pleasures and sorrows.
6 Francis. “Apostolic Exhortation EvangeliiGaudium,” TheHolySee, November 24, 2013, 5, https://www. vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_ evangelii-gaudium.html#_ftn8.
7 Philippians 4:4-7
8 Francis. “Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit,” TheHolySee, March 25, 2019, 128, https://www.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html.
9 Franics, CV , 124
10 CV , 124
11 Paul D. Scalia, “Fearful Yet Overjoyed,” TheCatholicThing, April 26, 2015, https://www.thecatholicthing. org/2015/04/26/fearful-yet-overjoyed/.
12 Matthew 28:8
To better understand this paradox, let us learn from how Saint Thomas Aquinas distinguishes fear. Author Peter Kreeft discussed three kinds of fear13 in his book about the scholastic saint’s teaching:
Servile fear - “the fear of being punished, whether deservedly or undeservedly...it is typically found in a slave or servant.”
Filial fear - “the fear of losing or offending a beloved friend, human or divine... the fear proper to a friend or lover.”
Awe - “Deep, wondering reverence or awe at something immeasurably superior” (This is the fear we naturally feel towards angels. Thus, in Scripture when angels appear the first thing they usually say is “Fear not”).
“[Faith] is also the cause of filial fear, whereby one dreads to be separated from God, or whereby one shrinks from equaling himself to Him, and holds Him in reverence...” (St. Thomas Aquinas).14
The two women must have felt a mix of confusion, panic, fear, and joy but most of all, it was their faith that held them in deep, wondering reverence at the sight of the glorified Christ. It was an occurrence that they had never seen before, but they believed, and they rejoiced because what they had seen was the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises.
Christ is risen. No human intellect can make sense of it, no human power can tame it. The women are reminded powerfully of that fundamental truth: He is God and we are not. Their smallness – and ours – is evident.15
2.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.16
The two women, who were grief-stricken at the foot of His cross, embraced His feet and worshipped Him in His Resurrection. Recall when Jesus told His disciples, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”17
There are many instances in the community when we would find ourselves awe-struck and in adoration of the Lord who reveals to us His greatness in various ways. It could be unfolding of God’s promises in our marriage and family relationships, birth of a child to a couple who waited for so long, healing, reconciliation, witnessing answered prayers, transformation of lives and communities, or the seemingly impossible situations made possible because of His love and mercy. We begin to recognize
13 Peter Kreeft, “FaithandFear,”PracticalTheology:SpiritualDirectionfromSaintThomasAquinas, (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2014), 153.
14 Kreeft, “Faith and Fear.”
15 Scalia, “Fearful Yet Overjoyed.”
16 Matthew 28:9
17 John 16:20
these wondrous instances when we have a personal relationship with the Risen Christ which is the ultimate source of joy.
The two women rejoiced and hastened to spread the good news. But what happened before the life-changing encounter? To their surprise, they have seen that the large stone that sealed the tomb of Christ has been rolled back.18 This was the same stone that they were anxious about: Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”19 But they have seen the powerful mystery of the Resurrection.
This is the Pasch of Christ, the revelation of God’s power: the victory of life over death, the triumph of light over darkness, the rebirth of hope amid the ruins of failure. It is the Lord, the God of the impossible, who rolled away the stone forever.20
Jesus conquered death, won over darkness, and walked out of the tomb.
After assuming our humanity, he descended into the depths of death and filled them with the power of his divine life, allowing an infinite ray of light to break through for each of us. Raised up by the Father in his, and our, flesh, in the power of the Holy Spirit, he turned a new page in the history of the human race.21
We have been redeemed by Christ, and so we must allow Him to bring us out of the tomb of our own sorrows and negativism. We must follow Him out. How do we do that? We leave our old selves behind, including our sins and failures, and live a new life.
How are we living the Resurrection? We are to embrace new beginnings (i.e., new service, new learnings, etc.). We are called to be witnesses to the resurrected life, living out our faith together in love, service, and compassion.
However, some of us may have encountered large stones that block our way out of the tomb.
There are times when we may feel that a great stone blocks the door of our hearts, stifling life, extinguishing hope, imprisoning us in the tomb of our fears and regrets, and standing in the way of joy and hope. We encounter such ‘tombstones’ on our journey through life [and Mission] in all the experiences and situations that rob us of enthusiasm and of the strength to persevere.22
18 cf. Mark 16:4
19 Mark 16:3
20 Francis, “Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis,” TheHolySee, March 30, 2024, par. 5, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024/documents/20240330-omelia-veglia-pasquale.html.
21 Francis, “Easter Vigil,” par. 6.
22 “Easter Vigil,” par. 4.
These stones trap our joy and restrain us from going out of the tomb. We lose the joy of the Resurrection when we are trapped in these large stones:
• Comfort – stifles life and steals our passion for the mission (eg. self-preservation23 and need for comfort limit the capacity to serve, prefers attending online for convenience because it saves travel time and being stuck in traffic, etc.).
“I dream of a ‘missionary option’, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her selfpreservation.”24
• Fear – extinguishes our hope and joy (eg. fear of the future, of failure, of not being able to provide for the family, of not being able to fulfill responsibilities, etc.).
• Complacency – robs our enthusiasm (eg. overfamiliarity with service leading to less or no preparations at all for CLPs, household meetings, even big events, or simply attendance at assemblies/activities, etc.).
Pope Francis reminds us that amidst all responsibilities, we can keep our faith burning and our joy flowing because it comes from the love of God:
I also think of the real joy shown by others who, even amid pressing professional obligations, were able to preserve, in detachment and simplicity, a heart full of faith. In their own way, all these instances of joy flow from the infinite love of God, who has revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ.25
Bishop Barron, in one of his Easter sermons, reflected on the angel’s proclamation at the empty tomb, “the [angel]’s message, to put it bluntly, was not that someone has broken into this grave, but rather someone had broken out of it.”26
Quoting Saint Irenaeus, Pope Francis writes, “‘By his coming, Christ brought with him all newness’. With this newness he is always able to renew our lives and our communities, and even if the Christian message has known periods of darkness and ecclesial weakness, it will never grow old. Jesus can also break through the dull categories with which we would enclose him, and he constantly amazes us by his divine creativity.”27 Like Jesus, let us break through the large stones that trap our joy. Let us rejoice in His Resurrection beyond the empty tomb.
23 “EvangeliiGaudium,” 27
24 “EG,” 27
25 “EG,” 7
26 Robert Barron, “The Terror of the Grave and the Truth of the Resurrection – Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermon,” BishopRobertBarron , Youtube Video, April 4, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU44CfXulNI.
27 “EG,” 11
to answer Jesus’ call to “come follow me.” He is a witness to God’s faithfulness to him and his family over the years. He can deliver the talk with the intention of reflecting on his own love story with Christ and can accompany the participants on their journey back to their own Galilee.
1. A CFC leader who, after his/her first encounter with Christ calling him/her to follow, has remained steadfast in his/her walk with the Lord. Because he/she constantly remembers his/her first encounter with Jesus—and the many more that followed— he/she has remained faithful to Jesus.
2. A CFC leader who has a profound first encounter with Jesus, which led him/her to abandon his/her sinful life. Now, he/she lives a life of love and service in and outside his/her family and bears witness to God’s love and faithfulness to others.
3. A CFC leader who, after encountering Christ in a very personal way because of a crisis in his/her life, has intentionally forgotten the encounter and abandoned Christ and His Church. However, because of the grace of God and the constant patience of his/her spouse and other CFC members (or any event that God used to remind him/her of His love for him/her), he/she once again was able to rekindle that first encounter with Jesus. This led him/her to repentance and reconciliation with God, and he/she is now a joyful witness of God’s goodness and grace in his/ her life and actively proclaims it to others.
