Relive the Fatima Experience

Liêm Lê

1

Fatima, Tuesday 8/12: Day 1

With the presence of the Eucharist in the chapel, the assembly opened in wonderfully boisterous anticipation with delegates from 66 countries around the world. It was fitting that we gathered in the chapel, around the presence of Christ. Amidst joyful applause each country unfurled its colors upon the announcement of their name. During this time I could not help but to be aware that I was the only Vietnamese at the assembly, and that I was also member of the USA delegation. There was a pinch of both consolation and desolation in that realization – oh how I wished there was a Vietnamese flag among the symphony of colors on that balcony. “Well, let’s get back to the present… God is gathering all these communities around the world to Fatima, and He is so much alive in the very humanity of everyone here,” I told myself.

I could feel a very gentle consolation taking me deep into my heart while I looked around the room. So many ethnics, cultures, and languages, and amidst all those differences, I heard strangers greet each other as if they were the closest friends. We spoke in one spiritual language: Ignatian. We all shared one lifestyle: our CLC Charism. The desire to love God more deeply seemed to gather us all into one body. With Love and Grace, our humble gathering of only a little over 200, in comparison to over 6,000,000,000 of the world, actually allowed me to see in whole a Church so much alive in this chaotic and challenging world of ours. Perhaps, this is God’s invitation for all of us to embrace the greatness of Christ deep into our bone so that our very lives become the concrete presence of Christ in our world.

“We have traveled on a thousand roads, a thousand ways, and arrived at a thousand moments.” How true! “We are called, personally and communally, as an apostolic body to bring Good News to the world,” and with that we began the first part of the assembly, which is to “come to rest under God’s gaze and tell what we have done, taught and learned.” Each national community would tell their story to the assembly.

There were 66 countries, so you can image the time it took to listen to all 66 stories. I was amazed at the patience and the attentiveness that we gave the entire time, maybe because we sought to listen with the heart. Among the common struggles that our communities are familiar with, there were communities that struggled and grew out of tragedy and suffering of immeasurable proportion in countries like Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Their stories silenced all the noise in the assembly hall and what remained were the voices of the storytellers and translators echoing faintly as if from far far away. The grace of CLC amazingly found root in people’s hearts and sprung forth with so much life and love amidst murdering hatred. It brought hope. God made himself present in the middle of these tragedies, and now we were learning to live as one body, apostolically, to feel and embrace the pain of our brothers and sisters from afar in the world who were totally estranged from us a few hours ago. Somehow, these stories actually immersed me in deep consolation, and I felt confirmed again that CLC is such a “precious stone” that God has put into our hands. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what shall we do with this “precious stone?” How shall we respond to God’s call for us?

It was the 12th and there was a procession in front of the Shrine of Fatima, a mere 10 minutes walks away. Ann Marie, Angelique, and some of use ventured out into the night toward the square. We had stopped to buy some candles along the way, and when we arrived around 10pm the square was a sea of flickering lights. The procession started at the small chapel on the left of the square marking the spot where Mary appeared to the three children. The Hail Mary was recited in many languages. I saw young children holding candles in their tiny hands, singing with so much joy in their voices. Our Church is very much alive indeed! I saw a family pushing another person who had succumbed to the gravity of his tired body on a wheelchair. Two middle aged women walked by. They turned and greeted the family, asking about the person on the wheelchair. They then embraced him and kissed him on the forehead and wished him “la paz de Dios.” Such gestures between strangers in this materialistic reality of our world are indeed rare, but they were images of love, of the spirit of “cura personalis” that we are trying to instill in our communities.

I stayed to attend mass with Mary Balfe of Canada. A bishop presided over the mass, and there must be more than 100 priests concelebrating. I offered Mary our community and asked that she would always watch over us so that each one of us would seek to find God’s will in our ordinary lives, and that CLC-USA will become more concrete each day; that we better live God’s dream for our lives. Mass ended around midnight. We left the square that was still filled with flickering lights. It was a day full of grace.

