On a beautiful fall day recently, some 25 university students from all the parishes administered by our Institute in the New York Metropolitan area joined a group of students from Manhattan College for a one-day Motus Christi. The Manhattan College group hosted this retreat on their Bronx campus on Saturday, September 23.
Following a welcome in the morning, the first talk was given by f. Fernando Real, Id. m., who helped the students reflect on the encounter of Jesus with the rich young man. We took time for silent prayer afterwards, followed by the discussion in communities.
A leisurely lunch in the college cafeteria enabled participants and Missionaries to get to know one another better before Yerania Gálvez, Id. m., gave the second talk. She showed the students how our relationship with others truly depends on our relationship with the Divine Persons. To nourish this relationship we need continuous prayer, the Gospel and the Eucharist—and to share our spiritual lives.
The day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist by our brother Fernando, who regularly celebrates a weekly Mass for students on the campus of Manhattan College.
Participants expressed their desire to establish communities to meet regularly, in order to deepen the insights and inspirations received during this Motus Christi.
In the group photo, students, missionaries, and a professor appear around the statue of Saint John Baptiste de la Salle, Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who administer Manhattan College.
