In the Shadow of His Wings

Archive for November, 2010

Jesus Became a Pre-Born Child for Us

Sponsa Christi November 27th, 2010

Pope Benedict has initiate an historic call for prayer for all Nascent Human Life – basically a world-wide prayer movement to bring an end to abortion. We will be participating in this prayer event this evening with Eucharistic adoration, blessing of the Advent wreathe, First Vespers of Advent, Rosary and Benediction. How I love being Catholic! There are so many ways to express our solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world – even our little brothers and sisters in the womb!

We join our voices with Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, interim president of Human Life International. “We recognize with the Holy Father that as the assaults on human life that are accelerating around the world have evil as their root cause, the most powerful response we in the Church can make is to pray in unity for an end to the assault. Prayer grounds us in the only Power that can ultimately defeat the one behind the culture of death, so we are grateful to be united with the Holy Father in this historic event.”

Tags: Pope Benedict XVI, Pro-Life

Gratitude

Sponsa Christi November 26th, 2010

Thanksgiving Day brought us an opportunity to reflect on the many gifts of God to us over this past year. We also had much to be thankful for on this particular day – both our Sisters who reside at Carmel Home were able to be present with us for Thanksgiving dinner – Hooray!

Sister Ann Miriam listens intently to Sister Mary Dolores’ story

Sister Margaret Mary enjoys the peach pie

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So, what are those nuns up to now? Another skit? No, this is the real deal! Thanksgiving Day brought us much needed rain, along with a sag in the paint filled with rain water in the refectory.

This was our evening after-meal-entertainment.

Mother Catherine Marie is about to demonstrate another use for the veil pin!

As the on-lookers watch…

Do other monasteries have these exciting experiences??? You betcha! One has to have a sense of humor in this life and our Lord helps us fulfill this need!

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Back to gratitude…

I haven’t been able to keep up with sharing all the monastery news with you. Our Sister Mary Andrea renewed her temporary vows on the feast of our Holy Founder October 20th. The Bishop presided at the Mass and it was followed by a lovely feast of food and fellowship.

(Well, I can’t seem to find the photos from Sr. Mary Andrea’s vow renewal – I’ll have to post them later!)

September 8th – the feast of the Birth of Mary - brought a great grace to our community and to the world. Our affiliate Christie made a private vow of chastity. Here she is pictured with our dear friend and her spiritual director Fr. Andy Garner. The ceremony took place during Vespers.

Well, I will have to continue this year-end reflection on gratitude another time. It is time for that holy repose!

Tags: Gaudeamus Days, Humor, Stages in Formation

Celebrating Passionist Vowed Life

Sponsa Christi November 16th, 2010

Pray for us as we enter into retreat! Our annual November retreat prepares us for our devotional renewal of vows on November 21st. This year November 21st falls on the last Sunday of the Church Year and the Solemnity of Christ the King. But normally this is the day of the feast of Our Lady’s Presentation in the Temple.

The tradition of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple was very dear to St. Paul of the Cross because it reminded him of his own consecration to God by the foundation of the Passionist Congregation. He wanted the first house of Passionists on Monte Argentario and the first Monastery of Passionist Nuns founded at Tarquinia to be dedicated to the Presentation of Mary. Hence this feast came to be celebrated among Passionists with much solemnity. Today, however, it commemorates the Blessed Virgin as the humble handmaid of the Lord, associated in the mystery of redemption, rather than the traditional Presentation of Mary in the Temple.

The Passionist Nuns throughout the world will be renewing vows on this day! This day is also known as Pro Orantibus Day.

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We recently had a wonderful celebration for Sr. Marie Michael in honor of her 60 years of Passionist vowed life. It was a surprise celebration and she was delighted. Sister is also our sacristan and so a new pix and cruets were given for her gifts.

Sr. Rose Marie and Ane Kirstine gave us some good laughs after the noon meal. We recently obtained a new microwave. This microwave actually gives messages on its little screen, such as, “Have a good day.” etc. The after-meal-entertainment was a creepy spin on this!

“When Technology is too Smart…”

Role of characters:

-Sr. Bright and Early

-Sr. Sleepyhead

-the Microwave

Introduction: Sr. Bright and Early and Sr. Sleepyhead are currently on their way to the kitchen on an ordinary morning to make their oatmeal for breakfast. To their surprise, a new high-tech microwave has been installed. But their initial experiences are drastically different.

(Enter Sr. Bright and Early)

(She goes to the microwave with her bowl and goes through the normal procedure of heating up her oatmeal. While she is waiting on her oatmeal…)

Microwave: BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. DING!

