Rest and revival

Many lay people -- myself included -- struggle with unrealistic schedules and expectations, and the ominous 21st century phenomenon of being available 24/7 to clients and suppliers. 

I have begun to tell my clients, I am not available 24/7. Period. I don't take calls during meals, one-on-one meetings, daily Mass and my daily commitment to a half hour of mental prayer each day. Usually, I am privileged to have this time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in my parish church during daily adoration. Sometimes, I just pull off the highway and find a quiet spot. 

My spiritual father, St. Francis de Sales has this to say:

"But especially I commend earnest mental prayer to you, more particularly such as bears upon the Life and Passion of our Lord. If you contemplate Him frequently in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with Him, you will grow in His Likeness, and your actions will be moulded on His.."

After 30 minutes with Christ, and Him crucified, I am revived and ready to continue the race. And I am confident that what I do and say is molded on the example of Christ, my God. I rest knowing I am doing my best to be like Him in my daily life.

From David Gardiner, a long-time friend of our community, who has our Cross of Affiliation

Reflecting back on the 4th of July

July 4th has special meaning here at Georgetown Visitation. Like everyone in the city, from 4 years up,we look forward all year to watching the sensational fountain of fireworks over the Washington Monument.

All other days, we look elsewhere for the sparkle of beauty. In 1673, St. Margaret Mary, a Visitation Sister, was told that the Tabernacle alone can not contain the shower of Love. "The Sacred Heart of Christ is an inexhaustible fountain and its sole desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble…”

Between exciting Holidays, the Sisters know how to soothe the spirit, instead of craving awesome entertainment. The Lord, Himself, so eager to fill all hearts to overflowing, reminded St. Margaret Mary, “But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure.”

From our nurse, Priscilla Posch

"Next to Me," from Emeli Sandé

From Joshua 1:9. Our God is faithful!


Sr. Mary Roberta Viano, VHM

Poem that gets to the heart of things

Here's a poem I like by Raymond Carver. It was written shortly before his death at age 50:

"Late Fragment" 

And did you get what

you wanted from this life, even so? 

I did.

And what did you want?

To call myself beloved, to feel myself

beloved on the earth.

Sr. Mary Roberta Viano, VHM