Solemnity of the Mother of God

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

Reflecting in Her Heart

The first day of this New Year finds me in a new way of life; a way of life totally unanticipated at the beginning of 2015. I am no longer a Redemptoristine nun. I no longer live in a monastery pursuing the daily round of prayer, work and recreation. I can no longer depend on the work of others to keep life spinning. It is hard, at times, to know who I am now. (A previous post offers some background to this profound change.)

To append this change to the list of events to which I often refer as "my checkered past" makes me shake my head in disbelief. Italian-American Brooklyn boomer, daughter and sister, college girl, wife, mother, divorcee, single mom to three sons, teacher, graduate student, librarian, parish and community volunteer, contemplative nun, grandmother, and at the age of 70 a lay person once again. It really makes me wonder.

Running over the list in my mind I most often tend to dwell on how much I messed up; all the times and places in which I failed; all the people I let down and did not love well; and all the times I imagine being a disappointment to God. I see all the broken places.

But I have been urged to turn away from notions of brokenness and rather to ponder the continuity of spirit (with an upper case 's' as well as lower) which undergirds the meandering events and occupations of my life. 

The presence of God was always there; the guidance of the Spirit; desire for the Holy One; and the "Hound of Heaven" unrelenting in pursuit of a soul often not knowing where it was headed.

Today's Gospel is a simple one concerning the shepherds coming to see Jesus and praise Him and Mary's reaction to it all. Luke says, "Mary kept all of these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Another translation offered, "Mary wondered at these things, and pondered them in her heart." I wonder and I ponder. "Wonder" suggests awe at the mysterious ways of God and "ponder" speaks of the effort to plumb all these things for depth of meaning.

I have said that I am currently exploring a new contemplative path, a way of living contemplatively in the world as a lay person. In this context my small but very comfortable apartment may be considered my hermitage. I do relish my time here alone. But I am too much of an extrovert to ever dignify myself with the title of hermit. Rather I have returned to an image from the writings of Maria Celeste Crostarosa, foundress of the Redemptoristine Nuns. One collection of her writings is entitled "Il Giardinetto", or "The Little Garden."

But this is no ordinary garden. She suggests that a more precise meaning is this; that for God the 'giardinetto' is the dear enclosed garden in which God and the soul enjoy each other. My little place can be this enclosed garden. It has all the verdant, cool, shady loveliness and protection of a childhood remembrance; the lush grape arbor seriously cultivated by the old Italian immigrant gentleman who lived next door.  

So as Mary kept, wondered, reflected and pondered in her heart the wondrous things that had taken place in her short life, I do the same but with a longer list unrolled over a whole life time and still unfurling to reveal its mysteries. In daily meditation I struggle to center myself, to enter the precious enclosed garden and ponder the meaning.

Greeting the New Year of 2013



Roman Missal Page Decoration

Created by Brother Max Schmalzl, CSsR

1850 - 1930

HAPPY and BLESSED

NEW YEAR to ALL

on this

Solemnity of the Mother of God

 

 

Illustrations of the various titles for Jesus (Root of Jesse, Morning Star, Key of David, Alpha and Omega) adorn the corners of this piece so rich in detail and buzzing with activity. Some of your image will be blocked but this had to be enlarged as much as possible to show the detail. Fortunately the great work of this modest German Redemptorist Brother is enjoying a renaissance.

 

 

Some changes are coming to this blog with the arrvial of the New Year. Stay tuned!



Contemplative Nuns Celebrate Solemnity

Our Mother of Perpetual Help

For our Order and for the Redemptorist Congregation today is celebrated as a solemnity in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus our Redeemer, under the  title of Perpetual Help. We have already participated in Mass concelebrated by two Redemptorist priests. Father Thomas Travers requested that our prioress, Sister Moira Quinn, offer a reflection on the significance this title of Mary, our mother, has for us as Redemptoristine Nuns. Here are her words, words which inspired us to trust in these difficult times, not only for ourselves but for many who entrusted their petitions to us during this annual novena.

We Place Our Hands Within Hers

        St.  Alphonsus and Ven. Mother Maria Celeste Crostarosa both had great devotion to our Lady and placed all their cares and concerns within the hands of our Lady though neither mention the icon of our Mother of Perpetual Help.

