One of the characteristics of Marianists is "faith." Everyone has faith, but what does Father Chaminade mean by faith? We have eyes, noses, mouths, ears, etc. on our faces, but each person is slightly different. However, it is these differences that express the individuality of each person. The same can be said of societies and organizations. So, what are the characteristics that distinguish Marianists from others?
Father Chaminade describes "living by faith" as follows:
① Face the real world with an open attitude.
God is present in many ways: he reveals himself in our neighbours, in events, in the mundane aspects of everyday life. If we close our hearts and do not open them to our neighbours, we close our hearts to God.
Father Chaminade describes "living by faith" as follows:
① Face the real world with an open attitude.
God is present in many ways: he reveals himself in our neighbours, in events, in the mundane aspects of everyday life. If we close our hearts and do not open them to our neighbours, we close our hearts to God.
② Accept things with a positive attitude.
At first glance, this may seem like a contradiction in expression, but the receptivity that Father Chaminade is talking about does not mean "sitting idly and waiting," but rather a voluntary, active receptivity that searches for God's will and tries to catch it, like a radar that searches for radio waves.
So how can we discover God's will? Father Chaminade introduces three methods.
① Prayer of Faith
For Father Chaminade, the "Prayer of Faith" was an effective means of discovering God's will.
At first glance, this may seem like a contradiction in expression, but the receptivity that Father Chaminade is talking about does not mean "sitting idly and waiting," but rather a voluntary, active receptivity that searches for God's will and tries to catch it, like a radar that searches for radio waves.
So how can we discover God's will? Father Chaminade introduces three methods.
① Prayer of Faith
For Father Chaminade, the "Prayer of Faith" was an effective means of discovering God's will.
He said, "The prayer of faith is placing yourself in God's presence and allowing yourself to be moved and transformed by God."
② Ask for advice
Father Chaminade emphasized this point: "In order to seriously inquire into God's will and make a decision based on it, we must listen to others and seek their advice. No one has a clear enough mind to make the final decision without listening to others and ignoring their advice and counsel."
Father Chaminade emphasized this point: "In order to seriously inquire into God's will and make a decision based on it, we must listen to others and seek their advice. No one has a clear enough mind to make the final decision without listening to others and ignoring their advice and counsel."
③ Based on experience
Father Chaminade stressed that in seeking God's will, "we must build on past experiences and find new strength from them." The experiences of humanity, the Church, and our ancestors are of great significance. God speaks to us throughout history. Great strength emerges when we add new insights to our past experiences.
④ Conclusion
"Living by faith" means "becoming a person of faith." "Even in times of difficulty, we open our hearts to God and entrust ourselves to him so that he may live within us and change us. In this way, we can build an intimate relationship with God." Father Chaminade himself put this into practice and set an example throughout his life.
Father Chaminade stressed that in seeking God's will, "we must build on past experiences and find new strength from them." The experiences of humanity, the Church, and our ancestors are of great significance. God speaks to us throughout history. Great strength emerges when we add new insights to our past experiences.
④ Conclusion
"Living by faith" means "becoming a person of faith." "Even in times of difficulty, we open our hearts to God and entrust ourselves to him so that he may live within us and change us. In this way, we can build an intimate relationship with God." Father Chaminade himself put this into practice and set an example throughout his life.
