April Spiritual Formation Reflects on Holiness
The Philippine Association of the Order of Malta reflected on the theme of holiness during its monthly spiritual formation held last April 12, 2018, at Muntinlupa city. In his homily, Msgr. Esteban “Bong” Lo, conventual chaplain ad Honorem, guided the members in understanding the latest Papal exhortation of Pope Francis entitled, “Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be Glad!).
Msgr. Lo summarized the exhortation into ten main points about holiness, enumerated below:
1. God wants us to remain holy.
2. Holiness is not for a few, but for everyone.
3. Holiness is made up of little, daily gestures done from the heart.
4. Holiness has a mission.
5. We must not be afraid of holiness.
6. A holy person is a joyful person.
7. God gives us the means to pursue holiness.
8. Holiness involves a daily battle.
9. Holiness is God’s initiative.
10. The Church must devote herself in promoting the desire for holiness.
Holiness and Religiosity was also the unifying topic of a discussion before the Mass when the members recalled and reviewed the identity of the Order of Malta. The exercise was done in preparation for the upcoming Asia Pacific Conference to be hosted by the Philippine Association in November this year.
While the members actively shared their thoughts and views on what it means to be a sovereign and religious order, Msgr. Lo reminded all that they must never forget that the central motivation of the activities of the Order is primarily religious.
“We are members of the Order of Malta because of a religious motivation. We do our charities because of a religious motivation. We do what we do because of our faith in Christ,” said Msgr. Lo.
From this point, Msgr. Lo emphasized the importance of spirituality in the lives of the members and their struggle against evil. Msgr. Lo connected this to the History of the Order by saying that the Order continues its military traditions because a strict spiritual discipline is needed to overcome evil.
Lastly, Msgr. Lo discussed that while the Order is no longer exclusive to members of the nobility, members of the Order continue to pursue nobility through their character and deeds.
“Our membership to the Order is no longer a nobility of the blood, but through the nobility of our hearts,” shared Msgr. Lo.
As a final reflection point, Msgr. Lo shared how Pope Francis quoted Leon Bloy in Gaudete et Exsultate, and asked the members to ponder on his words:
“The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life is not to become a saint.”
The Spiritual Formation was generously hosted by Doña Trinidad Panicucci at her residence in Ayala Alabang. The next spiritual formation of the Order is scheduled on May 10, 2018 and will be facilitated by Rev. Fr. Ariston Sison.
The spiritual formation sessions of the members of the Order of Malta Philippines dates back to 1948 during the establishment of the Order in the country. A more intensive and regular spiritual formation started in 2007 upon the advice of Magistral Chaplains Msgr. Lo and Fr. Genaro Diwa. Through the activity, the Knights and Dames are expected to appreciate their membership in the Order as a means of sanctification and spiritual revitalization.
