laudare, benedicere, praedicare TO PRAISE, TO BLESS, TO PREACH INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Recent Travels and Visitors Reflection on the Fifth Beatitude Ardently Desiring Heaven by Blessed Jordan of Saxony
February 2019
Recommended Reading: Gaudete et Exsultate Choose Mercy: Ideas for Lent
The Meeting of Two Hearts Christ as a Pilgrim Met by Two Dominicans, 15th century. Fra Angelico.
Blessed are the Merciful, for Mercy Shall be Theirs A Reflection on the fifth Beatitude
February can be a month replete with emotions. From the delightful sentiments of Valentine’s Day to the dreariness of wintertime slush, this shortest month of the year can feel very long indeed. This month’s beatitude, Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs, offers a hopeful remedy to such emotional highs and lows. According to St. Thomas, the emotions, also called the passions, move us toward or away from something. Though they can affect our intellect, our emotions reside in a lower faculty, that of our desires. This does not mean that the emotions are bad or suspect, but it does remind us to bring them under the control of our intellect. This intersection between the higher faculty (intellect) and the lower faculty (emotions) is where the beatitude of mercy can be transformative. In his book, The Pursuit of Happiness – God’s Way: Living the Beatitudes, Servais Pinckaers points out that mercy does often begin with a feeling. We encounter a person in need of mercy,
Saint Thomas Aquinas. Carlo Giovanni Crivelli. 1473. The Demidoff Altarpiece, Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
perhaps they are suffering, or are in need of our forgiveness, or of some service we can render them. But all too often our emotions which reach out to them also give rise to feelings of a different sort. Our pity and compassion can become mixed with fear or sorrow, and feelings of doubt and even superiority can creep in. Mercy bridges this gap. According to St. Thomas, mercy works with the virtue of prudence and the gift of counsel, and it enables us to order those feelings to the good of another, elevating the appropriate emotions to a more stable and lasting effort, and diminishing the emotions which result from our weakened, selfish inclinations. True mercy is an act of the will. Although it may have its beginning in the emotions, it is, like charity, a freely willed act for the good of the other. Also like charity, it is transformative. Pope Francis, in his apostolic letter Misericordia et Misera, reminds us that “mercy renews and redeems because it is the meeting of two hearts: the heart of God who comes to meet the human heart.” Let us, then, be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful, and witness with our very lives the transforming power of God’s love. Mother of Mercy and Virgin most Prudent…pray for us.
Recent Travels
North Dakota State Universtiy January 27-31
Sister Peter Marie and Sister Bernadette Marie joined the students of NDSU for BisonCatholic Week. During their week in North Dakota, the sisters enjoyed visiting with the students and FOCUS Missionaries. Sister Peter Marie also gave a talk to the women on campus entitled, "All the Way to Heaven is Heaven: St. Catherine of Siena for Today."
Above: Bishop Folda celebrated Mass on the Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas and then joined the Sisters, Father Cheney and the FOCUS Missionaries for a photo.
Left: The Sisters visited with the young adults of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Carmel, Indiana where our sisters serve.
Left:Â Sister Bernadette Marie and attendees from Benedictine College.
Unbound Life Teen Retreat
February 1-3 | St. John Nepomucene Parish in Ennis, TX Sister Maria Beatriz and Sister Maura Sheen joined the high school youth of St. John's Parish for the Winter Retreat in early February.
Jesu Caritas Retreat
It was a gift to welcome Father Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. of the Dominican Province of Saint Joseph and almost 80 young women to our Motherhouse for a retreat from February 8-10. During the retreat Father spoke about holiness being rooted in conversion to Christ and being founded on the freedom of humility and the gift of self.
we welcomed
"For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free."
Saint Louis February 17-20
Sister Peter Marie and Sister Bernadette Marie traveled to Saint Louis recently. While in Saint Louis, Sister Peter Marie gave a talk at Saint Joseph's Parish in Cottleville's Monthly Dose of Grace Event entitled: Faithful Daughters: Our Call to Live in the Heart of the Church. The Sisters also visited the Lindenwood University Catholic Center and two local Catholic Schools: Saint Joseph's Catholic School and Saint John Paul II Preparatory School.
Ardently Desiring Heaven Blessed Jordan of Saxony
Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the second Master General of the Dominican Order, wrote the following letter to Blessed Diana and the Sisters of Saint Agnes in Bologna from the city of Paris in 1223. The Church celebrates his feast day on February 13.
Brother Jordan of the Order of Preachers, the unprofitable servant, to Sister Diana, in Christ most dear-may she delight perpetually in the joy of Paradise. ... And thou, daughter, along with thy daughters in the Lord and mine, strive valiantly to exercise thyself not so much in corporal penances in which the measure of reason and discretion is very easily exceeded, but apply thyself rather to virtue which according to the Apostle is "profitable to all things," and do works of piety. Keep constantly in thy heart and ardently in thy desire that blessed land of the citizens of Heaven, that glorious storehouse of joy and universal exultation, that place truly filled with the light of supreme beauty surpassing all human understanding, that country truly divine and worthy to be the Painting from the Dominican Priory at Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. dwelling place of Him who was "created according to the image of God." Let the thoughts of the Spouse be frequent and devout in the hearts of His spouses; in His sight may every stain be washed away and every deformity rectified in a zealous culture of spiritual beauty, lest, may God forbid, the sacred eye of the Spouse be even but slightly offended. Let purity of heart, innocence of life, unity of religious practice, peace and concord reign among you. May unshaken charity dwell in you and sweet humility preserve you in all good. Then will the Son of God, Who is blessed forever, take His delight in your souls, while they are radiant with the delights of virtue. Fare you well! Pray for me. Greet the Sisters, beloved daughters in the Lord, and remind them to pray for the students of Paris in order that the Lord may open their hearts and make them easy to convert, that those who have formed resolutions denoting a good will may be found ready to put them into effect, and move forward with perseverance to eternal life...
