Throughout her life, the Mother of the Lord lived to serve with joy. As soon as she received the news that she would be the Mother of God, she received another great piece of news: “Your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and she is now in her sixth month, she who was called barren, because nothing is impossible with God” (Luke, 1:36-37).
She hurried to meet Elizabeth. Mary had the audacity to go out to meet others, to serve with generosity and joy, because love is not only manifested in words, but in concrete actions. Upon her arrival, Mary is welcomed by her cousin and proclaims the Magnificat, expressing the joy of an authentic encounter with God and recognizing God’s action and work.
MISSIONARY DISCIPLE
Mary was Jesus’ first and greatest disciple. Her life, though marked by tribulation and suffering, is a continuous act of hope based on faith. At the Annunciation, with her confident “yes” which paved the way for salvation. At the Visitation, serving her cousin with humility and generosity. In Bethlehem, revealing the Messiah to the shepherds, marginalized by society. In the flight to Egypt, escaping hastily, as an illegal immigrant, with the child in her arms, facing difficulties in a foreign country. In the home of Nazareth, where Jesus grew “in wisdom, stature, and grace before God and men” (Luke, 2:52).
In Jerusalem, when Jesus remained in the temple and Mary and Joseph searched for him for three days of anguish and pain, but with hope and trust in God. At the wedding at Cana, where with her motherly sensitivity she noticed that the wine had run out; and, trusting in Jesus, she said to the servants with simple firmness: “Do whatever he tells you” (cf. John, 2:1-11). At Calvary, at the moment of her beloved Son’s death, Mary stood at the foot of the cross, her heart broken, but her gaze fixed on her Son, knowing that love is stronger than death and convinced that God would fulfill His promises. In the Upper Room, where as a mother and sister she remained in prayer, awaiting the Resurrection and the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.
Mary is the great missionary of the Kingdom because her whole life was one of perseverance and faithfulness. She trusted in God and in His plan of salvation. She was obedient and served the Lord and her brothers and sisters with humility and joy. Even when she did not understand God’s plans, she trusted and lived serenely, in silence and prayer. Therefore, at the hour of His death, Jesus entrusted all humanity to Mary.
Mary is the mother who walks with us, not only when everything is going well, but especially when we lose hope, when everything seems to be falling apart. During my time as a missionary in Ethiopia, in the most difficult moments, how often did I entrust myself to Mary and her maternal love. She is a refuge and a balm for those who entrust their concerns, joys, fears, and disappointments to her.
Mary “is the missionary who draws near to us, to accompany us throughout our lives, opening our hearts to faith with her maternal affection. Like a true mother, she walks with us, struggles with us, and draws us ever closer to God’s love” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, n. 286). Mary is a model of missionary vocation and shows her disciples the way to follow Jesus: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Luke, 9:22-25).
MISSIONARY WITHOUT BORDERS
Father Randito Tina Recalde shares how he decided to devote himself to missionary work around the world. “I was born in the city of Calamba in the Philippines in a very religious family of nine siblings. When I was young, I was actively involved in the parish as a catechist and altar server leader. Gradually, my vocation took shape. In the library of the University Institute, I discovered a magazine of the Comboni Missionaries called World Mission. I was impressed by the experiences of the Comboni Missionaries working in different parts of the world, but especially on the African continent.
After a year of vocational discernment and finishing college, I entered the Comboni Missionaries’ seminary. After completing my training, I was ordained a priest in 2008 after which I worked as a vocational promoter in the Philippines. After three years, I received my first mission assignment: Peru.
I arrived in this Latin American country in 2011 and remained there until 2021. I was sent to San Martín de Porres, Pangoa, a parish in the Central Jungle of Peru. In 2021, I was transferred to the Philippines to open the first pastoral commitment of the Comboni Missionaries in the country, the parish of St. Daniel Comboni in Duale, Limay, Bataan.”
