Sr. Lois Ann (below), Postulant Director, put together a prayer service to celebrate Sr. Philomena Ann's transition to the Novitiate. Using the theme of "journey", different footwear was used to indicate the different ways and paths one travels in life.
Reception
February 14, 2016
“I have
brought you into the land of Carmel to enjoy it’s fruits and blessings”
Jer.
2:7
Song: Listen in Silence
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord we
gather here this evening to celebrate our journey. A journey ended and a journey begun and yet
part of the greater journey to the space, freedom and landscapes of
Carmel. We have all walked different
paths to this place yet our feet share the space of this room and this
experience. We come open to discover how You are calling
us into a new ways of walking, a new way of journeying and a new paths to
follow. Guide our steps in the days of
our Novitiate so that we may learn ever more surely how to walk in Your way.
Walking the Journey: A reflection
The shoes we wear
have a big effect on us. They affect how
we walk, what we do and dictate where we go.
Different shoes put us in a different frame of mind. They may be “work” shoes that signify our
powerful, competent self; a self-sufficiency that does not allow the help of
others or feels the need to be “in control”.
They may be our “walking” shoes that speak of a sense of freedom, the
open road. Perhaps our old slippers,
that allow us to relax, get comfy and let our guard down. God called Moses to take off his shoes for he
stood on “holy ground”. He stood unshod,
open and vulnerable before His God.
Jesus took off the sandals of his disciples and washed their feet; the
dust, a reminder of where they had been.
God calls us to be bare footed in His Presence. He wants to help wash the dust off our feet
and our old ways of thinking so that the dirt of the past may not prevent us
seeing the light and promise of the future.
Together we walk bare
footed into that future recognizing that we stand on holy ground and in the
presence of a God who calls us like Moses to stand before the burning bush of
His Divine love. We learn courage to
walk in the steps of our Teacher and to begin a new journey, a journey of love.
St. Therese had a profound
insight into her life journey being one of love in the heart of the
Church. Here is how she describes
discovering her vocation to love:
“Charity gave me
the key to my vocation. I understood
that the Church being a body composed of different members, the most essential,
the most noble of all the organs would not be wanting to her; I understood that
the Church has a heart and that this heart is burning with love; that it is
love alone that makes the members work, that if love were to die away apostles
would no longer preach the Gospel, martyrs would refuse to shed their
blood. I understood that love comprises
all vocations, that love is everything, that it embraces all times and all
places because it is eternal!”
Story
of a Soul
Prayer of St. Therese (alternate sides)
(R) Lord, give me the open heart of a child.
Let me come trustingly to You,
not afraid to ask for your love.
(L) Deliver me from the belief
that I am self-sufficient.
Show me the need of You.
(R) Give me the grace to reach out to You.
Lord give me a child’s simplicity
and sense of wonder.
(L) May my enthusiasm for You never dim.
Let me hasten to converse with You
in the intimacy of prayer.
(R) Give me discernment to realize
that there is no detail of my life
too tiny for Your concern.
(L) Help me to perceive your glory
in the helplessness of the cross
Son of God, who for my sake,
Took on the dependency of childhood,
Help me to accept the readiness of the
Father’s grace.
Intercessions feel free to share your petitions
Final prayer
Lord, I believe
that you are calling me to come and follow You.
Be with me during my Novitiate experience. You will be my Protector, Guide and
Companion. Help me not be afraid to
acknowledge and use the gifts you have given me in loving service of my
Sisters. Let my Novitiate be a school of
love where I learn as did St. Therese that love is at the heart of every
vocation. May I walk into the future
filled with daring and zeal, strengthened by the knowledge that You are with
me. Amen.