        Alphonsus wrote the classic book on Mariology, ‘The Glories of Mary;’ and had his Redemptorists defend the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception years before it became dogma.  He always had a painting of the Madonna of Our Lady of Good Counsel on his desk.  Alphonsus even painted depictions of Mary himself such as his La Divina Pastora, the Divine Shepherdess: a woman dressed in humble attire, not as a distant queen of heaven, with the child Jesus on her lap reaching to play with the sheep. The painting represents Alphonsus' Marian theology: "Jesus and Mary are not distant supernatural figures but ever close to the poor, in their midst, and involved in the struggles of their lives." 

       Alphonsus may have known of the icon of Perpetual Help because it hung, at the time, in St Matthew’s in Rome between the basilicas of St Mary Major and St John Lateran.  Twelve years after St Alphonsus’ death it went into hiding and was lost for some sixty years until it was reinstated in the church that had been rebuilt after Napoleon’s army destroyed St Matthew’s and named it in honor of a new saint, Alphonsus, where his brother Redemptorists functioned then and continue to do so today.

       In 1865 Pope Pius IX commissioned the Redemptorists to use the miraculous image of Perpetual Help to ‘Make Her Known’ throughout the world.  They have done so with weekly prayers and novenas held across the earth in her honor.

       I doubt Ven. Mother Maria Celeste ever saw or even heard of Our Mother of Perpetual Help but she also had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin.  She writes in her ‘Exercise of love for every day:’ 

       “O my Lady and Mother, well can you say that all generations in heaven and on earth will call you blessed.  You are our only Hope, all nations will call you blessed; the angels and all the heavenly spirits look on you as their Queen, since you are the Mother of the great King; the just have recourse to you as to a Rock of strength and the Teacher of Virtues, safe Guide in this vale of tears, Gate of salvation; under your patronage sinners hurry to you to obtain pardon and protection… and all generations recognize you as Mediatrix and instrument of our Redemption.”   Florilegium 10.

       Both Alphonsus and Celeste turned to Mary in their times of need, as we turn to Mary in ours. We have as our model, Jesus, who ran into his mother’s arms for help and comfort. We see in the icon of Mother of Perpetual Help Jesus looking over his shoulder at the vision of his crucifixion while holding on to his Mother’s strong, steady hands.   Mary’s gaze invites us to take hold of her hands in our times of distress and to be of hope.

        Our community has been standing at the foot of the cross with Mary these last few months as we planned a move, canceled the move, sought temporary accommodations here at Mother Cabrini’s, actually moved and settled in only to have Sr. Lydia break her leg and Sr. Mary Anne come down with shingles.
 

        All the while I picture us, and all those who have mailed us their intentions which are in the bowl under the icon standing in a circle holding on to Mary’s hands and one another.  Her calm, sympathetic, steady gaze assures us of God’s tender care.

        I really am not attracted to the icon style as art.  In Perpetual Help Mary looks stern to me. But once, when I was young in religious life and looking at our large icon I thought I saw her smile.  How reassuring, encouraging to be aware of her presence to me personally.  But what really draw me are her hands:  they are at the center of the icon and large enough for us all to place our hands in hers. 

         So today, aware that we can turn to our Mother of Perpetual Help in any need we thank her for her past favors and continue with confidence and hope to place all our cares in her strong hands to bring whatever lies heavy on our hearts to her Son, our Most Holy Redeemer. 

Amen.                                                                 Sr. Moira Quinn, OSsR

A Great Feast to Welcome the New Year



Our Lady of the Sign
egg tempera on gesso with gold leaf
2010



We Welcome
the Year 2011

on the Solemnity
of Mary,

The Mother of God

One of the principles I carried away from a Christology course taken years ago asserted that the dogmas concerning Mary the Mother of Jesus which came out of the early ecumenical councils of the Church were often promulgated in an effort to underscore the truth of who Jesus was and is for us. Declaring Mary the Mother of God, the Theotokos, while praising her, served also to declare, contrary to various heresies, that Jesus was indeed God and man. 

