We place ourselves into the loving hands, care and intercession of Mary, Mother of Jesus, our Divine Hope, under her title of Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain, The Lady of The Cross, who urged, “Pray my children…God hears and will soon answer your prayers. My Son is moved with compassion toward you.”
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (Jn 15:16).
The Call and purpose of the Marian Servants of Hope, is to give women connected to, or attracted by the Holy Spirit to the Deaf Catholic apostolate, the possibility to freely respond to the call of the Lord to consecrated life in prayer, adoration and service to the Deaf while living a communal & fraternal life. Such women would generally, but not exclusively, be from among those who identify as coming from the following communities:
– Cultural/Linguistic Deaf (Deaf)
– Hard of Hearing (HH)
– Child of Deaf Adults (CODA)
– Parent of Deaf children (widowed, divorced and annulled)
– Sister of Deaf sibling
– Registered Interpreter for the Deaf
– Pastoral Workers for the Deaf
– Teacher or Teaching Assistant to the Deaf.
– Others involved with the Deaf community with a knowledge of ASL or a desire and willingness to learn.
(“All the Christian faithful must direct their efforts to lead a holy life and the growth of the Church and its continual sanctification according to their own condition.” (C. 210).
While fulfilling ourselves in a consecrated life, we look to Mary, the Servant of the Lord, who is our model in all things. We look to her, our Mother, and follow her admonition to, “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn 2:5). In so doing we strive to be faithful to Christ’s example and teachings, ever grateful for the gift of our own womanhood, the gift Blessed Pope John Paul 11 called the Feminine Genius which we freely offer to God, the Church and our sisters and brothers for the building of His Kingdom.
“With special veneration, they are to honour the virgin Mother of God, the example and protector of all consecrated life, also through the marian rosary.” (C. 663.4).
The Spirituality of the Marian Servants of Hope:
Marian – Specifically honouring our Mother under her title of Our Lady of Hope, Pontmain, France. During her 3 hour apparition in 1871 she did not speak but showed her requests and responses by her expression, gestures and written words which appeared in the sky beneath her feet. Our Mother of Hope, like the Deaf, used visual means to communicate. She held the Crucifix before her, drawing all eyes to her son, who continues to draws our gaze and hearts. “ With special veneration, they are to honour the virgin mother of God, the example and protector of all consecrated life, also through the marian rosary.”(C.663.4).
Eucharistic. “Your chief aim in Holy Communion should be to advance, strengthen, and comfort yourself in the love of God; receiving for love’s sake, what love alone can give. There is nothing in which the love of Christ is set forth more tenderly or more touchingly in this Sacrament…”
(St. Francis De Sales, ‘Introduction to The Devout Life’ Chapter 21).
It is from participation at daily Mass and receiving the most Holy Eucharist that we grow in devotion and gain the strength to love and serve God, in serving our sisters in community and the Deaf community. The Eucharist is placed at the centre of our daily lives. “Members are to make every effort to participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice daily, to receive the most sacred Body of Christ, and to adore the Lord himself present in the sacrament,” (C.663.2)
Salesian. We are assisted in following Christ by using the spiritual path beautifully and clearly mapped out by St. Francis De Sales, Patron Saint of the Deaf, through adherence to his Spiritual Directory and daily reading from his other works especially “ An Introduction to the Devout Life.” Thus incorporating our gentle Saint’s wise and holy instruction into our individual and communal lives.