Awakening 2012 - Day 18 to 24 Leicester - by Joyce

“The best day of my life, thank you Jesus Youth, my life has changed.” - Martina Guedes.

The seven days of Awakening in Leicester we held at the Sacred Heart Parish, from the 10^th to the 17^th of March. The Leicester Jesus youth arranged a program during the first two days of the adoration encouraging a participation of about 60 youth. Throughout the adoration the main intention being prayed for was the Re-evangelization of England and a strong plea to strengthen our own faith . The adoration was well attended by people from all age groups, but the presence of JY prayer group members of Leicester seemed prominent, at all times. These young people were ever so keen to spend time with the Lord. Their commitment to the mission could be seen as they stayed up praying at night, coming straight from work or colleges. In doing so, we strengthened our own faith and awakened many more. Many described the experience as serene, peaceful and powerful. A week on, the adoration was concluded with the celebration of the Holy Mass which brought us together as one family.

on behalf of the Leicester JY

Joyce 

(The above experience has been edited from the email received from Joyce Leicester JY.)

Awakening 2012 - Day 15 to 18 Manchester, Jomy's Testimony

The Logic of Love

It is truly amazing to see and above of all experience how God works; in mysterious ways and in particular areas of our lives. During the past few months, I considered my life to be a standstill from where I had little hope of continuing my career with the perfect job which I have always fantasized in my dreams. Our thoughts can be very deceiving at times, but I’m grateful to God that he has intervened through this adoration and set a special meaning to my wait.

As I was sitting prayerfully in the presence of the Lord, the only thing that worried me was my future in this land. I took out my novena to St. Josemaria to “find work”. I was overwhelmed to read out this exciting news he had in store for me: “Let me stress this point: it is in the simplicity of your ordinary work, in the monotonous details of each day, that you have to find the secret, which is hidden from so many, of something great and new: Love.”

Often it had crossed my mind that how my God can still be in love with a wretch like me. How is it that he is filled with so much love and where is the source of it all ? I can say that he has given me a convincing reply this time as I meditated through my YOUCAT. St. Augustine says: “Wherever there is love, there is a Trinity: a lover, a beloved and a fountain of love”. The mystery about this Trinitarian love is reasonable when God’s revelation in Jesus Christ is accepted. If God were alone and solitary, he could not love from all eternity. The traces of this Trinitarian love can be seen in all his creations; the way a mother is in love with her child, the love between a husband and his wife.

I could clearly see that the quest for my work was definitely worldly. It struck me deeply in my thought process when I prayed with St. Josemaria who led me to the wisdom in his prayer: “Help me to understand that what gives value to any honest work is the love with which I do it: love for God, in the first place, to whom I can offer up my work; and love for my neighbour, whom I wish to serve and be useful to”.  This understanding was crucial to me and gave me a great sense of responsibility towards my brothers and sisters.

In fact, it all simply sums up to an idea that we can all understand but often we take it lightly: “God is Love” – 1 John 4:8. Many a times my mind would be flooded with unholy thoughts that would affect my relationship with my Father. I would try to imagine of all the shortcomings in my life and ponder over it. But after a pause a simple thought flashes through and brings a smile on me “… And then, there is "God” who can satisfy all the desires of my heart if I continue to be delighted in Him.

I have much to write but I am ending by greeting all of you the best time with the Lord and with a quote from our Holy Father which I believe can be truly encountered in the Eucharistic adoration: “To hear God's word requires the cultivation of outward and inward silence, so that His voice can resound within our hearts and shape our lives.”

Peace of Christ.

Jomy George Abraham 

Awakening 2012 Day 10 to 14 _- Manchester by Bejoy Mathew

Dear Family,

We started our 'Awakening' perpetual Eucharistic adoration in Manchester on 3rd March at 9.30am.

Our parish priests Fr. Ian Farrell kindly opened his parish (St.Joseph's Church, Longsight) to us and exposed the Blessed Sacrament for adoration at 9.30a.m.on Saturday in the chapel. All of us within the prayer group and our JY families took turns to attend the adoration. Few of our JY have taken one week leave off work to sit in front of our lord Jesus Christ. It was a refreshing experience for all of us to spend some time recollecting the blessings showered on us in our lives. 


On Sunday the 4th we started our adoration and had Holy Mass, with youth many coming in to chapel to spend the time with the Lord. We offered our hearts to our Saviour as like a beautiful flower offering. We silently adored Jesus, surrendering everything to the King of Kings.