We have just celebrated the great feast or solemnity of the Incarnation, the coming of Jesus among us. And the Church would have us enter the New Year, one fraught with challenges at every level, in the sure knowledge that the Jesus to whom Mary gave birth is the Son of God, master of the universe and also Emmanuel, 'God-with-us'. We can begin the year in a most auspicious way; with the image of a mother caring for her son and also caring for us. She presents to us the true God who lived among us and now walks with us, travels with us, will be at our side during the next year and always.

The icon above is making its debut today. Our Lady of the Sign may not be familiar to you but she is an ancient image in Greek and Russian iconography. The icon depicts the Theotokos, the Mother of God during the Annunciation at the moment of uttering her assent to the Angel Gabriel, "Let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38) Mary's hands are raised in the orans position of prayer. She is flanked by the seraphim and cherubim. The letters at the top are shorthand for the Greek title Mother of God. The colors of Jesus' robes indicate his humanity and divinity; the scroll his role as teacher; his face like that of an old man to indicate that he is both fully human and fully the eternal God; his right hand raised in blessing.

As a contemplative monastic community we gathered last night to celebrate the Vigil Office of Readings for this sacred solemnity. The Office was followed by Adoration of the Eucharist Exposed. We prayed for not only our families, friends and benefactors, but also for the people with whom we have only slight contact, like yourself, the local community, our nation and the needs of the entire world. We remembered the poorest of the poor, the unemployed, those struggling with diseases of body, mind or spirit, the wartorn and ravaged nations.

May much grace and and many blessing be yours in this new year. Let us love each other well. 

Mother Mary Calls Again

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Tomie dePaola, in his picture book for children about Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego, used the intimate native Mexican title for this appearance of Mary, "la morenita," the little brown one. Here on Juan Diego's tilma (cape) she left the image of herself as one of the indigenous people, one of their own.

This morning Father Thomas Deely, CSsR celebrated Mass for us at 8:00am. He asked us to think about how Mary had become real to us; how our relationship with her had been forged. Mary became real for me when I made the connection that she was one of our own, particularly that she was one of our own as a mother. Before I became a mother, I could not appreciate all of the meaning contained in that aspect of her life. Through common Catholic devotion I knew Mary well as the sweet young girl, pure as driven snow, who was chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah. I was also familiar with images of the end of her earthly life, especially those conjured by the dogma of the Assumption and her place beside her Son at the throne of God. But what came in between Annunciation and Assumption did not signify for me until I experienced motherhood.

For most of her life Mary was a mother. She had all the concerns that come with the job description. She fed, clothed, nursed, disciplined and educated her child. She worried over her child/teenager, young adult and fully grown son. She wondered about and marveled at his choices, what he thought about and what he said. And she feared for his future. She was sinless, but she was a fully human woman and mother in every other way. When I touched her experience in my own life, the bond between us began to form. It grows even now because once a mother, always a mother.  

Mary also lived out the life of wife, mother and daughter while in relationship to her community, her culture and her faith. She was neighbor and friend; listener and sympathizer; helper and support. She was fully integrated into a wide range of relationships and roles.

I feel connected to Mary the mother of Jesus in a very earthy and experiential way. The peoples of Latin America, especially Mexico, also know Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe in a very earthy and experiential way. She is real to them; one of them.

What is your connection with Mary? How does she speak to you today?

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Mother of Perpetual Help Monastery
Redemptoristine Nuns
Esopus, New York

Mother Mary
Calls to Me

In times of trouble Mother Mary calls to me. She reminds me of her presence, of her motherhood, of her human experience, of her presence at the foot of the cross and in the upper room. These days we have been asked by our Redemptorist brothers to join them in a novena to Mother Mary under her title of Mother of Perpetual Help. This is a special appeal to our Mother for the ravaged people and land of Haiti. Or Redemptorists and our Redemptoristine nuns report the devastation, disease and great hardship. Please join us in our appeal to Mother Mary on this her great feast.

Prayer for Haiti

O Mother of Perpetual Help.

your name inspires confidence.

We come to you in our need and ask your help.

You are the Patroness of the people of Haiti.

