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FCJ Sisters and Companions in Mission celebrate 21 September as Marie Madeleine d’Houët’s birthday and as International Companions in Mission day. In various places of the world Companions in Mission made or renewed their commitment. Here is a reflection by Romana, a Companion on Mission from Romania, on their celebration.
On September 22 2024 Companions in Mission (CIM) around the world thanked God for the gifts they received. From all corners of the earth the CIM together with the sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus joined in love and prayer with the Companions in Mission who were making or renewing their commitment to live FCJ spirituality.
In Galați, a group of 5 CiMs renewed their commitment for a period of six years: Margareta, Iudith, Violeta, Iosif and Anca. The circle of love widened and the young Carina Francesca entered the great family of the Companions in Mission as she made her first commitment for a period of three years.
The celebration took place at the Roman Catholic Church, « The Birth of Saint John the Baptist » in Galați. The commitments were received by Sister Cornelia fcJ, delegated by Sr Patricia Binchy, the FCJ Area Leader, and the liturgy was celebrated by Father Cristian Blajuț.
Every word of Father Blajuț’s homily challenged those present to reflect on and to understand the meaning of their faith, to joyfully follow a path of service and love. The Companions in Mission were reminded that through their commitment, they will have to follow Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, having as companions: poverty of spirit, humility, obedience and gentleness. Every Companion in Mission and every Christian must be a healing and compassionate presence in the community.
Those who want to be first, let them be the servant of their neighbour. For a society to be strong and the community to be healthy, every member must work together. No one should be marginalised or rejected, as each of us has a charism and an individual mission to fulfil. Let us not be a curse to the community, but the good leaven that makes the dough rise. If we want to be « someone » before God, we must let faith ferment, let grace work. In his meditation, Fr Blajuț asked questions and suggested answers, but also left room for each of those present to answer personally. To live the charism of a Companion in Mission/Christian, you must follow Christ, cultivate a relationship with Jesus day by day. The seed that God planted at Baptism in each of us must be nurtured, in order to grow into a mature Christian.
At the end of the liturgy, the CiMs thanked father Cristian Blajuț for his words of teaching and for the constant support he has offered. They also offered thanks to the parish priest Augustin Petrică Pătrașcu and Fr. Iulian Robert Țâmpu for their openness and support, the FCJ sisters, for giving them the opportunity to experience the spirituality of their foundress, Marie Madeleine d’Houët, and also to the choir for the wonderful singing that made the celebration so beautiful. The celebration concluded with a fraternal agape.
