tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69833456439576020442024-03-13T12:22:14.860-07:00Poor Clare Heart PonderingsLike Mary, a Poor Clare ponders in her heart the revelation of God in the Scriptures and in the book of daily lifeEster Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.comBlogger404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-80837746953946424232024-02-19T16:19:00.000-08:002024-02-29T17:47:19.919-08:00Transformation in Christ<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/_8MFZzLQ8QI/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgRUn_yU7Cpfbh8pcOu_pddSh6-jfuSnm6jgONx6SP47BdtoPZSCAqcgxk6G4MahNRAj74KG8wBjjzI19-vwBOm1JiFEJamo4nrNbdm20TSXlUz3j4KqTn-2-TOym5QrWPjAk3vkreiasNSc5RWKTKvrpwxs8d2LO7Tqv82SOwuKQ0vyFNRCCt1-nyEY/s819/Transformation%20in%20Christ%20snip.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="819" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgRUn_yU7Cpfbh8pcOu_pddSh6-jfuSnm6jgONx6SP47BdtoPZSCAqcgxk6G4MahNRAj74KG8wBjjzI19-vwBOm1JiFEJamo4nrNbdm20TSXlUz3j4KqTn-2-TOym5QrWPjAk3vkreiasNSc5RWKTKvrpwxs8d2LO7Tqv82SOwuKQ0vyFNRCCt1-nyEY/w400-h219/Transformation%20in%20Christ%20snip.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />To celebrate the beginning of Lent, we posted this slide show presentation on one of our favorite authors. <a href="https://youtu.be/I8URMRdbksQ" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/I8URMRdbksQ</a></span><p></p><div>May our Lenten fast, prayer and almsgiving bring us closer to that transformation in Christ for which we all yearn!</div>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-22020149420743482092024-02-05T16:46:00.000-08:002024-02-05T16:46:33.548-08:00<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxE2ue5RGWcq9AJM9qSzI5OzjY7NODPz15xHux12KN5NMYax1-IkRtIArWuN9NPR8l17SZShKeQMTwQJL04NUk0rNnP9bmT2HR7VfRA297EjEvjDb8IrWtBxTDLNU2GlvE8OBB8TOC7MTLc2tUGSISLNuHuQXEkvfpjRWSK8B2TdcthOHX7OolYngvUg/s613/St.%20Colette.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="278" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxE2ue5RGWcq9AJM9qSzI5OzjY7NODPz15xHux12KN5NMYax1-IkRtIArWuN9NPR8l17SZShKeQMTwQJL04NUk0rNnP9bmT2HR7VfRA297EjEvjDb8IrWtBxTDLNU2GlvE8OBB8TOC7MTLc2tUGSISLNuHuQXEkvfpjRWSK8B2TdcthOHX7OolYngvUg/w181-h400/St.%20Colette.JPG" width="181" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">February 7th</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> is the Feast of St. Colette who reformed the Order of St. Clare in</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">the 15</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: x-large;"> century.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our own community is descended from one of the reformed monasteries she founded, so we call her our “Second Mother” (the first being our Holy Mother St. Clare.)</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here are some excerpts from St. Colette’s testament, illustrated by artistic depictions of St. Colette and views of our monastery and community:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://youtu.be/OZxu5mnLt9E">https://youtu.be/OZxu5mnLt9E</a></span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-33502135700867803692024-02-02T17:33:00.000-08:002024-02-02T17:33:44.625-08:00<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0urBbjVaIWk4-NZlMVDbLA-CNADWOVeFCL5PpVn4BlN_NTySg_yP9CHu4GoNP1T9VNA7LVdnS1llx1iUf2o7t9GJ2ivCi1ZXIglPWmu4KhpZ4ItIUelrfcckBLNBZTLEAxQDz3At_HfzTVUrRTuZ3nqadHQo8ugQz9VJW1qeAEbaLWM7xREE3UvuDOHQ/s615/The%20Eternal%20Child.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0urBbjVaIWk4-NZlMVDbLA-CNADWOVeFCL5PpVn4BlN_NTySg_yP9CHu4GoNP1T9VNA7LVdnS1llx1iUf2o7t9GJ2ivCi1ZXIglPWmu4KhpZ4ItIUelrfcckBLNBZTLEAxQDz3At_HfzTVUrRTuZ3nqadHQo8ugQz9VJW1qeAEbaLWM7xREE3UvuDOHQ/s320/The%20Eternal%20Child.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;">To wind up the extended Christmas Season, we would like to share a slide-show:</span></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/IJyoWg3OAEo"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://youtu.be/IJyoWg3OAEo</span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After all, we never leave Christmas completely behind. Every day is a good day to celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God!</span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-9250238971650114072024-01-26T16:47:00.000-08:002024-01-26T16:47:10.100-08:00Ongoing Christmas<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYVes5-51FmHuTbH2vzl40l8C3AtGYCjqNVUxl5Xw3cCeJWLkzvbU6hpYuNqpoEZ3880vI1ILDn3EY5AnHRbDNqREXsjuhO4o1BK26uNp56fKq2loR6_fdCQ3aIFFbu6ThG2PrYhkJW7IBLWZZ7mu7mq3VPay_9FXXCLMQMU8l559_C_lhF5-6iA2bs0/s1600/IMG_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYVes5-51FmHuTbH2vzl40l8C3AtGYCjqNVUxl5Xw3cCeJWLkzvbU6hpYuNqpoEZ3880vI1ILDn3EY5AnHRbDNqREXsjuhO4o1BK26uNp56fKq2loR6_fdCQ3aIFFbu6ThG2PrYhkJW7IBLWZZ7mu7mq3VPay_9FXXCLMQMU8l559_C_lhF5-6iA2bs0/s320/IMG_0150.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One month after Christmas, our yuletide decorations have
been carefully put away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at least put
out of the way until one can catch up on all the mundane activities that were
necessarily put aside while celebrating the high holy days of our Lord’s birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually at this time of year, the only
reminders of Christmas are the still surviving poinsettias that grace our
altars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Sacristan carefully
nurtures them while awaiting the first blooming daffodils of spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this year we are celebrating the 800<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the first Christmas crèche set up by our Holy Father St. Francis
in 1223.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy See also gave us a
special indulgence that could be obtained from December 8<sup>th</sup>,
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, until February 2<sup>nd</sup>, Feast of
the Presentation of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All one
has to do is to visit a crèche set up in a Franciscan chapel, meditate on the
mystery of the Incarnation, and then say a prayer to Jesus, Mary, Joseph and
St. Francis; also say a prayer for Pope Francis, and go to confession and
communion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, on the day we de-decorated, we saved two of our crèches,
one to put under the altar in our monastic choir, and one in our public
chapel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will remain there until
February 2<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like the
arrangement so much that we may do this every year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, this is Bethlehem Monastery!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJru5-ymiaPDdzwmXt4EdA3JxZ87VGIzRTXis0A-wLARZGLuXwnQycV_jeevXFTbnXzBglHiWoZawtd7HOKrdPr-qVp9gTzqM3l0BKaCGjrrWjN-yLMRCEAYhJd64s8SzVQO4-JJdR0SqPzO-vUJLtpff9estaWLYNSpG-kqn9VDSmaePx91KClqwQuIE/s1200/IMG_0150a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJru5-ymiaPDdzwmXt4EdA3JxZ87VGIzRTXis0A-wLARZGLuXwnQycV_jeevXFTbnXzBglHiWoZawtd7HOKrdPr-qVp9gTzqM3l0BKaCGjrrWjN-yLMRCEAYhJd64s8SzVQO4-JJdR0SqPzO-vUJLtpff9estaWLYNSpG-kqn9VDSmaePx91KClqwQuIE/s320/IMG_0150a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choir Chreche</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzVelh0Bz1gYKvWdwiRwbGPMNpKbGTnxQmZv9vk3r6y-G9I2P-qpZFOAAFwnzdH32eFVwbWOdxKCmcPYaZkl5oZdrna4Xah3cNVDZ23vPPBSFc-YVhsyHz3f6trRy57456FrXEcQ2z-jYja_hgaoVJWhSEPq0b9_ynblWgL0QNykk2DAfY1-dZxl0UGs/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzVelh0Bz1gYKvWdwiRwbGPMNpKbGTnxQmZv9vk3r6y-G9I2P-qpZFOAAFwnzdH32eFVwbWOdxKCmcPYaZkl5oZdrna4Xah3cNVDZ23vPPBSFc-YVhsyHz3f6trRy57456FrXEcQ2z-jYja_hgaoVJWhSEPq0b9_ynblWgL0QNykk2DAfY1-dZxl0UGs/s320/IMG_0159.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Chapel Chreche</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Invocation to the Holy Family and Saint Francis of Assisi</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oh Good Jesus, contemplating this Nativity Scene, I ask you
for the grace of forgiveness of my sins.
You are the dawn from on high made flesh to shine on those who dwell in
darkness and the shadow of death. You
made your home among us and loved us to the point of giving your life for
us. You did not come to condemn the
world but to save it. Give me the grace
of sincere repentance and the humility to recognize my frailty. Give me faith in your mercy and renew in me
the joy of your salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, teach us the
joy of the humble and of those who believe in the promises of the Lord. Help us to proclaim the greatness of the God
who accompanies and saves suffering humanity.
You are the dawn of a new creation.
