Easter is just around the corner!
Some of our community members have been preparing for Easter for over 70 days now by living a conscious time of renunciation and of seeking to deepen their faith. Marianne was confirmed in our community last fall: „In a nutshell, confirmation is the spiritual fruit of Magnify. (A fasting program for women for 90 days)” For her, this was then armor for her mission and further journey.
„Marianne shares with us how she came to be confirmed as an adult and how this sacrament has strengthened her in her ‚yes‘.“
„I work in research and teaching at the Department of Korean Studies in Bratislava and at the University of Vienna. A year and a half ago, I completed my doctorate on ‚North Korean refugees in South Korea‘ at the University of Vienna. I am convinced that I have a calling in this direction, but I am still searching for God’s plan.“
Marianne is the mother of two children, with whom she particularly enjoys spending time in nature. How did she find her way to the center?
„My relationship with the John Paul II Center hasn’t been active for very long. My brother took us there once. We then enjoyed meeting there on Sundays for family mass. That way we could also cultivate our relationship. It started during the pandemic, when I got to know everyone wearing masks, more or less in passing at the end of the service. There was no agape back then. Looking back, it was funny to get to know people later without a mask and I still remember that there were a few aha moments. Back then, a lovely person from Kids Ministry took special care of us, and I was really grateful for that. After my brother moved, we no longer had any real reason to come to the Center. Because nobody wanted stress on Sunday mornings and I was the only driving force.“
After a few months‘ break, Marianne and her family came back after all.
„The people there greeted us as if we had never been away and as if we somehow knew each other. Everything seemed familiar to me and I thought to myself that it was really possible to build relationships here. The relationship factor was very important to me, because I had experienced anonymity in my parish for years. When my children asked me why we pray before meals – others don’t do that either – I knew that we needed to connect more with other Christians! That was also the main reason why we moved from our parish to the John Paul II Center: So that we and the children could have a Christian community – as it should be for us, if you look at the early Church. I also admire the Center for the energy and strength to constantly improve and expand the services and am really excited about the many offerings, even if I can’t take advantage of even a small part. But the passion and the lively spirit at the Center are something special, that’s why I’m here.“
Marianne was part of Magnify90 in spring 2023 and was preparing for Easter. During this process, she was able to draw particular strength from her anchor, her ‚Magnify90 Buddy‘, whom she describes as wonderful and now a good friend. This is how she describes how a challenging Magnify experience led to a further step towards God:
„I wanted to consciously spend more time with God during this time of preparation – without distractions. However, Magnify90 is associated with many restrictions, which is why there is a group with which you meet weekly and an ‚anchor‘ (buddy) with whom you communicate regularly, preferably daily. At the end of Magnify, there was a group meeting to finally celebrate – and finally being able to enjoy a glass of wine, cocktail or sweet treat again, that’s what we were missing! For me, however, the Magnify experience was actually very sobering and not the spiritual high I had expected. I was constantly ill and felt further away from God than before. It was a real desert experience and I was so glad when it was over. I also attributed my physical symptoms to spiritual struggles, as if someone didn’t want me to endure Magnify. Whatever. I was convinced that I would definitely not go through it a second time. On that final evening, we reflected together. My past came up, that I grew up in a very Christian family, but that there was a time in my childhood and youth when my family distanced themselves from the Catholic Church. I was of the usual confirmation age in an Evangelical Denomination, the subject of Confirmation never came up. What was the point? I already had the Holy Spirit! I will never forget the reactions of my friends on this Magnify graduation evening. They were so sweet, like ‚You’re not confirmed!!!???‘, but in a positive spirit of optimism, as if I had told them I was getting married soon and they were happy to hear the news. Somehow their reactions implied that I was going to be confirmed – please don’t ask me why that was suddenly the case at that moment. Anyway, I turned to my dear new friend, my anchor, and said: ‚But only if you become my godmother.‘ She had carried me through Magnify with its ups and downs. Anyway, the rest was just a formality after that. In short, confirmation is the spiritual fruit of Magnify.“
A reflection after the desert period led to Marianne being confirmed. She was very moved by the confirmation.
Marianne expects the Holy Spirit to make her ready for her ministry:
„I don’t think it will happen anytime soon, but I am equipped and ready to go now, ready anytime. It will happen in its time, and I’m already looking forward to what it will be. However, if ’nothing‘ happens, I continue to trust in God that I am a good mentor and teacher for the students entrusted to me in the place I am now. I always ask God that I can guide them well, teach them something and that we can spend our time together in a meaningful way.“
Marianne inspires – through her open heart, with her patient and attentive waiting for God’s voice. We at the center are grateful that she consciously took a step towards God through the sacrament of confirmation and gave a new yes to his plan. Her story encourages us to trust that God can bring infinite blessings out of every difficulty, even in desert phases.