2

Fatima, Tuesday 8/13: Day 2

Today was WEXCO’s turn to tell its story to the world community, of the path that have been taken between Nairobi (2003) and Fatima. The story was comprehensive, focusing on efforts on formation, leadership, CLC’s presence in the Church, collaboration with the Society of Jesus, apostolic initiatives and various international presences as NGO. It reported to the world body the development of communities in all areas of the world. The story was matter-of-fact-like and it was received in that manner until the story got to the financial situation; World CLC has been operating with a deficit for the last 5 years. The positive thing was that WEXCO managed to reduce the deficit from 19,000 Euro (US$27,000) to about just less than 5,000 Euro (US$7,500) with a budget of less than 150,000 Euro (US$225,000) for the year 2008. This sent a shock wave thought the assembly; a sense of consternation was felt in the mind and hearts of many. But it was not the time to discuss about financial solutions, and so we moved on to other matters of the day. Desolation started to set into me.

All seemed to regain their footing when WEXCO presented communities from Rwanda and Hungary and asked the assembly to incorporate these communities into the World Community. We were so happy! The Cuban delegates were not able to secure exit visa yet to leave Cuba for Fatima. We decided to wait for them for the incorporation of CLC-Cuba; the joy was not yet complete.

The assembly was then presented with a proposal from an African community to change GN #4 to include an option for a 8-day retreat, reasoning that in certain countries it is impossible for a member to undertake the Exercises in 30 day retreat to fulfill the requirement for permanent commitment. The assembly overwhelmingly rejected the proposal.

Next were proposals from Canada, the USA, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Kenya to change the GN#21a. The assembly seemed to simultaneously break into discussions among the national delegates; confusion reigned. Thanks to God that lunch time saved us all as the executive secretary asked the assembly to give WEXCO time to study and clarify the issue presented.

The afternoon was for reflection and sharing in language groups. It did wonder for us all to have time to do personal examen: what happened in the morning and where these sentiments were leading us. The sharing was really wonderful, and I sat and shared with people from England, South Africa, Belgium, Philippines, Lithuania, Taiwan, Uruguay and Zimbabwe. It was such a wonderful to experience the universality of CLC; deep in each sharing is the common concern for CLC. It is indeed a “precious stone.” I found myself entrusting matters into these newly found brothers and sisters and that God would somehow bring things to a happy conclusion.

Mass was the highlight of the day. It brought us back and around Christ. Canada and the USA presented mass in the theme of the tradition of Native Americans. The soothing sound of the loons and water greeted and settled people into their inner self. The purification ritual before mass further helped everyone to come deeper into their hearts. Mt 18:15-20 was just perfect for today: if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. The chapel was bursting with chants and singing. In a few moment of solitude after receiving Communion, my thought was with the delegates from Rwanda and Zimbabwe. I wonder if the realization of the life and hope that CLC can bring through their experience will be left here in Fatima, and I will be immersed back into my own reality when I get back home, where no one would force me into any choice, where I am free to make my own choice. If it would be forgotten amidst of my busyness, then this grace will fade and I would bring nothing back to our community. If we are just ONE BODY, what is calling us? It is not that we are called to find a political or social solution, but it is rather how we are to embrace their pain and suffering and struggles. Maybe when we take them into our hearts, we would realize deeper how Christ is embracing us.

The grace of today was not as sweet as it was yesterday, but it brought into me much more energy, passion, hope and trust. Below the surface of desolation and disturbances there was deep consolation for me. Indeed God was leading the assembly like an apostolic community in the mission of Christ. How do we respond?

3

Fatima, Thursday 8/14: Day 3

The day opened with morning prayers with images of the harsh reality of our world today. There are communities of people who make a living by the mountains of trash that seem to be endless. These are disposals from those who like all of us, live in the cities and throw out things every day. From these mountains of disposals, they found things to use for the day, clothes and even food. They shared with each other what they found. And the children! They searched for toys, and they played together with what they found by these mountains of disposals. Strangely, a smile seemed to be so ready on their tired face. And there is a chapel, also next to these mountains of disposals. It has no roof, no walls, no sacristy, nothing. The chapel is marked with a wooden post. When it is time for liturgical celebration, a bell is hung. The toll of the bell gathered people around and the Eucharist was celebrated next to these mountains of disposals, and Christ was fully present in the simple hosts that the priest brought with him, just like He would be in other churches much more comfortable in America. Christ is so ready to be with people, even in this hopeless situation. Am I ready to be with these fellow human beings in their situation? Am I ready to fully embrace them so their hardship and poverty would be mine?