4. A CFC leader who was abandoned by his/her parents or unaware of their existence grew up without a sense of identity, which led him/her to vices and serious wrongdoings. However, after a life-changing encounter with Christ, he/ she discovered his/her true identity as a beloved child of God. Inspired by this encounter, he/she dedicated his/her life to sharing the love of Christ through life and mission in CFC. Finally, through God’s grace and the power of prayer, he/she was able to forgive his/her parents and reconcile with them.
1. The session begins with a video of the Pilgrims in which actors are inside the van again on the way to their second stop. They talk about their first encounter with Jesus in CFC where they were invited to a personal relationship with God.
2. Two men on a boat depicting two disciples in the sea of Galilee will be revealed on stage. One will sing while the other rows the boat, accompanied by a violinist.
3. The speaker then enters the stage and delivers the session.
4. The sharer is called either after the second or third main point of the session.
5. After the Conclusion, the speaker invites the participants to the closing activity. Participants will be asked to reminisce about their first encounter with Jesus by illustrating it in their journals. Reliving a memory would mean revisiting the distinct
senses during that time. They could draw the setting or place, describe the specific feeling or smell, narrate the moment, etc..
6. After giving the instructions for the activity, a video will be played showing the hands of people journaling, drawing, and sketching their first encounter with Jesus.
7. The speaker encourages the participants to reflect and participate in the activity.
8. After 7-10 minutes, the speaker ends the session with a closing prayer.
I. Introduction
In our first session, we reflected on the two women’s incredible joy when they saw the empty tomb and met the Risen Christ. It moved them to leave behind what held them back and run to share the good news. This same joy is what we are called to carry with us, a joy that empowers us to leave behind anything that keeps us from fully embracing the Risen Christ. It is a joy meant to be shared beyond the empty tomb.
Now, we are invited to ponder Jesus’ instruction to His disciples to return to Galilee so He may personally meet them there. Galilee was a sacred space for the disciples because it was there where they first met Christ. It was by the shores of that familiar sea, amid their daily routines, that Christ met them, called them by name, and asked them to follow Him. This is Jesus’ same invitation to us – to return to our Galilee, to remember our first encounter with Him, the beginning of our love story with Him.
The call to return to Galilee is an invitation for the disciples and for us to go back to where our journey with Christ, our love story with Him, began. Let us always rekindle and treasure the living memory of our first encounter with His love and the moment when we were called by name. And rediscover the moment when He chose us first, loved us first, and invited us to do His will and follow Him.
Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.2
Mama Mary’s love story began when Jesus was still inside her womb, through the love between Him and His mother. From the moment of Jesus’ conception, Mary never failed to remember. She always did because of her “pondering” nature. Always remembering. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.3
Mother Mary is an exemplar of constant remembrance, and we are invited to do the same: to cherish the treasure of the moments when Christ made known His love to us.
2 Benedict XVI, “Encyclical Letter DeusCaritasEst,”TheHolySee, December 25, 2005, par. 1, https://www. vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est. html.
3 Luke 2:19
“Come and you will see.”4 Jesus told Andrew and another disciple, traditionally believed to be John, when they asked Him where He lived. This is the start of Jesus meeting His disciples where they are.
When Jesus met Peter and his brother Andrew casting their nets and, on another occasion, John and his brother James mending their nets, He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”5 This was not just an ordinary invitation but an invitation to enter into a relationship with Him. It was a personal encounter that spoke to their hearts and stirred something within them.
This is our Galilee - Couples for Christ! Here, we started our personal relationship with Jesus as a couple and as a family. This is where we experienced God’s love through our brothers and sisters in households and were given the privilege of serving in His vineyard despite our sinfulness and imperfections. Always remember our focus and single-mindedness for the Lord! Living our vision: Families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth.
Galilee is the place where they were first called, where everything began!6 Like Mary and the first disciples, it was in that first encounter with Christ that we heard His call to follow Him and share in His mission. In our meeting with Christ, we are not merely seen; we are truly known and loved, and this forever changes our lives. Let us take time to relive, remember, and contemplate these sacred encounters with Him.
After the death of Jesus, the disciples had dispersed. They were afraid that they might suffer the same fate as their Master so they hid from the public. Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion have shaken their faith. Their hope seemed to have reached a dead end. They had forgotten everything that Jesus told them. They even forgot that Jesus had already told them in the Last Supper, “But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”7 They were overwhelmed with grief and despair.
Like the disciples, we may find ourselves staring into a bleak future, our dreams seemingly buried in a tomb. In the face of life’s daily struggles, our hearts can become weary, our minds disillusioned, our hopes dimmed, and our love may wane. But from this darkness, remembering becomes a path of inner pilgrimage “…from which we can set out anew.”8
Let us not be afraid to return to our Galilee to find Jesus risen and waiting for us, remembering the fervor of our first love and becoming witnesses of His Resurrection. He is waiting for us there. We need to return to our Galilee during times when we are troubled, encountering difficulties and challenges in our lives, in our families, and our
4 John 1:39-41
5 Matthew 4:19
6 Francis, “Easter Vigil,” TheHolySee, April 19, 2014, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20140419_omelia-veglia-pasquale.html.
7 Matthew 26:32
8 Francis, “Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis.”
service in CFC. And we should always recall how God took good care of us during those difficult times.
The word remember comes from the Latin prefix re-, meaning “again,” and memorari , meaning “to be mindful.” Thus, to remember is to bring something to mind again, to relive, to rekindle, and to keep it alive in our hearts. Let us all return to our Galilee and find our Risen Lord because as Pope Francis says, “Christian memory is always an encounter with Jesus Christ.”9
This act of remembering is not merely a recollection of what was but a reaffirmation of Christ’s undying love and faithfulness in our lives. He has not left us. He has been with us since the beginning, and He will continue to do so until the end.
Forgetting is part of our human frailty, a consequence of Original Sin that wounded our nature as God’s image and likeness.10 We forget for several reasons:
Like the Prodigal Son,11 when we stray from God, our memory of His love and purpose dims.
2.
In Revelation, the apostle John commends the church in Ephesus for their works and endurance but admonishes them for losing the love they had at first and to return to their first devotion.
I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first.12
Like them, we can get so caught up in serving God that we neglect the foundation of our service: our relationship with Him.
a. We rush into the battlefield without having a personal relationship with Jesus. b. Let us be careful not to fall into the trap of doing things for God while slowly drifting from our personal devotion and love for Him.
St. Charles de Foucauld urges us to keep Jesus at the very center of our hearts, to ‘fall head over heels’ in love with Him. If this does not happen, we can hardly show it in our lives. Instead, we risk talking about ourselves,
9 Linda Bordoni, “Pope Francis: Memory and Hope Go Hand in Hand,” VaticanNews, June 7, 2018, https:// www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-06/pope-homily-santa-marta.html
10 CatechismoftheCatholicChurch, (Manila: Word a Life Publications and CBCP/ECCCE, 1994), no. 1707
11 cf. Luke 15:11-32
12 Revelation 2:2-4
the group to which we belong, a morality, or, even worse, a set of rules, but not about Jesus, his love, and his mercy…But why do you not talk about Jesus? They talk about many things, about organization, about spiritual journeys, but they do not know how to talk about Jesus. I think that today, it would be good for each one of us to ask him or herself: ‘Do I have Jesus at the center of my heart? Have I ‘lost my head’ a bit for Jesus?’ St. Charles had, to the extent that he went from attraction to Jesus to imitation of Jesus. ‘Let us not forget that God’s ways are summarized in three words: closeness, compassion, and tenderness. God is always near; He is always compassionate; He is always tender.’ And this is how he was, meek and tender. He wanted everyone he met to see, through his goodness, the goodness of Jesus.13
The devil seeks to sow confusion and doubt, disguising himself as an angel of light, which leads us to forget our identity as beloved children of God and called and chosen by Him.
