Opera Santa Maria della Luce
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me does not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
(Jn 8, 12)
Our Charisma
(John 8.12)
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me does not walk in darkness,
but it will have the light of life.
The charism of the Work of St. Mary of Light (OSMdL) places the Gospel of John at the center as a source of Light, starting from the passage Jn 8:12: "Whoever follows me does not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" , as it is written on the cartouche of the prodigious image of the Madonna della Luce of the Sanctuary of Collelungo di S.Venanzo (Terni).
OSMdL members will therefore be bearers of light wherever they go. In a world always captivated by relativism and attracted by individualism. The Work will be a flame and an evangelical lamp, aware that "the light shines in the darkness but the darkness did not welcome it" (Jn 1,5), and that "the true light came into the world, that which enlightens every man" (Jn 1.9).
In the book of the Constitutions of the OSMdL, the spirit of the community opens up and develops through three essential points:
1) evangelization (Const. 8) through the commitment of apostolic action which constitutes the very life of the Work and which must always be animated by a profound spirit of personal and community prayer as the primary source of a luminous union with God (LG 5), all in union with the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation (LG 48).
The prodigious image of Our Lady of Light presents a decisive fact in the mission of the Work, namely that of a clear and authoritative mandate: the Virgin Mary entrusts her children with the arduous task of receiving and transmitting LIGHT, the Son of God incarnate, lived , dead and risen for every man, for every creature that is under heaven . And this with strength and audacity: "do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2,5).
2. fraternal life in community. After the call of the first disciples (Jn 1: 35ff) it is fundamental for the brothers of the Work to become aware that there cannot be an authentic evangelizing action without the concrete and visible witness of fraternal life lived in harmony with oneself and with the brothers and sisters of the community (LG 46).
The first practice of piety will be reserved for the search for gifts and the appreciation of the other, considering that it is also the limitation and fragility of each one that allows the fraternity to grow and mature as a sign desired by Jesus himself: "From this everyone will know who are my disciples "(Jn 13: 34-35).
For this reason, feeling "the church of the younger son" (Lk 15: 11-32) will help the brothers to live constantly in the perspective of welcoming the other as the Father "awaits the younger son". It is no coincidence that the choice of evangelical minority intends characterize the lifestyle and the internal dynamics of the fraternity in the face of the world that eagerly awaits the fulfillment of the fullness of time. A minority not only lived ad extra, that is lived with the gaze and attention given to the poorest, but also ad intra. A minority that can discover the beauty and value of the brother and sister of the community.
3. Service to the poor. The choice of the least, of the defenseless, of the dispossessed, according to the indications of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy must touch and transform the heart and actions of every brother and sister of the community.
The passage of conversion from simple service to the poor, an admirable work of a true search for God (Jn 13: 1ff), to a constant yearning to become poor and incarnate more and more the lowering of the Son of God, must always be increasing. made himself poor in the flesh: "Jesus Christ, rich as he was, made himself poor for you, so that you became rich through his poverty" (2 Cor 8: 9).
The Work of St. Mary of the Light, the Nazareth Community Association always place themselves in the Marian dimension of listening to the Word in order to recognize in the Mother of God, Mother of Light the help of Christians and the mediator of all grace. The Icon of the Shrine of Collelungo underlines how the Mother of Jesus indicates with her right hand the Son who carries the scroll "Qui sequitur me non ambulat in tenebris" and thus pointing, draws attention to the Child she carries in her arms as if the "Way" to follow and ready to underline "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2,5).
During the ministerial and consecrated life the members of the Work will be attentive to the example of the saints in order to draw strength and constancy from their witness in following in the footsteps of Christ, Savior and Redeemer. Particular attention will be paid to the life and works of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Francis of Assisi whose example has always inspired us.
Therefore the Gospel and the Eucharist. The Word and the Bread . All permeated by prayer and the joy of sharing the steps of our journey with the brothers and sisters of the community. The Work of Santa Maria della Luce and the Associazione Comunità Nazareth must always live in harmony the charm, strength and task of the Mission ad gentes. In this way they can be sure of continuing their journey according to the life and teachings of Christ: the only Savior and Redeemer of man and of history.
Finally, the Work of St. Mary of Light, together with the Associazione Comunità Nazareth do not exclude the choice of brothers or sisters who want to live the contemplative dimension, as the book of the Constitutions mentions in point 16 (Hosea 2.16).
Chaplet
Madonna of the Light
Since the beginning of Christianity, the Blessed Virgin Mary occupies a singular place in the hearts of the Christian people. The genuine love of the faithful has attributed to her, over the centuries, numerous titles: Mother, Advocate, Help of Christians, Refuge of Christians.
In the ancient church in Collelungo di San Venanzo, we pray to you as the Mother of Light.
Many are those who live this devotion referring to the Shrine of Collelungo as children who recognize themselves in need of the help of Mary Most Holy and in need of Light. Through the missionary work of our brothers of the Work of Santa Maria della Luce and of the Nazareth Community Association, the title of Our Lady of Light has crossed the borders of Italy and today is venerated in different parts of the world: Brazil, Mexico, Africa and India.