You are Virgin made Church, you are mother of grace and mercy. Listen to our plea with the tenderness of
your immaculate heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Saint Joseph, just and faithful servant of the lord, you are
a holy and generous custodian. Do not
take your care away from us, lost pilgrims in search of the true homeland. Protect the Church from the snares of the evil
one and teach us to trust in the One who gives his only Son to rescue us from
sin, evil and death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Saint Francis of Assisi, you who loved the poor and humble
Christ so much that you wanted to relive in Greccio, with faith and devotion,
the night of his birth in Bethlehem, intercede for us so that we can
contemplate with a clean heart the beauty of the incarnation of the Son of God
and the kindness of his gaze that call us to a new life Amen.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-11327947843928061062023-12-24T16:01:00.000-08:002023-12-24T16:01:16.481-08:00Blessed Christmas and a Holy New Year to All!<h1 style="text-align: center;"> Christmas Prayer</h1><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0in;"><img alt="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3BW0mp9gTRfnFfNPI4Kt4Jx4LQcejEkmfkzWTsVQ165GhmbUYGzubO_gca6StN66tFC3dbR8HwN_y3w-jGUBia5mvF7Dm-wMtqbbRLKbR9CRydnQqKyFlguFC1De7XL8PsGqFwJtZbzj_I_HxdZwkQ" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" height="195" id="m_2785935557273719764Picture_x0020_1" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=5151768418&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1785940839667390453&th=18c8efbb3a3cd7f5&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ8h15S_a1rg2GJR4FRXvoMEI9eyuBanW2wzJVpXb6z5AUmIEQ5jH_F1gDesCVxJ_y-Z3YaUAREKizoowQfo3TUzf-PnKF50Mq_793i5d0RyCowQQSW03nBjzyM&disp=emb" style="height: 2.0333in; width: 1.425in;" width="137" /></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond, serif;"> Eternal Father, You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, that the world might have life through Him. Grant us the grace, through Your Holy Spirit, to truly be sons and daughters in the Son.</span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond, serif;"> Holy Child, eternally begotten of the Father and His true Image, in becoming man You manifested Your essential identity as Son, inviting us to share Your Holy Childhood, in order that we too might find our place in the life of the Trinitarian Communion. In Your sojourn on this earth, You revealed to us what it means to live always in the state of grateful dependence and reciprocal love typified in the child, but representing the full blossoming of our humanity. Help us to understand and learn to live the ways of This Child, and so glorify the Father in the heart of Your Eucharist forever.</span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond, serif;"> Mary, Mother of the Eternal Son and our Mother, smile upon us and upon all people as you smiled upon your infant child, that we may know, as He did, that we are loved and valued by God, and truly respond to that love.</span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> We ask this in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u></u> </p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-23007577146744082982023-11-26T12:11:00.000-08:002023-11-26T12:14:24.350-08:00Pictures of Sister Mary Laetitia's Solemn Profession<div class="separator"><br /></div><p> During this Thanksgiving weekend we give thanks especially for the Solemn Profession of our Sister Mary Laetitia last week! As promised, here are some pictures from that glorious event:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bw3b_F-EsBTQQK7bL_rmjF-mxd2pWxSjyTlNfExLXDolD7aSuCvR401p3Bz17IbLfAMYlQFE8zH8WOfSDldLBY08B-WaQ3iw1iEPMzDxo_pTtabew3sBM9t0VGqWHgErnwESgDc5jJnNAKzlo986V-m9c_2iYHJh3qdZ2VBmQR6Ogo6fLsF-AgzpzBU/s1600/01-IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bw3b_F-EsBTQQK7bL_rmjF-mxd2pWxSjyTlNfExLXDolD7aSuCvR401p3Bz17IbLfAMYlQFE8zH8WOfSDldLBY08B-WaQ3iw1iEPMzDxo_pTtabew3sBM9t0VGqWHgErnwESgDc5jJnNAKzlo986V-m9c_2iYHJh3qdZ2VBmQR6Ogo6fLsF-AgzpzBU/w400-h300/01-IMG_1691.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The night before the ceremony, Sister Mary Laetitia receives an exhortation from Rev. Mother Abbess</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qbNnnqpyuzjr4wMwJvultjeAPDXBaWbm5QY-k47kI-1rd1qjR80fFsDBQQF7nH3txTZnhIhj8p-D-opUDVT6pwpl3QRpG91AxilG-SewKqlEx1r7yeinSnRdfFgntPj6MzJtyODZubhulBzyrzrerbxXGqPK6z4MhqO15WE4PJcuA62GbAPwePgaXuI/s1600/02-IMG_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qbNnnqpyuzjr4wMwJvultjeAPDXBaWbm5QY-k47kI-1rd1qjR80fFsDBQQF7nH3txTZnhIhj8p-D-opUDVT6pwpl3QRpG91AxilG-SewKqlEx1r7yeinSnRdfFgntPj6MzJtyODZubhulBzyrzrerbxXGqPK6z4MhqO15WE4PJcuA62GbAPwePgaXuI/w400-h300/02-IMG_1693.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance Procession<br />Mother Abbess, Sister Laetitia, Sister Margaret Mary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzjz7uzGU8Rbdy2ZG2RJCEB9X0DQUqf0fjjOF3ZakYn8EoJUOhR0QTN-vivgH8NuKKJC6pY6pMEJQ2BHTJo274o39s07O06q-ij6LerTAgM5m7XmCHzuiCe7RCFjP6_fBcNZy4J2Egq6gaP7qVJPRPQl_6i5owlznVm0epG0j8ffoLP_fJeW4CHNB4-4/s1600/03-IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzjz7uzGU8Rbdy2ZG2RJCEB9X0DQUqf0fjjOF3ZakYn8EoJUOhR0QTN-vivgH8NuKKJC6pY6pMEJQ2BHTJo274o39s07O06q-ij6LerTAgM5m7XmCHzuiCe7RCFjP6_fBcNZy4J2Egq6gaP7qVJPRPQl_6i5owlznVm0epG0j8ffoLP_fJeW4CHNB4-4/w400-h300/03-IMG_1698.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bishop questions Sister Mary Laetitia about her readiness to make Solemn Vows</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUh46BdQIDdBjv_N2oyB9cMkIOL85LuFjexl5mtv3UXnevKdiMgEFoZzNjxiYFCVq0qowZh8P-ymsrXsIVO0bpWV1gQY7phY_pk_kgcVkuJQqHpMLCXdDB-evZbz2qFoySqA_9hgMhlPQyp-Gggs-_EqJaS9wHqNA5Y6AT0qHztI3vdmr2AS-C0vRQEbg/s1600/05-IMG_1703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUh46BdQIDdBjv_N2oyB9cMkIOL85LuFjexl5mtv3UXnevKdiMgEFoZzNjxiYFCVq0qowZh8P-ymsrXsIVO0bpWV1gQY7phY_pk_kgcVkuJQqHpMLCXdDB-evZbz2qFoySqA_9hgMhlPQyp-Gggs-_EqJaS9wHqNA5Y6AT0qHztI3vdmr2AS-C0vRQEbg/w400-h300/05-IMG_1703.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister prostrates before the altar while the congregation prays the litany of the Saints for her<br />She is covered with a pall symbolizing her death to her former life<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlAAT4EgZRj2accr8MTdPv1B4btyvX3eVAns-YoIELkfDrjAHBxJB1AFEmVRbQVYjX533B8jO7LISi1eb-fnNpggcVDO_5ga_iDL6SqOipyQBvkdst-R0qXiczzw-uxrWGqlHj9HfPZ1zpHL-mwLX4nSTEXJkMKaMdhaSpyTdo1oAe1yOp2LKVv1MAME/s1600/06-IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlAAT4EgZRj2accr8MTdPv1B4btyvX3eVAns-YoIELkfDrjAHBxJB1AFEmVRbQVYjX533B8jO7LISi1eb-fnNpggcVDO_5ga_iDL6SqOipyQBvkdst-R0qXiczzw-uxrWGqlHj9HfPZ1zpHL-mwLX4nSTEXJkMKaMdhaSpyTdo1oAe1yOp2LKVv1MAME/w400-h300/06-IMG_1708.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister rises up and sings "Receive me, O Lord, according to Your promise and I shall live!"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVmzFIui5efwwNzfODUTterz6tRn0X1__xRiXzGkLcTCPpGsCQWCVNgZwgUobZbSLy7O0dwY_kB9EAZluLbKxUN7t5jbw1F6bMevHMotww7r61_Bj-V76vWUHpcCIz5e4fT1i1TZXg2T5imITinzCulnZZgbhZml7Em3GdCVW5jIe6qQLFlMTwQQoVG0/s739/07-IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="566" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVmzFIui5efwwNzfODUTterz6tRn0X1__xRiXzGkLcTCPpGsCQWCVNgZwgUobZbSLy7O0dwY_kB9EAZluLbKxUN7t5jbw1F6bMevHMotww7r61_Bj-V76vWUHpcCIz5e4fT1i1TZXg2T5imITinzCulnZZgbhZml7Em3GdCVW5jIe6qQLFlMTwQQoVG0/w306-h400/07-IMG_1710.JPG" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister makes her vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Enclosure in the hands of Mother Abbess</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWB0iu_0P0kQFShMUMrY0F3gTIbdhN4tjJnqJt7KmIds_ucmCHUzil8kY0TzU8jI4NdIN1uWNSl9wBchYUe1yUlapVNP-TwVrdkXaavec-mjBH8cdtQQs3ViAsO2_qLl2Xh-oOxOWGJzRPtCTan9PqzI6yj8Bv-uxOujBo7GVlghAffgOJzcGH-7tyHoI/s1600/10-IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWB0iu_0P0kQFShMUMrY0F3gTIbdhN4tjJnqJt7KmIds_ucmCHUzil8kY0TzU8jI4NdIN1uWNSl9wBchYUe1yUlapVNP-TwVrdkXaavec-mjBH8cdtQQs3ViAsO2_qLl2Xh-oOxOWGJzRPtCTan9PqzI6yj8Bv-uxOujBo7GVlghAffgOJzcGH-7tyHoI/w400-h300/10-IMG_1717.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister receives a crown of thorns in imitation of Christ her Spouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KqqNmzb8-rZuAa5aS2THkSIXZWnU1cNxS3cQ28LbKGryBsVGHCHvFhy6Ai6XmVCdhNd7p4BBNshCMYm9BYr4suPvKG93t9hy-lI-n-q7m1pP4uHbBdqO89lwJ887XVljDZ26A16tv2nrYLOcvBHt2og2GuVtWNlD7boxH7Wzs20aS3ui6icuh3pQL1M/s1600/12-IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KqqNmzb8-rZuAa5aS2THkSIXZWnU1cNxS3cQ28LbKGryBsVGHCHvFhy6Ai6XmVCdhNd7p4BBNshCMYm9BYr4suPvKG93t9hy-lI-n-q7m1pP4uHbBdqO89lwJ887XVljDZ26A16tv2nrYLOcvBHt2og2GuVtWNlD7boxH7Wzs20aS3ui6icuh3pQL1M/w400-h300/12-IMG_1719.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eucharistic Prayer with all our celebrants</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt8Hnf-aiM2ebK2YCMJgnQiDEA4KvWTz4Ejnd-FCUtNM3L70uTpp6WlWzPcvxl4viTrQkl9HlDpOODYCxym5-V_8rsq-QGkBcSuMpFNK8hbAZrAcEUBBIZsSb4uKcpm6C5F4bc2o5UFKhxh5fDYUauF3f18WltfeYsOqVwsWroZQx9Hhs3fsO4J9KGhg/s1600/15-IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt8Hnf-aiM2ebK2YCMJgnQiDEA4KvWTz4Ejnd-FCUtNM3L70uTpp6WlWzPcvxl4viTrQkl9HlDpOODYCxym5-V_8rsq-QGkBcSuMpFNK8hbAZrAcEUBBIZsSb4uKcpm6C5F4bc2o5UFKhxh5fDYUauF3f18WltfeYsOqVwsWroZQx9Hhs3fsO4J9KGhg/w400-h300/15-IMG_1749.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting the bridal cake at dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLorhI1CSonXTxzQHb0N5VTk3hMveDkobCga2YeMwZNyQUHeGfv94XRdMjbOsMdwc-YOQ9HRgxxCTPgfOsapTT0C4V-o-aSwKhVW7MtM_YCXzXfEaH8P7Zvp-mw72j4ufeKDJew-KUoKGnG1-9tfdtniE2_DvjZovZ3UnJR55ugJO9mZ5YRLOsIB1NsE/s1600/14-IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLorhI1CSonXTxzQHb0N5VTk3hMveDkobCga2YeMwZNyQUHeGfv94XRdMjbOsMdwc-YOQ9HRgxxCTPgfOsapTT0C4V-o-aSwKhVW7MtM_YCXzXfEaH8P7Zvp-mw72j4ufeKDJew-KUoKGnG1-9tfdtniE2_DvjZovZ3UnJR55ugJO9mZ5YRLOsIB1NsE/w400-h300/14-IMG_1740.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Abbess, Sister Mary Laetitia, Sister Margaret Mary</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-12366493589878560932023-11-18T16:16:00.000-08:002023-11-18T16:16:58.865-08:00Solemn Profession of Sister Mary Laetitia<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulAFY7zPubmnQltn_XEkLxTmT3t6Ca7t_k6eC3CPENny6uEwhl_R3NhD-mzbYct5Oamqo0L0N4B629D_RJ3G4-wTABk216fVQRCONq_-V5yLMUm6FOft-TEh281AKF3gQ6SklJ1w6CaQFJcmkxX0NDVt69Y9UgK8j7p0GbyqKndq-rlJIwAcN64QsNno/s1114/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulAFY7zPubmnQltn_XEkLxTmT3t6Ca7t_k6eC3CPENny6uEwhl_R3NhD-mzbYct5Oamqo0L0N4B629D_RJ3G4-wTABk216fVQRCONq_-V5yLMUm6FOft-TEh281AKF3gQ6SklJ1w6CaQFJcmkxX0NDVt69Y9UgK8j7p0GbyqKndq-rlJIwAcN64QsNno/s320/IMG_1755.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> I bring you Glad Tidings of Great Joy! Today is born in Bethlehem Monastery a new Solemnly Professed Poor Clare Sister! Her name is Sister Mary Laetitia of the Merciful Heart of Jesus. Rejoice with us! It was a wonderful ceremony with family and friends and many priests, including our dear Bishop. Photos from this great day are being edited and soon will be shared. </span><p></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-13948611409234072892023-11-05T17:36:00.004-08:002023-11-05T17:36:43.388-08:00Autumn at Bethlehem Monastery<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7g-gHsR6W1vTtD4GM5zI0YvvrB7lMPZ4m6YO0QquzdWlJsRIkd6DksuoIXwiMy7vSgrIOfXLrcMf0bxKrl2GntKIcu1ApBwCqyiHfI3QgruPYWBx_QC53YI8VZWVEOIPPRMPjszivba8ZANRTkuAcw_pfMEubPDaqeeTNxr-MOlHw1x8eqhJTnxhwCM/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7g-gHsR6W1vTtD4GM5zI0YvvrB7lMPZ4m6YO0QquzdWlJsRIkd6DksuoIXwiMy7vSgrIOfXLrcMf0bxKrl2GntKIcu1ApBwCqyiHfI3QgruPYWBx_QC53YI8VZWVEOIPPRMPjszivba8ZANRTkuAcw_pfMEubPDaqeeTNxr-MOlHw1x8eqhJTnxhwCM/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Virginia is not known for its glorious autumnal
foliage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our property, the trees
mostly turn yellow or brown with an occasional maple or sweet gum blushing
