By Susanna Jones-Hart | Special to the Herald
“Dar a luz “ (“bring to light”) is a Spanish term for giving birth. As Mary brought Jesus “to light,” so must we be “pregnant with Jesus” and bring him forth to others so they can be in his light. That was the concluding message of Bishop Larry Silva to about 120 members of the Legion of Mary gathered on Aug. 9 for a half-day retreat at St. Philomena Church in Salt Lake.
Also present were Honolulu Comitium spiritual director La Salette Father Augustine Uthuppu and La Salette Father Gregorio Honorio. Assisting the bishop were Deacon Ron Paglinawan and Alfred Guerrero. At the Mass, the beautiful Marian music was sung by Sandy Meyer-Balignasay, accompanied by Faye Castillo.
Bishop Silva led the legionaries in three spiritual reflections, one during a Mass honoring Mary, Pillar of Faith, and two during the silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
He covered many aspects of our relationship with Our Blessed Mother. He stressed that she is not a “goddess.” Catholics do not worship her, he said, but honor her above all creatures with great love and veneration because God himself chose her to be the Mother of Our Lord. God kept her free of original sin from the time she was conceived. This is what is meant by the “Immaculate Conception,” the bishop explained.
Bishop Silva said he was deeply impressed by Pope Benedict XVI’s address on Mary to youth a few weeks ago at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. The Holy Father stressed the importance of being faithful to the “yes” Mary had given God as a representative of all humanity.
The bishop concluded by explaining the story and image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As the Legion of Mary goes about its work of evangelizing, he said, its members should remember how Mary evangelized the suffering people of Mexico, not as a goddess, but as their loving mother, bringing them God, with whom she appeared pregnant in her image, with humility and great love.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolate with more than 3 million active members worldwide. It encourages annual retreats for its members.