With Mary, We Are Pilgrims Of Hope

“Look to Mary, because we are pilgrims of hope”, are the resounding words of the renowned Keynote Speaker, Fr. Orlando Angelia on the occasion of the Archdiocesan Assembly of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate International or DMII on March 1, 2025 held at the Sacred Heart Parish in Obrero, Davao City. Fr. Orly as he is fondly called, shared his profound and insightful reflections on the event’s theme, “Mary, Mother of Hope, Comfort in Times of Need” in the context of the theme of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, PILGRIMS OF HOPE and in the example of Mary, the Mother of Hope. Fr. Orly, Director of Family and Life Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Davao and Rector of the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary (XaCoSe), was greatly amazed to see a number of members already in their senior age still serving the Church by participating the maternal mission of Mary in giving life to others through the different mission thrusts of the DMII. Fr. Orly went on saying that the DMII’s devotion to Mary requires dying to self as Mary does, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Your word”. He elaborated saying that Mary welcomes the word of God; she may not fully understand what is being asked of her but she unconditionally accepts God’s will for her to become the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God (theotokos) in fulfillment of God’s saving plan to humanity.

Like Mary, we are also invited to welcome God’s word to us and have Him act in our lives without seeking explanation and answers by use of reason to the riddles of our human experience. Our full expression of devotion to Mary is to follow her fiat, her perfect “yes” by welcoming and listening the word of God in our hearts and not in our head because we are pilgrims of hope journeying through God who is ever with us, the Emmanuel and Source of Hope. By her constant intercession leading us closer to Jesus, Mary teaches us the interior disposition of a welcoming, listening and pondering heart of God’s word.

Fr. Orly also mentioned the three theological virtues of faith, hope and love which Mary exemplifies as God’s model disciple. In the Annunciation, Mary is disturbed, “how can this be?”. Trusting God to the unknown without reserve follows her perfect response of “yes”. Indeed, trust is faith seeing things we hope for and be certain of things we cannot see (cf Heb. 11:1).

Fr. Orly added that charity or love must be the primary motive of serving the Church. The DMII members however old they become, continue serving through the years in the different mission thrusts in the “upliftment of women, youth welfare, assistance to prisoners’ families and the victims” to name among others, na ‘kahit walang langit o kahit walang apoy, IKAW ay aking mamahalin’, a line of a song which beautifully sung by Fr. Orly before the presence of the DMII’s to demonstrate the virtue of charity. “We rely on the grace of God in times of need and crisis through the intercession of Mary, our refuge and Comforter of the Afflicted, that we can still smile and laugh because we are pilgrims of hope. Our devotion to Mary does not exempt us from sufferings and adversities, Fr. Orly added, because we live in a world of imperfections and like Mary who ponders these things in the discerning silence of her heart, we too are invited to do a contemplative gaze at Jesus through her maternal intercession.

Fr. Orly in his conclusion, pinned the word “resilience” that marks Mary’s steadfastness during her most difficult time. She remained calm and composed at Mount Calvary as she stood at the foot of the cross watching her Son Jesus crucified and nailed to death. This gesture of Mary has given birth and inspiration to every believer-pilgrim into a living hope of eternal life through the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

The rest of the day was spent in fellowship living out unity and friendship that bind every member to the apostolate of the DMII. “Inyo na kining gipuy-an through the years and continue to develop and nurture sa mga kinaiya ni Mary nga mao ang pagka-masaligon sa Dios (faith), pgka-malaomon (hope) ug pagka-mahigugmaon (charity or love)”, said Fr. Emmanuel Gonzaga, DMII Diocesan Spiritual Director in his homily during the Eucharistic Celebration at the start of the Assembly following the rites of Enthronement of Mary. (Cynthia C. Chu, Mat-Re | DMII, St. Francis of Assisi Parish Circle)