Called to be Saints: Mary & Mercy Retreat

It all started with a retreat, and a dream was born. Last July 4-6, 2017 the DADITAMA Bishops attended a retreat in Tagaytay which was given by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. The Bishops were so impressed and inspired with what the speaker Fr. Michael shared with them, that they started to dream of bringing him to Davao. Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, is the director for Evangelization for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and formation director of the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy in Massachusetts, USA and author of bestselling books including 33 Days to Morning Glory a phenomenal book which promotes Marian consecration as the “surest, easiest, shortest and the most perfect means to becoming a saint.” After a year of waiting, the dream of the DADITAMA Bishops has been realized.

Last July 23-25 this retreat entitled Mary and Mercy was held at the Ateneo de Davao University Martin Hall. A total of 2,200-2,300 lay faithful and religious sisters, and around 60-70 priests, bishops and deacons from the dioceses of Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati (DADITAMA) attended the two and half days of prayers, talks, daily Holy Eucharist, and Sacrament of Reconciliation. All the six talks were given by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. Talk 1: Personal Testimony—where he talked about his journey to becoming a priest, how he “discovered” the Divine Mercy, and how he made his total consecration to Mary. Talk 2: The Second Greatest Story Ever Told is about St. John Paul II, how he made his Marian consecration and how he helped in the recognition of the Divine Mercy devotion when he became Pope, and canonized St. Faustina Kowalska, and declared the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. Talk 3 is about teaching us the shortcut to deep prayer which is consoling the heart of Jesus, and to share in His thirst like St. Teresa of Calcutta, and then to also console the heart of Mary. Talk 4 is about the life and death of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and his role in preparing the people of Poland, and of Nagasaki, Japan for the destruction brought to them by the World War II. Talk 5 is about making Total Marian consecration (i.e. giving Mary our full permission to complete her motherly task in us and form us into other Christs/to be saints) and how the book 33 Days to Morning Glory has helped many people make their consecration, and how this experience has helped combat the culture of death in the USA and Mexico. Talk 6 is about what we can learn from St. Therese of Lisieux’s little ways so we can become a saint. These are: trusting that God will make us saints, trying our best to become saints, and continue recognizing one’s brokenness/weakness and need for God’s mercy. Talk 7 is his homily for the third day mass, wherein he summarized his talks.

His final message to us Filipinos: “Always remember that we are in a time of mercy. You are Filipinos and you are living in one of God’s most beloved countries, and because much has been given to you, much is also expected. You are held to a higher standard, and so if things around you are not in accord with the gospel, what is your response? Mercy. Never make a deal with anyone except with Jesus Christ. We remember who we are, we are Christians whose job is to pray for everyone, especially for those who do not know God and his mercy”. (Manilee Araune)