Let's Pray Two

That's not an accidental misuse of a homonym for "too" -- it's a reference to Ernie Banks' famous quip, "It's a beautiful day, let's play two!" (If you don't know who Ernie Banks is, click here.)

Following Sunday's beautiful Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this eighth week of Ordinary Time is punctuated by the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Feast (Solemnity, for our Order) of the Visitation of Holy Mary. In a way, this "doubleheader" may be seen as a seamless celebration.

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us to contemplate and imitate the deep and abiding love of the Lord which was made manifest in Jesus Christ. When the son of God took flesh and pitched His tent among us, His heart visibly became vulnerable to the continuum of human emotions. It knew pain, sorrow, rejection and betrayal. It experienced joy, delight, peace and it radiated love. This gentle and humble Jesus calls us to bear his yoke; he invites us to enter into his Most Sacred Heart. The door is narrow; we must leave behind our judgments, anger, jealousy, and all unkind or negative thoughts, words and deeds. Only those free of this baggage may enter fully because only those who are truly free can imitate the Lord's gentle and humble manner of selfless living. For most of us, our daily pilgrimage to the Heart of Jesus is one of "coming and going", as we struggle against temptations which bring unwelcome baggage.

It seems fitting, in a way, that the Visitation follows on the heels of the Heart of Jesus. Mary carried, in her womb, this Most Sacred Heart. She bore His flesh in her Immaculate body, for she bore the graces of his gentle and humble yoke from the moment she said "Yes" to the angel. In Mary's visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, she personifies all the qualities of one who dwells always in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us make a daily journey to someone in need. Let us go, in prayer -- if not in person -- to one who is in need of comfort, company or something we might be able to offer. Let us journey toward that Most Sacred Heart of Jesus by seeing and responding to those around us who are in need. When our hands are extended to help those around us, they have no opportunity to carry the baggage which will keep us from pitching our tents in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

And let's pray, too!

"We shall be steeped, as it were, in sweetness and gentleness toward our sisters and our neighbors in general, for we shall look upon all these souls as resting in the Heart of our Savior."
St. Francis de Sales

The Miracle of Bolsena

As if the Real Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament is not enough of a mystery to ponder, one may add the institution of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ -- the feast erstwhile known as "Corpus Christi" -- for yet another layer of complexity.

Legend has it that in the 13th century, a German priest, on pilgrimage to Rome, was celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Christina in Bolsena when, at the words of the consecration, the host began to bleed. Historians dispute the accuracy of this account since no mention of the miracle appears in the 1264 Bull instituting the feast. The corporal, onto which the blood of Christ dripped, is preserved in a reliquary in the Cathedral of Orvieto, a neighboring town to Bolsena where Pope Urban IV was residing at the time of the miracle.

Because abundant details of this miracle do not appear in writing until two centuries after its occurrence, many historians have dismissed this as an "urban legend." A cursory check of biblical history, however, might suggest that the accuracy of oral tradition is far greater than its paper trail counterpart. In fact, anyone who has grown up in a culture, a tribe, a family in which stories of grandparents, great-grandparents and other relatives are told and retold, can appreciate how these "urban legends" point toward great truths. The details may be wrong, but the essence is intact.

So why is there a picture of naked people at the top of this post? It is a panel from Luca Signorelli's "Last Judgment" which appears in the chapel opposite the one in which the reliquary of the Corpus Christi miracle is enshrined. It is curious to notice that the "saved" are coming out of the ground, limb by limb, as angels (not shown) are carrying others to heaven. Michaelangelo is said to have spent time in Orvieto, studying the four murals of Signorelli's "Last Judgment" before beginning his own opus of the same name.

Whether this "Umbrian" legend is true or an exaggeration of a smaller event is, perhaps, of little consequence when one considers the truth to which it points. There is a large (blood) stained corporal in a reliquary in the Cathedral of Orvieto which has drawn countless pilgrims for over 7 centuries. Across the way, in the Chapel of St. Brizio, are the exquisite murals of Signorelli, depicting the last judgment and the end of the world. If but one pilgrim returned with a renewed faith in the Lord's presence in the Eucharist and a renewed hope in the promise of salvation, we would do well to praise the Lord for the mysterious ways in which He works and the myriad instruments He uses.