reddish orange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">However, a few of our crepe myrtle bushes manage to deck themselves out in lovely party dresses for one last fling before the winter siege.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMd-13mhxzFvHDSQ26fuA5gqa4T5aiL2XqwxDs0_7w2BZkpIyiEBPmHOiQt4k1damLwu11fsXzWrDCRGJszoHqiYbL8O2gcrE61p2fWZM8Y_4Ql_j7zSV0-v2Q-Jk1Vv-kLRouCP2_An-ieB5yLfcfKGK1E4NzcVRDL0lEkD_GvbVEQhB9pGy4nE_lLY/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMd-13mhxzFvHDSQ26fuA5gqa4T5aiL2XqwxDs0_7w2BZkpIyiEBPmHOiQt4k1damLwu11fsXzWrDCRGJszoHqiYbL8O2gcrE61p2fWZM8Y_4Ql_j7zSV0-v2Q-Jk1Vv-kLRouCP2_An-ieB5yLfcfKGK1E4NzcVRDL0lEkD_GvbVEQhB9pGy4nE_lLY/s320/IMG_0089.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzSNqf6u0ZlV3YaOH5TvUwXO_9CUp9a7JlyjXBp9Fn4yaia_axX4S2JiRWfhLMDHx6JNO__M5OiPlW7c3hphS4MYUJZmZ_I7pdopP0ZwSnXkAG9m2XTHj6vhr6BNi60hkzPfA-QGKIv9oql8b8zdoQ2nRXnYqsJ7nREDxBVo1Z_rFpGD6WkA4p7GfYv8/s1600/IMG_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzSNqf6u0ZlV3YaOH5TvUwXO_9CUp9a7JlyjXBp9Fn4yaia_axX4S2JiRWfhLMDHx6JNO__M5OiPlW7c3hphS4MYUJZmZ_I7pdopP0ZwSnXkAG9m2XTHj6vhr6BNi60hkzPfA-QGKIv9oql8b8zdoQ2nRXnYqsJ7nREDxBVo1Z_rFpGD6WkA4p7GfYv8/s320/IMG_0088.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicxK4hmYGGGGzr3e73t2vH9gyKkLARV6RuABu0e4gCTbbS0CVPzL8lclvveTr6VxVPfGxN1ijOfD0_nH4Dbpo5Y2QxqVrz_85hOGECR8oYMJdszG2Ok_xmBqaIiEUd1fwIke4lCGg2t1iKir7VKwDPnkVw4Jd2m0zheQcq4e9I_r8dbx_u-l5Tx9ZR-4/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicxK4hmYGGGGzr3e73t2vH9gyKkLARV6RuABu0e4gCTbbS0CVPzL8lclvveTr6VxVPfGxN1ijOfD0_nH4Dbpo5Y2QxqVrz_85hOGECR8oYMJdszG2Ok_xmBqaIiEUd1fwIke4lCGg2t1iKir7VKwDPnkVw4Jd2m0zheQcq4e9I_r8dbx_u-l5Tx9ZR-4/s320/IMG_0087.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although brilliant trees are not the big thing in Virginia, the autumn
flowers present themselves as worthy of note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mother Abbess’ prolific chrysanthemums in our large courtyard have been
and continue to be the talk of the monastery,</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dH0YMmrzj0tS42_ibwrnvdJ96BDLS1q_RACIuqQMST1HKYcEg7TPOlCrVAoIq3xWEmIVYNVsn8RzY-qEdA1e1_LYGHtAzFkm8dU1z-kHMCqTGB1f7tTQEqTAOeWriFT_8mByP3U-OsRg0MSd4MiA08y32llTxpdokcd6hmEATrKNsIRKtP0CNgon_Rw/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dH0YMmrzj0tS42_ibwrnvdJ96BDLS1q_RACIuqQMST1HKYcEg7TPOlCrVAoIq3xWEmIVYNVsn8RzY-qEdA1e1_LYGHtAzFkm8dU1z-kHMCqTGB1f7tTQEqTAOeWriFT_8mByP3U-OsRg0MSd4MiA08y32llTxpdokcd6hmEATrKNsIRKtP0CNgon_Rw/s320/IMG_0091.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaFYuWX8JckrXNVD4aVh_USrIEKEvuirGCVVXYoGr7eTxlkBrqJDGjMIEhwO9cBQWHKk7JJ6OfP2Vt3nN-1rN8SeN6JwTiLClHHHhjkbQKNwoRzZeJV8Lyr1aesrNYCopC-A9vhBuygWur9CGmhocvpYgWFCumWLkTF2e2EPTB74jV1qucBZHHQHcpjI/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaFYuWX8JckrXNVD4aVh_USrIEKEvuirGCVVXYoGr7eTxlkBrqJDGjMIEhwO9cBQWHKk7JJ6OfP2Vt3nN-1rN8SeN6JwTiLClHHHhjkbQKNwoRzZeJV8Lyr1aesrNYCopC-A9vhBuygWur9CGmhocvpYgWFCumWLkTF2e2EPTB74jV1qucBZHHQHcpjI/s320/IMG_0090.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">while in the small courtyard, the
Angel Trumpet bush reigns as queen. </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRJsGhL74wqWW4XKYfqQKHCy5KmmEgEjgJCv1UeF7Wwrvhy8o1BAVhqTstnIXUNsM77hFH9HGUtXrBaMUTkZJyCWU9HXHQGjWIi8hqFqUIERGyQkpKtmqjNYNotloMZUphK3izMlBDY0LYkhyphenhyphen0QoFs3VPzDxt1TnadWc_Lmt8z8zfbiQSCQj1VrSDQrY/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRJsGhL74wqWW4XKYfqQKHCy5KmmEgEjgJCv1UeF7Wwrvhy8o1BAVhqTstnIXUNsM77hFH9HGUtXrBaMUTkZJyCWU9HXHQGjWIi8hqFqUIERGyQkpKtmqjNYNotloMZUphK3izMlBDY0LYkhyphenhyphen0QoFs3VPzDxt1TnadWc_Lmt8z8zfbiQSCQj1VrSDQrY/s320/IMG_0095.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6RPdW8ZjlV15RjxMcz3QRZ9fnF3ztMo2jx5oZnE0J1ehNUu0U4zwdcBo2lSqKq2uXIQnFu-XLg5BQWg3d7A_TgM-qyz1JAlj0LPU8Wq3Eua9_xWvaNR4HjUKPjy3IPociTd27_qIGNo_GsGCKMiPILbQsxYlUtnDqk5_5Y2gC_P146WHPB-hX_9umtM/s1600/IMG_0094.edit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6RPdW8ZjlV15RjxMcz3QRZ9fnF3ztMo2jx5oZnE0J1ehNUu0U4zwdcBo2lSqKq2uXIQnFu-XLg5BQWg3d7A_TgM-qyz1JAlj0LPU8Wq3Eua9_xWvaNR4HjUKPjy3IPociTd27_qIGNo_GsGCKMiPILbQsxYlUtnDqk5_5Y2gC_P146WHPB-hX_9umtM/s320/IMG_0094.edit1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Never before has she displayed such a fullness of blooms. </div></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Looking at all this wondrous beauty, it is
sometimes hard to believe that in other parts of the world, horrible atrocities
are wrecking the lives of so many innocent people and their landscape is black
with smoking ruins of war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hold them
in our hearts and lift them up in our prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their winter has come early with no preceding autumn glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May those who have died find their solace in
God’s eternal spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May those who must
carry on in the midst of disaster also find their own springtime of new life in
the Heart of our Redeemer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZJmOWvTKF6UusXO5PYlFuloXafiAu_oW8nQOgKFz57qn6ZexA9b6G7dG3wYP3NVwoIjAVPzySamD_BPimndi9NLbRitAanJpIHMKylddwdcUb7fhWN2Xma1ybEiVwgXCm3pKrpBUnHMdL431AfUZnPFNjFnqK52FI82uebHp1grS81rJKMr9eVJi2o/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZJmOWvTKF6UusXO5PYlFuloXafiAu_oW8nQOgKFz57qn6ZexA9b6G7dG3wYP3NVwoIjAVPzySamD_BPimndi9NLbRitAanJpIHMKylddwdcUb7fhWN2Xma1ybEiVwgXCm3pKrpBUnHMdL431AfUZnPFNjFnqK52FI82uebHp1grS81rJKMr9eVJi2o/w266-h355/IMG_0010.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-33925578759242224252023-10-21T14:00:00.002-07:002023-10-21T14:00:26.202-07:00We Need A Chaplain! (Please share with any good priest who might be interested)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxl1i2YnvbgJAzKInqaV7KRg_y5v4ymAHxG5A09LOrUqMLDJmH5uH7t51vNpCtdaxBHgwxpD0Ik4FXbTdVrEn2PfFfFUkyafFYcCGPua8-uEht1-mQ5dS3Er3bn82-FrosDjYfrl6MdJdoDItyq5NY0bIB3QNrg-oVZvKlEVIsqBLlTdreqTHOoSCiV8/s4000/01-IMG_0941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxl1i2YnvbgJAzKInqaV7KRg_y5v4ymAHxG5A09LOrUqMLDJmH5uH7t51vNpCtdaxBHgwxpD0Ik4FXbTdVrEn2PfFfFUkyafFYcCGPua8-uEht1-mQ5dS3Er3bn82-FrosDjYfrl6MdJdoDItyq5NY0bIB3QNrg-oVZvKlEVIsqBLlTdreqTHOoSCiV8/s320/01-IMG_0941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">We, the Poor Clare Sisters of Barhamsville, Va., </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmSTGCVk_P0v1HFu1HTpTHaDQDyCXEdeW_NyrcuVhKnqubIIfKwCA8sPZZmLNbsSphILdiOhX0LijgOoZvKiqSbHoXiiLBOnK2IRLS6Hyb_dbNztt9v-jzCbVtuqW5wJn6Gi2sxpJTuz7RxzVcu5tu5XOyFhbSNVoHVAPW697G4ix4jkXfwTpQX3NeT4/s4000/16-IMG_0480.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmSTGCVk_P0v1HFu1HTpTHaDQDyCXEdeW_NyrcuVhKnqubIIfKwCA8sPZZmLNbsSphILdiOhX0LijgOoZvKiqSbHoXiiLBOnK2IRLS6Hyb_dbNztt9v-jzCbVtuqW5wJn6Gi2sxpJTuz7RxzVcu5tu5XOyFhbSNVoHVAPW697G4ix4jkXfwTpQX3NeT4/s320/16-IMG_0480.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">are looking
for a Resident Chaplain to provide for us the essential service of daily
Mass.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAotcCvIfIg5nA0F2NAhwRpRuyUuqWjUBPj5-AvJkcGpPUXnczsN4SBegkAqCXEbCz8ZQFutmO5rihgUUh4k4yK9sqNYIP7q1bFyXAs9AOgGyDUffNgzsaQTTAlzR8150FqJLiU1TH700LiHO8yZpYccQWjmNo0qf2ihS57W9jcituEJn2y54CTMKogoI/s4320/07-DSC00151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAotcCvIfIg5nA0F2NAhwRpRuyUuqWjUBPj5-AvJkcGpPUXnczsN4SBegkAqCXEbCz8ZQFutmO5rihgUUh4k4yK9sqNYIP7q1bFyXAs9AOgGyDUffNgzsaQTTAlzR8150FqJLiU1TH700LiHO8yZpYccQWjmNo0qf2ihS57W9jcituEJn2y54CTMKogoI/s320/07-DSC00151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All candidates for this position
should be priests of good standing who are orthodox in their theology and
comfortable with a monastic liturgy celebrated according to the norms of
Vatican II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBUEyzaoCUA6EZ8AT8dEnzQtBCYGcs0gT4hWmC1M5WnQxKUwrkGo8x3YrplBDWLOAPWq9mm6VtrxHs2moRJeITVv9y5pNulpqE-xQn3rYgK0BWPeOtAvokOrZssTMipzo7CsIYHV_Ygkx5ZJiBcgeIYF73KEDtiiLEGSV7qH_QlOkJMQpX1ZwIIN78kE/s1665/18-CIMG1179.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1665" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBUEyzaoCUA6EZ8AT8dEnzQtBCYGcs0gT4hWmC1M5WnQxKUwrkGo8x3YrplBDWLOAPWq9mm6VtrxHs2moRJeITVv9y5pNulpqE-xQn3rYgK0BWPeOtAvokOrZssTMipzo7CsIYHV_Ygkx5ZJiBcgeIYF73KEDtiiLEGSV7qH_QlOkJMQpX1ZwIIN78kE/s320/18-CIMG1179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are no age limits as
long as a candidate enjoys reasonably good health and is of sound mind and
spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_7PjqPdHyaNvea24hfkebmPenT7ofJt7OI1JSMgTUQB3J2Gc2fVeLDtT5FtFYLQSOv_HZTGcgesNoGD0I8ckBbXzbO2wPzQBkNTwHQdOx5vakqPfRrwCEg0D2WeUfFqqs5HarB-xUimHBYTNe0uU2jYHKfaANKz263KQB7xaEvOBNOaZSdKkYM2tcEg/s367/03-monastery%201st%20pg%201.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="367" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_7PjqPdHyaNvea24hfkebmPenT7ofJt7OI1JSMgTUQB3J2Gc2fVeLDtT5FtFYLQSOv_HZTGcgesNoGD0I8ckBbXzbO2wPzQBkNTwHQdOx5vakqPfRrwCEg0D2WeUfFqqs5HarB-xUimHBYTNe0uU2jYHKfaANKz263KQB7xaEvOBNOaZSdKkYM2tcEg/s320/03-monastery%201st%20pg%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> For a priest attracted to the
contemplative life, our Poor Clare monastery is located in the perfect
setting:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>beautiful rural New Kent
County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6QZ6rxG87jAqOJ8Fra5gHYaMEEwIcUAdhdJ_a2QSI_pHdig49BcQw0WovMJOpWoPy4ucpSDu9tUwtEE64Gi39ZxnF8sFg0UgHiEPUQ7Bh9uFKpvl2zBCUr1V7sTWi5uUJ85UpWZlyUSqRWqzcgEYoAgqlATvl2ud3KzUQiR9FOLxRamPdioxA0CNU0o/s403/13-565051_10151209905238394_1877694211_n.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6QZ6rxG87jAqOJ8Fra5gHYaMEEwIcUAdhdJ_a2QSI_pHdig49BcQw0WovMJOpWoPy4ucpSDu9tUwtEE64Gi39ZxnF8sFg0UgHiEPUQ7Bh9uFKpvl2zBCUr1V7sTWi5uUJ85UpWZlyUSqRWqzcgEYoAgqlATvl2ud3KzUQiR9FOLxRamPdioxA0CNU0o/s320/13-565051_10151209905238394_1877694211_n.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </span>The chaplain’s residence, within
walking distance from the monastery, is a rustic log cabin complete with chapel,
bedroom, study, living room, kitchen, laundry and one car garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fully furnished and has its own
utilities (heat pump, well, septic system and generator).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiNklCnBvK28jGEt7jBhiIc8CKUwKI6_6xoI4g97ZnIfYAgaPs-lHak78Ny0iaEp8u5M0kR1IkKxVimRGtIVd67p5MFUyE3DUi3KOXlpZf6ICud2bjrL9E3O_YFc4Gd0qW-I7NC6UtMnPvdyei_0IOJrkacnNOjioeGXdhbGkr1L2IVZ7xqgb7kaNP_0/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiNklCnBvK28jGEt7jBhiIc8CKUwKI6_6xoI4g97ZnIfYAgaPs-lHak78Ny0iaEp8u5M0kR1IkKxVimRGtIVd67p5MFUyE3DUi3KOXlpZf6ICud2bjrL9E3O_YFc4Gd0qW-I7NC6UtMnPvdyei_0IOJrkacnNOjioeGXdhbGkr1L2IVZ7xqgb7kaNP_0/s320/IMG_1627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span>For a priest who, in addition to a quiet lifestyle
would also like some opportunities for ministry and friendly interaction,
benefactors of the monastery and members of local parishes are always
nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historic city of
Williamsburg is located just 30 minutes away to the southeast and the smaller
city of West Point is 10 minutes to the west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition to rent-free use of the chaplain’s private log
cabin, other benefits, including stipend, insurance, food, cleaning services
and transportation will be negotiated according to the needs and desires of the
chaplain.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those priests who are interested in becoming our resident
Chaplain at the Monastery of Poor Clares in Barhamsville, Va. should contact:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rev. Mother Mary Joyce at </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">email: <a href="mailto:mtstfranci@gmail.com">mtstfranci@gmail.com</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tel.: 757-566-1684</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bethlehem Monastery of Poor Clares<br />
5500 Holly Fork Rd.<br />
Barhamsville, VA 23011</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.95pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></p></div>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-65547991434613171672023-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:002023-10-01T08:30:24.654-07:00The Life of Penance Until the Coming of the Lord<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaMduM8_-om7fumZzdPL0sinwsQu77xhHd4f5hBZfHahHgpOD2YFq0DV8mMsTFtvsrMBhhqdl4gvRTtV3aHhiG0P7oZoSHmhRwk6_526o3mcs6nXwviNr99_IyOI83gooc12Ra6eDhS7yQzLre3eReQpHlg7i3rmWNcNUw5zbS9nUcJRh80StI1hOUlk/s221/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="155" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaMduM8_-om7fumZzdPL0sinwsQu77xhHd4f5hBZfHahHgpOD2YFq0DV8mMsTFtvsrMBhhqdl4gvRTtV3aHhiG0P7oZoSHmhRwk6_526o3mcs6nXwviNr99_IyOI83gooc12Ra6eDhS7yQzLre3eReQpHlg7i3rmWNcNUw5zbS9nUcJRh80StI1hOUlk/w217-h309/6.jpg" width="217" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are preparing for the Feast of our Holy Father St. Francis that will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 4th. Here is a meditation:</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If by true penance we have determined to
