Final Day, Four Days of Photos From Lourdes

Today is the last of four days of photos from Sr. Anne Francis and Sr. Bernardine's visit to Lourdes. Accompanying the photos have been commentary from Sr. Anne Francis.

Pilgrimage To Lourdes

Pilgrims from all over the world who come here immerse themselves in the grottos, 17 pools (6 for men and 11 for women).

Here is where I was able to see and witness faith uniting all. Everyone was kind and loving. There seemed to be an infusion of love to every soul. Strangers smiled and waved at one another. This was a moment to behold as one watched and felt the Spirit of Gold reign in the hearts of all. I shall live to savor those very beautiful moments for the rest of my life.

Day Three of Four Days of Photos From Lourdes

Beginning two days ago, plus today and tomorrow, we will post photos from Sr. Anne Francis and Sr. Bernardine's visit to Lourdes. Accompanying the photos will be commentary from Sr. Anne Francis.

Pilgrimage To Lourdes

As you might already have known, Lourdes lies south of Paris in the foothill of the Pyrenees mountains.

The Grotto of Massabielle is the site of St. Bernadette’s visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. The Blessed Virgin is said to have pointed out a previously undiscovered spring into the grotto and instructed Bernadette to drink from it.

The spring water is believed to possess healing powers from our Blessed Mother, and the Church officially recognizes miraculous healing. (continued tomorrow)

Day Two of Four Days of Photos From Lourdes

Yesterday, today and for two days to follow we will post photos from Sr. Anne Francis and Sr. Bernardine's visit to Lourdes. Accompanying the photos will be commentary from Sr. Anne Francis.

Pilgrimage To Lourdes

When mother Jacqueline told me that I would be a companion to Sr. Bernardine I was taken by surprise, and it took me a while to think over about the words I had just heard from her. Yes indeed I was going to be part of this wonderful history of our faith. (continued tomorrow)

Four days of photos from Lourdes

Today and for three days to follow we will post photos from Sr. Anne Francis and Sr. Bernardine's visit to Lourdes. Accompanying the photos will be commentary from Sr. Anne Francis.

Pilgrimage To Lourdes

I had always read about Lourdes and even heard stories about the place. Never at any time of my life have I ever dreamt of ever stepping my feet in that historic place. (continued tomorrow)

Thankfulness

Thankfulness all year round, not just on Thanksgiving Day!




Sr. Mary Roberta Viano, VHM

Fr. Schall and Lord Peter Wimsey

A fascinating article from one of our former chaplains, Fr. James V. Schall, S.J. Fr. Schall has a legendary reputation as a professor and scholar at Georgetown University, and he retired this year.

http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/a-liberal-education-reading-lord-peter-wimsey.html

Sr. Mary Roberta Viano, VHM 

St. Damien De Veuster, Part II of II

The blog posts for May 9th and 10th will be about Saint Damien De Veuster, known for decades as “Father Damien of Molokai". Saint Damien was canonized on October 11, 2009.


The feast of Saint Damien De Veuster is celebrated today. Usually a saint’s feast day is the date of his or her death, but as April 15th often falls in Lent, the choice was made instead for May 10th. According to the Hawaii Catholic Herald, that date was picked because it marks a significant event in his life, a day on which he performed a particular act of supreme charity and selflessness that would ultimately lead to his canonization. On May 10, 1873 he stepped onto the island of Molokai and made it both his life’s work and eventual place of death. The opening prayer of the feast day Mass reads in part, “Father of mercy, in Saint Damien you have given us a shining witness of love for the poorest and most abandoned. Grant that by his intercession, as faithful witnesses of the heart of your Son Jesus, we too may be servants of the most needy and rejected.”


Sr. Joanne Gonter, VHM

St. Damien De Veuster, Part I of II

The blog posts for May 9th and 10th will be about Saint Damien De Veuster, known for decades as “Father Damien of Molokai". Saint Damien was canonized on October 11, 2009.


Joseph De Veuster was born in Belgium January 3, 1840. In 1859 he entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and took the name Damien. Arriving in Honolulu in March 1864, he was ordained for service as a “country missionary” in Hawaii. When the Hawaiian Government deported anyone infected by leprosy, then thought to be an incurable disease, to the island of Molokai, Bishop Louis Maigret asked for priest volunteers to take turns visiting the island. In 1873, Damien was the first to go and then, “at his own request and that of the lepers, he remained on Molokai” for the rest of his life.

When he contracted the disease in 1885, Damien, using the expression “we lepers,” found his strength in the Eucharist. He died on April 15, 1889, having served sixteen years among the lepers.

In 1938 the process for his beatification was introduced in Belgium. Pope Paul VI signed the Decree on the “heroicity of his virtues” in July 1977. In July 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II.


Sr. Joanne Gonter, VHM

Remembrances from Sr. Josephine

The following quotations are from a small handwritten collection made by Sister Josephine Di Biase (1930-2013) and found after her death in her room:

“The education of children depends less on the spoken word than on the living examples set by the teachers themselves.” Thomas Merton

“Be patient with everyone but above all with yourself.” Saint Francis de Sales

“The opportunity to do great things for God does not come very often, but at every moment we can do little things with great love.” Saint Francis de Sales

“Love is our reason for living. Love is our reason for giving.” (not identified)

Photo of Sr. Josephine with Michelle, a nurse in our infirmary.

Sr. Joanne Gonter, VHM

More thoughts about Sr. Mary Josephine

Last week we shared a message on two days about Sister Mary Josephine DiBiase, VHM. Sister died in our infirmary on April 25th and her funeral was held in our chapel on April 30th, enabling family members to be present. Sister Josephine, born in Fairmont WV in 1930, was a graduate of Fairmont State University. For 11 years she taught in an elementary school in Loudon County VA. In 1963 she became a member of the Georgetown Visitation community and in 1968 transferred to a Visitation community where there was an elementary program for boys and girls: De Sales Heights Academy in Parkersburg WV. Noted for her skill in teaching reading, she taught there for 23 years. Most recently she was a member of the Visitation community in Wheeling WV for five years and since 2010 has been here at Georgetown. The following is an excerpt from the homily given by Father Charles Currie, SJ, at her funeral:

“Teaching little children is so important, especially in the earliest years when their precious spontaneity and creativity need both channeling and nourish- ing... Teaching reading is a special vocation in itself...What a gift, for a child or an adult, to be able to read, to have the excitement of words bouncing off a page... Sister Josephine made that kind of revelation possible for children for 23 years in Parkersburg WV. Think of what so many women and men today owe to her.”

Sr. Joanne Gonter, VHM