Yet, despite our forgetfulness, God remains faithful;14 He never forgets,15 always calling us back to Him through His Word, the Church, Sacraments, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
As we journey back to our personal Galilee, we eventually remember that we have a faithful God who constantly reminds us. We are also able to remember because God created us, and as His creatures, knowing, loving, and serving Him is imprinted in our beings. It is who we are.
When we remember, we do not just recall the event but also contemplate God’s Divine purpose (“the spirit behind” / the why) that led Jesus to meet us at that moment in our lives. Let us ask ourselves:
• Why did God choose to reveal Himself to us at that particular moment and in that specific way?
• What was His reason?
• What was He calling us to do?
Our encounter with Christ should move us to keep growing in our love for God and one another. It should also open us to exploring and doing new things or in new ways that are relevant to our present journey, the journey of those that our Lord Jesus Christ allows us to encounter along the way. Ultimately, we are called to be Jesus’ hands and feet in reaching more people, even to the ends of the earth.
13 Francis, “General Audience - Catechesis,” TheHolySee , October 18, 2023, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023/documents/20231018-udienza-generale.html.
14 cf. 2 Tim. 2:13
15 cf. Isaiah 49:15
In one of Pope Francis’ homilies, remembering our initial encounters is vital in order for us “to find strength and be able to continue walking forward,” pointing out that “Christian memory is like the salt of life. Without memory, we cannot go on. When we encounter ‘forgetful’ Christians, we can immediately see that they have lost the flavor of Christian life and have ended up being people who obey the Commandments without spirituality.”16
As we return to Galilee, Jesus gives us a fresh start and invites us to put our hope in Him. Pope Francis mentions the interconnectedness of memory and hope when he says, “Memory and hope go hand in hand. They are complementary, and they complement each other.”17 While memory anchors us to our faith and personal experiences, hope propels us toward the future with Christ.
After what the disciples have done, leaving and abandoning Him in His darkest hours, He still treats them as brothers (Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee18). He still wanted to meet them because He knew they needed Him. He gave them peace and mercy instead of reprimanding them or, worse, abandoning them. Like the disciples, Jesus affirms that our mistakes and shortcomings do not define our relationship with Him but by the love of His Father.
Our identity is rooted in the Risen Christ, who not only gave His life for us but also conquered death, giving us new life and salvation. Pope Francis calls it our “primordial vocation,” our ultimate calling, that “we were made to be God’s children; it is in our DNA.”19 Being sons and daughters of God means we are loved unconditionally, forgiven mercifully, and called to holiness.
Therefore, our worth is not determined by what we do but by who we are. St. John Paul II beautifully expressed this truth: We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son.20
As sons and daughters of God, we are to cultivate and sustain these encounters with Him. The disciples who met Jesus in Galilee were transformed, but their transformation required an ongoing relationship with Him. In the same way, we are called to cultivate and sustain our encounters with Jesus. We are transformed and become more like Him as we develop a deeper relationship with Jesus.
How do we sustain these encounters? We need to return to the sources of grace that nourish our relationship with Christ—prayer, scripture, fellowship with the body
16 Bordoni, Linda, “Pope Francis: ‘Memory and Hope Go Hand in Hand.’” VaticanNews, June 7, 2018. https:// www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-06/pope-homily-santa-marta.html
17 Bordoni, “Pope Francis: ‘Memory and Hope Go Hand in Hand.’”
18 Matthew 28:10
19 Francis, “Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost,” TheHolySee, May 15, 2016, https://www.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20160515_omelia-pentecoste.html.
20 John Paul II, “Apostolic Voyage to Toronto: Mass for the celebration of the 17th World Youth Day in Downsview Park, Toronto: Homily (July 28, 2002),” TheHolySee , July 28, 2002, https://www.vatican.va/content/ john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20020728_xvii-wyd.html
ANCHOR VERSE
“Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10 NABRE)
OBJECTIVES
For the speaker:
1. to describe the Risen Lord’s invitation to deeper intimacy through greater authenticity before God;
2. to align ourselves with God’s invitation of restoration and rejuvenation; and
3. to endeavor brethren to live out and share the joy of being renewed especially by the Holy Eucharist.
1. Returning to Galilee is a call to rejuvenation, a reminder of Christ’s faithful and constant invitation to intimacy. As He fully receives us, we are “taken and blessed” like the bread of the Eucharist. As His image and likeness, we are made for all like Him, for holiness, as in 1 Peter 1:16, “It is written, be holy because I [am] holy.”
Let us seek the grace to be always ready to receive Christ, say, “Lord, into me see,” and be renewed. He desires for us to know Him more and be able to love Him and our brethren deeply.
2. The Fall that led to our concupiscence can make our souls weary and our spirits broken. The Lord sees and feels the longing deep within. As we are meant for intimacy with Christ, His great love and mercy allows the grace of restoration through reconnection with God and one another, repentance through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and restoration through the Holy Eucharist.
3. We are a Eucharistic people, a people of Resurrection! We are taken, blessed, broken, and shared with the world. We are gifts shared to and with the world.
TENOR
Introspective and Encouraging
SPEAKER’S PROFILE
A CFC Mission Core member who seeks daily spiritual nourishment from the Holy Eucharist and embraces the transformative and healing power of Reconciliation. His life reflects and shares God’s mercy through humble service, compassion, and faithfulness to God’s calling.
1. A Story of Renewal through the Eucharist
A CFC leader who used to be a Freemason, rarely went to Mass and did not believe in the real presence of the Eucharist. However, he/she had a powerful experience with Christ that changed his/her beliefs and led him/her to follow a life in Christ. Through prayer, support from the household, and experiences of God’s love in CFC, he/she had a deep awakening that opened his/her heart and helped him/ her understand the truth of the Catholic faith.
2. Chosen and Sent Forth
A CFC leader who, inspired by the Eucharist, sees each Mass as a call to live a life “taken, blessed, broken, and shared.” He/she is living out the faith and witnessing God’s love in his/her workplace and neighborhood, encouraging others to bring Christ into their daily lives. His/her story reveals a vibrant faith that rejuvenates those he/she encounters.
3. A Journey Back to Joy through Reconciliation
A long-time CFC leader who lost his/her sense of joy and faith, living a life of unfaithfulness and sin, but rediscovered love and mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He/she experienced God’s healing embrace and reignited his/ her passion to serve with renewed joy. His/her story speaks to the life-changing freedom of confession and God’s healing mercy.
4. Rejuvenation through Couples for Christ
A CFC leader whose faith had become routine and uninspired found spiritual transformation through the community life in Couples for Christ. His/her active participation in the household, formations, and teachings has helped him understand deeper the Catholic Church, especially the Eucharist. He/she now fully participates in the mission of the church and the community, embracing his/her faith with renewed passion.
5. Healing a Wounded Heart
A CFC leader who faced betrayal and heartbreak, leading to anger and a rejection of the Church. Struggling with pain, he/she turned away from the Sacraments, trying to prove that life could be lived without God. Through Couples for Christ and the love and support of leaders and brethren, his/her faith was restored, his/her wounds were healed, and his/her life became a testimony of God’s endless mercy and grace.