follow Him Who is the only Way to the Father, we must keep our eyes focused on
His second coming, that we may be ready to go forth to meet Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of His return must guide our
every action in this life and govern our every judgment on present
realities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever Saint Francis speaks
of the Way of Christ, it is always to include its final goal in the second
coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Saint Francis believed and prayed and
lived shaped his whole being, making him for the men of his age a striking and
unforgettable witness of the final ages that are to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saint Francis seems to have been vividly
conscious that the final age of the world had already dawned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is under this aspect, as a preparation for
the judgment and final consummation of all things, that he views the special
mission of his Order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The motivating
force and the very content and tenor of Franciscan preaching of penance is
faith in the second coming of the Lord, toward which we mortals are moving in
this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saint Francis finds the other-worldly
attitude that must mark the Christian Life of his friars summed up in the words
of Saint Peter: “as pilgrims and strangers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In his role as pilgrim, Saint Francis lived that Christian hope which
even here lays hold of what it seeks for as a precious if not visible
possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though wholly conscious that in this life
he awaits the life to come, the Christian must contribute to the manifestation
of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype> of
<st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saint Francis spells out in many details what
conversion to God means in practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though these make him a fool in the eyes of the world, they are a
faithful expression of his other-worldly view, since for him they make present
and visible here and now the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What now seems folly in the eyes of the world
will then be revealed as the prudence of the children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again men will discover that only when
things are looked at from their final end are they truly seen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", "serif";"><span style="font-size: medium;"> “The Lord called me to the way of
simplicity and has in truth revealed this way to me.” Saint Francis looked to the God-Man as his
Model, and copied Him as perfectly as grace permitted him. In simplicity he forgot himself and did
purely and simply what the Lord Himself had done. This is the way of simplicity to which the
Lord had called him and which the Lord had shown him.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-21021592667564347652023-08-05T13:16:00.001-07:002023-08-05T13:16:26.097-07:00St. Clare's Novena<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDSyK-Caz1j3UxoH1uv8l5NtgWonUhX6bexP-RacmlVq18YH1ww2d5Sf7pbci4Kiv0gljCM6kM9gOCWODtHMOHRCURsYkOwbzgbyBBFaobkuDRQktVyhfF34xOS3oi79_q3LueLQEjgqPEJuiqPyDqZqZzY7_exqit5w0dtP5i44V8V_bAp50NnDjmFE/s215/StClareAssisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDSyK-Caz1j3UxoH1uv8l5NtgWonUhX6bexP-RacmlVq18YH1ww2d5Sf7pbci4Kiv0gljCM6kM9gOCWODtHMOHRCURsYkOwbzgbyBBFaobkuDRQktVyhfF34xOS3oi79_q3LueLQEjgqPEJuiqPyDqZqZzY7_exqit5w0dtP5i44V8V_bAp50NnDjmFE/w372-h400/StClareAssisi.jpg" width="372" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The month of August marks a certain turning point in the
Poor Clare calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gardens begin
to look a bit tired after the intense heat and productivity of July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late summer flowers replace the blooms of
spring and the sun is not quite so high overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most of all, the first days of August contain
the solemn novena to our Mother St. Clare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our friends and benefactors send us their prayer intentions which we
gather up into the special prayers offered each day after our celebration of
Holy Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Clare, our Mother and
Foundress lived in the tumultuous times of the 13<sup>th</sup> century. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She well knows the sorrows and trials of
earthly life which really have not changed all the much in 800 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now as then people beg her powerful
intercession as they suffer illness, death, financial troubles, natural
disasters, emotional and spiritual trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>St. Clare and her daughters lived in a time of conflict, having personal
experience of war and exile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once it
happened that a marauding army scaled the walls of her monastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Clare turned in prayer to the Lord in the
Eucharist who then wrought a miracle that saved the Sisters from abuse and
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We remember this miracle each day
in our novena prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many marauding
armies are spreading death and destruction throughout the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many also are the more insidious hordes of
evil ideologies that are corrupting the hearts of the innocent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a joy for us to hear of the success of
the Eucharistic Revival in our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>May all the faithful turn to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as we battle
the evils afflicting our Church, our country and the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is an excerpt from the novena prayers we
are praying each day to our Mother St. Clare:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Valiant St. Clare, who fearlessly stood alone against the
barbarous Saracens, trusting in the Blessed Sacrament as your only protection,
enkindle in us a tender love for Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Help us to lead Eucharistic lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Protect our city, our diocese, our country, and all the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A voice from the Blessed Sacrament rewarded
your trust with the promise; “I will always take care of you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take care of us now in our earthly
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have pity on all who struggle, on
all who mourn, on those near to death, so that after this life we may all enter
into the light and bliss you now enjoy.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our Mother St. Clare’s feast is August 11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please join us in spirit as we celebrate her
great life and gift she is to us and the Church.</span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-63367925526109358232023-07-29T12:25:00.001-07:002023-07-29T12:25:21.915-07:00Pope St. John Paul's Message to Young People<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikanXxRIG33nJS_IJHnsh4zfGI-ynLAEAopPukOAIWWHvNSxYJn2E2_gnM7jnyELmwceib4cVAF3fMnABuSK3Hx6XKcZKTB7LTj3RldjBEU2emVoHnKbpCUaKHQbU5fmuraPY_5xKMEdL9cGHehayiSjK7WAL3EuvcFwW4tMcKgP2OpA_y5kpE9RovR6U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="682" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikanXxRIG33nJS_IJHnsh4zfGI-ynLAEAopPukOAIWWHvNSxYJn2E2_gnM7jnyELmwceib4cVAF3fMnABuSK3Hx6XKcZKTB7LTj3RldjBEU2emVoHnKbpCUaKHQbU5fmuraPY_5xKMEdL9cGHehayiSjK7WAL3EuvcFwW4tMcKgP2OpA_y5kpE9RovR6U" width="315" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.7px;">It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.</span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-63529474663243638142023-05-30T18:04:00.001-07:002023-05-30T18:04:13.344-07:00Live in the Spirit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTwvH6ifPC7TpYeb_3ON3vCPMKIYIkeyL_Hmfp3hIpt4zgx5TIEgLfnvf1vv1Ow0QLUoXcH6_l_jW83x0C0_kV_zRJfvtb9vGnxeDW8zwbdFgWyKlYHt_LFElvf2XMEZmwdXi8U27-6RcyBwh8umjiVin5yaHeAkVrIQrO9q_ez4hBkvMZLPVozgI/s426/Live%20in%20the%20Spirit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="426" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTwvH6ifPC7TpYeb_3ON3vCPMKIYIkeyL_Hmfp3hIpt4zgx5TIEgLfnvf1vv1Ow0QLUoXcH6_l_jW83x0C0_kV_zRJfvtb9vGnxeDW8zwbdFgWyKlYHt_LFElvf2XMEZmwdXi8U27-6RcyBwh8umjiVin5yaHeAkVrIQrO9q_ez4hBkvMZLPVozgI/w407-h205/Live%20in%20the%20Spirit.JPG" width="407" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6a5500a8-7fff-50a9-40a5-35bd6af49b25"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3199999999999998; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Holy Spirit, as the Fruit of the Love of the Father and the Son, is the Gift God gives with His Divine Life. He becomes as a fountain of living water welling up in the heart of the Christian (Cf. Jn. 7:38-39), the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16), and </span><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">grows into a great river, with many trees on each bank: every kind of fruit tree with leaves that never wither and fruit that never fails. Their fruit is good for food, and their leaves for medicine. Wherever the water flows all that dwells within it lives; it makes salt water fresh, and brings health and plenty.</span><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Cf. Ez. 47) Having completed their course, these waters return to the Ocean of sweet, pure water, which is God. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3199999999999998; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="border-left: solid #40bad2 2.25pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 8pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “God is Love” (1 Jn. 4:8, 16), and love is His first gift, containing all others. “God’s Love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:5)…The Communion of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14) in the Church restores to the baptized the divine likeness lost through sin. He, then, gives us the “pledge” or “first fruits” of our inheritance: the very life of the Holy Trinity, which is to love as “God has love us” ((1 Jn. 4:11-12; cf. Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:21). This love (the “charity” of 1 Cor. 13) is the source of the new life in Christ, made possible because we have received “power” from the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:8; f. 1 Cor. 13). By this power of the Spirit, God’s children can bear much fruit. (CCC 733-736)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3199999999999998; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As the mutual love of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit resides at the very center of the Christian Life, and, indeed, is operative in producing </span><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eucharistia </span><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the heart. “He </span><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">makes present </span><span style="font-family: "Gentium Basic", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist” (CCC 737). Just as the Holy Spirit overshadowed the Virgin Mary, and she conceived the Son (cf. Lk. 1:35), so He creates in the hearts of the faithful a kind of “new Incarnation of the Word” (Prayer of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity), through which Communion of Life with Christ in His Eucharist is established. </span></span></p><div><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 233px; overflow: hidden; width: 189px;"><br /></span></div></span>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-18252450609816637222023-05-29T17:48:00.003-07:002023-05-29T17:48:24.778-07:00A Prayer to Our Lady Mother of the Church<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpd92Dopb_ReBnfhOCOJ_Yw79_RDQCiK6Knwj5PlMNN-cA3pl5HgnQg-4BZLjQjL3jl3xgYEkx3YO1WN5kdHQu4W5KACxNq0ZAuE2mKHebtKkl9XfTeXA19rt3fDw7H9fqUCr0aB_pbl1o1gfCxiIOSo0FcxsnwVcS0xtFvJlCMcLPoljJ-IYIHMI/s1267/OLGLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="972" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpd92Dopb_ReBnfhOCOJ_Yw79_RDQCiK6Knwj5PlMNN-cA3pl5HgnQg-4BZLjQjL3jl3xgYEkx3YO1WN5kdHQu4W5KACxNq0ZAuE2mKHebtKkl9XfTeXA19rt3fDw7H9fqUCr0aB_pbl1o1gfCxiIOSo0FcxsnwVcS0xtFvJlCMcLPoljJ-IYIHMI/w302-h395/OLGLarge.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessed Lady, Mother of Jesus and our own Mother, You