"O, my very dear Sisters, how you should be overwhelmed with joy when you are visited by this Divine Savior in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and by the interior graces . . . and words which He speaks to your hearts."
St. Francis de Sales

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ...

... graduation! When Sister Mary de Sales is not around in the afternoons and is seen emerging from the basement before Evening Prayer, we know that graduation is on the horizon. One of the harbingers of our commencement exercises is the all-school awards ceremony that takes place two nights prior to graduation. For years now, our Sister Mary de Sales is the engraver for all the prizes given on awards night (and it seems as though there are more prizes each year!) Above, Sister works at a St. Margaret Mary Spirit award and below, her fingers trace the letters.

Sister Mary de Sales' handiwork can be seen all around the monastery as she has engraved the saints' names for each room and the sisters' name plates for our doors. Click here to read about how she started this adventure.

Give Life

This Sunday, local parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, VA is sponsoring a bone marrow registration drive for one of our recent alumnae, Elizabeth White.

Elizabeth is an '02 graduate and just eleven months ago was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She is in need of a stem-cell bone marrow match. Elizabeth teaches second grade at OLGC. To read a bit more about Elizabeth, click here.

The National Marrow Donor Program has waived the $52 registration fee for this drive. If you are a local reader, consider stopping by: registration begins with a swab of cells from your cheek to test determine tissue type.

Please join your prayers to ours for this most promising young woman.

Our Lady of Fatima

Today we celebrate the Commemoration of Our Lady of Fatima. At left is a copy of the beginning of the third secret as it was recorded for Bishop of Leiria. There is much which can be said of this most extraordinary appearance of Our Lady. It is an especially attractive devotion because its revelation occurred so close to the times in which we are living.

During his tenure as Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Benedict XVI offered a theological commentary on the revelations of Fatima. We share here his concluding remarks:

I would like finally to mention another key expression of the “secret” which has become justly famous: “my Immaculate Heart will triumph”. What does this mean? The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Saviour into the world—because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise.

Unfailing Grace

In today's Gospel, the Lord tells Peter that when he grows older, he will "stretch out his hands" for someone to lead him places he would rather not go. For each of us who strive to be followers of Jesus Christ, we do not have to consider the challenge of being led "where you do not want to go" as something which awaits us in our golden years.

For Peter it was a foreshadowing of the death he was to suffer when he stretched his arms upon his own cross. For us, it can be the daily moments of foregoing our own preferences for the sake of someone else. It can be the challenge of overlooking the irritating qualities of someone with whom we work or study. For many, the feeling of being led somewhere they might not choose to go can be the experience of growing in the grace of forgiveness: being moved to pray for the well being of those who have harmed us.

Let it not escape our notice that the Lord punctuates this discourse with the ever-familiar invitation: "follow me." When we are faced with moments that take us places where we do not want to go, let us ask for the grace to remember that each of these experiences will take us one step closer to the Lord whom we follow.

"Grace never fails us, never leaves us, unless we leave it. Our good God waits for us patiently in our delays; he unceasingly calls us even though we don't answer him; he knocks at the very door of the heart that is shut to him."
St. Jane de Chantal

Homespun Humor

Will the REAL Sister Philomena please stand?!

After 18 years of service as superior, our dear Sister Philomena deserved more than just a word of thanks. Last night, in her honor, the community comedians teamed up and produced a short play entitled, "New Work Ahead for Sister Philomena" which portrayed several suggested work assignments which may (or, more likely, may NOT) be in Sister's future. Sister Philomena is pictured at right with Sister Jacqueline (playing the role of Sister Philomena) at left.

Among the jobs "assigned" to Sister in the play were: assistant to the cook, helper to Sister Mary Maintenance (hence the tool belt and protective helmet), community exterminator and habit-maker. Sister Philomena was a great sport while jokes and witty observations marked each "new job" description. The star of the show -- without a doubt -- was SUPERBUG, played by Sister Rosemarie. SUPERBUG made her way into just about every scene, tormenting the new community exterminator, who chased her with a wooden spoon.

We never did get into Blogger's "labels" feature, but if we were using them, this might be entitled, "Life in the Monastery is Never Dull: Part IV."

"In all our actions, whether we are going to the Office or to the refectory and then to recreation; let us go everywhere to seek God."
St. Jane de Chantal

Breaking News!