In this moment of affliction,

in solidarity with our brothers and sisters,

we pray for an end to the cholera epidemic

ravaging your children.

Bring them healing, comfort and peace.

Sustain them in this hour of darkness.

Help them to know the presence of

God-with-us, Emmanuel,

your Son and our Redeemer.





Contemplative Horizon Returns

AND SHE SAID "YES"

Last weekend our community had the great pleasure of participating in celebrating the 50th jubilee of religious vows of Father Thomas Deely, CSsR, former missionary in Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo.  Many Redemptorists came to acknowledge Father's fidelity.  One of them greeted me saying, "I hope things are OK. You haven't been publishing to your blog." I told him that 'yes' things were OK but there were a lot of 'things', things that I had to do and took time. And that is what the title of this piece is speaking of; all those people, things, and situations which ask something of us; all of those requests to which we know in our hearts we have no choice but to respond with the word "YES." 

The feast on which we most contemplate this great lesson, the Annunciation, was celebrated last March. We have not yet reached Advent when we might contemplate it again. But it is a lesson for all seasons. In these last two months "Yes" was the only response to community needs; to the volume of orders that came in for the work that supports our community; to help required by elderly parents; to the sister in community who is suddenly hospitalized; and to those times when the easier answer is "No" or "Not again!" or "Did I really mean this when I made that promise, or that vow or that commitment?" And no matter what our state in life this lesson seems to apply.

So that is why I illustrate this piece with the icon of the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel's voice was heard by Mary. "AND SHE SAID YES." In July I also said "Yes" to myself. I'd been introduced to icon writing (that is how the tradionalists describe icon painting) but could not seem to manage on my own without more instruction.  I love the creativity, color and technique of a work that suits the contemplative life so well. Yet, even though I received permission to particpate in an icon retreat/workshop, I kept vacillating. There was so much to do at home. How could I spare the time? But I resisted the temptation to back out, continuing to say "Yes" to my intuitions and inspirations. In the days to come you will see more icons here. The experience was a blessing. 

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - World Day for the Sick

Revisiting the Rosary -

One Mother to Another

In the last year I have read two books written by daughters of Senator Robert F. Kennedy who was murdered by an assassin while in the midst of his 1968 campaign for the presidency of the United States. In each case, I found their reminiscences of Catholic religious practice in their childhood home most revealing and inspiring. Daily mass, family Rosary in the evening, sacraments and sacramentals, plus parental models formed them in the faith.

Although a cradle Catholic, I do not have that deep familial formation in my background. I was taught to say the Rosary by Sisters of St. Joseph (Brentwood) in classes of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) on Sunday morning and later on Wednesday afternoons. The Rosary was part of Catholic culture as was the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help every Tuesday evening at church and, later on, May crownings at my Catholic high school. However, Marian devotion was not deeply embedded in the way the Kennedy women describe. Yet, I've always had a Rosary nearby - hanging on my bedpost, or in a small pouch at the bottom of my purse. I have never been admitted into the hospital without a Rosary in my possession. When my then fifteen year old son had an emergency appendectomy, I sat with him in the recovery room throughout the night slipping Rosary beads through my fingers. A desperately worried mother had no better place to register her plea, than to another mother.

When my three sons were teenagers, there were many occasions to commit them to the care of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. If I couldn't be there; if there was nothing I could do to help the situation; she would just have to step in and mother them for me. She has never failed.

Praying the Rosary, however, still remained on the periphery of my spiritual practice. Until now. The current challenges to our nation's well-being, to the capacity of families to support themselves and remain intact, to restoration of a compassionate democratic capitalism, can be said to have brought me to my knees. I find myself so concerned for all, so worried for the future of my sons and grandsons and that of my elderly parents that I have come face to face with my powerlessness. There is nothing I can DO. I have no words to find the solution. Prayer is my only recourse, and it seems, a particular kind of prayer.

As a mother with a very troubled heart, I am drawn to another mother who knows only too well the suffering of the maternal heart. Beads running through my fingers, I just sit with Mother Mary; together we contemplate the human condition and the desperate reality; together we plead for those we love and for a country and world in need of restoration.