faithfully accompanied your Son the Way of the Cross and courageously stood by
Him in His Crucifixion and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
said no word, yet your heart was one with His Heart in His sacrifice to the
Father on behalf of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you were for
Him on Calvary, be now a faithful, loving Mother to all who continue His
Passion o earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Support them in their
pain, comfort them in their sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
none despair but all be lifted up in hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>bring them all through the darkness of death to the light of the
Resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as consecrated women
are called to share in your mission to support the weak and frail members of
your Son’s Mystical Body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for us
that we may be faithful to Him who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.</span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-72957168108602358112023-04-03T16:31:00.000-07:002023-04-03T16:31:09.376-07:00Jesus, Eternal High Priest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdOKFeCz_JoES2CcmWNvdhnGY0LNMpwtPgwY9VKXqh66CxyqCOO2Wj_LedLYDSmy-91GwgYEwzIeUfbFL4QY-X7aKMUS5ievyTPaWtgJtKMKg-DD5a58t-9MWL2TfGSAy5VsFzAl9xnUv4-4qgO3r0wu9VJzIKWK400e-zlXc3ewD0yGlPSmFPwzh/s537/Jesus%20High%20Priest%20even%20larger%20image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="537" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdOKFeCz_JoES2CcmWNvdhnGY0LNMpwtPgwY9VKXqh66CxyqCOO2Wj_LedLYDSmy-91GwgYEwzIeUfbFL4QY-X7aKMUS5ievyTPaWtgJtKMKg-DD5a58t-9MWL2TfGSAy5VsFzAl9xnUv4-4qgO3r0wu9VJzIKWK400e-zlXc3ewD0yGlPSmFPwzh/w409-h307/Jesus%20High%20Priest%20even%20larger%20image2.jpg" width="409" /></a></div><br /> We have entered upon the holiest of weeks when we commemorate in liturgy and personal prayer, the ultimate self offering of Jesus to the Father on our behalf. He is the true High Priest who enters the Sanctuary of Heaven bearing His own blood shed in expiation of our sins. He is Priest, Victim, Altar and Temple. We join ourselves to Him in order to be offered with Him. We join our prayer to His, remembering the sufferings of His Mystical Body, all the poor, abused, tortured, persecuted, sick and dying, sorrowful and despairing ones of this world. May His Cross be our Hope of Salvation! And may we all look forward to the joy of His Resurrection!<p></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-52954802256310421662023-02-05T06:42:00.000-08:002023-02-05T06:42:54.383-08:00Our City set on Mt. St. Francis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrkN-0rQVFYAz9czXlibrvKfGjxKRziQlUf3bxCWnsoFDWM18Fnz5pbw_W5gWJ4hydcyn_K-NGnCUqWUeRQrBsU47rS8MQD_TQOnVupXVKnv1oEWY9mX4NYetJQO6FQwb-ifi6GA3A33abxjTLf86h7EwlgQhWfQunxrsXAJr5hJByQsJow_lG3XE/s1209/at%20night%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1209" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrkN-0rQVFYAz9czXlibrvKfGjxKRziQlUf3bxCWnsoFDWM18Fnz5pbw_W5gWJ4hydcyn_K-NGnCUqWUeRQrBsU47rS8MQD_TQOnVupXVKnv1oEWY9mX4NYetJQO6FQwb-ifi6GA3A33abxjTLf86h7EwlgQhWfQunxrsXAJr5hJByQsJow_lG3XE/w640-h187/at%20night%202.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You are the light of
the world…”,</i> so our Lord tells His disciples in today’s liturgy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few days ago we celebrated the Feast of the
Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, traditionally called “Candlemas Day”
because of the candlelit procession that initiates the Sacrifice of the
Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each carried a burning taper
meant to be an outward sign of our vocation to enlighten the world with the
Christ life that burns in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>February
2<sup>nd</sup> is also the midpoint between our celebrations of Christmas and
Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is still a Babe in His
Mother’s arms being carried into the temple for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there they will meet Simeon, the holy man
inspired by the Spirit who prophesies to Mary that her Son will be a “Sign of
contradiction” and her own heart will be pierced with a sword.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in this one feast the Church brings
together the mystery of the Incarnation and Redemption, the Word made Flesh who
yet shines in the darkness, a darkness that did not overcome Him even in His
Passion and Death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We too are called to
be lights shining in the darkness of our world by our being united to His
Mystical Body and sharing His divine life with others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: large;">A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.<br />
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;<br />
it is set on a lampstand,<br />
where it gives light to all in the house.<br />
Just so, your light must shine before others,<br />
that they may see your good deeds<br />
and glorify your heavenly Father.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">As cloistered nuns,
we have often been chided for not following this Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being enclosed and hidden from sight by vow,
are we not putting our light under a bushel basket?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we shine before others if they cannot
see us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This objection actually reflects
the individualistic and materialistic orientation of our modern world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Christian witness is a communal rather
than an individual affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worship
God together in the very close and restricted environment of the papal
enclosure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who do come to know us
through the limited communication our way of life affords are often amazed that
20 women can live in such close quarters without killing each other!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only explanation is that the Christ life
has been enkindled among us and charity reigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the light that shines from our monastery upon the darkness of
hatred and division that encompasses the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>True, it is not seen directly by the eyes of our contemporaries, but it
is experienced spiritually for those who are open to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even on the physical level, once a lamp is
lit and set on its stand, who keeps looking at it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, the lamp is meant to shine so that people
can see the realities around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
light, coming from Christ, shines so that men and women can clearly see what is
real and unreal, what is true and what is false, what is good and what is
evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our prayer that all may come
to know Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and to follow Him out of
the darkness and into His marvelous light.</span></span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-26750368574113680352023-01-18T16:15:00.003-08:002023-01-18T16:15:24.317-08:00Dare to Love!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMetxeJpILr4apEPy-6QhLNisWuL5pVQa2Fhpt-NYt12Q3O25HfzInIknb0iDwyzLlzrm4YMWZfuC5Ki_1V66MIlWk_HR1cWx0hwbgg9N538731QvK2PIK-O9UgWUoFV5tfZahbzKTBQCZMfBgtZTCnZ6tLVSr_8BMIwOVrFvIkCbUsCRtxX4TUI21/s670/Pope%20Benedict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="670" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMetxeJpILr4apEPy-6QhLNisWuL5pVQa2Fhpt-NYt12Q3O25HfzInIknb0iDwyzLlzrm4YMWZfuC5Ki_1V66MIlWk_HR1cWx0hwbgg9N538731QvK2PIK-O9UgWUoFV5tfZahbzKTBQCZMfBgtZTCnZ6tLVSr_8BMIwOVrFvIkCbUsCRtxX4TUI21/w400-h266/Pope%20Benedict.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>On New Year's eve we were saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Pope Benedict. And yet, we feel closer to him now that he has entered eternity and we can communicate with him by prayer. Of course, his many profound writings make him ever present to us. I would like to share his message to young people that he wrote back in 2007 on the theme of love. May Pope Benedict rest in the sweet peace of the God who Himself is Love!<p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><em>MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"><strong><em>BENEDICT XVI</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"><strong><em>TO THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"><strong><em>ON THE OCCASION</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"><strong><em>OF THE 22</em></strong><sup><strong><em>nd</em></strong></sup><strong><em> WORLD YOUTH DAY, 2007</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"> “<em>Just as I have loved you, you also</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"><em>should love one another</em>” (<em>Jn</em> 13:34).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><em> My dear young friends,</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> On the occasion of the 22<sup>nd</sup> World Youth Day that will be celebrated in the dioceses on Palm Sunday, I would like to propose for your meditation the words of Jesus: “<em>Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another”</em> (<em>Jn</em> 13:34).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> Is it possible to love?</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Everybody feels the longing to love and to be loved.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Yet, how difficult it is to love, and how many mistakes and failures have to be reckoned with in love!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> There are those who even come to doubt that love is possible.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> But if emotional delusions or lack of affection can cause us to think that love is utopian, an impossible dream, should we then become resigned?</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> No!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Love is possible, and the purpose of my message is to help reawaken in each one of you -- you who are the future and hope of humanity -- trust in a love that is true, faithful and strong; a love that generates peace and joy; a love that binds people together and allows them to feel free in respect for one another.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Let us now go on a journey together in three stages, as we embark on a “discovery” of love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> God, the source of love</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The first stage concerns the source of true love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> There is only one source, and that is God.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Saint John makes this clear when he declares that “God is love” (1 <em>Jn</em> 4: 8,16). </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> He was not simply saying that God loves us, but that the very being of God is love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Here we find ourselves before the most dazzling revelation of the source of love, the mystery of the Trinity: in God, one and triune, there is an everlasting exchange of love between the persons of the Father and the Son, and this love is not an energy or a sentiment, but it is a person; it is the Holy Spirit.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> The Cross of Christ fully reveals the love of God</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> How is God-Love revealed to us?</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> We have now reached the second stage of our journey.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Even though the signs of divine love are already clearly present in creation, the full revelation of the intimate mystery of God came to us through the Incarnation when God himself became man.