With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, we are happy to announce that on 30 April 2008, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in the presence of Bishop Martin Holley, auxiliary bishop of Washington, DC, we elected SISTER MARY BERCHMANS to serve our community as superior for the next three years. (Mother Mary Berchmans standing at left; Mother Philomena seated at right.)

We are most grateful for Mother Philomena's 18 years of service in leadership. She completed her sixth term of three years this past week: 1978-81, 1981-84, 1990-93, 1993-96, 2002-05 and 2005-08. (Our Constitutions do not allow a sister to be elected for more than two consecutive terms.) Collectively, that totals over 6,500 days in office!

Mother Mary Berchmans and Sister Philomena were in school together here at Visitation and they are both proud members of the Gold Team. Perhaps this succession of Gold team leadership will bring them some luck as the White Team has won both the field hockey and basketball games this year. (Click here or here for a bit about our Gold/White rivalry.)

"The Superior shall keep a watchful eye on the community, that all the sisters may breathe peace, concord, union and the most amiable service of Jesus Christ."
St. Francis de Sales

Promoting Chastity

Several weeks ago we were privileged to welcome local author Dawn Eden for a visit. She shared with us some of her adventures promoting the very worthy cause of chastity among young adults. Her 2007 account of her own journey to chastity is a compelling and realistic witness for young women (and men) today. Judging by the title, it might sound as though it were penned by the famous cartoon Road Runner, escaping the antics of Wile E. Coyote. To the contrary, it is written by an intrepid soul who chronicles her escape from the world of empty pleasures and her new-found delight and deep joy in living chastely.

Buy a copy for your favorite college-bound high school senior: a priceless gift for any young woman you care about.

Ms. Eden just finished her first ever high school tour, having recently visited at least five high schools (gleaning from her three posts) in Ontario, Canada. Hats -- err, veils -- off to such an inspiring member of what Pope John Paul II prayed would be the new evangelization.

Lasting Joy

"I have told you this to that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete."

One of the most consistent themes in the talks and homilies delivered by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit to the United States was that of joy. He spoke about how those who live in hope live differently. Repeatedly, he emphasized the importance of joy as a mark of one who follows the Lord closely.

Perhaps one of the major differences between happiness and joy is that one need not always be "happy" to be full of joy. Surely no one is happy to sit in traffic or find the innards of the photocopy machine jammed with paper. Few people are happy when circumstances beyond their control make them late for an appointment or a meeting. When we live with joy, we see God's hand in these circumstances. Hopefully, we don't see His had jamming the copier, but we see Him permitting us to suffer this or that little inconvenience. Sometimes the events which might make us unhappy are bigger than traffic jams. It is a deep sense of the Lord's presence in each event of our lives -- big or small -- which allows a disciple to be full of joy.

"In everything good or ill that befalls you, dear Sisters, see only the will of God. Then whatsoever the event you will always be tranquil because you will have no love, no desire other than that of God's will. If you keep close to God's will, he will give you light and strength."
St. Jane de Chantal

The Pilgrims' Journal

On Thursday morning at 6.40am, we boarded a "mini-bus" with visiting sisters from our Monastery in Rockville, VA as well as a few friends of the monastery. Our faithful driver dropped us at the "First Base Gate" at National Stadium and, against all odds, was able to meet us in the exact same place, after Mass was ended! It's hard to attend an event with 46,000 other (mostly-local) Catholics and not meet many people whom we know. Prior to Mass, we bumped into our very own Papal Communicant, a member of our class of 2008. In addition, we met many alumnae, parents, friends, priests and fellow religious. In addition, we ran into several groups of our seniors who attended the Mass with faculty and administrators.

The sound of this humble video leaves a bit to be desired, but since only "still" cameras were allowed in the stadium, we captured -- as best we could -- the joy and enthusiasm of the event, to share with our readers. :)

Section 135

Hiding behind the right field foul pole is a Visitation sister, looking somewhat drawn, awaiting the gates to open at Nationals Park. In addition to 130 students and faculty, ten sisters will be making their way to the new baseball stadium early on Thursday morning. Although we do not know exactly where we will be sitting, our tickets say "Section 135." If the Holy Father hits a deep foul ball, we might just be in a good position to make a catch. All kidding aside, we are very grateful to the Chancery office for their distribution of tickets to religious of the Archdiocese of Washington. Stay tuned for photos from our "Pilgrimage" to Nationals Park.

