ASSOCIATION OF THE CHILDREN OF MARY IMMACULATE

VINCENTIAN MARIAN YOUTH (Philippines)

Archdiocesan Council of Cebu
45 Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City 6000

COMustahan 2024
St. Vincent Hall, CIC-Cebu
March 9, 2024

SPIRITUALITY CIRCLE

Set-up upon arrival:

- Chairs forming a circle. Inner and outer circle may be formed if participants exceed the
expected.
- Crucifix with the purple cloth and candles to be placed in the center of the circle.

Note: crucifix and purple cloth borrowed from CIC Cebu thru Sr. Myra
Candles c/o Sherlene
For the chairs, if not arrange yet by CIC-Cebu staff, then the council will have to
arrange it

This announcement will be said once the participants have gathered and if ready to begin:

Leader: Let us pause for a moment of silence as we prepare ourselves for our Spirituality
Circle.

Plays instrumental music (“How Lovely is your Dwelling Place”) to dispose the participants in
prayer. “Your Heart Today”
Silence until the music ends.

Leader: Please all stand as we begin our gathering with a prayer.

Leader: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

OPENING PRAYER (slide 2 on ppt)

Lord, Teach me a new freedom.

Freedom to reject comparison
And to embrace uniqueness.
Freedom to cut ties with greed
And feast on love.
 ASSOCIATION OF THE CHILDREN OF MARY IMMACULATE
VINCENTIAN MARIAN YOUTH (Philippines)
Archdiocesan Council of Cebu
45 Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City 6000
Freedom to abstain from over indulgence
And feast on self-control.
Freedom to leave behind selfish thoughts
And to focus on the needs of others.
Freedom to fend off insecurity
And to embrace grace.
Lord, at this time of Lent,
Thank you for the freedom you bring. Amen.

Leader: Please be seated.

ACTIVITY: VENERATION OF THE CROSS (slide 3 on ppt)

Introduction
As we come near to the holiest week of the year, we remember and meditate on the
sufferings of Christ on the cross for the salvation of humanity. Today, as we gather as one
association serving as leaders in the different units of the Archdiocese, let us contemplate on
our crosses in life. We carry different burdens as servant leaders, may it be personal,
emotional or spiritual but the question is, how do we carry our crosses?

Jesus died for us on the cross because of our sins. We ask ourselves: are we willing to follow
Jesus who embraced and carry His cross? And how does it change our perception of our
suffering to recognize that God rules and comforts us as a fellow sufferer?

Activity
Now, before the crucifix, let us offer moments of silence as we recall our burdens in life.
What are your burdens? What do they feel like? How heavy do they feel in your heart? How
heavy do they feel in your mind? How heavy do they feel in your soul?

Surrender all those burdens to Jesus at this very moment as we venerate on the cross where
He died for us and where He redeemed us.

Our spirituality activity for today will focus on recalling and reflecting on our burdens. After
recalling them, we then venerate the cross and offering our personal prayers.

Place the cross on the floor slightly inclined and it should be above the purple cloth.
Play instrumental music “At the Cross” during the veneration. Repeat the music until
everyone is done with veneration.

Instructions for veneration: (slide 4 on ppt)

1. On your respective seats, recall and reflect the burdens in your life. Pause for silent
reflection.
2. Venerate on the cross by kneeling before the cross and offer personal prayers.
3. Go back to your respective seats and continue meditating while waiting for the rest to
finish with the veneration.

After everyone has venerated, put back the cross to its original standing position then read
the conclusion:

Conclusion
 ASSOCIATION OF THE CHILDREN OF MARY IMMACULATE
VINCENTIAN MARIAN YOUTH (Philippines)
Archdiocesan Council of Cebu
45 Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City 6000
As we end this veneration, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you that
are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,
and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

After the conclusion, play music video: “At the Cross”. (slide 5 on ppt)
After the song, say the closing prayer.

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray: (slide 6 on ppt)

(slide 7 on ppt): Lord Jesus, we know that your yoke is easy and burden is light,
we thank you and praise you that you can hold all our burdens,
and all the burdens of the world.

If today we have taken your invitation

may those things we have placed in your hands stay in your hands,
may we hold onto your yoke which is so so light.

(slide 8 on ppt): If today we have placed some things into your hands,
but not been able to let go of everything
may your spirit within us encourage us to let go of the rest
and truly know the joy of your light yoke.

(slide 9 on ppt): If today we simply cannot let go of our burdens,

walk with us Lord Jesus, keep reminding us that your yoke is easy and burden is light,
help us to discover how we can hand our burdens to you.
In your name we pray. Amen.

(slide 10 on ppt): O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us.

St. Louise de Marillac, pray for us.
St. Catherine Laboure, pray for us.
All Vincentian Saints, Blesseds and Venerables, pray for us.

Leader: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.