The assembly was invited to be reflective to prepare to “work”, really work, by tomorrow. We were reminded that this was not a vacation. We were invited to live in the spirit and disposition of “Three levels of humility” to reflect on how deep our desire be in our willingness to accompany Christ in His mission.

We had 2 guest speakers today. The talks confirmed that the Spiritual Exercises is fundamental and foundational to the spirituality in CLC. What still stays with me is this message to the assembly: Ignatian Spirituality is spirituality in action… we are always on the move… the moment that we respond “I do not have….,” we decide to stop, stop moving. That moment we will stop living… that we might be deceived by something reasonable on the surface, but they are not the true motive…”

Each day, before the Eucharist, the program reserved an hour for the national delegations to gather and reflect. Today was special. Angelique told us that the Rwanda delegates expressed their desire of having their community “twining” with CLC-USA. Wow! Amazing! We were thinking about bringing back the experience of being one apostolic body by inviting someone from their community to our national assembly next year, and apparently they were thinking of CLC-USA too. We were all very happy of this sign.

Mass seemed to embody a special meaning today. People were quieter. It seemed that the afternoon’s time for reflection helped all of us examining the movement we felt in the morning. How easy we were deceived by our fervor and respect for the Exercises to close our eyes and heart to others. Mass was quiet and consoling. It was quite moving to realize that Christ is so ready to be present with us and console us when we realized our way and came back around Him.

The grace of today was not easy for me to see. What remained with me at the end of the day is this: We remain always imperfect, and God is forever Faithful Love!

4

Fatima, Friday 8/15: Day 4

The theme of the day was “How can we move and act more effectively as an apostolic body?” The change of setting for the assembly to start “working” was just perfect; we did need the change. We gathered outside under the canopy of the trees in the large garden in the back of the campus. The weather in Fatima was quite pleasant, warm in the sun and cool in the shade with light breeze.

Morning prayers brought us into the contemplation of Pentecost. It was a sudden and immediate sign that the presence of God could not be mistaken. All were embraced by the grace of God, no exceptions. We were invited to read similar signs for our national communities. (Dear friends, can you see the signs with sudden and immediate impacts in your communities?) Like the apostles 2,000 years ago, they received unique gifts from the Holy Spirits and began their journey. The assembly was invited to collect the gifts that the Holy Spirit has bestowed o our communities, and especially on each of the delegates. We were invited to use the gifts so together to build up CLC into a more effective apostolic body of and for the Church.

Have you ever heard of Open Space? It is a technology of bringing together people of diverse backgrounds and experiences for a common solution. Bettina Kolbeck from Germany and Piotr Banach of Poland did a wonderful job preparing and explaining this new technology in 3 languages to all of us. All were invited to freely post an issue for the theme of the day ,and to invite others into the discussion circle to share the experiences and to suggest solutions. At the end of a session, the facilitator must turn in a report detailing what happened and any suggested solutions. There were more than 60 postings. We were reminded: If you come out of the day the same person, with the same knowledge, then you had wasted your time. It was wonderful.

We sat together in a circle, lays and religious, old and young together. We shared our experiences. We offered our hearts to one another. We searched for possible solutions. We embraced others’ ideas. We agreed together at the end. It was so beautiful to witness the desires in keeping building CLC into a more effective apostolic body unfolding into concrete actions, transcending all boundaries. “Is this what the Church really is?” I wondered to myself. Again, I was confirmed in the fast pace of the day that CLC is that “precious stone”, of the presence of God within and without us, of the guidance of the Holy Spirit for CLC. All the desolations of the previous days seemed to be overwhelmed by the sincerity of all. We recognized the ambivalences and unknowns on the road ahead that we are traveling, but we are assured that it is nevertheless the road that God has called us to take. Father Mecieca’s message to the assembly the previous day was just perfectly timed: Do not fear to move forward.

