Monday, July 27, 2015

Kenya (2) Edel Quinn 爱德奎




驱动我到肯亚的另一个主要目的,是要亲身到圣母军英雄爱德奎的坟墓致敬。

爱德奎是爱尔兰人,生于1907年。她自小多病,身体虚弱,也因此无法如愿的加入修会。20岁时加入圣母军,然后在29岁那年,自愿被派到非洲的肯亚,成为扩军大使。

在艰巨的战乱环境中,拖着虚弱的身体,她完成了使命,建立了圣母军,但也付出了生命。1944年的5月,爱德奎安然蒙主恩召,回到恩主怀抱。

我与大部分军友一样,对爱德奎不是很熟悉,也只是从一些小册子对她有些基本的认识而已。这次,我来到了肯亚,体验了这里的环境,人民的生活,进而对爱德奎当时传教的艰难,会有一些更深入的了解,也更敬佩她的勇敢。

在玛窦斯神父的安排下,我们来到奈罗比的圣奥斯定教堂,受到该堂的副本堂神父热情的欢迎,并以午餐款待。

爱德奎的坟墓,就在距离教堂不到一公里的神职人员墓园里面。

来到了她的坟墓前,我突然的感触良多。一阵感动、感恩、敬佩及亲切之情,油然而生,眼泪自然而流,失控哽咽。

我们四位圣母军团员,恭敬的诵念了连贯经、祝圣祷文,然后也祈求她为我们转祷,祈愿圣母军在本地区能够继续的发展,为主神国勇往直前。

爱德奎已经被天主教会接纳进入封圣(圣人)的程序。1994年十二月十五日,已故教宗若望保禄二世宣认她为『可敬』者,只需多一个以她的名转求而显现的圣迹(奇迹),就可以正式成为教会的圣人。 



Another good reason for me to come to Nairobi is to visit the tomb of Edel Quinn, Hero of the Legion of Mary, in which I am a member for almost 35 years. (Click her to know more about Edel Quinn)

Through Fr. Mathews' arrangement, we were warmly welcomed by the Assistant Parish Priests of St. Augustin Church, Nairobi, Fr. Mike and Fr. Benedict. The Parish Priest was away on other business. 

We were treated to a delicious local flavour lunch.  

The tomb is situated at a cemetery for priests and religious. Edel was given special place to be buried there. It is less than a kilometer from the church. 

It was an emotional moment when arrived at the tomb of Edel. 
Four of us Legionaries, my wife and I, Joseph and wife Rose, recited together the Catena (Legion prayer), prayer for the beatifucation of Edel Quinn, and ask for her intercession for blessing upon all legionaries  and praesidia. 

On December 15, 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Edel Quinn "Venerable". One miracle attributed to her intercession is still required for her Beatification.  


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