My own helplessness has brought me to Mary, mother, sister, friend. I present myself wanting to join her in a spirit of utter abandonment to God's will and power, trusting that in her company our voices combine, mine receiving some of the power it lacks in solo. I sit quietly with her, our soul's magnifying the Lord, our maternal voices confiding and praising.

Contemplative Nuns Come to Last Day of Novena

Feast of Our Mother

of

Perpetual Help

June 27, 2008

Last of of Triduum

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-17 Revelation 12:1-6,10

John 19:25-27

Sr. Paula Schmidt, OSsR, Prioress

Good evening! My name is Sister Paula. Welcome to this concluding Mass of the Novena in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Today is her Feastday. As we are celebrating here, we are united with so many lovers of Mary under this title, who are gathered in other shrines and churches throughout the world. God alone knows the tremendous chorus of intercession and praise arising through the Eucharist and all who are joined in prayer as we are. Father Charles Brinkman, CSsR is our celebrant.

Tonight in the Gospel we will hear Jesus, on the Cross, say to us, "Behold your Mother." And with his last breath, whispering to Mary, "Behold your children!" With deep gratitude for this wonderful gift from God, let us joyfully begin our worship.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: hat we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Some of Our General Intentions for This Novena

· the poor, the sick, the suffering people of our world
· peace and harmony for all families and nations
· an end to violence and war, and the safe return of our armed forces
· a future full of hope for our young people
· our Church and all its needs, for healing and holiness
· the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon our national elections
· vocations to the religious life and priesthood

Mother of Perpetual Help,

pray for us.

Nuns Continue Novena to Perpetual Help

June 26, 2008
Eighth Day of Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
Readings: Sirach 24: 9-11 Responsorial Luke 1:46-55
John 2: 1-11

MOTHER OF DIVINE HOPE

Good evening. I am Sr. Moira and on behalf of our community I welcome you to the second night of our Triduum and eighth day of our Novena. Today we honor Our Mother of Perpetual Help under the title of Mother of Divine Hope.

Gazing at this icon I notice the figures are almost overpowered by the gold surrounding them. In my heart I think of that as the symbol of Divine Hope. Jesus is our Divine Hope and when he was frightened Mary surrounded him with her arms and held him, and encouraged him, as she did at the wedding feast of Cana. She does so with us now; she gives us Divine Hope.

A few years ago I wrote a poem in honor of Mary which spoke of this hope; our longing for that which we most desire will be fulfilled: our salvation. It says, in part:

Gold is the rose of triumph unimagined.
Woman of hope, you sensed all would be well.
You shared that trust in One who came to save us;
Pray we be one: a people full of hope.
Walk with us now, our Mother and our Sister,
We follow you, our guide in times of hope.
© Moira Quinn 2005

Therefore, as one, let us unite our hope-filled prayers with Our Mother of Perpetual Help’s, Our Mother of Divine Hope, as we celebrate this Eucharist with our celebrant Fr. Charles Brinkman, and give thanks for all our hopes fulfilled.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplative Nuns Continue Novena

June 25, 2008
Seventh Day of Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
First Day of Triduum
Readings: Galatians 4:4-7 Psalm 22 Luke 2:16-21

Mother of God

Theotokos

Good evening. My name is Sr. Hildegard. On behalf of this Redemptoristine community I would like to welcome you to the first Mass of the Triduum for the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. We are so happy that you are with us tonight.

In these days of the Novena we have been honoring Mary in her various titles such as Mother of Good Counsel and Queen of Peace. Tonight we ponder her title as Mother of God, in Greek, Theotokos or Godbearer. It is a title which we rather take for granted. Of course, Mary is the Mother of God. But in the 4th and 5th centuries this theological concept was not a given. The story of how the title Mary Mother of God was proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in the year 431 is filled with heresies and intrigues fit for CNN Courtroom coverage. Why the battle and why the title?

Catholics are fond of the expression "to Jesus through Mary". We believe she points to Jesus, leads us always to Jesus. It is said that the prominence of Mary's right hand in the icon of Perpetual Help is like the needle of a compass always pointing to true north. She seems to be saying, "Look to him in everything."