1. The session will begin with a video of the Pilgrimage scene where actors will take a break.
2. A restaurant scene will be revealed on stage where the pilgrim actors will enter. The tour guide, via audio recording, will invite them to take their lunch and do their journaling for the rest of their break time.
3. Two singers will appear on stage portraying a woman and Jesus in modern-day clothes. They will be accompanied live by a guitarist. They will sing while the actors are writing in their journals.
4. The speaker then enters the stage and delivers the session.
5. The sharer is called after the second key point, Broken, when the speaker is done explaining the points from author Henri Nouwen.
6. After Conclusion, the speaker will lead the participants to Visio Divina. He will then invite them to a moment of silence to prepare themselves for the Eucharistic Adoration.
7. After the Adoration, everyone will be asked to prepare for the celebration of the Holy Mass.
I. Introduction
God rested on the seventh day to celebrate great work, not from exhaustion but completion. He blessed this day, setting it apart as holy, a sign of His love and provision for humanity.1 Everything He made is for our purpose and leisure. It is for our use and meant to enjoy. It also reminds us that in a week’s work, we are to set a time for spiritual works, as Matthew reminded us that, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”2
The Resurrection is a commemoration of this beautiful Story of Creation to tell us that the Resurrection is the New Creation when death no longer exists. While Adam and Eve, in their misuse of free will, brought sin and ruptured our intimacy with God, Christ, whom they call New Adam (with the cooperation of Mary, the new Eve), reconciled humanity with God and restored our intimacy with Him. It marked a new beginning for all of humanity because of the fruitfulness of Christ’s sacrifice.
Around His mysterious and phenomenal Resurrection happened the institution of the Sacraments – which is a reminder of His love.
• On Holy Thursday, after the washing of the feet in the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist to make it available for us today. Our celebrating the Eucharist and receiving His body and blood declares our union and intimacy with Christ. We are His beloved.
• By Easter evening, as the apostles were hiding, in fear of the arrest of the soldiers for being close to Christ, He came to them and forgave them and said, “Peace be with you” three times! Despite these men leaving Him, He empowered them with the Holy Spirit and commissioned them to bring the Sacrament of Reconciliation to many so they can live a life of grace with the Lord.3
1 Genesis 2:2-3
2 Matthew 4:4
3 cf. John 20:19-23
• Before the Ascension, He presented the gift of the Sacrament of Baptism, as He authorized His disciples to bless the spiritual life of as many as possible.4 Baptism washes away all sin, and allowed us to enter a life of grace, receive our membership in the Church, and share in the life of the Trinity. It leaves an “indelible spiritual mark” in our soul that we forever remain His children.5 In times we weaken, this mark serves as a source of Grace to call us back to God.
The Sacraments are the manifestation of the Father’s tenderness and love towards each of us.6 Today, through the Sacraments, we obtain our rejuvenation and restoration as we are persistently and consistently pursued to nurture intimacy with Christ.
At the heart of this reflection, we draw from the Eucharistic language of being taken and blessed, broken, and shared, alongside the virtues of faith, hope, and love— themes that align with the Risen Lord’s call to intimacy, restoration, and joyful mission.
II. Taken and Blessed, Broken, and Shared
In the Old Testament, the prefiguration of the Eucharist (Passover, Manna from Heaven, Melchizedek bringing bread and wine to bless Abram) showed God’s provision and protection, communicating that we are His beloved.
In the New Testament, we find the words taken and blessed, broken and shared (that point to the Eucharist) close to the Resurrection. There was the Last Supper, the Road to Emmaus, and the Feeding of the 5,000. And every time these words were uttered by Christ, amazing things happened. Their “eyes were opened,” and recognized our Lord.7
A. Taken and Blessed
1. Christ’s Resurrection is proof of a God who is faithful and who seeks not perfection but hearts filled with sincerity. When Jesus appeared to His disciples after rising from the dead, He encountered them in their fear, doubt, and brokenness. To Thomas, He offered His wounds as proof of His love: Put your finger here, and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believe.8
2. The Risen Lord calls us to approach Him with authenticity, along with our vulnerability --- with our wounds, struggles, and doubts. Authenticity with vulnerability is the foundation of intimacy with God. St. Augustine wrote in Confessions, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”9 To rest in God and be intimate with Him, we are to be vulnerable, allow Him to see our wounds, and say INTO ME SEE.
4 cf. Matt. 28:18-20
5 Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd ed. (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997), 1263-1272.
6 Francis (@Pontifex), “The Sacraments are the manifestation of the Father’s tenderness and love towards each of us,” Twitter , February 20, 2015, 7:00pm, https://x.com/Pontifex/status/568726819316183040?mx=2.
7 cf. Luke 24:31
8 John 20:27
9 Augustine, Confessions , trans. R.S. Pine-Coffin (London: Penguin Classics, 1961), 1.1.1.
3. In the Bible, “taken” and “blessed” are words used to describe God’s relationship with people. “Taken” can mean being chosen by God, and “blessed” a reminder that God has set something apart for holy things. Like the Eucharist, set apart for holy things, we are also taken and blessed. We are God’s chosen and beloved and set apart for holy things. Of all of God’s creation, we are given dominion over all things, commanded to fill the earth and subdue it.
Being taken and blessed means:
a. We have been chosen by God through a personal invitation. God extended to us a personal invitation for He has lovingly chosen us as He said in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” As we are unique and unrepeatable beings, we are like no other. Therefore, He loves each of us uniquely. As St. Augustine puts it, He “loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”10
b. Every call is blessed with grace in abundance, proof of God’s authentic love.
• Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things…”
• Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
• God blesses everyone in abundance
॰ The Parable of the Sower11 – Just as the seed is scattered everywhere, the blessing is meant for everyone, including those who do not respond.
॰ “Blessing expresses the basic movement of Christian prayer: it is an encounter between God and man. In blessing, God’s gift and man’s acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. The prayer of blessing is man’s response to God’s gifts: because God blesses, the human heart can in return bless the One who is the source of every blessing.”12
4. We are set apart for God’s purpose of being His instruments of love.13
In the Old Testament, God called individuals to be consecrated for His mission, as He did with prophets like Jeremiah and kings like David. By our baptism, we are taken and blessed, set apart, and called to love as God loves.
To be taken and blessed requires an authentic response directed to making God’s love experienced by many. As we are made because of God’s love, we are called to love as God loves. It means a total offering of oneself and allowing God to transform us. As St. Therese of Lisieux said, “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will and being just what God wants us to be.”14 Our total
10 Augustine, Confessions , 1.4.4.
11 Mark 4:1-8
12 CCC , 2626
13 1 John 4:7-12
14 Thérèse of Lisieux, StoryofaSoul:TheAutobiographyofSt.ThérèseofLisieux , trans. John Clarke, O.C.D. (Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1996), 175.
humility to God’s will and docility to His promptings empowers us. God’s faithfulness also means His generous provisions of spiritual gifts and graces to equip us for the mission. St. Teresa of Avila said, “In the measure you desire Him, you will find Him.”15 Our authentic vulnerability becomes fruitful through humble obedience.
1. Even as we are taken and blessed, brokenness happens because God’s gift of free will is misused. We inherited the effects of Original Sin. However, being broken does not take away our being taken and blessed.
2. Henri Nouwen advised the best way to respond to brokenness is to “befriend it and put it under the blessing.”16 This is contrary to what the world teaches to avoid pain and suffering.
