Holy Thursday – The day the FCJ Society was founded

Holy Thursday is a special day for all of us who live the FCJ Charism  - it’s the day when the Society began. After years of questioning and discernment Marie Madeleine knew in her heart that this was what God was asking of her. And she said YES.

That YES is significant – without her choice, her agreement, her willingness to take the consequences, the Society would have remained only a holy idea. In any discernment there comes a point where we have to CHOOSE, we have to have the COURAGE to take a step. We may not be certain, the way may seem hidden or difficult, but like Marie Madeleine there comes a moment of trust that God is with us, that Jesus is our companion, and we are called to respond.

 

‘That night, Holy Thursday, 30th March 1820, holy in its moving commemorating of the institution of the Eucharist, Marie Madeleine watched before the Altar of Repose. As she dwelt on the great love of her Lord on the mysteries of his paschal meal, passion and death, she gave him her heart, her soul and her entire being, consecrating herself at the foot of the cross to the work for which God had been so long preparing her. In this hidden way, in the silence of her heart, the Society of the Faithful Companions of Jesus was born. 

(Marie Madeleine) and her future companions would be women Jesuits, companions of Jesus, sharing by divine gift his spirit, his heart ad his mother. The Lord himself would be their founder and director, Mary their mother and superior. In complete self forgetfulness they would spend their lives for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Their rule would be that of St. Ignatius. Poverty, humility, obedience and gentleness were to be their inseparable companions leading them to  reflect, in so far as human weakness allowed, the life of Jesus. (God’s Faithful Instrument – P Grogan fcJ)

PRAYING FOR OUR WORLD THIS HOLY WEEK….

As we move into these very sacred days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday let us hold our world and all its needs in our hearts and prayer…We walk the way of the cross with Jesus and stay with him all the way to his resurrection and celebrate the gift of transforming love given to us all…Uniting with all who are praying at this time…

POPE FRANCIS…OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED!

As day follows day in the aftermath of the recent conclave and the election of Pope Francis I what a delight it is to get to know our new pope!  Francis I is a man full of surprises, we could say something of a prophet – he is most certainly setting us all an example to follow.  I now find myself constantly questioning myself about the way I am living as a Catholic and about how true my life is to Gospel values.  I have a long way to go, we all have a long way to go.  In the light of Francis’ election I am sure we will continue to move forward in service of God and God’s people…

A Jesuit Pope

Whilst no longer needing to live by the Jesuit rules (apparently once a Jesuit becomes Bishop they are not obliged to live under the Jesuit rule), I am delighted to know that the current Bishop of Rome, our Pope, is a man rooted and formed in the Ignatian tradition, desiring to be a companion of Jesus who by his life models and draws others to be men and women for others.  But on the cusp of this new Chapter in the Church’s history what do I hope for from this new Pope?

As a member of an Ignatian religious congregation, I hope he witnesses to being a man loved by God.  Rooted in that love may he show the loving and compassionate face of God to each person and to all of creation.  As all who do the Spiritual Exercises are invited to move towards freedom for mission, may he also encourage and nurture the Church to do the same.  By his example may we, the People of God, be called to gather under the standard of Christ, desiring poverty rather than riches, humilty rather than pride and insults rather than praise and adulation.

Having prayed the Third Week of the Spiritual Exercises may be show us how to stay faithful to the Church, but more importantly to Christ, when difficulties arise.  May he live out of the joy of the resurrection and show us always that “love ought to be shown in deeds far more than words.”

Let us pray for our Church as this new chapter begins and for Pope Francis in his ministry of service and leadership of God’s people.

PRAYING FOR THE CONCLAVE…

As the conclave to elect our new Pope begins let’s all pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire the Cardinals and guide them to the right choice for today’s Church and world.   What an historic moment in the Church’s life and ours!

A day in the life of an FCJ sister

It has been a long time since I highlighted a day to give a flavour of what my FCJ life looks like. So today is the day I’m choosing.

I woke early as usual and at 6am took time for prayer. Each FCJ has a commitment to find this time (usually an hour) of prayer in her day. For the last few days I have been reflecting particularly on the invitation to build the kingdom, to witness to my relationship with Christ in everyday actions.
After breakfast I spent some time answering emails – as vocations director I get a great variety of emails in the course if a week. So it’s good to put aside some peaceful time in which to consider how best to respond. Then off to Mass. Our local parish is a great place – very warm and welcoming with a lovely spirit and a great cultural diversity.
It was good to welcome Mgr. Matthew to our home today too. As we are just setting up a new community in New Cross he came to see our chapel and to give the permissions for us to have reservation of the Blessed Sacrament. His visit also gave us an opportunity to talk about how we may be able to contribute to the life of the church in the area.
The rest of my day was spent preparing for a workshop I am giving over the next couple of days in Glasgow university with Matthew Power SJ vocations director.
And now, I’m heading north on a packed evening train!
Where has God been? In the ordinary events and people, in the feeling that even in the most mundane tasks I am part of something greater, in a supportive community, and in so many signs of new life and hope.

PRAYING FOR THE POPE, PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH…

What amazing times we live in! Who would have thought that at the end of this month Benedict XVI would retire from public life to make way for a younger man to take his place at the head of the Roman Catholic Church.  It’s a brave decision and one marked by true humility.  Let’s pray for Benedict and for our Church at this crucial time.  Meanwhile, let us look to the future with hope…God is with us and the Spirit continues to guide the Church…

Lent

I have been asked many times in the last few days what I am planning to do for Lent.
But today the thing that seems to be important is how aware I am going to BE. How aware of my own need of God in all the everyday actions and interactions will I be?lent. Of course I have considered it – what am I going to DO? what will I GIVE UP? How will I ACT? etc…

Lent this year, as in every year I remember, will no doubt call me to change and growth… I wonder if this year I can honestly allow some transformation to happen.

 

God’s gentle presence through the Sacrament of the Sick…

Recently we were called to the bedside of a dear friend of our community who is seriously ill in hospital.  We were asked to be present when she received the Sacrament of the Sick.  Within ten minutes of being called we were on our way to the hospital.  I found it deeply moving to be present at such a solemn time as our friend prepared herself for the final stage of her journey of life.  God’s presence in the room was tangible and so comforting.  Despite our sadness there was consolation in the knowledge that God was there tenderly drawing this brave, faith-filled woman home…

WHEN THE SONG OF THE ANGELS IS STILLED (Howard Thurman)

When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman.

Let the work of Christmas begin! Let’s begin it together!