March 3, 2018. This was the date when we held our second month of the 2000 Hail Mary Devotion. Due to varied commitments by those who previously participated, only a few were able to make it. One of us named, Ms. Iris Tabimina decided to recite such devotion privately due to conflict of time with preparations for the exam (she's graduating from Law School). She never wanted to stop doing the devotion.
At first, I felt like teasing Iris with such decision since I could hardly imagine doing it alone due to my first experience of dizziness approaching the end part of the novena ( felt so sleepy that I dozed off to a brief relaxing sleep). However, Iris pushed through stating that she would start earlier (2am) and targeted to finish 10am. Thus, we did a simultaneous praying - us at the office while she did it at home.
During the recitation, I never felt anything extraordinary except the feeling that I was so attuned while we did it compared to the previous month
even and despite the temptation to doze off to sleep to almost the end
part of the devotion. At my end, I thought I could write immediately and start my month declaring how we did it last Saturday. However, I never felt the inspiration to write after that, except to relax.
And, just this morning (Monday, March 5, 2018), I received such great news from Iris sharing what happened last Saturday at her house. She related that in the middle of saying the 2000 Hail Mary, she dozed off to a brief sleep. When she woke up, she could not believe what she saw floating inside the flame of the candle...a beautifully crafted petal/rose. From that site, she got her phone and took photos out of it (check photos above and below).
Yes, what you are seeing on the photos are petals/ a rose - like figure. Seeing that was like a consolation given her sleepiness. It made her feel the excitement, joy and an inspiration from a religious experience of God making his presence felt through the cool, subtle presence of the beautiful Blessed Mother Mary.
In my heart, I felt God through the Blessed Mother sending her message of consolation to all of us through our co teacher Iris. I felt the struggles of my day having to do so many things and yet deciding still no matter what to engage in the devotion. The drive of all those who decided to be present despite their busy life was affirmed by the presence of the blessed mother. The sleepiness, dizziness, tired bodies that briefly bounced from time to time to sleepiness and be awakened to fully engage. All these, I believe are prayers. The body may be tired but the human spirit is fully awake to partake in the mystery of the God's presence through this powerful devotion to the Blessed Mother.
I pray that many will come to participate in their own ways and initiative in this devotion. I pray that many communities will rise and pray this devotion every first Saturday of each month all the days of their lives. And so the Blessed Mother may not only send her petals of affirmation but her "Love petals" for the conversion of hearts.
God bless everyone:-)
PS. We thank all of those who participated in the second month of this devotion - Dioscora, Marivic, Mark, Mars, and Ann Tonette with Iris Tabimina who shared her "The Miracle of the Petals of Blessed Mother Mary".