I took what happened into my examen and wondered: “Is building CLC the same as building the Kingdom of God in the world for me, for us? Is it that CLC is a gift for us to make concrete the Kingdom of God with the humble presence of our community? How are we responding to this call from God for us as a community?” The answer I believe lies deep in my heart and your hearts.

5

Fatima, Saturday 8/16: Day 5

Today was Saturday and WEXCO was kind to let us out in the afternoon to tour the surrounding of Fatima. But before that would happen, we had to work in the morning. Actually, we had to get back to work after the tour too. It was all about working here in Fatima, but one would see only a smile so ready for greetings, and if you asked anyone, this would seem to be the normal answer: I am joyfully tired.

The question for the assembly today was “Why am I in CLC?”

At a construction site, nothing was visible yet except for earthworks being done to prepare the site for construction. There were 3 stone cutters. A journalist came to the construction site to interview the workers: What do you do? The first one said: I cut stone. To the same question, the second said: I cut stone so the masons can build walls. But the third one was totally enthusiastic and impatient with his answer: I am building the cathedral behind you. Dear friends, who do you think among those 3 stone cutters would find the ideal, the passion and the meaning in their works, even thought they were doing the same thing?

All the topics in Open Space yesterday were well reported. People actually worked together with the facilitator of each topic on the report; the issues and the discussions were well documented to share with the assembly. The Open Space team then work through the night to number, categorize, and index all the reports into a thick booklet. The host team worked through the night until 5 in the morning to print in 260 copies so that each one of us could have a copy. These “stone cutters” definitely found the cause in their works. It is amazing the energy and the passion one would find when building the “cathedral!”

We had about 30’ to read the Open Space “booklet.” It is such a treasure, and I was really moved holding it in my hands, flipping through the hand-written pages. They contain more than just ideas and suggestions. They embodied the collective desire for a more effective CLC and the love for God. Mine was in there, and so were Ann Marie’s and Angelique’s, and people’s of CLC around the world as well. Dear friends, can you contemplate and feel the immensity of this little stack of papers? So many graces that God has bestowed upon us, shall we together build the “cathedral,” or do we just want to work in our own ways to cut the stone and stack them up. Dear friends, is God calling us to build the “cathedral,” or just cut the stone?

To close the Open Space, we were then invited to “advertise” one or two projects that we have been pondering. We outlined the projects on formatted sheets of paper and turned them to EXCO. People clamored for the microphones to market their projects. They covered from social issues to formation to working for world peace. All the projects were posted all the walls. We had a 45’ break to enjoy Portuguese coffee while reviewing walls filled with these initiatives. Even more impressive was the fact that all they were not mere ideas but they all had a driver and a strategy. Let’s pray that these initiatives would not reverted back to just “good ideas.”

“Why am I in CLC?” In the context of being and thinking with the Church, just like the assembly, we are invited to do very humble things in the mission of the Church for our world. Are we “cutting stone” or “building the cathedral?” How would I get from “cutting stone” to “building the cathedral?”

6

Fatima, Sunday 8/17: Day 6

The air of the assembly was filled with anticipation; Father General Nicolas would say mass and give a homily today. This was my first experience with the assembly and I had no idea what it would be like. Email and email were sent out to all the delegates to remind us to bring our national customs. Well, I did not heed the calls. As the Chinese proverb says “A picture worth a thousand words,” you can write your own version of 3000 words here.

The atmosphere was festive and the weather was just perfect. Mass would be outdoor today. The decoration was just creatively awesome. Pews were simply rows of bundled straw. The altar was a big stack of straw. A cross was artfully weaved from straw. A choir was assembled with whoever would like to contribute. There were 2 choir masters on this occasion.