• Our brokenness is what leads us to our restoration to being taken and blessed.
• The more we are aware of our weakness and our woundedness, the more we realize our need for God, and that God will faithfully and lovingly restore us.
3. St. John Paul mentioned in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris that we can only bear pain when we understand it in the light of our Catholic faith.17 If we realize that this is essential to the nature of man and that it is brought by evil, not by God, only then can we embrace it, seek the Lord to give us the grace to endure it, and understand it. This does not happen on its own, but comes with a choice and a response.
a. Reconnection with God is the foundation of our spiritual restoration and rejuvenation. Prayer is a means to reconnect with God. That first step to come before the Lord allows us to realize we are blessed and, in turn, emboldens us to be a blessing to others. While praying can also be very challenging often, St. Teresa of Avila said “Christ’s suffering on the cross led to our redemption and our restoration.”18 Our suffering, in the light of a blessing and an opportunity to experience God’s love, can also lead us to our restoration and redemption.
b. Reconnecting with others is a natural yearning for every person because we are created for union and communion. The saying “no man is an island” is not just wise words but a reality and is part of theology.
• Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
15 Teresa of Ávila, TheInteriorCastle, trans. E. Allison Peers (New York: Image Books, 1961), 161. 16 Henri J. M. Nouwen, TheWoundedHealer:MinistryinContemporarySociety, (New York: Doubleday, 1979), 73.
17 John Paul II, “Apostolic Letter SalviciDoloris,”TheHolySee, February 11, 1984, par. 19, https://www.vatican. va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html.
18 Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle
3.
• Romans 12:4-5 explains how belonging or being with others helps us, especially others. We have our own giftedness that is meant to be shared. Sharing nurtures virtues as well.
4. Restoration through the Sacrament of Reconciliation allows us to confront our brokenness honestly and seek deliverance from sin, including its emotional, physical, and social consequences. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Confession brings about a true ‘spiritual resurrection.” Through the Sacrament, we are unburdened, cleansed, and healed.”19
5. The Eucharist is the ultimate source of restoration. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are nourished spiritually, our weary hearts renewed and woundedness healed. The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ, who strengthens and restores us. Our Catechism affirms us of this.
As sacrifice, the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God.20
Pope Francis puts it simply: Every one of us needs the Eucharist. He saves us, nourishing our lives with his own, and he will do this forever, and it is thanks to him that we can live in communion with God and with each other.21
C. Shared
“There is a mysterious link between our brokenness and our ability to give to each other. The times of our lives when we feel like we have the least to offer are often the times that make us able to give more instead of less. Our brokenness opens us to a deeper way of sharing our lives and offering each other hope.”22
As we are continuously taken, blessed, and broken, these three culminate in sharing or giving. Giving or fruitfulness is a consequence of our being taken and blessed. Christ was taken, blessed and broken. He shared through His Passion and Death, as it opened the gates of Heaven and pointed to our salvation. But His dying on the cross, that Eucharistic mystery, is not only meant for us to be saved, but also to remind us that we are loved.
Our rejuvenated intimacy is meant for us to be used by God to bring others to Him for their salvation. He instituted the Sacraments as a way for us to nurture this intimacy, to be constantly restored and rejuvenated, and prepare for eternal life in Heaven with Him.
1. Catechism teaches us that living this life of intimacy will not be easy. While salvation cleansed us of Original Sin, we are still concupiscent, a consequence
19 CCC, 1458
20 William P. Fay, “The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers,” UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops, https://www.usccb.org/resources/The%20Real%20Presence%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20in%20the%20Sacrament%20of%20the%20Eucharist.pdf.
21 Francis, “Homily at World Youth Day,” TheHolySee, July 28, 2013, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130728_wyd-homily.html.
22 Nouwen, The Wounded Healer.
of our original parent’s misuse of free will. By His grace and the virtues he infused in us, we can be able to order our lives and do good.23 Virtues will allow us to restore our identity as God’s image and likeness, to be a beloved, and to live a life of giving, faithfully.24
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) is credited with the term “theological virtues” (faith, hope, and love) written in his work SummaTheologica. It was based on the 1 Corinthians 14 of St. Paul. They are referred to as “Theological” for they define the ideal relations between us and God. They are gifts from God, and we are given free will to accept and use them. He believes that these are infused into us by God. These are affirmations that we are indeed God’s beloved.25
3. The forces of evil will ever be relentless. Side by side with the gift of rejuvenation and restoration of our intimacy with Christ are these virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love that we need greatly.
a. Faith is the virtue that allows us to believe in God and believe what He has revealed to us as truth. It allows us to embrace what it means to be taken and blessed. Accept that we are chosen and set apart, and live that life as a beloved. This is not easy, but nurturing faith will give us that grace.26
Faith requires solitude and communion. Both of these happen in prayer –personal and communal prayer. Our CFC Covenant reminds us to grow in personal prayer, even the use of devotion to be led to that greater authenticity and intimacy with God – Rosary, Consecration to Mary, Divine Mercy, etc. Then there is our community life through our spiritual families, where communal prayer is experienced – households, assemblies, conferences, and retreats.
The intimacy between God and humanity is expressed through faith, and authentic faith requires action - giving. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.27 In loving our neighbor, we are shared for we serve as a witness to our faith and demonstrate our love for God.
b. Hope is what allows us to trust in Christ, even in the midst of challenges. It is to be convicted that God has the best for us.28 It gives us the ability to do His will even though it is hard. It gives us a new perspective, that even if difficulties are so real, and we are painfully suffering, we embrace the brokenness and see it as a blessing and an opportunity to be holy.29
23 CCC, 1811
24 CCC, 1803
25 CCC, 1812-1813
26 CCC, 1814-1816
27 1 John 4:20
28 cf. Jeremiah 29:11
29 CCC, 1817-1821
Hope, like Christ and our Saints show, allows us to express joy even if we are suffering.
c. Saint John Paul II reminded us in Redemptor Hominis 10 (The Redeemer of Man) that, “Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself; his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him.”30
Love (charity) is the highest virtue because any other virtue we exhibit is necessarily driven by love, either toward God or our neighbor. Christ even gave the New Commandment, hinged on this virtue: love God and love your neighbor. Being taken and blessed, expresses God’s love for us for being chosen and set apart. But being broken, brought about by evil and original sin, does not take away this truth. We remain to be loved (taken and blessed), and called to give and reflect this love to the world. Therefore, this Catholic virtue is not just a feeling but a choice. While love is the most abused word in our culture today, when confused about what authentic love is, we look to the Crucified Christ.
• Christ’s love is FREE. He accepted death on His accord to save us. He does not expect anything in return, that is why He continues to love and pursue us even if we are indifferent. (“I lay down my life… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”31)
• The love of Christ is TOTAL, as it holds nothing back, not even His life. He gives His whole and total self without reserve. (“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”32)
• His love is FAITHFUL. From the time of Creation to this day that we are brought here in this conference, it is proof that He is faithful, true to His promise, and loves us always, even if we live apart from Him. That was His promise in Matthew 28:20, after His resurrection as He commissioned the Apostles to keep on GIVING: “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of age.”
• Christ’s love is FRUITFUL. His birth gave us much hope and joy. He allows us to experience this eternally when He restored our intimacy with God and opened the gates of Heaven. (I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”33)
If Christ loves this way: FREE, TOTAL, FAITHFUL and FRUITFUL, then we, His imagodei, is to love this way too. To love as Christ does is to put the wellbeing of others before ours, even if it may mean suffering. This is what the Resurrection is all about. The gift of Sacraments, Christ’s proof of His Free, Total, Faithful, and Fruitful love, allows us to nurture our rejuvenated intimacy with Him, over and over again. With the virtues of Faith and Hope, our love is meant for us to bring others to Him for their salvation, to live and share our BELOVEDNESS, to be a GIFT.
