BAGONG LODI: BRO. MARCEL VAN
SI MARCEL VAN (March 15, 1928 – July 10, 1959), O Marcel Nguyễn Tân Văn C.Ss.R., lingkod NG DIYOS (Servant of God), AY ISANG VIETNAMESE NA MIYEMBRO NG REDEMPTORIST CONGREGATION. NOONG NABUBUHAY SIYA, NAKATANGGAP SIYA NG MGA MENSAHE AT PANGITAIN MULA SA PANGINOONG HESUS, SA MAHAL NA BIRHENG MARIA, AT KAY SANTA TERESITA DEL NIÑO HESUS. TINAGURIAN SIYANG “ALAGAD NG PAG-IBIG,” SA PAGPAPATULOY NG MGA ARAL NI SANTA TERESITA UKOL SA “MUNTING LANDAS” NG KABANALAN (LITTLE WAY). NAMATAY SI BROTHER MARCEL SA BILANGGUAN SA NORTH VIETNAM, MATAPOS ANG MARAMING PAGHIHIRAP SA KAMAY NG MGA KOMUNISTA. BALANG ARAW, NAWA SIYA AY KILALANIN BILANG ISANG GANAP NA SANTO NG SIMBAHAN.
NARITO ANG ILANG MAGAGANDANG PANALANGIN NI BRO. MARCEL VAN:
Mary, Mother dear, I bring you all my dryness (in prayer), praying you to offer them to Jesus your child, in the hope that he can use them to bring back a sinful soul to the fervor of his love.
My beloved Jesus, help me to understand the precious treasure of the “Divine Grace”, and to remain faithful to this grace.
My Jesus, how can I speak to you right now? Can I not express my feelings with a look? Yes, but my eyes are very dry, as the reflection of the dryness of my heart.
I’m plunged into dryness! These words alone summarize my state of fervor at this time. This dryness, I offer you, Jesus, with my sins and all that has helped to make my soul weak and miserable.
Jesus, I am a great sinner, am I not? It is probably for this reason that I am still held in this land of exile. If it is so, I ask you for the grace of conversion, to be able to appear in judgment when my last day comes in this world. Grant me the grace of conversion, help me to achieve holiness.
I see that I am lacking in many things, that in my great misery I am incapable of doing anything on my own to convert myself. It remains for me to put all my trust in you, Jesus. You just have to say a word to transform my whole life. Do not refuse me this favor.
Finally, I still have a desire that you express yourself, Jesus, if it is your pleasure; you give me, as the last cross, the disease of “tuberculosis”. If I wish to endure this disease, it is because my soul claims it with the intention of escaping this passing life, to be united perfectly to you during eternity. I still want this disease to pray for the future priest who will replace me, and who at this moment encounters a thousand difficulties. Oh! may you, in your love answer my request! …
I urge you too, most holy Mother Mary, to intercede to obtain this favor. I also make the same request to you, little Thérèse, my sister.
