 One of the best Dominican traditions that we keep is the singing of the Salve Regina at the end of our day. It contains a touching request: “¡Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte!†And she does turn her eyes toward us because community pleads cannot go unnoticed. What is what she sees? I just wonder; most probably no other thing than the reality of our persons and that of our praying communities. But certainly from a different perspective than ours: it is the vision of some maternal eyes that wink together with God´s merciful eyes. That is why her look, far from causing embarrassment, gives us comfort and encouragement.
May these same feelings of comfort and encouragement, translated into attitudes of faith and hope, continue being present in our daily lives. Such is my wish and greeting to each one of the Brethren of the Province on the occasion of the annual festivity of Our Lady of the Rosary, our Patroness.
I cannot find anything better to wish than this because it seems to me that all of us are in need of such maternal solicitude. Let each one later on perceive and live it in a unique, intimate and personal way. Each 7th of October seems to be the same (same liturgical celebration, same prayers, same homilies, same greetings and reasons for joy…), yet we ourselves are not the same every year; our pilgrimage through life changes us continually. The liturgical calendar is circular, while our life is not. May this consideration help us understand “the sacrament of the present moment!â€
To each and every one of the Brethren, whatever the season of life may currently be crossing, my encouraging words and sincere congratulations. May Our Lady of the Rosary continue keeping us under her merciful look, blessing us and leading our lives.
Happy Feast day!