Mass was truly a celebration! It was said in 3 languages: English, Spanish and French. No one was in a hurry but seemed to enjoy it tremendously. Father Nicolas was deceptively simple in his homily: “Jesus began right where we are so that we can be brought into that reality to realize the way we are with others. Jesus sees beyond his culture and challenges us to see, to go beyond our boundaries.” Even deeper than the first day of the assembly, I once more felt that the global Church was reduced to a human scale for me to see clearly, in flesh and blood, her diversified and universal faces concretely in the persons here. The diversity in languages, cultures and colors were celebrated as gifts from God to one another. Each was allowed to flourish in its uniqueness; God truly enriches humanity in its diversities and differences. After communion, a moment of inner solitude moved me deeply to feel that all these differences were made united because of the love for God and because of the Love from God; one in God. Just an awesome consolation! Father Nicolas challenged us all that mass might ended but our journey continues, and that we will need to keep accompany one another in that journey – the journey of building the “cathedral.”
Lunch was a feast then we headed out on foot to the Shrine of Fatima for a Eucharist Procession and a communal prayer in the Fatima Chapel.

The procession was a wonderful time for me to go back to my inner solitude to relive what happened in the morning. I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude; I am grateful that CLC found me, and it is indeed a “precious stone” for me. Dear friends, how precious a stone is CLC for you? CLC-USA is definitely blessed for the celebration of the diversity in humanity can be lived right in our home country, and Đồng Hành is a part of this body. It might not be as rich as the world with 66 countries, but nevertheless our diversities are a blessing for us all to keep. Father Nicolas’ message during the communal prayer in the Fatima Chapel was indeed a challenge for us all, borrowing Mary’s instruction to the servants at the Canaan wedding: Do whatever He [Jesus] tells you.

7

Fatima, Monday 8/18 – day 7

We resumed our journey after a wonderful Sunday – working journey that was – and moved onto the third part of the assembly. And the question is how we would “commit our world, regional and national communities to practical, realistic initiatives that express ever more deeply and more authentically” who we are as an apostolic body of and in the Church.

We opened the day with the address from Father General Nicolas to the assembly. He titled his address: Notes for a Prophetic Lay Community guided by the Spirit of God . He affirmed the assembly of the position of CLC in the Church, that CLC is a lay Community of the Church, and not an extension of the Society of Jesus. He shared with the assembly his visit to Cardinal Rylko, Prefect of the Congregation for the Laity at the Vatican. The cardinal was happy about CLC “because of the serious formation they give to all its members.” We had discerned and confirmed in Itaci (1998) and Nairobi (2003) that we are “an apostolic community sharing mission in the Church.” This mission “has to be a Prophetic Mission,” he stressed. He challenged us to embrace our calling to be prophetic as a community. How can we be prophetic? His answer is profoundly simple: by simply living deeper our Ignatian spirituality individually and communally to ever deepen our sense of God for our world:
• SEE with the Eyes of God,
• LISTEN with the Hearing of God,
• FEEL with the Heart of God, and
• SPEAK with the Words of God.

It was quite wonderful to see and feel the spirit of unity and passion between CLC (the assembly) and the Society (F. Nicolas). I would share with you the Q&A session following the address. Here are some of the highlights:

1) Formation, what does it mean specifically and concretely?
You need to deepen your spiritual skills to see, to hear, to feel and to speak. These are practical, not theoretical skills. Formation must be realistic and practical.

2) Did we lose the passion for an apostolate somewhere?
Being a prophetic community is a process. It is important to “feel” God – see what God sees, hear that God hears, feel what God feels, and then, only then, speak what God speaks. This discernment is critical.

3) What do we need to deepen?
A deepening vocation. You need to be credible on what you do.

4) Lack of Jesuits to help in accompanying CLC members in their journey of the Exercises.
One-on-one is the original form but it might not be the only model to give the Exercises. Others are possible. You need to try out testing different models, and you need to evaluate them. You are free to work with people at their circumstances, but you need to evaluate.

5) What would be a strategy to initiate a prophetic action?
The bishops will need your helps to understand what you are doing. You need to document the difficulties and communicate them to the Curia of the Society in Rome so that we can have official documents to convey the issues to the Vatican. This frequent communication will help to minimize and prevent conflicts. There will be difficulties, but unity is a must. You need to communicate this to more bishops as much as possible.