30 John Paul II, “Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Hominis,” TheHolySee , March 4, 1979, par. 10, https://www. vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_04031979_redemptor-hominis.html.
31 John 10:18
32 John 15:13
33 John 10:10
The Lord invites us to intimacy through authenticity, restoration through His mercy, and joyful mission through the Eucharist. This journey is beautifully encapsulated in the Eucharistic movements of being taken, blessed, broken, and shared.
As we embrace this call, let us remember the words of St. John Paul II, “We are the Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.”34 May we live as people chosen and blessed by God, restored in His mercy, and shared with the world as instruments of His love and renewal.
The joy of the Resurrection is not a treasure to be hoarded but a gift to be shared. The women at the tomb were sent to tell the disciples of Christ’s victory, and we, too, are called to be witnesses of His love and renewal. St. Teresa of Calcutta reminds us, “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.35
Instructions:
As this session is put to a close, the speaker invites the participants to a “VisioDivina”36 with the image of The Pieta by Michaelangelo.
Most are familiar with Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). Today, we will seek the Lord’s special message through Visio Divina (Divine Seeing). While Lectio Divina is a form of prayer focused on scripture, Visio Divina focuses on images and sacred art. St. Benedict introduced this as early as the 6th century.
The Pieta is the work of Michaelangelo and the only artwork he “signed” and accomplished when he was only 23.37 Pieta is one of profound sorrow and compassion, depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of Jesus after His crucifixion, conveying the immense grief of a mother losing her son while simultaneously representing the idea of divine pity and the sacrifice of Christ. The word Pieta itself means “pity” in Italian.
Through Pieta, may we fully understand and appreciate the significant cooperation of Mary in our restoration and rejuvenation that leads us to greater intimacy with Christ. Mary models perfectly what it means to be taken and blessed, and to give even if broken. She is also the perfect embodiment of Faith, Hope, and Love that is Free, Total, Faithful and Fruitful.
(The speaker can include more to lead the participants to a more reflective and prayerfuldisposition.)
“Let us continue to enter the Lord’s presence and be awed by what He desires to reveal to us through the Pieta….” (ThespeakermakestheSignoftheCross,spendsafewminutesinsilence,andleaves thestageforthePriesttoleadtheEucharisticAdoration)
34 John Paul II, “Homily for the Easter Vigil,” TheHolySee , April 15, 1990, https://www.vatican.va/content/ john-paul-ii/it/homilies/1990/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19900414_veglia-pasquale.html
35 Mother Teresa, ASimplePath:MotherTeresa’sCalltoCharity, ed. Lucinda Vardey (New York: Ballantine Books, 1995), 45.
36 Timothy Verdon, “Art and Prayer: The Beauty of Turning to God.” (New York: Paulist Press, 2012), 82.
37 William E. Wallace, Michelangelo:TheCompleteWorks (New York: HarperCollins, 2010), 154.
Augustine. Confessions . Translated by R. S. Pine-Coffin. London: Penguin Classics, 1961.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997.
Fay, William P. “The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers.” UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops. https:// www.usccb.org/resources/The%20Real%20Presence%20of%20Jesus%20Christ%20 in%20the%20Sacrament%20of%20the%20Eucharist.pdf.
Francis. “Homily at World Youth Day.” TheHolySee, July 28, 2013. https://www.vatican. va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130728_ wyd-homily.html.
Francis (@Pontifex). “The Sacraments are the manifestation of the Father’s tenderness and love towards each of us.” Twitter , February 20, 2015, 7:00pm, https://x.com/ Pontifex/status/568726819316183040?mx=2.
John Paul II. “Homily for the Easter Vigil.” TheHolySee , April 15, 1990. https://www.vatican. va/content/john-paul-ii/it/homilies/1990/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19900414_ veglia-pasquale.html.
John Paul II. “Redemptor Hominis.” The Holy See , March 4, 1979. https://www.vatican. va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_04031979_ redemptor-hominis.html.
John Paul II. “Salvifici Doloris.” The Holy See, February 11, 1984. https://www.vatican. va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_ salvifici-doloris.html.
Mother Teresa. A Simple Path: Mother Teresa’s Call to Charity. Edited by Lucinda Vardey. New York: Ballantine Books, 1995.
Nouwen, Henri J. M. TheWoundedHealer:MinistryinContemporarySociety . New York: Doubleday, 1979.
Teresa of Ávila. The Interior Castle . Translated by E. Allison Peers. New York: Image Books, 1961.
Thérèse of Lisieux. StoryofaSoul:TheAutobiographyofSt.ThérèseofLisieux.Translated by John Clarke, O.C.D. Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1996.
Verdon, Timothy. ArtandPrayer:TheBeautyofTurningtoGod. New York: Paulist Press, 2012.
Wallace, William E. Michelangelo:TheCompleteWorks . New York: HarperCollins, 2010.
Anchor Verse
“The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:16-20, NABRE)
For the speaker:
1. to illustrate the meaning of Communion based on Ephesians 4:1-6; 2. to emphasize that the Lord gives us a variety of gifts, and as such, we can contribute/ participate in His mission; and 3. to respond to the call of missionary discipleship.
KEY MESSAGES
1. Unity in the Body (Communion)
The Lord calls us back to Communion because of His great love for us. The Lord’s forgiveness does not just mean that He forgets their sins, it means that they are welcomed back to the fold and are now called to Communion with Him. The Great Commission opens with the reminder that not everyone returned to Galilee (Judas did not repent and return to God). That same love fuels the Lord’s call for repentance. The love that allowed himself to be subjected to Passion and Death. This love should encourage us to ask for forgiveness, transform us and be a new person ready to be with God again. Being in Communion with God, we are reminded to be in one heart and one Spirit with Him. We are expected to live out our lives in accordance with His Word. The letter to the Ephesians serves as a reminder of how we ought to live our lives as people who rejoice, remember, and have been rejuvenated by the risen Christ.
• That is fueled by the love first given to us by Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It is embracing a life of love through a formation that will move us to return to Christ (repentance) and love others more despite our weaknesses (forgiveness).
• Ephesians 4: 1-6
• The First Christian Communities1
2. Diversity of Gifts (Participation)
Communion with the Risen Lord entails participation. Participation reminds us that we can contribute to the Church, our community, and society. A call to participation entails going out of ourselves and seeing the goodness and giftedness of others, having a listening ear to hear the voices of others and not turning them away.
1 Acts 4:32-37
Enables us to recognize our gifts and the giftedness of others in a way that can contribute to the building of the community of believers.
• Ephesians 4: 7-16
• Solidarity (Unity)
3. To the Nations (Mission)
After returning to Galilee, we are empowered to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Church, by her very nature, is missionary. By our baptism, we are all missionaries. Just as the disciples did not stay in Galilee but were sent out to the nations, in the same way, we must also remember that our “Galilee” is not the destination.
There is a mission that waits beyond our own personal “Galilee.” As we “go out to make disciples of all nations,” let us remember the example of our Blessed Mother who embodies the perfect example of Missionary Discipleship. Let us boldly and courageously proclaim Jesus of Nazareth.