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> In Christ, true God and true Man, we have come to know love in all its magnitude.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> In fact, as I wrote in the Encyclical <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r%3D55296799%26msgid%3D755952%26act%3DOG9Z%26c%3D305005%26pid%3D2857699%26destination%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.vatican.va%252Fcontent%252Fbenedict-xvi%252Fen%252Fencyclicals%252Fdocuments%252Fhf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html%26cf%3D79866%26v%3D36c159f98c76268b2af43fd76bc8bd1558790cf9136c1303dab63557b960c29b&source=gmail&ust=1674170809187000&usg=AOvVaw1Deh3sF2l3e49AdyhtRWNc" href="https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=55296799&msgid=755952&act=OG9Z&c=305005&pid=2857699&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vatican.va%2Fcontent%2Fbenedict-xvi%2Fen%2Fencyclicals%2Fdocuments%2Fhf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html&cf=79866&v=36c159f98c76268b2af43fd76bc8bd1558790cf9136c1303dab63557b960c29b" style="color: #663300;" target="_blank"><em>Deus caritas est</em></a>, “the real novelty of the New Testament lies not so much in new ideas as in the figure of Christ himself, who gives flesh and blood to those concepts Can unprecedented realism” (n. 12).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The manifestation of divine love is total and perfect in the Cross where, we are told by Saint Paul, <em>“God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us”</em> (<em>Rm</em> 5:8).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Therefore, each one of us can truly say: <em>“Christ loved me and gave himself up for me” </em>(cf <em>Eph</em> 5:2).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Redeemed by his blood, no human life is useless or of little value, because each of us is loved personally by Him with a passionate and faithful love, a love without limits.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The Cross -- for the world a folly, for many believers a scandal -- is in fact the “wisdom of God” for those who allow themselves to be touched right to the innermost depths of their being, <em>“for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” </em>(1 <em>Cor</em> 1:25).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Moreover, the Crucifix, which after the Resurrection would carry forever the marks of his passion, exposes the “distortions” and lies about God that underlie violence, vengeance and exclusion.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Christ is the Lamb of God who takes upon himself the sins of the world and eradicates hatred from the heart of humankind.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> This is the true “revolution” that He brings about: love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> Loving our neighbour as Christ loves us</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Now we have arrived at the third stage of our reflection.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Christ cried out from the Cross: <em>“I am thirsty” </em>(<em>Jn</em> 19:28).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> This shows us his burning thirst to love and to be loved by each one of us.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> It is only by coming to perceive the depth and intensity of such a mystery that we can realise the need and urgency to love him as He has loved us.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> This also entails the commitment to even give our lives, if necessary, for our brothers and sisters sustained by love for Him. God had already said in the Old Testament: <em>“You shall love your neighbour as yourself” </em>(<em>Lev</em> 19:18), but the innovation introduced by Christ is the fact that to love as he loves us means loving everyone without distinction, even our enemies, <em>“to the end” </em>(cf<em> Jn</em> 13:1).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> Witnesses to the love of Christ</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> I would like to linger for a moment on three areas of daily life where you, my dear young friends, are particularly called to demonstrate the love of God.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The first area is the Church, our spiritual family, made up of all the disciples of Christ.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Mindful of his words: <em>“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”</em> (<em>Jn</em> 13:35), you should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Do not hesitate to joyfully abstain from some of your entertainments; cheerfully accept the necessary sacrifices; testify to your faithful love for Jesus by proclaiming his Gospel, especially among young people of your age.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> Preparing for the future</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The second area, where you are called to express your love and grow in it, is your preparation for the future that awaits you.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> If you are engaged to be married, God has a project of love for your future as a couple and as a family.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Therefore, it is essential that you discover it with the help of the Church, free from the common prejudice that says that Christianity with its commandments and prohibitions places obstacles to the joy of love and impedes you from fully enjoying the happiness that a man and woman seek in their reciprocal love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The love of a man and woman is at the origin of the human family and the couple formed by a man and a woman has its foundation in God’s original plan (cf <em>Gen</em> 2:18-25).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Learning to love each other as a couple is a wonderful journey, yet it requires a demanding “apprenticeship”.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The period of engagement, very necessary in order to form a couple, is a time of expectation and preparation that needs to be lived in purity of gesture and words.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> It allows you to mature in love, in concern and in attention for each other; it helps you to practise self-control and to develop your respect for each other.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> These are the characteristics of true love that does not place emphasis on seeking its own satisfaction or its own welfare.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> In your prayer together, ask the Lord to watch over and increase your love and to purify it of all selfishness.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Do not hesitate to respond generously to the Lord’s call, for Christian matrimony is truly and wholly a vocation in the Church.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Likewise, dear young men and women, be ready to say “yes” if God should call you to follow the path of ministerial priesthood or the consecrated life.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Your example will be one of encouragement for many of your peers who are seeking true happiness.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> Growing in love each day</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The third area of commitment that comes with love is that of daily life with its multiple relationships.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> I am particularly referring to family, studies, work and free time.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Dear young friends, cultivate your talents, not only to obtain a social position, but also to help others to “grow”.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Develop your capacities, not only in order to become more “competitive” and “productive”, but to be “witnesses of charity”.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> In addition to your professional training, also make an effort to acquire religious knowledge that will help you to carry out your mission in a responsible way.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> In particular, I invite you to carefully study the social doctrine of the Church so that its principles may inspire and guide your action in the world.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> May the Holy Spirit make you creative in charity, persevering in your commitments, and brave in your initiatives, so that you will be able to offer your contribution to the building up of the “civilisation of love”.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The horizon of love is truly boundless: it is the whole world!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> “Dare to love” by following the example of the saints</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> My dear young friends, I want to invite you to “dare to love”.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Do not desire anything less for your life than a love that is strong and beautiful and that is capable of making the whole of your existence a joyful undertaking of giving yourselves as a gift to God and your brothers and sisters, in imitation of the One who vanquished hatred and death forever through love (cf <em>Rev</em> 5:13).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Love is the only force capable of changing the heart of the human person and of all humanity, by making fruitful the relations between men and women, between rich and poor, between cultures and civilisations. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> This is shown to us in the lives of the saints.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> They are true friends of God who channel and reflect this very first love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Try to know them better, entrust yourselves to their intercession, and strive to live as they did.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> I shall just mention Mother Teresa.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> In order to respond instantly to the cry of Jesus, “I thirst”, a cry that had touched her deeply, she began to take in the people who were dying on the streets of Calcutta in India.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> From that time onward, the only desire of her life was to quench the thirst of love felt by Jesus, not with words, but with concrete action by recognising his disfigured countenance thirsting for love in the faces of the poorest of the poor.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Blessed Teresa put the teachings of the Lord into practice: <em>“Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” </em>(<em>Mt</em> 25:40).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> The message of this humble witness of divine love has spread around the whole world.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> The secret of love</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Each one of us, my dear friends, has been given the possibility of reaching this same level of love, but only by having recourse to the indispensable support of divine Grace.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Only the Lord’s help will allow us to keep away from resignation when faced with the enormity of the task to be undertaken.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> It instills in us the courage to accomplish that which is humanly inconceivable.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Above all, the Eucharist is the great school of love.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> When we participate regularly and with devotion in Holy Mass, when we spend a sustained time of adoration in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, it is easier to understand the length, breadth, height and depth of his love that goes beyond all knowledge (cf <em>Eph</em> 3:17-18).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> By sharing the Eucharistic Bread with our brothers and sisters of the Church community, we feel compelled, like Our Lady with Elizabeth, to render “in haste” the love of Christ into generous service towards our brothers and sisters.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><strong><em> Towards the encounter in Sydney</em></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> On this subject, the recommendation of the apostle John is illuminating: <em>“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth” </em>(1 <em>Jn</em> 3: 18-19).