The title Mother of God was vital sixteen hundred years ago in the year 431 because it pointed to the divinity of Jesus. In the presence of tumult and discord it underscored forever the divine nature of Jesus. It was much more about him than it was about her. And Mary must have liked that. The title, Mother of God, points to her son, the Word of God incarnate in our humble flesh, both divine and human.

May we follow Our Mother's lead as we begin this banquet of Word and Eucharist. Let us rise to greet our celebrant Father Charles Brinkman and lift our voices in a joyful song of praise.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplative Nuns Continue Novena

June 24, 2008
Day Six Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
Readings: Solemnity of the Birth of John
the Baptist Isaiah 49: 1-6 Psalm 139
Acts 13:22-26 Luke 1:57-66, 80

Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist

Good evening, I am Sr. Moira, and on behalf of the community I welcome you to the sixth day of our novena and the Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist.

As most of you know, John is very near and dear to my heart, as it was while mediating on his life as I was writing my novel about him, that he reawakened in me my call to religious life. I became a Redemptoristine by directing my gaze to the Lamb of God.

John’s life was all about witness. Our Mother of Perpetual Help began her calling early when she gave witness to God’s greatness when she went to the aid of her older relative. At that time, John gave his first witness when he leapt for joy in Elizabeth’s womb in response to his Savior in Mary’s womb.

Then, when it came time for his circumcision eight days after his birth, his very being gave witness to the mystery of salvation when his parents named him John, meaning God’s gracious gift, for ‘nothing is impossible with God.’

By our baptism we, too, are called to give witness to God’s gracious gifts in our lives, and the mystery of salvation.

Our celebrant this evening is Fr. Joseph Freund, CSsR. So, with joyful hearts, let us rise and give witness by our praises during this Eucharist along with our Mother of Perpetual Help for the many gifts and blessings we have received in our lives.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful,be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplative Nuns Continue Novena

June 23, 2008

Day Five of Novena of Mother of Perpetual Help

Readings: Acts 1:12-14, 2::1-4 Sirach 14:20-27

Mark 3:31-35

Mother of Good Council

The introduction to this evening's Mass for our Novena was presented by our Sister Maria Paz. We were blessed with the presence of over twenty active religious sisters who are making their retreat at Mt. St. Alphonsus Retreat Center, just a few hundred feet from our monastery. Ever gracious and generous, Sister presented each of our guests with a picture of "Mater Boni Consilli", Mother of Good Council. On the reverse was the story of how Our Lady, under this title, came to be venerated in Genazzano, Italy. Then Sister presented an extemporaneous welcome which I paraphrase.

I welcome all of you here. It is not an accident that you are with us at this moment. The Holy Spirit has done the work of bringing you here to be with US and for us to be with YOU. I could go on and on but I cannot. I am supposed to be brief. But we are together for a reason, together in God's love. Now let us welcome Father Gerard Brinkman, CSsR for our celebration.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful,be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplative Nuns Continue Novena

June 22, 2008
Day Four Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
12th Sunday Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 69 Romans 5:12-15
Matthew 10:26-33

Dear Friends, WELCOME! Welcome to our monastery of Our Mother of Perpetual Help! I am your sister, Lydia, and I have been here for 45 years.

We are very happy that you could come to this Sunday Mass with all of us to pray, first of all, for our world, for our families, and for each other.

Let us greet Father , CSsR, with our entrance song and begin our celebration.

Contemplative Nuns Continue Novena

June 21, 2008
Day 3 Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
Readings: Isaiah 61:9-11 Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1-8
Luke 2: 41-51

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Good Morning! For those who might not know me my name is Sr. Paula. Welcome to the third day of the novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Our celbrant this morning is Father Thomas Travers, CSsR. The Mass chosen for today is that of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the first reading from Isaiah we can hear the joy of Mary’s heart at the wonderful blessings God has given her. In the Gospel we see the sorrow of her mother’s heart at the loss of her son. Mary's Immaculate Heart is with us too, feeling for us in our own joys and sorrows. With grateful song let us begin our celebration.

[Fr. Tom's Homily will be posted to his blog. Check side bar for link.]

