People of prayer share the word

Secular institute members practise their 'prayer' daily

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Of the 15 states, there are three major categories - ordained life, consecrated life and life of a lay faithful.

"But our primary vocation is the call of our Baptism to be priests, prophets and kings, queens or shepherds," Grady told 26 people in a talk sponsored by Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (OMMI) at Edmonton General Hospital, Oct. 12.

"Our vocation as baptized people is serious," said Grady. "We're called to be priests by being a people of prayer. We're called to be prophets by sharing the Word of God with others. We are called to be kings, queens and shepherds not to rule but to care for others especially the poor and the weak."

Being a people of prayer is not something that comes automatically. It needs practice and it has to be done everyday.

Grady, a pastoral assistant at Holy Child Parish in Regina, inculcates this into her students during sacramental preparations.

Spreading the Word of God is not always verbal. "Being true witnesses of the Gospel values is the best way to tell the people about Christianity.

"To be able to live these primary calls, one has to be counter-cultural because the values of the world do not always agree to what this threefold-call entails."

"Being true witnesses of the Gospel values is the best way to tell the people about Christianity." - Marian Grady

She responds to this call in her daily life, in such simple ways as working amicably with others, including those difficult to work with.

Grady, who taught school in Prince George Diocese before becoming a pastoral assistant, found her vocation.

She is a member of the secular institute of OMMI, which was founded in 1952 by a Canadian Oblate priest, Father Louis-Marie Parent.

Secular institutes are usually composed of men and women who chose to live the Gospel in the midst of the world and to share the same living conditions as their contemporaries.

Members of secular institutes are lay persons who consecrate their lives to God. By their presence and their work, they collaborate as a leaven in the transformation of the world from within.

Secular institutes, each in their own way, witness to a particular dimension of God's infinite love for the world.

Those who belong to secular institutes usually live alone or in a small community; they are engaged in their familial, professional, social and cultural milieu.

As for the OMMI, they are composed of women of faith and challenge, and serve in 22 countries, with 400 Canadian members and 200 members from other parts of the world.

"What guides our spirituality is the commandment Jesus gave to his disciples before he died, 'Love one another' (John 13:34)," Grady told the WCR.

To achieve this degree of love, a member is asked to develop five specific attitudes: be mindful of the presence of God in the present moment; avoid destructive criticism and keep a positive perception of others; refrain from complaining by welcoming all events in a positive spirit; dedicate their lives to the service of others whoever they may be and do their utmost to build peace in all circumstances.

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