TENOR
Rallying and Encouraging
SPEAKER’S PROFILE
A CFC Mission Core brother who can rally our brethren to going out into mission. He should encourage people to go on missions not just by serving the Lord but also by serving our brothers and sisters. He should be able to witness to the love of God and should be able to share that love through the people that he encounters.
SHARERS’ PROFILES (CHOOSE ONE SHARER ONLY)
Diversity of Gifts
1. A CFC Family Ministries coordinator who can attest to the giftedness of the young brothers and sisters they serve. Beyond serving the young, he/she should be able to share how being with them has allowed them to understand the gift of the younger brothers and sisters in the community.
2. A CFC leader serving in the Work with the Poor (ANCOP and Missio Amare) programs of Couples for Christ. He/she should be immersed in the life and mission of the WWTP programs and recognize the gift of the brethren that they are serving.
3. A CFC leader who is now a senior citizen and is continuously and actively serving the Lord through Couples for Christ. He/she continues to serve because his/her leaders assign him/her, but he/she is actively mentoring young CFC leaders because they trust that they are the future leaders of CFC.
4. A CFC leader who is assigned to an international mission area and is serving with locals. He/she could have struggled initially because of the difference in culture and language, but he/she has recognized the beauty of the culture. He/she is now ensuring that he/she can adapt the CFC culture to the area they are serving.
1. A young couple serving as missionaries in a foreign land. They should be able to share how the Lord led them to respond to the mission to go to the nations and how being sent to a different mission area allowed them to recognize the beauty of the mission.
2. A CFC leader who serves in the Family is a Gift program. He/she recognizes the value of serving the Lord through the family. He/she acknowledges that the mission of FIG, which is to reach out to families who are not necessarily members of Couples for Christ, is essential.
3. A CFC leader who balances family life and mission life, making sure that he/she takes care of the family and the mission entrusted to him/her by the Lord. He/she ensures that the family time is not only important but makes the effort to bring the family closer to God by doing family household and bringing children to join CFC activities.
1. After the worship, the tour guide will once again come in and give a wrap-up of the entire pilgrimage. He will reveal the last memorabilia, which is the St. Benedict’s Crucifix. After the segment, he will introduce the video.
2. Video plays, the video contains people from different parts of the world singing a song.
3. The speaker then enters and gives the session.
4. The sharer enters, either under the major point, “Diversity of Gifts”, or “To the Nations”. Depending on the selected sharer.
5. After the sharing, the speaker would then continue with the session
6. The transitions to the Renewal of Commitment to Christ, explaining the activity and leading the attendees to a prayer.
7. The speaker would ask the questions answerable by “I do” and “I will”.
8. The commitment to Christ prayer is recited
9. The speaker then gives the instruction for the Recommissioning Activity
10. After giving the instruction, the speaker writes his name on the shell and pastes it on the map that is around the venue
11. The speaker exits and gives way to the Praisefest leader
As a global community, CFC thrives on the richness that diversity brings. Our community is a vibrant tapestry woven from:
A. Cultures and Traditions: In over 140 countries and territories, CFC is enriched by many cultural backgrounds. We are called to welcome and appreciate brothers and sisters from diverse traditions.
B. Skills and Expertise: Our members hail from varied social strata, including skilled workers, professionals, businessmen, and executives. We are united as brothers and sisters in the Lord regardless of social status.
C. Perspectives and Experiences: Our community includes persons dealing with substance use disorder, those who are imprisoned, uniformed personnel, and government officials. These varied experiences contribute to the depth and richness of our community.
D. Generations: As a womb-to-tomb community, we encompass both young members and seniors. The young bring the energy and dynamism of the youth, while the seniors have unique wisdom and experience to share and a seasoned perspective on life and faith. The young can learn from the old and the seniors can serve as mentors to the young.
These differences should not be a source of division but a cause for celebration. We can learn from the differences that we have. We are called to honor local cultures in our work to evangelize. Ultimately we need to recognize that everyone has a voice. In embracing our global mission, let us celebrate our diversity, participate actively, and appreciate the unique gifts and perspectives each member brings to our community. Together, we can continue to build a vibrant, inclusive, and united global community of family evangelizers.
IV. To the Nations
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”9
The apostles’ journey did not end in Galilee. Instead, Jesus’ command propelled them into a global mission: “Go, make disciples, baptize, and spread the Good News!” This commissioning of the disciples remain true to this time. Ad Gentes (the decree on the mission activity of the Church) mentions, “The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance with the decree of God the Father.”10
Jesus’ call to “proclaim the Gospel” is not just for clergy; every Christian is commissioned! Having experienced God’s love, we become missionary disciples –followers sent by God. Simply put, a missionary disciple serves and shares God’s love.
9 Matthew 28:19-20
10 Second Vatican Council, “AdGentes,”TheHolySee. December 7, 1965, https://www.vatican.va/archive/ hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_ad-gentes_en.html
But what, then, is expected of us as missionary disciples?
In one of his audiences (reflecting on Mark 6:7-13), Pope Francis gives two characteristics of missionary discipleship. One is that mission has a center – that is Christ Himself.11
It is the Lord who calls and sends us, it is His message we share. Evangelization is not just organizing events or pleasing others. It’s spreading the Gospel in our daily lives starting in our homes, in our workplaces and even our social media presence.
Effective missionary discipleship starts with a deep prayer life and an intimate relationship with God. As missionary disciples our relationship with God leads should lead us to embrace the gift of rest. Resting in the Lord does not mean kicking back and letting things just flow, it means trusting in him, finding solace in the relationship with God. Our calling is to unburden ourselves from the weights that we carry. As the Letter to the Hebrews tell us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”12
B. Hopes in God
In his Confessions, St. Augustine said, “My heart is restless until it rests in you.”13 Our hope is in God alone! As missionary disciples, we recognize that we cannot do things alone. We place our trust in God. The Catechism defines hope as “the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.”14
With this we look to our model - the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope St. John Paul II in one of his audiences said:
Mary also becomes a model of hope for the Church. In listening to the angel’s message, the Virgin first directs her hope to the Kingdom without end, which Jesus had been sent to establish. She stands firm near the cross of her Son, waiting for the divine promise to be fulfilled. After Pentecost, the Mother of Jesus sustains the Church’s hope despite the threat of persecution. She is thus the Mother of hope for the community of believers and for individual Christians. She encourages and guides Her children as they await the Kingdom, supporting them in their daily trials and throughout the events of history, however tragic.15
11 Francis, “Angelus,” TheHolySee, July 15, 2018. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2018/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20180715.html.
12 Hebrews 12:1
13 Augustine of Hippo, TheConfessionsofSt.Augustine, trans. by Edward Bouverie Pusey (Waiheke Island, New Zealand: Floating Press, 1921). https://mycatholic.life/books/confessions-saint-augustine/book-confessions-saint-augustine/
14 CatechismoftheCatholicChurch, (Manila: Word a Life Publications and CBCP/ECCCE, 1994), 1817
15 John Paul II, “General Audience” TheHolySee , September 3, 1997, https://www.vatican.va/content/johnpaul-ii/en/audiences/1997/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_03091997.html
Looking to our Mother we trust in the Lord believing in what the angel said to her “nothing will be impossible for God.”16
When Jesus and Peter were speaking on the shores of Galilee, the Lord reminded him to “Feed my sheep”. Caring for the sheep involves sharing love and hope with others, this starts with generosity! Tithing is a powerful way to do this. While “tithe” means a tenth, it’s really about giving from the heart. God loves cheerful givers!