"I am convinced that without the power of prayer, without that intimate union with the Lord, our human endeavours would achieve very little. Indeed this is what our faith teaches us. It is God who saves us, he saves the world, and all of history. He is the Shepherd of his people. I am coming, sent by Jesus Christ, to bring you his word of life. "

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Bring on the Spring!

Last Friday our senior class and our Fathers' club sponsored a service afternoon where dads, daughters and sisters (and some brave faculty members) donned gloves and aprons and helped beautify some of the more neglected areas of the monastery garden. Above, gloves and tools are abandoned for a group picture and a gold/white Twinkie eating contest. We do have pictures of that, but thought -- in good taste -- it might be better not to share them in this post. We can report, however, that the white team duo claimed the victory with a belly-busting 11 Twinkies in 60 seconds. (And gold wasn't far behind at 10!)

Above, Sister Rosemarie and her gardenin' angels pause for the roving camera. More pictures to come from this most delightful and fruitful afternoon of work.

"The Sister Gardener is to be very careful in keeping herself provided with all seeds and necessary plants, and have plenty of cooling herbs for the soups, . . . and likewise medicinal herbs."

St. Jane de Chantal

A New Line of Spring Clothes

At 3.15 yesterday, our postulant, Catherine, was received into the novitiate and clothed in the habit. We share here a few photos from the ceremony that took place prior to a Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated at 4.00pm in our Chapel of the Sacred Heart, marking Sister Catherine's first "public appearance" in her new attire.

At left, Catherine is pictured on her way into the community room for her Reception. The chore of keeping her white shirts clean and ironed will now be replaced by keeping her white veil in order: a happy trade-off for most novices!

Above, the community assembles and reviews the ceremony prior to singing the opening hymn.

Catherine kneels before Mother Philomena and asks to begin her novitiate and receive her habit.


After a (remarkably) brief period of time, Sister Catherine -- escorted by Sister Leonie Therese -- emerges from the wardrobe in her habit.


Finally, Sister Catherine is welcomed by the community with the kiss of peace.

Thank you to all of our extended Visitation family who attended Mass and shared in our celebration.

"It is quite certain that when God calls anyone to a state of life, He binds Himself, in consequence, by His divine Providence, to furnish that person with all the aids required to become perfect in his vocation."

St. Francis de Sales

Ex Nihil

Out of nothing the Lord produces great things. Today's Gospel account about the feeding of the 5,000 using the meager loaves and fishes is a wonderful example of how the Lord will take our small and humble offerings -- if we make ourselves available -- and bear fruit beyond any harvest that we could imagine.

In 1962, President Kennedy hosted a dinner at the White House for Nobel Prize Winners and he quipped that it was the "greatest collection of intellect to dine [t]here since Thomas Jefferson ate [t]here alone." Each of us of us knows at least one "Thomas Jefferson" in our lives -- someone whose little finger seems to contain more talent than most of our bodies. It can be very tempting to look at these talents and to compare them to the gifts which the Lord has given us. We may even be tempted to believe that those with more visible (or a seemingly more useful array of) natural talents are more important or more successful in Lord's work of building the Kingdom.

Not so. Not so at all. The Lord sees the manner in which we offer our talents; even if we esteem them to be less-than-adequate, the Lord will produce great works for His kingdom -- if we let Him. Let us pray for the grace to place our gifts at the service of the Kingdom with great trust in the Lord's ability to do great deeds with small and loving offerings.

"If often happens that a person, mean and feeble both in body and mind, and who only attempts small things, will do them with so much charity that they far surpass the merit of great and exalted actions."

St. Francis de Sales

Yes!

As we celebrate Mary's "Yes" in today's (transferred) Solemnity of the Annunciation, we share some profession photos from Sister Anne Francis' solemn profession earlier this month. The "Yes" theme speaks for itself!

