Novitiate Prayer Service

                                                              

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.