We want to walk in the light. That Light that Our Lady carried in her womb, and which comes from the very voice of the Son of God: «I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life "(Jn 8:12). From this vocation was born the "Chaplet of Our Lady of Light", a simple prayer in the form of a supplication that invites us to walk with Mary, uniting her life to ours through the power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Chaplet articulates the prayer through seven mysteries that remind us of the seven sorrows of the Holy Virgin combined with the joy and glory brought by the Savior. This not only to contemplate the pains of the Mother of God, but to be helped to overcome all darkness, certain that the Father never abandons us. Thus, each mystery is made up of seven beads, which leads us to the most salient moments in the life of Mary of Nazareth and which she carried in her heart. For this we invoke the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, intellect, advice, fortitude, science, piety, fear of God) which help us on our pilgrimage to God and support us in the commitment of our baptism.
The Chaplet of Our Lady of Light is therefore a march with Mary, moving forward step by step towards the encounter with the One who is the true Light of the world.
May he be a sign for us, an invitation from Heaven that challenges us: "Come, and let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Is 2,5).
How to pray?
2 - Medal: 3 Ave Maria
3 - Mysteries: (White grains)
Our Lady of Light, Mother of Man God, true light of the world: kindly turn your gaze to this people who praise you, bless you, pray you!
4 - Invocation: (Red grains)
O Mary you are the omnipotence that begs, so obtain for us that we never walk in the darkness of error and sin, but following the light of Faith, we always live according to the precepts and examples of your Divine Son, so that after the exile of this earth we can bask with you on the splendors of the eternal light of Heaven.
5 - Prayer to the Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle the fire of Your Love in them. Send Your Spirit and everything will be created and you will renew the face of the Earth.
1 - Cross: Sign of the cross; Our father.
1st Mystery
The Prophecy of Simeonin the light of the Annunciation of the Angel.
Most Holy Mary introduces the baby Jesus to the Temple and meets the old Simeon who prophesies the "sword" of pain to her, but is consoled in the certainty of the One who came for the salvation of all humanity.
Holy Mary offers Jesus to God the Father, offers the pure, holy and immaculate Victim in his birth and then offers him on the cross and with him she offers herself, called to be the universal Co-redemptrix. For this Jesus will be crucified Victim and She will have her soul pierced by the "sword" of pain for all the sins of the world redeemed by the One who will be great and will be called Son of the Most High: - the Lord God will give him the throne of David , to reign over the house of Jacob for ever, a kingdom that will never end -.
2nd Mystery
The flight into Egypt in the light of the Nativity of Jesus.
Holy Mary flees into exile with Joseph of Nazareth to save the life of the Child Jesus threatened with death. The drama and pain of the exile of Mary Most Holy is a grace of support for all of us "exiles children of Eve" called, from this land of exile, to the Fatherland of heaven.
The birth of Jesus strengthens the Madonna to make her journey. It brings not only the born Son to flight, but all humanity.
3rd Mystery
The search for Jesus found in the Temple in the light of the adoration of the Magi.
Holy Mary suffers a terrible anguish for the loss of Jesus in Jerusalem. For three days she and Joseph search for the Son, and find him in the Temple. In the silence of his heart he rejoices to find him turned "to the things of the Father". The Magi had already recognized him with gifts as Priest, Prophet and King come for those who seek the true way with a sincere heart.
4th Mystery
The meeting on the way to Calvary in the light of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Most Holy Mary meets Jesus on the road to Calvary and walks with him the painful path up to Golgotha, carrying the Cross of Jesus in her heart as a "sword" that penetrates ever more deeply into the depths of her soul for the redemption of sinful humanity. Faith pushes the Mother of Sorrows on the way to Calvary. She participates in the saving offer of the Son who will carry out the will of the Father and which the Resurrection will make readable to the whole world.
5th mystery
The Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus in the light of the Ascension.
Our Lady of Sorrows is present at the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus and suffers in her heart as a Mother all the torments of the body of Jesus nailed to the cross. From his tears all the wounds of mankind separated from God are healed, and brought back to Heaven in the Ascension of Christ who overcomes death forever.
6th mystery
The deposition of Jesus in the arms of Mary in the light of the descent of the Holy Spirit .
Holy Mary receives Jesus taken down from the cross in her arms. This is the image of the fatherhood-motherhood of God who offers the Son as a host for the sanctification of the World. The "Pietà" is the door of Heaven. It is the womb that conceives the Savior. The same womb that welcomes "the sin of the world" and makes it an instrument of redemption. The soul of the Mother of God thus becomes the Ark of the New Covenant thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit.
From the maternity of the suffering Madonna before the now empty cross, the maternity of the Church flows, illuminated and fortified by the Light of Pentecost.
7th Mystery
The burial of Jesus and the solitude of Mary in the light of the coronation in Heaven.
Mary Most Holy places the body of Jesus in the tomb to await his Resurrection with invincible faith. Mary's heart is also placed in that tomb; heart pierced with pain, but full of love and thanks to give to the whole world.
As the cold stone rotates on the entrance to the tomb, the separation between the Mother and the Son increases, so that in eternity She comes to be the Queen of Heaven and Earth crowned by the Savior of the World.