The life of an FCMN (Nazarene)
Colle Don Bosco, Italy, 20 January 2019 -- Interview with Maria P. FCMN (Fraternidad Contemplativa Maria de Nazareth)
N.B. There are three consecrated members at Colle, journeying in this vocation with many families and young people. They are also in Uruguay, elsewhere in Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The interviewee has been at College Don Bosco since 2010 with two FCMN sisters from Uruguay who have been there since 2004 and 2018 respectively.
Could you present your charism and ‘Salesian contemplative mission’?
Our charism is expressed in synthesis in our name ‘Contemplative Fraternity of Mary of Nazareth’:
Fraternity – we are a spiritual movement, with complementary ‘states of life’ (consecrated men and women, priests, lay adults or youth). Fraternity, fraternal love, charity is the thermometer of the contemplation of how we like to live.
Contemplative: we want to live union with God 24/7. In order to make our own this lifestyle, we cannot go without prayer, liturgy and sacraments. But following the model of Don Bosco we aim to make our whole life a liturgy. ‘It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me’ – it is no longer I who am acting, but Christ who works in me.
Mary of Nazareth: our model is Mary! Nobody lived in union with God mor than Mary did – contemplation in her daily life at Nazareth.
What does ‘Salesian consecrated secularity’ mean for you?
For us ‘Nazarenes’ secularity ispart of our charism: to bring the contemplative tradition of the Church into the streets, like Don Bosco did during the time of the industrial revolution and technical civilization. I think that consecrated secularity is letting the Risen Christ act in our daily life, as he did in Don Bosco's life not only in prayer times, but also during games, work, in his way of speaking and being with his boys, or in study time.
How do you feel as a missionary in Europe – Italy? And what makes you happy at Colle Don Bosco?
To be a missionary in Europe is a true challenge. It’s beautiful to see, when each one of us puts his/her little contribution into the hands of Jesus. It is Jesus who makes ‘food for all’ possible and works true miracles. There are so many things making us happy at Colle Don Bosco. I considerit an amazing grace to walk in union with God in this place where Don Bosco learned to savour spiritual life.
The FCMN is the second youngest group of the Salesian Family. What is your contribution?
For us to be part of the Salesian Family is a great gift. We would simply like to strengthen within the Church and the contemplative dimension of baptismal consecration within the Salesian Family.
Most of the Asian cultures appreciate the depth and contemplation of all religions. Do you have a missionary dream to come across to Asia?
We have the dream of always saying 'Yes' to God... Why not say 'Yes' to Asia or Oceania if it is His will!
Website of the Contemplative Fraternity (panish-Italian-Czech language): https://www.fraternidadmariadenazaret.org/
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