"Our Holy Father, Saint Francis de Sales, wished that by her profession of vows, a sister should consider herself throughout her whole life as established on Mount Calvary for the service of Jesus Christ Crucified."
St. Jane de Chantal

When We Least Expect It

Like the disciples in today's Gospel, we can sometimes be surprised by the Lord's presence at moments when we least expect it. Excited and enthusiastic about their experience at Emmaus, they were describing it to the rest of the disciples when the Lord appeared in their midst. We can sometimes become so engaged with our work or our responsibilities -- happiness or sadness, busyness or boredom that we can be startled by a sudden awareness of the Lord's presence to us. Sometimes it is easy to forget that His abiding presence is always with us, even when we are too preoccupied to notice.

We have a custom in our community where at the end of our recreation period, one sister who is assigned to be the "Presence of God" for the week claps her hands and reminds the community of the Lord's presence by sharing a sentence she learned in her daily spiritual reading. It may seem odd to be reminding the community of the Lord's presence at the conclusion of a period of recreation, talking, and often laughter. It is, however, appropriate to punctuate a period of "re-creation" a time in which we renew ourselves by spending time in each other's company -- with a reminder of the presence of Him who created us. Sometimes we are so engaged in what we are doing -- recounting a story, talking about our day, telling a joke, etc., that we -- like the early disciples -- can be "surprised" by the presence of God, when sister claps her hands to remind us.

"Recreations are indispensable not only to ensure wholesome relaxation by also to foster a true family spirit. The participation of everyone is essential. Recreation is a communal exercise in which the human gifts and virtues of each one are shared."

Constitutions of the Order of the Visitation

Christus Surrexit!

We are blessed to have had a deeply prayerful Triduum, concluding with our Vigil Mass last evening. Below is a two-minute window into the Easter Vigil, featuring mostly the Service of Light, the procession into the Chapel, and the lighting of the Sanctuary lamp. At our reception in the parlor, following Mass, we could not help but to recognize one of our faithful (and faith-filled) Sunday patrons as the "best dressed" for the occasion. (And the pink cup of monastery-punch just about made the picture!) We wish our readers a Happy and Holy Easter!

"Let us be consumed on the cross that the Lord has given us and accomplish all he wills, so that at the end will will receive the grace to entrust our spirit into His hands. He will receive it as He did that of His dear and only Son, to make it rejoice in Heaven, where we will bless Him eternally for the glory that He won for us by His Death and Passion."

St. Francis de Sales

Sacred Triduum 2008

For our locals who would like to join us for the liturgies during this Sacred Triduum, the schedule is as follows:

Holy Thursday:
Mass of the Lord's Supper 5.00pm (Chapel of the Sacred Heart)
Night Prayer 8.00pm
The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed until Midnight in the Ante-Choir.

Good Friday:
Office of Readings 7.30am
Morning Prayer 9.00am
Midday Prayer 12.00
Commemoration of the Lord's Passion 3.00 (Chapel of the Sacred Heart)
Night Prayer 7.15pm

Holy Saturday:
Office of Readings 7.30am
Morning Prayer 9.00am
Midday Prayer 11.40am
Evening Prayer 5.00pm
Vigil Mass in the Holy Night of Easter 8.00pm

Waters of New Birth

On the eve of the Sacred Triduum in which we commemorate the death and resurrection of Our Lord, we took our dear Sister Mary Stanislaus to her place of rest.

We share here a beautiful reflection written by one of our friends. Since it was such a rainy afternoon, most of us were too busy concentrating on staying dry while being a pall bearer or carrying a sacred object (or simply balancing an umbrella and negotiating a muddy hike) to take in the larger picture. Grateful for this beautiful reflection, we share it with our readers:

"In the lovely Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Stanislaus at Georgetown Visitation Monastery today, I was again reminded how St. Francis de Sales emphasized beauty as absolutely integral to the liturgy and the design of churches and chapels for his order. Perhaps even more profoundly afterward. In wind and in pouring rain a bishop and a prior, habited nuns with cross and lantern -- and their sister's body -- family and friends all climbed a hill, chanting the Good Thief's plea to Jesus. They lay Sister's body in an earthen grave. Holy water sprinkled, prayers upon prayers, a chant to Our Lady, and the coffin lowered by ropes. The whole celebration was gutsy and important -- made so by hallowed gestures, signs and symbols. De Sales understood the importance of beauty and its impact on prayer."

(Locals who wish to attend the Triduum, check back Thursday for our schedule.)