Martha Reilander

Madonna house apostolate

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part; it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10: 41-42).

These words touched my heart profoundly when I read them on a youth retreat in grade 11. I had grown up in a loving, faith filled family, yet I needed to know for myself that God loved me and knew me. Hearing my own name and knowing that He cared for and knew about all the things I was worrying about, drew me into a deeper relationship with Him. From that retreat, I decided that serving the Church was a good idea. After high school I joined NET Ministries of Canada for one year and served on a parish team.

My “heart” knowledge of Christ grew, and I received a vision of how men and woman could live together as brothers and sisters. After my year, I wanted more “head” knowledge of God, and so I attended a Catholic Liberal Arts school where I received a deeper foundation in our Catholic Faith.

After finishing up university, I had some time between school and work, and knew that Madonna House was a good place to go during that time. As a guest, I could immerse myself in the routine of prayer, work and community. While living this routine there grew in me more space for God. He used that time and space to lead me from my head to my heart, to a place of deeper trust in Him.

Catherine Doherty, the foundress of Madonna House, said; “The Spirit of Madonna House is the spirit of Nazareth.” This Nazareth is what I experienced. Men and women living a simple, poor life, and doing ordinary things. Cooking, cleaning, laundry. Yet each task, each moment was lived fully and given over to God out of love for Him. Life was ‘real’ in a way I had not experienced before. That is what I wanted. My parents had worked to instil this spirit of Nazareth in me as a child, and here, at Madonna House, I could continue on this journey into the heart of Christ.

So, on June 8th 2012, I made my first promises as a member of the Madonna House Lay Apostolate. Looking back, I see that every step was a stepping stone perfectly placed by God. I could not say yes to today, had I not been open to saying yes to God’s will for me last week, and the week before that. If I can remember to focus on Christ, my “one thing,” He will always lead me to the next step of the journey. For He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:16).