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Redemptoristine Nuns Continue Novena

June 20, 2008
Day 2 Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:10-18 Psalm 103
Luke 1:37-56

Health of the Sick

Good afternoon. My name is Sister Peg Banville. Welcome to our Eucharistic liturgy for the second day of our Novena honoring Our Mother of Perpetual Help. We have chosen a different title of Our Lady for each day. Today we honor her under the title of Health of the Sick.

Surely we have all experienced healing graces received through the mediation of Mary. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer some years ago, I went before the icon in our chapel, very distraught, and begged her to help me. Interiorly I heard her say: "I held him, can’t I hold you too?”

With these reassuring words, I was able to undergo surgery and radiation therapy, carried along in her arms. I thank Mary’s intercession for the fact that I have had no recurrence of that dreaded disease.

May you all be strengthened in your confidence in the prayers of this powerful Mother to bring healing to yourself and your loved ones as each has need.

And now with Rev. Joseph Freund presiding, let us celebrate the votive Mass of Mary, Health of the Sick, asking her to intercede with our Redeemer for continued spiritual and physical healing.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful,be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplative Nuns Begin Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help

Our annual Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help began at our 5pm Mass this evening. At each of the nine novena Masses one of our sisters will welcome our guests and offer some comment on the title of Mary or the feast we are honoring that day. Each of of these introductions will be published to the blog. Below it will appear the Novena Prayer should you which to join us in spirit.

June 19, 2008
First Day Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help
Readings: Isaiah 9:1-3,5-9 Psalm 85 Luke 1:26-38

Queen of Peace

Good evening. I am Sr. Hildegard, and on behalf of our community I would like to welcome you to the first Mass of our Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help.

On each of these nine days, except for the Feast of John the Baptist, we will honor Mary under one of her many titles. The title of our Blessed Mother chosen for today is Queen of Peace. How wonderful a place to start. Could there be any need more urgently crying out for satisfaction in our world, in our country and in our families today than that of peace?

Today in our hearing the prophet Isaiah declares that a son will be given us and he shall be called the Prince of Peace. The Psalmist sings his appeal to God, "surely the Lord will proclaim peace...Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss." And from the Gospel of Luke we receive the account of Mary's acceptance of Gabriel's message that she would be the instrument through whom the promises of the prophet and prayers of the psalmist would be fulfilled.

War, conflict, violence in our streets, interior battles resulting in addiction and self-destruction, as well as, discord among families and friends fill us with fear and dread. Even Mary recoiled in fear at the angel's announcement and what it could mean for her. But the angel said, "Do not be afraid...you have found favor with God...the power of the most high will over shadow you."

As we share this Eucharistic feast let us pray for peace and pray too that we might become fearless instruments through which the Prince of Peace is made known in our time, in our place.

Our celebrant this evening is Fr. Gerard Brinkman, a Redemptorist. With faith and hope in our hearts, let us begin our feast of praise and communion in the company of our Mother of Perpetual Help.

NOVENA PRAYER

Holy Mary, help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful, be the advocate of all the clergy and religious, strengthen family life, bring peace to our world, intercede for all God’s holy people; let all feel your aid who implore your Perpetual Help.

V: Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
R: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us your Mother Mary, whose miraculous image we venerate, to be our Mother, ever ready to help us, grant we pray, that we who earnestly implore your aid may deserve to enjoy perpetually the fruit of your redemption. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Waterhouse

She did not cry, “I cannot, I am unworthy,”
Nor, “I have not the strength.”
She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging, coerced.
Bravest of all humans,
consent illumined her.
The room filled with its light,
the lily glowed in it,
and the iridescent wings.
Consent,
courage unparalleled,
opened her utterly. An excerpt from “Annunciation” by Denise Levertov

Today's solemnity, this great feast, marks the seventh year since I received the habit, the fifth anniversary of my first profession AND the second anniversary of my Solemn Profession. It is an anniversary day I share with two others in our community of contemplative nuns. The nature of the feast, its celebration of a movement of heart so faithful, so humble, so receptive provides so much for meditation that it almost takes the breath away.

And Denise Levertov's mystical poem touches the mystery and the personal challenge; "...courage unparalleled, opened her utterly."