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> Dear young people, it is in this spirit that I invite you to experience the next World Youth Day together with your bishops in your respective dioceses.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> This will be an important stage on the way to the meeting in Sydney where the theme will be: “<em>You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses”</em> (<em>Acts</em> 1:8).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> May Mary, the Mother of Christ and of the Church, help you to let that cry ring out everywhere, the cry that has changed the world: “God is love!”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"> I am together with you all in prayer and extend to you my heartfelt blessing.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><em> From the Vatican, 27 January 2007</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px; text-align: center;"><strong>+ BENEDICTUS PP. XVI</strong></p><p> </p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-43208835545050232982022-12-25T12:46:00.003-08:002022-12-25T12:46:56.405-08:00Christmas 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkd8Qz3-WuqZPkN_rcW-9jt0v6dajrE81l1gprXrUiXko1upAetpqxlkQheuBBulSHn8sZNkIOLu8BA3TRgZbEkmFtV0LEV-1qtuimBoocluXEOMftviOT26xlSN-SYl9WWRhu5I5yNd5yutWBHCoSayg0isWRp7RGpYMKdA5t1_mkrniRWbz-T6i/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkd8Qz3-WuqZPkN_rcW-9jt0v6dajrE81l1gprXrUiXko1upAetpqxlkQheuBBulSHn8sZNkIOLu8BA3TRgZbEkmFtV0LEV-1qtuimBoocluXEOMftviOT26xlSN-SYl9WWRhu5I5yNd5yutWBHCoSayg0isWRp7RGpYMKdA5t1_mkrniRWbz-T6i/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A new friend of ours got into contact with us as he was looking for a good place to donate his hand carved Christmas Creche. What better place could there be than a Poor Clare Monastery named Bethlehem? Of course we were thrilled to receive such a worthy depiction of our Lord's nativity, just in time for the celebration of His birth! The only question was, "Where to put it?<p></p><p>Our first thought was to bring it to our choir/chapel, but because that location needs larger figurines to be adequately appreciated, our next choice was our refectory, where we all gather three times a day to take our communal meals. </p><p>Our monastic "dining hall" is situated opposite our worship area, with a central courtyard between. We chose that architectural expression in order to emphasize the importance and connection of these two aspects of our community life. In both the choir and in the refectory, we are nourished. Our Lord Himself feeds us with the Bread of Life, and our Sisters feed us with our "daily bread". Love, both divine and human, is shared among us in a most intimate way. In both these places we live our Christian lives, our Poor Clare community life; one with God and one with each other. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR6XT-DLCwANSLkrU7JpsyI6JwzoGttfY44AeJpCneGWSuhppMbRocSonzDx1jzY9l_7a3Bb5mx_KJeMiaz62BoRA0zH2en477AUYBJi07e74MwX4291_rOjZ9JYXQerjH3-FGg6P8Ie86xk86InHQDBwJfbKNITHVxkVFZJKRFxV65t61Z2N6ONy/s1027/IMG_0012%20crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1027" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR6XT-DLCwANSLkrU7JpsyI6JwzoGttfY44AeJpCneGWSuhppMbRocSonzDx1jzY9l_7a3Bb5mx_KJeMiaz62BoRA0zH2en477AUYBJi07e74MwX4291_rOjZ9JYXQerjH3-FGg6P8Ie86xk86InHQDBwJfbKNITHVxkVFZJKRFxV65t61Z2N6ONy/s320/IMG_0012%20crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jesus came among us to show us His way, to become our Way. We pray for all of you, indeed for the whole world, especially those who still live in the darkness of unbelief, that all may come to know the Truth of God's tender Love and in It be set free. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ3kPAi7nUPvLZvTUrd0BEvXNMq5oMT2-4Bif1_-x1ztONmSrcfsOSYqOFwUcpZL5MZ8N_2cCl6O4Eym5C5SE7y1TTKMq2vfTn_MHdoGzJKujXwpX5T7jQBuQQOcRwqSqP6YB-KJrWCF_PdFChZZE9RIke79t-fPVkulvHBeeu0XDefDEPNcf6Z-F/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ3kPAi7nUPvLZvTUrd0BEvXNMq5oMT2-4Bif1_-x1ztONmSrcfsOSYqOFwUcpZL5MZ8N_2cCl6O4Eym5C5SE7y1TTKMq2vfTn_MHdoGzJKujXwpX5T7jQBuQQOcRwqSqP6YB-KJrWCF_PdFChZZE9RIke79t-fPVkulvHBeeu0XDefDEPNcf6Z-F/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUi7gi8CKSSKBFTkeqK0_dBrZmX6H4Qq2v18LD63JiiJkskJgMCfCzoha6-D4fcCvzjpuJFoGh91YJUGqVSufzBvhLzRT8XJy-b2uLX6Vj7AR4A8Cq_auc4tNN5NHLM6tDRPl1DvoPcPY7qNzMcowls5YaeKezlLHmv3WiuDLXS8TvjOpCi0iv1Tm/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUi7gi8CKSSKBFTkeqK0_dBrZmX6H4Qq2v18LD63JiiJkskJgMCfCzoha6-D4fcCvzjpuJFoGh91YJUGqVSufzBvhLzRT8XJy-b2uLX6Vj7AR4A8Cq_auc4tNN5NHLM6tDRPl1DvoPcPY7qNzMcowls5YaeKezlLHmv3WiuDLXS8TvjOpCi0iv1Tm/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Blessed Christmas and New Year from all your Sisters at Bethlehem Monastery!<br /> <p></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-42475168578461550742022-12-07T16:01:00.000-08:002022-12-07T16:01:16.192-08:00Prayer to Our Lady on the Solemnity of her Immaculate Conception<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4yPIE8O9brIqulFWz8pUKTaVucHwF_c9N8ri_syHqgx3BeDEtUeE2cvroX5z1cqr9fPgvaNHGF7xcQdArnhns-HMxyydn_mTNKXEq0bonheL6ESJVizKxjNBfTsBh1-pQNpRz_wcgErGycmlZkOtxMTUKgVpqZkvfeL2Ln0CNLycjQ-wcr9PGoEx/s3384/Our%20Lady%20of%20Fatima.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3384" data-original-width="1912" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4yPIE8O9brIqulFWz8pUKTaVucHwF_c9N8ri_syHqgx3BeDEtUeE2cvroX5z1cqr9fPgvaNHGF7xcQdArnhns-HMxyydn_mTNKXEq0bonheL6ESJVizKxjNBfTsBh1-pQNpRz_wcgErGycmlZkOtxMTUKgVpqZkvfeL2Ln0CNLycjQ-wcr9PGoEx/w226-h400/Our%20Lady%20of%20Fatima.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">" They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength,</span></i><p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">they will soar as with eagle's wings,</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">they will run and not grow weary,</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">walk and not grow faint " (from the prophet Isaiah)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Blesed Lady, Immaculate Mother,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">we would love to soar in spirit as with eagle's wings, but our sins and our sorrows weigh us down. And not only our personal sins and sorrows, but also those of all our loved ones, the sin and sorrow in all the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Be with us, Blessed Lady. You are the white dawn that heralds the rising of the Sun of Justice who comes to lift our burdens and leighen our darknesss. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Pray for us that we may entrust all to Him and become like you, a sign of hope for our sad and fearful world.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-12387131448015563982022-11-06T18:30:00.001-08:002022-11-06T18:30:00.152-08:00Transitus of our Sister Mary Agnes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRScr5wu7stYlZOpi-P9SzPL3oHJkHkFqayJCD-TZ9qK_POHGdAeS-Is4xsZ9QysII0ZSuuOL3QNi5DmpmjqJyPk8pv5zPO8gh5NEwEKy4wyYOTxYOGhfqXHjfb75D6xkqKZXWX0C1aXpUXPvn_OudVBRwb16Eoh-mQgMitR7B_22gg5gavv03-7SM/s345/17-Sister%20Agnes%20joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="345" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRScr5wu7stYlZOpi-P9SzPL3oHJkHkFqayJCD-TZ9qK_POHGdAeS-Is4xsZ9QysII0ZSuuOL3QNi5DmpmjqJyPk8pv5zPO8gh5NEwEKy4wyYOTxYOGhfqXHjfb75D6xkqKZXWX0C1aXpUXPvn_OudVBRwb16Eoh-mQgMitR7B_22gg5gavv03-7SM/w383-h329/17-Sister%20Agnes%20joy.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><br /> Today, one year ago, our dear Sister Mary Agnes completed her passing into eternal life. We posted a little slide show presentation on YouTube to commemorate that major event in our community. We miss her! But in faith we know she is still with us, though in a different way. Here is the link to said slide show:<p></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/Hq6CJiLy0rY" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/Hq6CJiLy0rY</a><br /></p><p>We pray for all our loved ones who have departed this life, especially during this autumn month of November, dedicated as it is to the remembrance of the deceased.</p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-26584421510468178062022-10-03T21:00:00.001-07:002022-10-03T21:00:00.150-07:00St. Francis Eucharistic Devotion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ2ZGIjT8MrCya_ALEivKzkvbCrPRPp-_vppcYoREBrBNDQhJsZYwNAssflOMOH-H5FIpCsNhw2fl0_FufDWISjRENzXWtQ5dC57FKDGZ4O0dKCZNdDRHPx0gKLw5s01oMiNMoeIbycbG8x9P59513kc8ryNnvCk2eOc6dfuhvMYYbw-e5ucmTo1K/s320/a34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ2ZGIjT8MrCya_ALEivKzkvbCrPRPp-_vppcYoREBrBNDQhJsZYwNAssflOMOH-H5FIpCsNhw2fl0_FufDWISjRENzXWtQ5dC57FKDGZ4O0dKCZNdDRHPx0gKLw5s01oMiNMoeIbycbG8x9P59513kc8ryNnvCk2eOc6dfuhvMYYbw-e5ucmTo1K/s1600/a34.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today is the feast of our Father St. Francis, the Little
Poor Man of Assisi who set the 13<sup>th</sup> century on fire with His unique
love for Jesus who “though rich became poor for our sake”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francis wanted with all his heart to imitate
His Lord in His embrace of poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
contemplated the poor Christ Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a
manger by His poor Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wept over
the naked Savior hanging upon the Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he trembled before the Holy Eucharist that is Jesus stripped not
only of His divine glory, but even of His semblance of human form so as to
become our Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He often exhorted his followers to revere the Blessed Sacrament of the
altar and to give flesh to this reverence by providing worthy sacred vessels,
clean linens and secure tabernacles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Francis wanted to have nothing for himself, yet nothing was too good for
his Eucharistic Lord.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">As our bishops call us to renew and revive our devotion to
the Lord in His Holy Eucharist, we offer to you a quotation from the writings
of our Father St. Francis:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Children, how long will you be hard of heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you not know the truth and believe in
the Son of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behold, each day He
humbles Himself as when He came from the royal throne into the Virgin’s womb;
each day He Himself comes to us, appearing humbly; each day He comes down from
the bosom of the Father upon the altar in the hands of a priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As He revealed Himself to the holy apostles
in true flesh, so He reveals Himself to us now in sacred bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as they saw only His flesh by an insight
of their flesh, yet believed that He was God as they contemplated Him with
their spiritual eyes, let us, as we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes,
see and firmly believe that they are His most holy Body and Blood living and
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in this way the Lord is always
with His faithful as He Himself says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Behold I am with you until the end of the age.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">May the love we receive from Jesus in the Most Blessed
Sacrament set our own hearts afire so that we too may kindle a flame that will
light and warm our suffering world.</span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-66220687452046147382022-08-07T16:35:00.000-07:002022-08-07T16:35:47.391-07:00Golden Jubilee of St. Antonette<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vlZBeU_zi2ESKxmd0CJjXisxQ0j7fsScKQ8v1y3xfbxKL9AQ2-PkqO7kfCdPpeuvdgmt3Wt1MlUfwY-i4tkmFYGHiJ2jNODnLcTLFRZlC4aHtps8lt6s2l2metNMzGjnZzVIlTsCwVEBB80Q8F_c_dxJ8TmQ8t-jxqOsNsZUV_f_4dERatRDd9gO/s2576/34-2005-H%20in%20garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vlZBeU_zi2ESKxmd0CJjXisxQ0j7fsScKQ8v1y3xfbxKL9AQ2-PkqO7kfCdPpeuvdgmt3Wt1MlUfwY-i4tkmFYGHiJ2jNODnLcTLFRZlC4aHtps8lt6s2l2metNMzGjnZzVIlTsCwVEBB80Q8F_c_dxJ8TmQ8t-jxqOsNsZUV_f_4dERatRDd9gO/w299-h400/34-2005-H%20in%20garden.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">We recently celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our Sister Mary