Father General was genuine and caring, and he was very honest in his answers even in admitting his lack of experience in the aspects of living the CLC Charism in the context of a family. The critical issue of the role of the EAs was repeatedly raised by both CLCers and Jesuits, and Father General warmly and positively received them. He acknowledged his understanding of the issue and indicated that he would bring this issue to the new governance of the Society that would convene in Rome this late September. There was a sense that the relationship between CLC and the Society would be elevated to a more positive level.

The afternoon was dedicated to closing the Open Space sessions. All the topics from Open Spaces were diligently categorized into 10 main areas: 1) Experience of the Spiritual Exercises, 2) Formation, 3) Membership, 4) Commitment to the CLC way of life, 5) Leadership, 7) Collaboration between the Society of Jesus and CLC, 8) Networking of apostolic initiatives, 9) Financial co-responsibility and 10) Families in CLC.

We divided into small discussion group and work to this one goal: What does the World Community – that is all of us in CLC - need to do? The reports of each discussion group would be synthesized into the final Fatima Document.

And working we were! The sharing and contributions were so heartfelt and honest. Some philosopher said that a crisis is potentially the best opportunity, and that was so true. The ambivalence of the process, because no one knew it thoroughly, turned into opportunities for sincere collaboration among us. Toward the end of the day, I felt physically exhausted. My head was thinking of “REST! REST! REST!”

Mass today had the flare of Asian cultures. Father Satkunanayagan S.J. of Sri Lanka gave the homily on The Young Ruler . Of the young ruler, he said: “He wants eternal life for himself. Just himself! He cares only about himself… but Jesus asked us to give each one of us totally.” It was simple but it jolted me into my own state of being. I let my own fatigue became my focus today. I only thought of myself. It took me away from seeing and listening to the signs of the presence of God in all the activities of the day. Thanks be to God for these simple words from Father Satkunanayagan. I heard: “Come and rest in me, my son!” God’s grace is truly mysterious and wonderful. Just simply being aware of the invitation was already a sincere response. I felt an instantaneous restoration of energy, living energy. Listening deeply! That was what Father Nicolas invited us to do. Dear friends, what are you seeing and hearing of the signs of God being working in your small communities, in our community of DH-CLC?

The grace of the day was truly Listening deeply indeed.

8

Fatima, Tuesday 8/19 – Day 8

The end of the assembly was approaching fast. This morning Edward Warrington of CVX Malta guided the assembly on our inner journey, to refocus and re-center. I was not the only one consumed by fatigue; That was the general sentiment. Edward was the assembly guide and helped the assembly each day to be more aware of the inner journey amidst the business of our works. Today, Edward invited and challenged the assembly to refocus to bring further into clarity that the goal of our works here in Fatima is God’s will.

The experience being called to rest in Jesus during mass yesterday came back to me. Was God that caring for the assembly? I felt certain that I was not the only one that God rejuvenated with his love and graces so that we could be as sharp, dedicated and gentle as possible for the rest of our journey here in Fatima. I felted affirmed again that CLC is a dream of God for the Church, for our world today.

My workshop had people from India, Hong Kong, Kenya, Europe, South Africa and America; it was like having the “world” coming together to tackle an issue. We moved through the sharing with better focus, precision and efficiency. Three people volunteered to take notes during the sharing and to compose the final report: Allison Vella, 40 from Malta, Meteja Hajsek, 39 from Slovenia and Evelyn Maloret, 64 from England. They were “empowered stone cutters!” We had an hour break for coffee at the end of the workshop but they did not break. Laptops were turned on. Notes were laid down on a makeshift table in the garden where the workshop convened, and they went to work drafting the document for the workshop. We had our report wonderfully articulated to contribute to the assembly. It was wonderful to see the “stone cutters” in actions building the “cathedral.”

