The Cross

BY KATHY SORIANO

On the day Brother Jo and Sister Choly arrived I was doing my usual DI whilst on my way to work, then in my thoughts an image of the cross dimly appeared.  My curiosity was so on high that I searched the internet but could not find the appropriate answer or response to what God was trying to say to me. But then I remembered that the process is not to ask but just to obey and be still.

Finally the day of the retreat came, it was sooooo lovely and was a perfect sunny day. In my heart I knew the weekend would be special. True enough so much was learned through sharings from Brother Jo, Father Meng – and Sister Choly too ☺

The most significant activities for me were the Dawn activity – OMG!  God was everywhere speaking through his creations of love!  Brother Jo asked us to discern God’s message from the sound of nature. As I was feeling the calmness, smelling the sweetness of the air and listening to the different lovely sounds from birds, the sea and the wind, I saw a tree’s leaves rustle then beside saw the cross on the retreat centre, then as I looked towards the right side of the centre’s grounds I saw another cross on the school building. My heart was pounding with excitement, God was indeed communicating to me!  

Then during one of our sessions upon hearing a fellow mission aspirant Bro Ryan sharing his revelations and thoughts on why we Filipinos are here in Australia; his detailed illustration of the cross was mind blowing for me, it was definitely the answer I was looking for about the image during my DI and the Dawn activity. The cross is the mission God has planned for us ☺  

We then started the activity of the Agape, we were asked to offer our love and prayers to our Blessed Mother Mary.  I felt extreme happiness and calmness as each one of us made our own offerings but after several aspirants I opened my eyes and I saw a mission aspirant Sister Lina in front of the Blessed Mother, during that moment something touched my heart. It was like a surge of emotions that suddenly hit me, my tears started to spill out and although I was confused as to why, I just let the emotions flow freely. I had no doubt it was the feeling of overflowing love from the Blessed Mother and the Triune.

There was so much love pouring that I felt I would choke or my heart would burst!  I had to tell everyone present at the retreat the message I felt from my heart’s experience; that our Blessed Mother loves us so much her heart is overflowing of her love that we should not fear or be saddened. I then followed my heart’s prompting to hug Lina, not sure why but I just obeyed my heart. I learned after the activity from Sisters Mel and Susan that it was Sis Lina’s late husband’s Birthday that day. I was speechless, it was certainly a mind boggling experience especially since I totally had no idea.

My husband Jo and I went home happy knowing our experience had changed – or rather enhanced our life, witnessing the miracles that happened to everyone. Without doubt our hearts are set to follow God’s plan to continue on sharing his love.