Recommended Reading
GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE Rejoice and Be Glad
Apostolic Exhortation of Our Holy Father Pope Francis Last year Pope Francis published this Apostolic Exhortation on the call to holiness in today's world. As we approach the season of Lent, a time of preparation for the great Solemnity of Easter and our own life in Heaven, may we be inspired by our Holy Father's words and "run with perseverance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). Pope Francis encourages us to strive for holiness by living the ordinary moments of life well, following the path of the beatitudes, remaining vigilant, and joyfully embracing all that God permits. As we strive to become more like Christ this Lent, this exhortation could provide us with an excellent examination of conscience as well as a catalyst for a new beginning.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE FROM THE VATICAN WEBSITE.
Are there moments when you place yourself quietly in the Lord’s presence, when you calmly spend time with him, when you bask in his gaze? Do you let his fire inflame your heart? Unless you let him warm you more and more with his love and tenderness, you will not catch fire. How will you then be able to set the hearts of others on fire by your words and witness? If, gazing on the face of Christ, you feel unable to let yourself be healed and transformed, then enter into the Lord’s heart, into his wounds, for that is the abode of divine mercy. #151
y c r e M e s o o Ch
Ideas for Lent
Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt. 1606
Do not be afraid to set your sights higher, to allow yourself to be loved and liberated by God... Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God’s grace. For in the words of León Bloy, when all is said and done, “the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint”. - Gaudete et Exsultate #34
Forgive Someone: "Jesus does not say, “Blessed are those who plot revenge”. He calls “blessed” those who forgive and do so “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22). We need to think of ourselves as an army of the forgiven." - Gaudete et Exsultate #82 Look with Love: "If I encounter a person sleeping outdoors... I can view him or her as an annoyance, an idler, an obstacle in my path... Or I can respond with faith and charity, and see in this person a human being with a dignity identical to my own, a creature infinitely loved by the Father, an image of God." - Gaudete et Exsultate #98 Don't Complain: "The saints do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others; they can hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters." - Gaudete et Exsultate #116 Tell a Joke: "Far from being timid, morose, acerbic or melancholy, or putting on a dreary face, the saints are joyful and full of good humour. Though completely realistic, they radiate a positive and hopeful spirit." - Gaudete et Exsultate #122 Take Time for Silence: "In that silence, we can discern, in the light of the Spirit, the paths of holiness to which the Lord is calling us... For each disciple, it is essential to spend time with the Master, to listen to his words, and to learn from him always. Unless we listen, all our words will be nothing but useless chatter. - Gaudete et Exsultate #150 Pay Attention to Little Details: "Let us not forget that Jesus asked his disciples to pay attention to details. The little detail that wine was running out at a party. The little detail that one sheep was missing. The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins. The little detail of having spare oil for the lamps, should the bridegroom delay... The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for the The Lost Sheep by Alfred Soord. 1898 disciples at daybreak." - Gaudete et Exsultate #144
S U M M E R J U L Y
E S C A P E
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PILGRIMAGE
REFLECTION & RETREAT
VILLAGGIO BETANIA
Day trips to Rome in the footsteps of our Saints and Martyrs, personalized tours, and an audience with Pope Francis
Days set apart for rest, delicious cuisine, and enriching discussions on desire, purpose, and destiny
Peaceful lake-side casas and beautiful vistas at the scenic retreat center run by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia
A journey of self-discovery and renewed faith for college women 18 and over. Join us in Bracciano, Italy where retreat, great conversations, and beautiful living are woven together in the heart of our Church.
Application, consent form, and $600 deposit due by April 1st. $600 balance due June 1. Discount of $100 for payments in full received by April 1. For more information or to request an application please contact us: universalfiat@gmail.com
SUMMER J U L Y $1,200 includes: 9 nights of lodging, breakfast and lunch, train passes, and seminar materials Students are responsible for: Airfare, dinners in Bracciano, and meals in Rome
$600 Deposit Due April 1
Thursday, July 4 Arrival at FCO airport Train to Bracciano Orientation and dinner at Villaggio Betania
Friday, July 5 Morning Retreat & Reflection Lunch at Villaggio Betania Free afternoon Mass and dinner in town
Saturday, July 6 Morning Retreat & Reflection Lunch at Villaggio Betania Free afternoon Mass and dinner in town
Sunday, July 7 Travel to Rome St. John Lateran Sta. Croce The Holy Stairs San Clemente Saint Mary Major
Monday, July 8 Morning Retreat & Reflection Lunch at Villaggio Betania Free afternoon Mass and dinner in town
Tuesday, July 9 Morning Retreat & Reflection Lunch at Villaggio Betania Free afternoon Mass and dinner in town
ESCAPE
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UNIVERSAL FIAT
Wednesday, July 10 Travel to Rome St. Peter's Basilica Audience with Pope Francis St. Cecilia's in Trastevere Church of the Modern Martyrs Sta. Sabina Circus Maximus
Thursday, July 11 Morning Retreat and Reflection Afternoon in Rome: Trevi Fountain Piazza Navona Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Evening walk across St. Catherine's Bridge Gelatto and St. Peter's by Night
Friday, July 12 Free Morning Afternoon Boat Rides on Lago Bracciano Dinner at Villaggio Betania
Saturday, July 13 Departure