Experience on 2nd International Assembly of ACI

WALKING WITH SAINT RAFAELA MARY – THE ROADS OF MADRID

It was a great privilege given to me by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – India for choosing me to represent India for the II International Assembly of the ACI in Madrid – Spain. Intially, I was nervous because it was my first experience being the only one from India to be together with the 42 participants coming from 19 different countries because of linguistic issues. But once I reached, I was extremely happy to see Gabriela Gandulfo from Argentina waiting well before time to receive me at the Airport. God Bless Gabriela. Once I stepped into Martinez Campus, I was warmly welcomed by the members of the Commission and all the participants who had already arrived. Seeing the love and concern from all the participants I realized that I was not alone anymore. It was one big family, the ACI family.

The first day of the Assembly was an overwhelming experience wherein all the participants, both lay and the Handmaids, walking in twos, one carrying the soil from their particular country while the other holding a lit candle and pouring the soil in an earthen vessel, reminding us that we are one big family and “united together in everything like fingers on a hand”. The lectures given by Maria Dolores and Sr. Nurya on “The New Evangelization”, there was one common point with which I was touched, to humble ourselves and be down to the earth reminding us of our status as creatures, because Rafaela Mary herself had this quality in her. Second, to live as a testimony to others by setting aside our egos and see what God wants of us in our evangelization to others.

The Eucharistic celebration and the adoration were very well prepared. What I admired and enjoyed was the music ministry, the sisters who played the violin and guitar which gave punch to the celebrations both at Mass and Adoration. Thank you sisters and God Bless you and may you grow much more in your ministry. The singing and participation of all the members was marvellous. Though I hardly understood the language, i enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks to Catarina Giao and Margarida Alvim of Portugal and Sister Lumen Calulot of Timor for making it a point to translate everything that took place both in the house and the visits to different places. God Bless you too. The members of the Commission took every trouble to see that nobody felt out of place. I greatly admire their humble service offered to everyone. Inspite of the busy day, each day I looked forward to the presentation given by each country that took place after 10.00 p.m. We had the best from each country, all expressed in presentations, dances, songs and snacks. Each person of different origin and diverse culture coming together as if we had known each other before. What is amazing is that every participant wanted the other to feel at home. The food was excellent. Thanks to the cooking team.

We were so fortunate to have the Assembly in the first house of Saint Rafaela Mary. Wherever I walked I walked with the thought that Rafaela walked the same passage and I could feel her footprints. Even in the Church where I knelt, I contemplated and felt her maternal love within me. The basement which is called the “Black Veil” was the most sensitive place. Our English group was very fortunate to have this place for group discussions. The one question, I asked myself how did she get so much strength to do such odd job such as emptying the sewage tank in the basement every day after a tiresome day. And I got a reply to my question sitting in the Adoration Chapel, that it was our Lord Jesus Himself who gave her this strength. Another wonderful experience, on the birthday of Saint Raphaela Mary, we visited the home at Pedro Abad where our beloved Saint was born. It was fun celebrating her birthday with 500 children from all over Spain who were specially invited to join in the celebrations with us. I pray to Almighty God that the ACI family goes a long way, I left with a open heart to allow the Holy Spirit prompt me as to what He wants of me. With Love Bernadette Gonsalves India