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
“Christ’s resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up… Each day in our world beauty is born anew, it rises transformed through the storms of history. … Such is the power of the resurrection, and all who evangelize are instruments of that power.” -Evangelii Gaudium, 276
Easter 2014
Dear Friends, Alleluia, He is Risen! As we continue the fifty-day celebration of the Solemnity of Solemnities, the Resurrection of our Lord, our hope and prayer is that you will be “overcome with Paschal Joy.” May this joy of having encountered the saving love of Christ in his power over sin and death also inspire your zeal to spread the “good news” to all whom you meet. In Christ, The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia
Recommended Reading
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The Joy of the Gospel Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis
The Joy of the Gospel is the longawaited teaching of Pope Francis on the proclamation of the Gospel. Pope Francis is calling upon the Church and the world with encouragement to begin a new chapter in evangelization. This dynamic document is written in the plain, everyday language for which the pope has become famous. (taken from usccbpublishing.org)
“The primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him. What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known?” (264)
A Young Sister’s Reflection At St. Cecilia Motherhouse, the Easter Vigil Mass always poignantly portrays the power of Christ’s resurrection to conquer the darkness and usher in the light. The reality of the world’s being made new is symbolized by the dramatic candlelit procession into the dark chapel and the tradition of the Sisters removing their penitential black mantles at the intoning of the Gloria. These actions also remind us that, “Christ’s Resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force” (Evangelii Gaudium, 276). This year, as we processed into the chapel, I was impressed that the flames of the candles seemed to be hovering before each Sister’s heart. This reminded me of the power of Christ’s resurrection to transfigure us in our brokenness so that we may shine as brightly as the flames we were carrying. Christ, after He rose from the dead, still bore the marks of the nails, but his wounds were glorified. As we allow Him to work in our lives, He seeks not to deny or invalidate our wounds, our pain and sorrow, but totransform them into experiences that give glory to God and help spread his kingdom. Experiences that, without Christ, can lead to hopelessness and despair, with Christ and through faith in his resurrection, lead to new life, to surrender, and to hope. By his resurrection, Christ glorifies our wounds. However, this transfiguring power of Christ’s love and his resurrection cannot be hidden “under the bushel basket,” but it must be placed “on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Mt. 5:15). As I removed my mantle and the chapel lit up, I became deeply aware of my responsibility to take this small flame that burns within me and let it radiate to others. This bursting forth of light occurs when I, in love, reach out and seek to evangelize my neighbor. Benedict XVI wrote that love is, in the end, the only light which “can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us courage needed to keep living and working” (Deus Caritas Est, 230). This spreading of light, this missionary impulse, is also a source of joy. For, “a committed missionary knows the joy of being a spring which spills over and refreshes others… This openness of the heart is a source of joy, since ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Evangelii Gaudium, 272). In this Easter season, may we open our hearts to the Risen Christ and stand before Him with honesty to let Him transfigure our pain and sorrow. Then we will be able to spread the light that He has given us and share with others the magnificent glory of Easter joy.
After the Mass of our Lord’s Supper, the Sisters processed with lighted candles to the Oratory where they spent the rest of the evening in silent adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
On Good Friday, the Sisters participated in the reading of the Lord’s Passion and the Veneration of the Cross.
During the solemn Vigil, the Sisters heard the story of salvation history and renewed their Baptismal promises. At the beginning of the Gloria, the Sisters removed their mantles, and the chapel was again filled with light and the sound of bells.
spring Motherhouse Visitors Saint Mary’s Choir Lenten Concert Stephen F. Austin State University
Vanderbilt Valentine’s Day Extravaganza
Notre Dame High School
Memphis, TN
Chattanooga, TN Mount De Sales Academy, Catonsville Maryland
Immaculate Conception High School
JESU Caritas Retreat March 7-9, 2014
Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J.
Mini-Retreat Guests
&Nun Runs Oklahoma State University
Belmont Abbey College
University of Tulsa
University of Alabama
Saint Gertrude Cincinnati, Ohio Marian University
Saint Catherine of Siena Kennesaw, Georgia
University of Southern Mississippi
Benedictine College
University of Dallas