17 July 2024 · 2024-07 newsletter
Thanks to many prayers, we had a fine day for our Mariage Camino at Mt Richon WA on Saturday, 8th June.
Two couples came for the day. One couple was from the Armadale Parish and the other from the Attadale Parish. Sadly, another couple were unable to attend due to illness.
The two couples eagerly joined Philomena & David Theseira on a pilgrimage journey around our Schoenstatt property visiting 15 Pillars all directed towards reflections on our marriage, our relationships and our family. The introduction into the day was a reflection on communication and the difference between communication for information, which is needed for the running of a household, and communication for intimacy. This latter kind of communication should build trust and deepen intimacy in conversation about the couple themselves, not about other people, places or the chores that need to be done. This is sharing who each one is, not just talking. We can talk to anyone, but we can only share with someone we trust. It requires vulnerability.
Vulnerability is not weakness, on the contrary – it is the courage to be honest with oneself and another. This sharing involves a gift of self, a gift which builds on and deepens openness and trust in the other’s love and acceptance. Experiencing self-acceptance and acceptance by another of who we are is extremely affirming and liberating. Communicating for intimacy sets us up for success in our efforts to love one another.
One cannot love what one does not know; the better one knows the other’s interior self, the more aware and responsive one can be to them.
Following this introduction and encouragement to intimate communication, reflections at the 15 different pillars took place over the course of the day. After each reflection we broke to discuss questions privately concerning the particular topic e.g. “We have found each other: you and me”; “love may hurt”; “growing together through difficulties”; “together we are stronger”; “we remain faithful”.
We had a break for lunch and then did something for fun. Each couple dressed up – the husband in a suit jacket and tie, and the wife with a veil and posy of flowers. They then had their photo taken as a remembrance of their day. They thought this was a great idea.
After our fifteenth station, we went into the Shrine for some quiet reflection time, followed by some prayers and a hymn to Our Lady.
Just as we finished packing up for the day, the rain came down. We know it was a blessing from above once again.
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