FRANCIS HAS RE-ENERGISED US ALL!

Isn’t it great the way we are all suddenly really interested in what is going on in the Vatican?  In our house we can’t stop talking about Francis I and what he’s doing for the Church, the world and all of us…What joy that we
are so keen on what is going on in the Church!  Francis has energised us all!  FCJs like Jesuits are ready to be missioned anywhere by the Pope for the sake of God’s mission.  While Francis may not directly mission us if we are opening to what he is saying and doing we can take our inspiration from his example and words…and go and do likewise…

Holy Thursday Prayer

This picture was taken in the Chapel in our new community in London. We prayed today, Holy Thursday, with the Church and with our FCJ Sisters throughout the world that the thirst of Jesus may touch our hearts and lives, leading us to hand over our lives with generosity and faith to one another and to all to whom we are sent. 

God’s faithfulness will never fail nor will he ever withdraw his love. FCJ Constitutions 229

 

 

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…

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.

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.

 

What are you looking for?

Just thought I would share todays pray-as-you-go link. The Gospel today is Jn 1 , where two disciples follow Jesus and he turns to them and asks “What are you looking for?”. It’s a difficult question… and challenging. Enjoy the link! http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/mp3/PAYG_130104.mp3

LET THE DAY ARRIVE WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES FOR EVERYONE…(Carlton R. Young)

I love these words from the Christmas song: ” Star Child” written by Carlton R. Young.  These words express the longing that I am sure we all have that our whole world can be transformed into a place where everyone and indeed the whole of creation can live a full life  with justice and peace…That surely is one of the points of Christmas  – what we Christians understand as the longing for the Reign of God.  May the Reign of God arrive for all of us…and may we all do our part to make it happen!