Our Lady's Sodality visits Marian Spiritual Center

by Terry Curran

When Our Lady’s Sodality decided to go on a retreat, how appropriate it was that the place chosen was a Marian Community Spiritual Life Center. And how even more fortunate we were that one is located in nearby Medway, only 45 minutes from Roslindale. On the rainy Saturday morning of March 10, about 40 members of the Sodality and their friends headed out with maps in hand. As we entered the peaceful grounds and passed the statues of St. Joseph with the Child Jesus and the Sacred Heart, we knew that we were in a special place.

Checking in at the foyer, we proceeded to the lower level to warm up with coffee and pastry. Next we entered the Oratory at the Main Entrance where we were greeted by Sister Margaret Catherine Sims, CSJ, foundress of the Spiritual Life Center. She told us of her journey as a Sister of St. Joseph who had been leading pilgrimages to Medugorje, a holy site where Mary is believed to have appeared to a group of teens in a miracle similar to those at Fatima or Lourdes. The Blessed Mother did not make just one apparition there, rather for the first several years, Mary appeared daily to many of the visionaries, with the simple message that people needed to pray. Then for the next several years Mary appeared weekly with a message, and to this day, she continues to appear monthly with a message for the world.

Sister Margaret went on to tell us that in January of 1993, while she was praying, she received direction from God to start a lay community built around a spiritual life center. She went to her superiors in the Congrega-tion, and asked for permission to follow this mission. They basically told her to go ahead and find the resources to follow the path which God had laid out for her. Seeking guidance in her mission to set up the Spiritual Life Center, Sr. Margaret was in touch with Maria Esperanza, the foundress of Betania in Venezuela, the site of one of just four Church-approved apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 20th century.

Sr. Margaret told us of her search for land and benefactors. At each point in the road when it seemed impossible, someone stepped forward and donated land or money to help make the center a reality. When she found the land in Medway, the seller wanted a certain amount for it. Maria advised Sr. Margaret to offer what she had, and the offer was accepted, even through it was significantly less than the asking price.

When they visited the land, they felt that it was a holy place. As Maria pointed her cane to the ground, they cleared the spot and found a rock with the face of Jesus on it. It truly appeared to be a sign that they were headed in the right direction. This stone is on display at the center.

During a short break allowing us to move about, many went to the small chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. Within the Oratory is a smaller sculpture of the Risen Christ, as well as numerous statues, relief works and paintings. Particularly noticeable were the two very large paintings of Mary behind the altar. Comments from many Sodality members were that they were simultaneously “serene” and “haunting.” They felt that the eyes of Mary were upon them. (This painting is in the photo above.)

When I looked at the photos taken of this painting from many different angles, it indeed did appear that Mary was turning her head and eyes to face you. (We later learned that this is the image of Mary at Medugorje.)

Upon returning to Our Lady’s Oratory, we were greeted by Rev. David Lewis from a neighboring parish in Holliston, who stopped by to celebrate the Eucharist with us. After Mass we again headed to the lower level for a delicious lunch of hot soup, wraps and cookies. Some members headed into the bookstore; others perused the religious art and statues throughout the Center; and a few hearty souls attempted to head out to the grottos, though the snowy damp ground defeated them.

The featured speaker was Sister Mary Dolorey Osowski, OSF who shared her reflections with us on “Nurturing the Spirit,” and how through the Eucharist, we can nurture the spirit within us. She stated that the more we receive the Holy Eucharist, the more we are filled and renewed. She pointed out that the Glory of God is found in a human being who is fully alive and called to holiness. She asked that we be graced through the Holy Spirit.

John and Marlene Olefirowicz of the Marian Community then led the group in the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This is said on ordinary rosary beads in the following manner: Begin by saying The Our Father, The Hail Mary, and The Apostles’ Creed. On the large bead before each decade, the following prayer is said, “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world,” On the ten small beads of each decade is said, “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” After five decades, the concluding Doxology, prayed three times, is “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

The afternoon ended in a call to Apostleship, asking us to commit our lives to Jesus Christ and to living as His disciples through a life of increased prayer.

The Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community is dedicated to helping individuals and groups to grow in the love and knowledge of God and to experience the mercy and healing power of Jesus. The Center has many pathways for walking and two grottos for quiet prayer. One is dedicated to Mary; the other, with a seventeen-foot sculpture of the Risen Christ, is dedicated to Jesus.

The Center offers weekend and day-long retreats, seminars and conferences. The grounds and grottos are open every day from dawn to dusk. The Spiritual Life Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends during scheduled programs. This year the Center is also sponsoring pilgrimages to Medugorje, the Holy Land, and Betania. For a complete list of upcoming events, programs, schedules, and registration forms or to receive the monthly message, please call (508) 533-5377 or check the website at www.MarianCommunity.org.