The Jubilee year is a time for forgivness, of mercy and reconciliation. This Holy Year, the Holy Father exhorts us to respond to be signs of hope, as emphasized in Spesnonconfundit (Hope does not disappoint), “Hope is an expectation of good, regardless of uncertainty.”17 As missionary disciples, we are also called to bring this hope from Jesus’s heart.
The Lord’s promise is that he will be will be with us until the end of time. The cross reminds of His great love for us. The cross that is included in our kit is embedded with the St. Benedict’s medal, a powerful sacramental closely associated with St. Benedict and the Benedictine Order. Like all sacramentals, this medal serves to remind us of God and His place in our lives. It reminds us to serve Him and love our neighbor. It’s absolutely not a charm or talisman to bring “good luck” or repel evil, as that would be blasphemy. The medal has no intrinsic “magic ability.”18
V. Conclusion
We are beyond Galilee; the Lord is sending us to the nations, not as slaves, but as friends.. We are called to be Pilgrims of Hope in a world that sorely needs hope. When the disciples returned to Galilee, they were forgiven by the Lord. Eventually, they were sent out. They preached the Gospel to all nations and were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Their missionary discipleship inspired others to do the same. Now, we are all part of this mission. By Her very nature, the Church is missionary, and we are incorporated into Christ’s Church by virtue of our baptism. As Missionary disciples who were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, may we remember that we are partakers of this mission.
A. Renewal of Commitment
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, and there is neither slave nor free person. There is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.”19
16 Luke 1:37
17 Francis, “Spesnonconfudit (Hope does not Disappoint),” TheHolySee, May 9, 2024, www.vatican.va/ content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html,
18 Angelo Stagnaro, “What You Need to Know About St. Benedict and His Medal,” NationalCatholicRegister , July 11, 2020, https://www.ncregister.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-st-benedict-and-his-medal
19 Galatians 3:27
We shall now remember our commitment during the pray over session in the Christian Life Program, a vow that reminds us that we are in one body and one Spirit, that we share one call, one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Our commitment to Christ is rooted in our baptismal promises that we renew every Easter, and we affirm everytime we recite the Creed. Our baptism is what unites us in Christ.
Note: The speaker should open the activity with a prayer, and before asking the questions, the music ministry may be asked to play a song of commitment (i.e. HaveYourWay,TakeMe,InYourArms,etc.).
For the following questions, I want you to respond, “Yes, I do!”
• Do you renounce Satan and all wrong doing? (Yes, I do!)
• Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died to free us from our sins, and that he rose to bring us new life? (Yes, I do!)
For this question, I want you to respond, “Yes, I will!”
• Will you follow Jesus as your Lord, dedicating yourself to the task of building a storng family, making yourself available to the Lord for service, and seek to grow as a Christian person in understanding and fulfilling your marriage vocation?
As one brothers and sisters, let us pray and declare this together.
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to belong to you from now on. I want to be free from the dominion of darkness and the rule of Satan, and I want to enter into your Kingdom and be a part of your people. I will turn away from all wrongdoing, and I will avoid everything that leads me to wrongdoing. I ask you to forgive all the sins that I have committed. I offer my life to you, and I promise to obey you as my Lord. Amen.
We are now renewed in the Lord! This is great news for us, but now the Lord is sending us out, two-by-two, just like the disciples. We are with our spouses or with our co-missionaries.
1. After the Commitment to Christ Prayer, the participants would then sit.
2. The speaker then explains the instructions for the activity including the meaning of the scallop shell.
Instructions: In your kit, you will find a sticker shaped like a scallop shell. The scallop shell is a symbol associated with St. James and the Santiago de Compostela. However, it is used as a symbol for pilgrims, a symbol that is prevalent on the Camino de Santiago. As missionary disciples and pilgrims of hope, the shell reminds us that although we may have different places of origin, we may be a diverse community, we are united by the Lord and our desire to grow in holiness for God.
3. The participants would then be asked to pray and reflect on the Lord’s call to be missionary disciples. Remembering especially your family members and the
people the Lord is asking you to be a sign of hope to (Note:Youmaywritetheir namesonyournotes).
4. After some time of silent reflection the participants would write their name on the scallop shell sticker.
5. After writing, the participants would be asked to stand up and place the sticker on the map placed around the venue. Placing the sticker on the map reminds us of our willingness to be sent by the Lord. (Note:Thespeakershouldremindthemthattheycanplacethemapwherever theyfeelthattheLordiscallingthem.Theyshouldnotbeboundbytheircurrent serviceorarea.Thespeakershouldalsoremindtheparticipantsthatthisdoes not automatically mean that they would be sent for mission, this is just a symbolofthewillingnesstobesenttoproclaimtothenations.)
6. As they place the sticker, they may recite this prayer silently: “Lord be with me as you send me to the nations.”
7. The participants would then be asked to return to their seats.
8. After all or most of the participants have posted their names on the maps, the praisefest leader would enter.
Augustine of Hippo. “The Confessions of St. Augustine” translated by Edward Bouverie Pusey. My Catholic Life , https://mycatholic.life/books/confessions-saint-augustine/ book-confessions-saint-augustine/
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Makati: Word & Life Publications, 1994.
Couples for Christ. International Statutes of Couples for Christ, 2005
Francis. “Angelus”. The Holy See , July 15, 2018. https://www.vatican.va/content/ francesco/en/angelus/2018/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20180715.html.
Francis. “Spesnonconfundit (Hope does not disappoint)”. The Holy See, May 9, 2024. www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-nonconfundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html
John Paul II. “General Audience”. The Holy See, September 3, 1997. https://www.vatican. va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/1997/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_03091997. html
Second Vatican Council. “Ad Gentes”. The Holy See, December 7, 1965. https:// www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_ decree_19651207_ad-gentes_en.html.
Stagnaro, Angelo. “What You Need to Know About St. Benedict and His Medal”. National Catholic Register, July 11, 2020. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/what-you-needto-know-about-st-benedict-and-his-medal.
At one point in our lives, we will hold the microphone and be inspired to share our personal testimonies in our assemblies. And why not? It is not only fitting that we tell the story of how the Lord is working in our lives. Here are some pointers we should remember:
1
Pray about the particular message the Lord wants you to share. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you and focus your testimony on that. (ex. God’s provision for our child’s tuition fees, healing of a sickness, protection against and accident…)
2 WAYS
Be mindful of your verbal and non-verbal forms of communication, ex. Choice of uplifting words, positivity, joy in the tone of your voice, your gestures etc.
3 SUB POINTS
Compose your sharing. It helps if you can write it down, with a beginning, a middle, and an end, or a before-during-after structure. Keeping 3 sub points will help you be aware of the time as well.
S STAND AND SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE
Remember this is the story of God’s goodness you are telling, so make sure you stand up straight, speak clearly, and smile.
H HIGHLIGHT GOD
Be sure your sharing is Christ centered, rather than “me” centered .
A AIM FOR 5 MINUTES
Keep your sharing short and sweet. Usually in our gatherings there are still some more sharers who would want to tell about Christ’s victory in their lives.
R
Since what you will be sharing is your personal testimony, please refrain from sharing about the story of another person. Surely, God’s blessings abound in your life so pick one of the many.
E END WITH CLARITY
Like an airplane coming into an airport, prepare for a good landing, making sure that the message of how God has been good to you resounds and will make those listening to your sharing praise the Lord ever more!
I give my consent for Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc. to process my personal data regarding my participation in the “Return to Galilee” Theme Weekend Retreats to be conducted in 2025.
The personal data to be collected may include, but is not limited to the following:
• Full Name
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• Testimonial Content (video and written)
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