What does our name "Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate" mean? It all goes back to the very first event of the Annunciation when the Archangel Gabriel announced the coming birth of the Redeemer to Our Blessed Mother. It was the very root of every evangelization and mission. It was the source whereby we draw our essence as religious community; it is the mystery that enters into the very inner structure of who we are.
Bearers of Jesus, bearers of souls
Mary became the handmaid of the Lord by her decision and consent to be God’s Mother; it was an acceptance of God’s invitation to enter into a “personal relationship” with His Son for that is what it means to be Mother of God. It was born out of virginal love that is total and unconditional and is grounded on the “obedience of faith” (Rom. 16:26; cf. Rom. 1:5; 2 Cor. 10:5-6; John Paul II’s Redemptoris Mater n. 13) and the action of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1:35). It was at this moment that Mary’s cooperation with salvific mission of the Son was inaugurated. It transpired simultaneously with her vocation of motherhood. The moment that Mary conceived the Son of God, the divine mission of the Second Person of the Trinity in time began -- she became the Mother of souls. Here is the summary of our vocation as Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate.
Bearers of Jesus, bearers of souls
Mary became the handmaid of the Lord by her decision and consent to be God’s Mother; it was an acceptance of God’s invitation to enter into a “personal relationship” with His Son for that is what it means to be Mother of God. It was born out of virginal love that is total and unconditional and is grounded on the “obedience of faith” (Rom. 16:26; cf. Rom. 1:5; 2 Cor. 10:5-6; John Paul II’s Redemptoris Mater n. 13) and the action of the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 1:35). It was at this moment that Mary’s cooperation with salvific mission of the Son was inaugurated. It transpired simultaneously with her vocation of motherhood. The moment that Mary conceived the Son of God, the divine mission of the Second Person of the Trinity in time began -- she became the Mother of souls. Here is the summary of our vocation as Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate.
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