Let Us Return to Carthage to Meet “Mary, Mother of Mercy”
Dear brothers and sisters,
Marian Days is just around the corner once again. In only a few more days, the small grounds of our Provincial House will once again have the honor of welcoming all of you as you return from near and far to be with our Blessed Mother.
We have already begun making preparations to welcome everyone. How about you? Have you begun arranging your work and making time to return to our Mother after another long and busy year?
The theme of this year’s Marian Days is “Mary, Mother of Mercy.”
When we speak of mercy, most of us immediately think of God’s compassionate and boundless love—a love that always forgives, heals the wounds of the heart, and opens a path for us to return to Him.
God is rich in mercy. Yet, in a wondrous and beautiful way, He has chosen to share that mercy with humanity through the hands of one person: the Blessed Virgin Mary.
At the Annunciation, when Mary humbly responded, “YES,” she welcomed Jesus into her womb. From that moment, the Savior came to dwell among humanity. Mary’s “YES” opened the door of salvation for all of us.
Then, at the foot of the Cross, when nearly everyone else had gone away, Mary remained there with her Son. It was at that moment that Jesus entrusted each one of us to her when He said, “Woman, behold, your son.” (Jn 19:26) From that moment on, Mary became the Mother of us all.
A mother always loves her children, especially when they are suffering, weak, fallen, or have made mistakes. Mary is the same. She does not reproach us, but gently lifts us up. She does not condemn us, but continually intercedes for us so that we may receive God’s forgiveness and love.
After nearly a year of being occupied with daily life, work, family tensions, difficulties between husbands and wives, parents and children, or conflicts with those around us, every one of us may at times feel exhausted. Some carry sorrows in their hearts that they do not know how to share with anyone. Others may feel that they have grown distant from God because of their weaknesses and mistakes.
When you are carrying these feelings, please do not be afraid to return to our Mother. Make time to come back to Carthage. Come to Mary and rest for a while after months of hardship and labor. Come to Mary to reunite with relatives, friends, and others who share the same faith. Come to Mary and realize that you are not alone amid the difficulties of life. Come to Mary so that together we may pray, attend Holy Mass, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and draw peace from the Lord.
This year, with the theme “Mary, Mother of Mercy,” we come not only to honor our Blessed Mother, but also to allow her to lead us closer to Jesus. Mary herself will lead us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where the fountain of mercy never runs dry.
Saint Bernard once advised: “In dangers, in difficulties, and in doubts, think of Mary and call upon Mary.” This advice remains true for us today. When we are weak, let us run to Mary. When we fall, let us call upon her. When we feel that we have lost hope, let us place our trust in her. Mary will never turn us away. Instead, she will gently lead us back to God, our Father, who is rich in mercy.
Dear brothers and sisters,
We may each come to Marian Days with different intentions. Some come to pray for their families. Others pray for their children and grandchildren. Some bring with them illnesses, worries, or the many burdens of life. Whatever may be in your heart, please bring everything confidently to Mary. She understands us better than we understand ourselves.
Therefore, once again, we sincerely invite all of you to arrange your work and make time to return together to Carthage for this year’s Marian Days.
Come to Mary, Mother of Mercy. Through her gentle, motherly hands, we will draw closer to Jesus, receive His mercy, and hear His comforting words: “You have been forgiven. Go in peace.”
We look forward to seeing all of you at Marian Days this year. May the Blessed Virgin Mary always accompany and protect every family.
Fraternally yours in Christ and MCCC,
Very Rev. Paul Tai Van Tran, CRM
Provincial Superior, 2022–2026