Advent 2014 e newsletter by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Nashville, TN

Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia LAUDARE, BENEDICERE, PRAEDICARE “TO PRAISE, TO BLESS, TO PREACH” Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia 801 Dominican Drive Nashville, TN 37228 www.nashvilledominican.org vocation@op-tn.org

“The consecrated life, deeply rooted in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord, is a gift of God the Father to his Church through the Holy Spirit. By the profession of the evangelical counsels the characteristic features of Jesus — the chaste, poor and obedient one — are made constantly ‘visible’ in the midst of the world and the eyes of the faithful are directed towards the mystery of the Kingdom of God already at work in history, even as it awaits its full realization in heaven.” St. John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, 1

Advent 2014

Dear Friends, Many blessings to you as we begin this season of preparation for our Savior’s birth. This Sunday also began the Year of Consecrated Life announced by Pope Francis. The convergence of these celebrations allows us to reflect upon the role of consecrated religious in waiting with eager expectation, longing with heartfelt devotion, and preparing with continual conversion for the coming of the Bridegroom. This Christmas may we be ready to meet Christ the Lord with lamps of love burning brightly. In Christ, The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

Holiness Highlights

Lucy before the Judge by Lorenzo Lotto, 1523-32

SAINT LUCY Born: 283 AD, Syracuse, Italy Died: 304 AD, Syracuse, Italy Feast Day: December 13 Patron of: the blind and those with eye problems Known for: her fidelity to her vow to God, firmness in her convictions, intercession for relatives in sickness, and courage in the face of persecution. How to imitate the saint: pray for family members, those in need of conversion, those who are sick, and those who are being persecuted for their faith; study the Catechism so that you will be “ready to give an explanation for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

“You are one of God’s people, of God’s family, a virgin among virgins; you light up your grace of body with your splendor of soul. More than others you can be compared to the Church. When you are in your room, then, at night, think always on Christ, and wait for his coming at every moment.” Office of Readings for the Feast of St. Lucy, from a book on virginity by St. Ambrose,

Novice Reflection I am so grateful to be able to celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life during my year as a novice. What a gift it is to study the evangelical counsels– poverty, chastity, and obedience – during this special time. In formation classes, we are reading and reflecting on the Church’s numerous and beautiful documents on religious life. These documents highlight the special role of consecrated persons in the Church, and of the particular vocation to religious life, which is a form of consecrated life. The consecrated life is marked by waiting and watching. Saint Paul, in his writings, helps us to understand the mystery of the Church as the Bride of Christ. After Our Lord ascended into Heaven, the entire Church entered into a period of waiting for his return with eager expectation. We can think of the wise virgins who go out to meet Christ with lighted lamps. “Behold, the Bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet Christ the Lord” (Matthew 25:6). Consecrated women, in a particular way, are an image of the Church who is watching and waiting for the return of Her Divine Bridegroom. We are a reminder to the Church, and to the world, to look toward heaven, our eternal dwelling place.

“Consecrated women, in a particular way, are an image of the Church who is watching and waiting for the return of Her Divine Bridegroom.”

I think it is fitting that we begin the Year of Consecrated Life as we begin the holy season of Advent. Advent is a special time of waiting for the Lord. It calls us to be mindful, not only of the Lord’s coming in the Flesh at Christmas, but it also urges us to contemplate Christ’s return in Glory. We should pray that the Lord comes quickly and does not delay. We should not be afraid of his return but should long for it as a bride longs for her husband while he is away.

During this Year of Consecrated Life, we all have the opportunity to reflect on our baptismal consecration, of which religious consecration is a deepening. No matter what our state of life, as baptized Christians we are consecrated to God and marked with “an indelible spiritual mark (character)” that sets us apart as “belonging to Christ” (CCC 1272). Through our Baptism we receive a special dignity as sons and daughters of God, and we are entrusted with a great mission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. During this Advent season and the Year of Consecrated Life, we are invited to reflect on the great dignity we have received through the gift of baptismal consecration and the gift of consecrated life in the Church. Let us pray for the grace to seek the Lord more fervently that we may receive Christ more fully into our hearts this Christmas. Let us all cry out, “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).