Microwave: Enjoy your meal!!!

Sr. Bright and Early: Why thank you!

(on her way to the corridor exiting the refectory, Sr. B&E runs into Sr. Sleepyhead who enters the scene now)

Sr. Bright and Early: Sister! You should try our new microwave… It’s so polite!

(Sr Bright and Early exits the scene)

(Sr. Sleepyhead goes to get her bowl, and goes to the microwave, examining it with interest. She presses the button to open the door…)

Microwave: Good morning!

Sr. Sleepyhead: Good morning (?)

Microwave: Please insert your dish.

(With a surprised expression, Sr. Sleepyhead puts her dish in and closes the door to the microwave. She presses the buttons for the timer.)

Microwave: One moment please….

Microwave: BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. DING!

Microwave: Enjoy your meal!!!

(Sr. Sleepyhead takes out the bowl, looks at the oatmeal…)

Sr. Sleepyhead: …Not quite warm enough… Just a bit longer.

(She puts it in for another minute, and stands by to watch with her hand on the button to open the microwave. She presses the button to open the microwave and takes out her bowl.)

Microwave: You lost 30 seconds!

Sr. Sleepyhead: That doesn’t matter… It was boiling!

Microwave: PUT IT BACK!!! I wasn’t done.

Sr. Sleepyhead: But I’m done! I don’t need to put it back! I’m ready to eat my oatmeal…

(A hand reaches out of the microwave and grabs the bowl back into the microwave and slams the door shut.)

Sr. Sleepyhead: WHAT IN THE WORLD! … HEY!!!!

(Sister pries the microwave door open and wrestles her bowl out of the microwave’s hand… Sister begins to take off in a hurry to leave the kitchen…)

Microwave: You’ve lost one minute! (Sounding perturbed)

Microwave: Fine! … Don’t blame me when your meal is cold!

(Re Enter Sr. Bright and Early)

(Sr. Sleepyhead is on her way out of the refectory/kitchen when she runs into Sr. Bright and Early.)

Sr. Bright and Early: Sister! What’s the matter!

Sr. Sleepyhead: Ummm… You’re not going to believe this, but I think we need to have the new microwave exorcised.

Sr. Bright and Early: Really??? What for? I didn’t have any problems with it… I thought it was very nice.

Sr. Sleepyhead: Shhh!!! Don’t encourage it! It might hear you! … I’ve never had a real argument with a piece of machinery until today.

Sr. Bright and Early: Uhhh… Sister, are you feeling well? Perhaps some extra rest might do you some good. (Pats Sr. Sleepyhead on the back and goes on, exiting the scene)

(Sr. Sleepyhead stands looking after her looking bewildered. Looking up, she says:

Sr. Sleepyhead: Lord, from now on I’m using the stove top!

(Exit Sr. Sleepyhead.)

THE END

Sisters admiring a bouquet of flowers, a gift from our nuns from the Passionist monastery in Erlanger, KY after one of our Sisters underwent surgery. It was a welcome addition to the beauty of Sr. Marie Michael’s celebration.

More after-meal-entertainment!

We thank you for all your lovely comments left recently! Please pray that young, happy, healthy Catholic women are moved so much by this blog that they will join us in seeking quench the Divine Thirst of Jesus. Please send this blog link to young Catholic women and encourage them to be open to cloistered life. The Lord bless you!

Tags: Gaudeamus Days, Humor

Lots of Photos!

Sponsa Christi November 2nd, 2010

I know, it has been ages since I last posted! What can I say…we’re not on vacation here…nor praying on our knees 24/7! It is truly ora et labora!

I was recently contacted by a woman who wants to include our community in their “Nun Run” in spring 2011 – yea! When I asked her how she learned about our community she said it was through this blog – so this poor neglected blog is doing some good! When I feel a bit discouraged that I am unable to keep up with it on a regular basis I recall the wise words of G. K. Chesterton – “If something is worth doing…it is worth doing poorly.” Hmmm… that gives me hope!

Late last summer brought us a delightful visit with Nancy Nickel, director of Communications at the Passionist Development Office for the Passionist men in the Holy Cross province.

Nancy was here interviewing some of our Sisters for the spring edition of The Passionists. During her stay she generously answered our request to take some photos of our life – most especially of our Litury. God bless and reward you Nancy!

(Recall that Ane Kirstine was still an aspirant when these photos were taken.) Hang on! There are a lot of photos here.