Follow Mary’s example and be disciples of hope

The annual nine-day feast of Our Lady of Good Health culminated on September 9 with the evening Mass. Some 1,700 faithful converged at the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health (OLGH) for the celebration, beginning at 5.30pm with the recitation of the Rosary and Novena prayers to Our Lady.

The 6.00pm multi-lingual Mass, with the theme Mary, make me a Disciple of Hope, was presided by Fr Sebastian Aputharaj OFM Cap. Joining him were Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, Chapel Administrator Fr Edwin Peter, Fr Mari Arokiam, Capuchin Fr Iruthaya Raj from India and Fr Joseph from Uganda.

Fr Sebastian, in his remarks, quoted Pope Benedict XVI in his Encyclical, who said we are all travellers on earth. Our Mother Mary is the star of hope, she will guide us and she will support us.

The Indian Capuchin priest said Mother Mary is the star of hope and if we follow her, we will become disciples of hope.

“If you seek her help, Mary will support you. If you ask her for strength, surely she will support you. If you trust her, she will certainly support you.”

We need to follow Mary and love God to become disciples of hope. Be humble and follow the example of Mary, who is the disciple of Jesus. She lived as mother and disciple of Jesus, learned from Jesus and practised what she learnt.

Fr Sebastian also said Mother Mary loved God so much and that is why she said “Yes” in her fiat.

The Capuchin priest said we should try to express our love in actions. We learn from our parents that all the problems in the family will be solved with love. We need to be humble.

Touching on the Annunciation, when the Angel brought the message to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God and she said, “I’m the Lord’s servant, may it be done to me as you have said,” she accepted the will of God and, through her obedience, she brought salvation to the world. Fr Sebastian told the assembly that we should accept the will of God cheerfully to become disciples of hope.

After Mass, the float with the icon of Our Lady of Good Health led the procession, followed by the clergy and the assembly, going around the vicinity of the chapel while the Rosary was recited. Upon returning to the chapel 45 minutes later, Fr Sebastian led the Benediction.

This year the various themes for the nine day Novena and Mass were specifically focused on Caregivers, People with Special Needs, the Sick and those on the Peripheries. It called everyone to be devoted, to be instrumental, to be supportive, to be courageous, to initiate, to be proactive, to be loving and to be enduring. It is hoped that the faithful would progressively be transformed, with Mary’s guidance, to be Disciples of Hope in the nation.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online