Antonette. Part of the celebration was
a slide show that we put together using her own personal pictures as well as
photos from our community albums. The
accompanying music is a bit more rhythmic than is our usual wont since she is a
child of the “60’s and still enjoys a modern beat. Sister Antonette has a unique history among
cloistered Poor Clare Nuns who generally stay put in one monastery for the
duration of their monastic lives. She
entered a monastery is Roswell, New Mexico and was then sent to us here in
Virginia to assist in a time of need.
She was then sent to found a new monastery in the Netherlands. After about 20 years, she returned to
us. Here is a loving representation of
her journey:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://youtu.be/nie-R7CoikQ">https://youtu.be/nie-R7CoikQ</a><br /></p><p> </p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-45753702901289511862022-06-20T16:25:00.003-07:002022-06-20T16:25:56.662-07:00Corpus Christi Recovery<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcneqZhQ2JWXY4RvHL1c08Uwwq5pcgP5s3fo8-H6p0gVBhbuOgkCfCApewpQkVDOi1rb7FMLxSE4sDJlPQjFQy4CNoXuczWe_X7dW_F5AAVrZtPFLN5odQ0dLN_C1JML-TpMvPYaq0WjCsDFboHcNoETDgLO-s9SJb6qVvxnPxi7BYIhd076OdVfY/s1584/0619220923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1584" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcneqZhQ2JWXY4RvHL1c08Uwwq5pcgP5s3fo8-H6p0gVBhbuOgkCfCApewpQkVDOi1rb7FMLxSE4sDJlPQjFQy4CNoXuczWe_X7dW_F5AAVrZtPFLN5odQ0dLN_C1JML-TpMvPYaq0WjCsDFboHcNoETDgLO-s9SJb6qVvxnPxi7BYIhd076OdVfY/w400-h266/0619220923.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPyWUo8TP-7DxxEEbaI3BqsP48nAv12QBticPvOjtavufH7NuqtpbEeY_J2QEzBm5FslOBZ5a9Exx2thoe2xiFKGC7qr0vxqZXM0yf9IK4KTueH888NPTdpGEBoNkYZo7iW5HD67r2WqNP7vXCBshOZfgvwJpS8YTTkTrrFBK75BlveAKPN7YTfX9/s1767/0619220924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1767" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPyWUo8TP-7DxxEEbaI3BqsP48nAv12QBticPvOjtavufH7NuqtpbEeY_J2QEzBm5FslOBZ5a9Exx2thoe2xiFKGC7qr0vxqZXM0yf9IK4KTueH888NPTdpGEBoNkYZo7iW5HD67r2WqNP7vXCBshOZfgvwJpS8YTTkTrrFBK75BlveAKPN7YTfX9/w400-h263/0619220924.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Yesterday, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, was a very happy day for us. Our eldest Sister who had been in and out of the hospital for the last month was at last among us to celebrate her nameday. Although none of the rest of us were hospitalized, during that time, about half suffered from a "bug" while the other half took care of and filled in for those confined to their beds. We are not yet at 100% full speed, but life is definitely looking brighter even as the days lengthen and the temperature rises outdoors. Our gardens are in full swing, both vegetable and flower. Most of the bouquets for our Corpus Christi altars were made with homegrown blooms. During our extended Lent, we offered our afflictions for the poor people in Ukraine as well as those close to home who suffer from the economic conditions in our country. We look forward now to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and pray our Merciful Savior will bless everyone with His loving kindness.</span><p></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-70293778458158702152022-03-27T15:59:00.005-07:002022-03-27T15:59:24.360-07:00Prayers for Peace<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISQFgVNFIuHGzgoYZaMlW52GVDf1i1_lF7xgTpmjS8jFe8-ewaVLWSOIuEfyr2HOzKj_xNrgCgbXbSKr9T1W5lz0GpYYeweL3arTYxWvWIoZa_q4V9BDmMwpnmMtH-TnckKFkxKPpgF3MLG4XP_eZ926G53ftBEY1GbIPfChoZ-v6KbTV2XSLo1x2/s2560/0324221405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISQFgVNFIuHGzgoYZaMlW52GVDf1i1_lF7xgTpmjS8jFe8-ewaVLWSOIuEfyr2HOzKj_xNrgCgbXbSKr9T1W5lz0GpYYeweL3arTYxWvWIoZa_q4V9BDmMwpnmMtH-TnckKFkxKPpgF3MLG4XP_eZ926G53ftBEY1GbIPfChoZ-v6KbTV2XSLo1x2/s320/0324221405.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>On Friday, Solemnity of the Annunciation, we joined Pope Francis and the whole Church in prayer to our Blessed Mother for peace. Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament presided on our altar as we gathered before the image of His Mother at 12 noon.<br /></span><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"> </em><p></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HryH7hjE5TzXVgjIerQaEKHnSjSERRFNtoqoFDQYKvoANp8-vnVDicJmxYaXM_cWEgryL20xGljWTswdmFe546mvqBfAE2QtkpbGMJLdiHfcFHatA4ob4KSlCRatsadolqRcICzWSvjbc4LOfFzvmtvdUGJFqUp6UkbIQI3um1sXGHFZYdEJ1eSH/s2560/0325220951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HryH7hjE5TzXVgjIerQaEKHnSjSERRFNtoqoFDQYKvoANp8-vnVDicJmxYaXM_cWEgryL20xGljWTswdmFe546mvqBfAE2QtkpbGMJLdiHfcFHatA4ob4KSlCRatsadolqRcICzWSvjbc4LOfFzvmtvdUGJFqUp6UkbIQI3um1sXGHFZYdEJ1eSH/s320/0325220951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><p><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p>Throughout the day the Sisters continued our pleas for the powerful intercession of Mary.</span></span><p></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></em></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpAufha5Cl_qmnTMzlb8bpO5RBo8TUKKEc6iNfNs_hmfuCHHDq5QrHU5ihs0PIMhItovW79IIL4_4_-oKqVmuX0rPhY7J5zN-x4KjRaid-T0ofTy0EyuTWgTFQzpdnVBeN0FfNryZ-qsZIOwsJLpjf_UQjrFJVNPD2RirYXS2MHkx-iPpwMGxGwU1/s2560/0325220952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpAufha5Cl_qmnTMzlb8bpO5RBo8TUKKEc6iNfNs_hmfuCHHDq5QrHU5ihs0PIMhItovW79IIL4_4_-oKqVmuX0rPhY7J5zN-x4KjRaid-T0ofTy0EyuTWgTFQzpdnVBeN0FfNryZ-qsZIOwsJLpjf_UQjrFJVNPD2RirYXS2MHkx-iPpwMGxGwU1/w284-h379/0325220952.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><em style="font-family: serif; font-size: 18px;">Holy Mother of God, as you stood beneath the cross, Jesus, seeing the disciple at your side, said: “Behold your son” (Jn 19:26). In this way he entrusted each of us to you. To the disciple, and to each of us, he said: “Behold, your Mother” (v. 27). Mother Mary, we now desire to welcome you into our lives and our history. At this hour, a weary and distraught humanity stands with you beneath the cross, needing to entrust itself to you and, through you, to consecrate itself to Christ. The people of Ukraine and Russia, who venerate you with great love, now turn to you, even as your heart beats with compassion for them and for all those peoples decimated by war, hunger, injustice and poverty.</em><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 16px;"><em> </em><strong style="color: #9f1c2d;"><em>Therefore, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine</em></strong><em>. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world. The “Fiat” that arose from your heart opened the doors of history to the Prince of Peace. We trust that, through your heart, peace will dawn once more. </em></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6983345643957602044.post-85718367195457083202022-03-19T16:44:00.004-07:002022-03-19T16:44:51.174-07:00Sister Immaculee makes First Profession<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiweei3xP9JcN7ysieOkv4Q3FhbqiuDPGoIp6lugrCASxaVD2V0FfRYqpvBLmvQtZByXJjtRiWAjLKwpTGVjerUYBUZcnSUipLvWOqOQ3eB6N55TVVTOBmFQIfyM7J6Y0cEjG-nGSGlPwWtTGg6O8ouiAwy6GUQurN5bR7ZA-vTPJkZhFW5iA1p0GWq=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiweei3xP9JcN7ysieOkv4Q3FhbqiuDPGoIp6lugrCASxaVD2V0FfRYqpvBLmvQtZByXJjtRiWAjLKwpTGVjerUYBUZcnSUipLvWOqOQ3eB6N55TVVTOBmFQIfyM7J6Y0cEjG-nGSGlPwWtTGg6O8ouiAwy6GUQurN5bR7ZA-vTPJkZhFW5iA1p0GWq=w292-h389" width="292" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, March 18, is the day we celebrate the Profession of our Mother St. Clare. It was on this day in the year 1212 that she left her home and joined the family of St. Francis to become the first of his Poor Ladies, later known as Poor Clares. We celebrated in grand style by having our own Profession ceremony. Our Sister Marie Immaculee made her First Holy Profession of Vows during Mass in our chapel. Here are some highlights of this happy day<br /> </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7qWWSMcmuSp4trYhXSOZKpCRxTI4y1Q4RQbFsRVB6LJcRjHvvchNfbVijuhnnf7ES6pD0z7lI-rDPLd9ysQ6jDHtCcCeWda26sM47KrRAflAscLnYRLSZA0g8oVzvbdEg6JB8DeDvDA9WrUvthFq01hwRl19nWr5utXf-QidXrh-ueOYROdl-sggo=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7qWWSMcmuSp4trYhXSOZKpCRxTI4y1Q4RQbFsRVB6LJcRjHvvchNfbVijuhnnf7ES6pD0z7lI-rDPLd9ysQ6jDHtCcCeWda26sM47KrRAflAscLnYRLSZA0g8oVzvbdEg6JB8DeDvDA9WrUvthFq01hwRl19nWr5utXf-QidXrh-ueOYROdl-sggo=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu0WrlZTF-TeoecUF6AzXZ-thh3GmgkJkHiP12wWvTvFXeOFj_-E6EA0inuigpGHHoA32yPrbLKjdhCaoaZjSNEyW-DcPRikXJXO4s1wURUQrC_l8AQI4eCLLNTEUWl6LZToyY9ZjQ83MhLM00di4qXpFKelv6gC_ofRoLggkz3hJlrM8pXxeLHSiI=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu0WrlZTF-TeoecUF6AzXZ-thh3GmgkJkHiP12wWvTvFXeOFj_-E6EA0inuigpGHHoA32yPrbLKjdhCaoaZjSNEyW-DcPRikXJXO4s1wURUQrC_l8AQI4eCLLNTEUWl6LZToyY9ZjQ83MhLM00di4qXpFKelv6gC_ofRoLggkz3hJlrM8pXxeLHSiI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib9WXRD3otlTMD_UnIC5RHw6fDi1YSa0JYih9aJ_BG040FiJ94Lgx7kYiXfOzHpRLj-_xmcaULHgzHX0OmXW-x5dMHrdQrGvT1g0ZTECr7iSjUy2mI9euyHtN8kxLk1zjGNbk2xH4myoUlyFtgXqofcGmMhMNe8SSuuFG9IAIlrF2X9J-TEd8pqjOA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib9WXRD3otlTMD_UnIC5RHw6fDi1YSa0JYih9aJ_BG040FiJ94Lgx7kYiXfOzHpRLj-_xmcaULHgzHX0OmXW-x5dMHrdQrGvT1g0ZTECr7iSjUy2mI9euyHtN8kxLk1zjGNbk2xH4myoUlyFtgXqofcGmMhMNe8SSuuFG9IAIlrF2X9J-TEd8pqjOA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinwIVsf3_0QaCpasnpN4o4rA0aLbNsrtOCNF6F-fmVCNQxI762zHWuSeFqYKNWb04rgGSVNo-j4mHQn_tGm8_oV7JU6i6o3TSAOOnYLfnKXjEQqZHTgEmLoU3YiTR1ImuJHY_WBA11N1Vcg48MFD3weE7iD6iGE5aONK2VdoPFwZ-PbGOCfDUSeeMP=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinwIVsf3_0QaCpasnpN4o4rA0aLbNsrtOCNF6F-fmVCNQxI762zHWuSeFqYKNWb04rgGSVNo-j4mHQn_tGm8_oV7JU6i6o3TSAOOnYLfnKXjEQqZHTgEmLoU3YiTR1ImuJHY_WBA11N1Vcg48MFD3weE7iD6iGE5aONK2VdoPFwZ-PbGOCfDUSeeMP=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSKA00ae9gw2-HO1SRJHWlZBCLTZn8upMEfMoErMGsGBS2gOXwp36P0iD0wJruvMF0BkhRWemogsQKbsCkbFj77vSv8GcgAFpn-I893cAsUxA0sgsUav6Z3JX--fuw7XUxNlPCdlaEXt-kDsDTBR9K6QZ3fieZVOHcXPVhF8qhRrgIvo090u5wS6sL=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSKA00ae9gw2-HO1SRJHWlZBCLTZn8upMEfMoErMGsGBS2gOXwp36P0iD0wJruvMF0BkhRWemogsQKbsCkbFj77vSv8GcgAFpn-I893cAsUxA0sgsUav6Z3JX--fuw7XUxNlPCdlaEXt-kDsDTBR9K6QZ3fieZVOHcXPVhF8qhRrgIvo090u5wS6sL=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5e1yjNvkEtLrjh_HoIHMHgvjxbqi9LlKiVq5Wa2HLpXLxW3ytVwUjD3mVBGTKXtEoJy0Nmpb7ZON58MLlUxmzAi7v_OGru7mG5Zf9h-OYGDHo6jDrWHk-1N8B1jwfFM0F4G7MSM71ds06cmaAhNsRfNgTarTkgPh2j0P7viB-bKCgOEaRxQQf3vrC=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5e1yjNvkEtLrjh_HoIHMHgvjxbqi9LlKiVq5Wa2HLpXLxW3ytVwUjD3mVBGTKXtEoJy0Nmpb7ZON58MLlUxmzAi7v_OGru7mG5Zf9h-OYGDHo6jDrWHk-1N8B1jwfFM0F4G7MSM71ds06cmaAhNsRfNgTarTkgPh2j0P7viB-bKCgOEaRxQQf3vrC=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggMvivz1zujPOxDwtBYXj_Pp3_GfZBZwfvpzL2U3mTN_r26NAJsxurFPScIXhBzzBgiXgbqBPrK2yYAc4ESBzAuIxw5A8Pr7fRduNnUkT3S6GUOXuTllxdrxjFKsy57ymlXudubefUMuUBnGv4Tg_w5vi6DxxSJrMO02e2vUGqloqvy5tpvGuRmCVl=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggMvivz1zujPOxDwtBYXj_Pp3_GfZBZwfvpzL2U3mTN_r26NAJsxurFPScIXhBzzBgiXgbqBPrK2yYAc4ESBzAuIxw5A8Pr7fRduNnUkT3S6GUOXuTllxdrxjFKsy57ymlXudubefUMuUBnGv4Tg_w5vi6DxxSJrMO02e2vUGqloqvy5tpvGuRmCVl=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglWRdqf3RZe1GsVTJIO9HPA9F9o5ne7t3f1S5wtw9tKKwqYy-A9ixF-eGEQ4dI1qi3cILXaK8eWolt4PwUyjyKKpuqNusn88-toRrdUbLKiWoTxc2DVLDbOqNE4L_u89bkD_YrSDVmUYMEUoqK0t6nM7dQDbTqoObFfIwzR7XtwNIF2GsZIDZmT4Ms=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglWRdqf3RZe1GsVTJIO9HPA9F9o5ne7t3f1S5wtw9tKKwqYy-A9ixF-eGEQ4dI1qi3cILXaK8eWolt4PwUyjyKKpuqNusn88-toRrdUbLKiWoTxc2DVLDbOqNE4L_u89bkD_YrSDVmUYMEUoqK0t6nM7dQDbTqoObFfIwzR7XtwNIF2GsZIDZmT4Ms=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwWSyVDjnwl3FS9yfIt89Ts285R5sY99A_iEA8OtoeCtY5ZBbnmvXvA4OtBK1BTcV2CvQMDjwS8Mi6CgrG6Gq0BhI_AFpgN-5rWXy885Uy8MREbXMme-tRC13D3ENDyVESwQK3r9GsNLj4bc6MhaT-EkUobS7bBhpNdAaeBfvvbMlieXQe_5CFdfsS=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwWSyVDjnwl3FS9yfIt89Ts285R5sY99A_iEA8OtoeCtY5ZBbnmvXvA4OtBK1BTcV2CvQMDjwS8Mi6CgrG6Gq0BhI_AFpgN-5rWXy885Uy8MREbXMme-tRC13D3ENDyVESwQK3r9GsNLj4bc6MhaT-EkUobS7bBhpNdAaeBfvvbMlieXQe_5CFdfsS=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mother Abbess' prayer:</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>May our Sister Immaculee always appear adorned for her
divine Bridegroom Jesus, in all splendor of grace, as she is consecrated to Him
in the Holy Vows of the Order of our Holy Mother St. Clare</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Ester Reginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10348601347145932319noreply@blogger.com9