“I am forming you to suffering”

Thus says Mother Mary in Her cenacle blue book message no. 334 to Her beloved priests.  “In these bloody times of purification, My motherly task is that of forming you, above all, to suffering,…. training you in docility,.. gentleness, and humility of heart.  I am helping you to suffer with the joy of giving yourselves to your brothers as JESUS gave HIMSELF.  I comfort you in all sufferings, with the assurance that I am at your side, just as I was beneath the Cross of JESUS…this is My mission as Mother and Co-Redemptrix: to gather every drop of your suffering, to transform you into a precious gift of love and of reparation, and to offer it, each day, to the justice of GOD.

Fr. Restie Quintillano of the Mission Society of the  Philippines (MSP) opened Amuma Cancer Support Group Foundation, Inc.’s retreat with these words of Mother Mary.

When funds are low, one suffers as a patient; a caregiver suffers when a patient is difficult;  to helplessly watch a loved one’s fight to live longer is most painful – were shared experiences Fr. Restie gave.

But human suffering is different for others.  He said that for St. Therese of Lisieuex, suffering is sweet and is best to carry with joy.  Near his death, Fr. Restie’s uncle priest refused morphine and surrendered his cancer pains as offering to GOD.  So did a friend deacon, who, devoted to the Sacred Heart of JESUS, prayed “give me more suffering LORD.”

So did Amuma’s co-founder Dra. Margie P. Domingo who refused anaesthesia on her 2nd operation as reparation for her sins and for love of GOD.

Spiritual preparation is necessary especially for those terminally ill.  Not just concern for the medical and physical needs of the patient, Fr. Restie advised the group to lead patients to spiritual renewal through confession and the other sacraments.

And that Mama Mary is a faithful friend and ally at all times.

“I am forming you to suffering, by saying ‘yes’ with you to the Heavenly FATHER, WHO is asking this of us, as your personal collaboration in the redemption carried on by My SON JESUS.  Only in this way can we break open together the golden door of the divine Heart of My SON JESUS, so that HE may be able to cause to descend soon, upon the Church and upon humanity, the river of grace and of fire of HIS merciful Love, which will make all things new.”

Money enough to pay off hospital bills came, physical pain were gone, forgiveness was asked and given, family reconciliation and a peaceful death happened- after praying the rosary.  As promised, praying beneath JESUS Cross, Mother Mary was with us in suffering.

For the 23 Amumans who attended the retreat at the MSP House, the Rosary, confession, adoration and personal reflection before the blessed Eucharist, and mass were just a foretaste of more spiritual infilling in days to come.

Spiritually fed, off went the group with Fr. Restie to the container gardening of Jojo Rom in Catalunan Grande.  And that is another story in Amuma’s life.