Wednesday, January 27, 2016

In Praise of Moye the Great!


Today the Congregation of the sisters of Divine Providence (C.D.P’s) celebrate the birthday of their founder, Blessed John Martin Moye. My reflection centered on Fr. Moye, the great things God accomplished through him and how his spirit subsists in all of us who continue to carry his legacy across the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe.  

Today’s gospel reading talks about the parable of the sower. Through this reading I see how Fr. Moye was without doubt a “rich soil.” He accurately discerned the call of God, prudently executed it and prayerfully overcame the obstacles he encountered. Fr. Moye was touched by the poverty and spiritual hunger of villagers living in Lorraine's countryside where he started in France. He was particularly moved by the lack of educational opportunities for women as well as the absence of faith formation in the region. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he was moved do something about it but he did not stop there, he remained on the move for the rest of his life. Moye further advised the sisters not to get comfortable in any one place because the harvest is rich but the laborers are few. He was criticized a lot and was accused with recklessness for sending young women to live in the isolated hamlets of the countryside at a time when women were not allowed out of the house. One of the reasons I admire our founder a lot is because he had absolute trust in God. He told the sisters not to worry because if what he had started was of God, it will continue and if not, he will be glad to see it die off. Well, it hasn’t died off. CDP’s have been around for more than 350 years now and I am glad to be part of moye's spirituality. The legacy of Fr. Moye is simple this acronym "SPAC" helps to remember how fundamental virtues of simplicity, poverty, abandonment to Providence and Charity.  

a.  Simplicity requires us to be direct in our relations with God, others and ourselves

b. Poverty leads us into the detachment of Jesus in other to be free for mission

c.  Abandonment disposes us to live in this world like pilgrims, totally depending on God

d. Moved by the compassion of Christ, charity compels us to the works of Mercy

Blessed John Martin Moye, Pray for us

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