Mass today was again a moment of gratefulness for me. I felt God really “CPed” us all yesterday, because He really cares. Afterall, we are called to live out concretely His dream with our humble contributions to the mission of the Church through our CLC charism. Dear friends, do you see the signs of God “CPing” our DH-CLC in your lives, in your communities? God invites us all to be a “stone cutter,” fully in our unique lives and circumstances. I believe it was Ignatius who said “In everything, to love and to serve.” God did indeed walk with us during this Fatima journey. He labored with all of us within our human fragility and limitations. The fruit of Fatima is thus not meant for the assembly, but for the entire World Community, for all of us. How will we embrace this fruit of God’s labor humbly made explicit by the Fatima Assembly? Are we going to give God all that we have?

9

Fatima, Wednesday 8/20 – Day 9

Today was my last day here in Fatima. I would have to leave real early tomorrow on a 7AM flight back to the States. I felt that time went by so fast. There were mixed feelings in me. I really missed home. But I would miss all these people at the Fatima Assembly and the time that we labored together. That sentiment woke me up earlier than normal. Too early to do anything. The sun was not up yet. A thought flashed through my mind: Why not go to the Sanctuary and spend a moment with Mary at her chapel. I struggled to get out of bed until a thought appeared: “Is it an invitation?”
Early morning in Fatima was so peaceful and quiet. All the shops were still closed. The air was dry and so fresh. The sky was gently blue, and the sun was just peaking from the horizon. I arrived at the little chapel around 7:45. The vast square was very much like lying in waiting to embrace another wave of pilgrims. There were just a few people there praying. I bought some candles and chose a comfortable place in the back to have a moment of solitude with Mary. I felt a sense of consolation just to be there early in the morning with Mary. I wonder why I did not think about coming here to pray every morning; a sense of regret.

To my pleasant surprise, a group of priests showed up to say mass in the chapel. So wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist right here on the spot that Mary appeared to the children 80 years ago, in a rather tranquility with just a few people. The priests appeared to be pilgrims as well; at the end of mass they took out cameras to take pictures of Mary. Two of them came up to the statue of Mary, embraced and kissed her feet with such gentleness, veneration and love. That touched me deeply. I was moved instantly to unite with them in their love and needs, possibly, for her motherly guidance and support – I need that too. We still have priests carrying such deep sense of loving in their hearts in our Church. I wondered if this was what I was invited to see. It brought me back to what I witnessed on the first night of the assembly, the 12th, right here in the square: the children holding candles in the middle of the night singing veneration hymns, strangers embracing and wishing another stranger in poor health the peace of God. The very old and the very young. The lay and the religious. Together in one heart, one mind. A full circle of humanity in graces. Indeed, our Church is not dying! Dear friends, Father Nicolas invited each of us to live more deeply and be prophetic – seeing, listening, feeling and speaking. What are we seeing, listening and feeling? How can our lives be prophetic for our loving God?

This morning the writing group presented to the assembly their first draft of our works so the assembly could contribute to give further clarity to the orientation and recommendations in the Fatima Document. There were many suggestions. The panel dutifully took notes of all suggestions and absorbed some critical comments; excitement and desolation. Their reaction, or rather non-reaction, was an expression of humility and love for the Community. They were off to work after lunch, and the assembly had the afternoon for reflection.

It was a fast-paced and activity-filled day. I would have to leave Fatima at 4 in the morning. I started to miss Fatima. A strange thing happened to me today. It seemed that everyone somehow knew that I had to leave early the next day. “Liem! I want to have lunch with you before you leave.” “Liem! I want to talk to you.” “Liem! You leave early? Why?” These were people whom I had never met before Fatima. Now it seemed we had known one another for a long time. I went around with my little camera to say goodbye and capture people greeting CLC-USA in their native languages. The Lebanese delegates took it very seriously. They wanted it to be perfect; it took 3 takes. I sensed that they felt that it was their heartfelt gift to us all in America. It was just a simple greeting, “Hello CLC USA. This is CLC Lebanon from Fatima.” Yet, the genuine smiles on their faces would allow us to feel the unprotected love in their hearts. What moved us all, I wondered. Maybe the Fatima Document expresses it perfectly: We are one people, called from many nations, speaking the language of love, living a common way of life, sent on a mission, bearing God’s gifts. Is that wonderful? Dear friends, where else can one find such humanity? And God, he exists and labors in the very midst of this humanity for all humanity. In everything, to love and to serve, indeed.