During the evenings the chapel keeping overflowing with youth and families alike. It is indeed a wonderful experiences for everyone who enters this sanctuary. 

All the intentions of Awakening and many more were remembered while we recited the Rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet. We had some beautiful moments of praise and worship, the whole congregation in accord with one heart felt the Holy Spirit surround us and set ablaze in our hearts.

Our Lord has been so gracious to Manchester; with local community involvement  and a a river of grace flowing all over;

 Fire of Holy Spirit is all around!!

 Praise God!!

BE A PART OF THIS GRACE OF AWAKENING; VISIT MANCHESTER!

Love and prayers 


Bejoy Mathew

Awakening Day 8 and Day 9 - Cardiff - Bejay's experience

AWAKENING CARDIFF – EXPERIENCING THE FATHERS LOVE J

The joy that was seen during the 10 pm mass on our faces sums up how "awakening" has touched each and every one of our hearts. After the 10 pm mass,I was surprised to see few parishioners stay on  till 2 am. Truly inspirational to see active participation amongst some of the locals.

Its morning now, and I am here sitting, asking him "what is it that you want me to do in my life Lord"..?????" I realize that you make me go through all  ups and downs in  life for a purpose..but where are u taking me? But, then this question always hits back when I hear his voice asking me....if I would be  willing to say "yes" no matter what he has  planned for me.? 

One of my good friends once told me that the "Our father" is a very dangerous prayer because it very clearly states "thy will be done "..... So don't say it until we completely mean it. Every day we pray, may his will be done but when it comes to reality we rely on our human desires and instincts to choose.  Probably something that we all need to think about. But the Lord  promised me today that he will teach me to trust him... And so will he teach each and every one of us... Because we are all his children and he is OUR FATHER.

Fr. Binu, during mass, rightly said that we must all ask with our whole heart knowing fully well..our God is a loving father and he has GOOD .... and ONLY GOOD plans for us.

Exactly 24 hours of adoration left in this parish of St. Albans and in CARDIFF.... Some of us are really going to miss AWAKENING here .  Expecting more crowds to come in these last few hours....

Bejay.

With the spirit of awakening !
JY CARDIFF.

Awakening 2012 Day 5 to 7Cardiff - Ponny's experience

AWAKENING CARDIFF – EXPERIENCING THE FATHERS LOVE J

The 2^nd day of Awakening in Cardiff; another day of Grace and Blessings. A steady but small stream of people visited the small chapel at St Philip Evans today. Sitting in front of the Lord I asked myself why coming here is different to praying in silence somewhere else? The thought came to me that Our Lords presence in the Eucharist can be experienced in a tangible and individualistic way by everyone who walks into the Awakening chapel.

Everyone seems to have their own way of communication with the Lord.  Some walked in stayed silent for sometime and then walked out. Some came said rosaries as a family, sang songs and left. Some read from prayer books, while others seemed to write, some listened to music or even read and reflected. yet there were few others who simply stared at the Lord, Or closed their eyes and stayed silent, some even shed a few tears. As children of God we all have our own way of connecting with the Lord. Awakening seems to be a time when each one tries to make time to experience that connection.

The rosary sung by a five year old boy will stay afresh as a cherished memory from this day forth. His innocent and not so clear Hail Mary sung with full devotion and energy brought a smile to my serious face along with the realisation that I am sitting in front of my Jesus and I too can be a child in front of him!!

On the the 4^th day of Awakening in Cardiff at St Albans Church, sitting in front of the Lord inside the small chapel, I picked up a book on Rosminian spirituality and smiled because I was sitting in a Rosminian Church and would there have been a more appropriate book than this to read here? The smile turned to a surprise as I realized that it was edited by A.Balsito, whom I recognized as our beloved Blessed Antonio Rosmini from the Rosmini center at  the Ratcliff College.The words of Rosmini himself jumped out at me “ Adore, Be Silent, Rejoice” I decided to do just that and also made a poster with these words. As I was putting it up a group of parishners were saying the rosary and one of the ladies caught my eyes and smiled. This moment of connection is what has been happening all day today. This year the parishners have also organized a rota for themselves and most of the slotts were covered by them. Awakening over the last years has created a connection in this parish and no one is a stranger anymore. This desire to spend time with the Eucharistic Lord in adoration has created a sense of unity and friendship. The mass celebrated by our very own JY pastor Fr Binu added to that sense of belonging as even without prior notice or planning the chapel was full at 10:00 pm for the mass. Surely another day of amazing grace and beauty.

Ponny

With the spirit of awakening !
JY CARDIFF.