Wednesday morning neighbors gathered at Visitation Monastery to share the Eucharist. Afterward all joined together for brunch. Kelly brought a quiche. Someone else a Pistachio cake, traditional gift near St. Patrick's Day. Afterward all shared in clean-up.
Peace and gentleness permeate the atmosphere. Here is a world I have just become aware of -- where prayerfulness is cultivated not only by the sisters, but by the friends who have gathered around them in the past 24 years. It is a beautiful and wonderful way to live - and a means to counteract the violence of the world around us.
I hope to come and stay here for a long retreat soon - probably for six months. I want to learn how they are so peaceful, so gentle, so resilient, so effective in small, but wonderful ways. I told them that they have learned a dance - a way of being with each other and with others that provides a container for this peace. I want to learn the dance. I want to try it out. There is still time for me to learn a new dance, I think. And maybe share it with others.
13 comments:
It sounds like a wonderful dance. Your description makes me want to dance, too.
Your enthusiasm is catching Marsha! You are touching the heart-beat of the Church.
I am glad you 'landed' Marsha. It seems you love 'all of life' and Jesus adds, 'live it to the fullest'. Teilhard de Chardin says. "we must experience all in order to know God." Just keep on keeping on, Marsha, Joyce
I so wish I had a chance to connect with the Visitation Sisters while I was in MN last year. They sound wonderful!
If I can be nosy. Feel free to ignore or delete or wherever.
How come you are going to the Midwest to look at communities? What would being an "IHM associate" look like when you live in Washington State?
Of course different communities have distinct charisms and this is fine and good and why we need all of them. Nuns are not interchangeable. But for me (and you are not me, granted) it would make sense to look at closer communities first.
The IHMs seem to rock. And the Minnesota Visitation sisters seem to rock. (And I'm sure that other Visitation sisters rock as well.) But are there other communities closer by that would also be a "fit"?
As I look at deepening an associate-like commitment with "my nuns" yes I'm attracted to their charism and distinctive elements of their spirituality and can see myself being a part of their mission (in ways suitable to my state in life) but that is pretty abstract. To actually be in community in a significant sense requires something in the way of geography.
Now I'm beyond lucky as a community with a spirituality and charism that is a "good fit" has its motherhouse a mile and a half from my front door. I could go to Mass daily if I, ummm, got my little tushie out of bed in time. But, ummm, still. Halfway across the country is a long ways away!
Kirsten - lots of common sense in what you write. The thing is that I haven't been looking for anything - certainly not for a religious community. I love my life as it is. But somehow, God has called me into relationship with these two groups - for different purposes - and for different lengths of time. I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything but what I've been offered here. We'll see how it all turns out.
Here is to the dance and all of us finding the right partners at the right time. Keep up the waltz....I look forward to sharing in the dance with you, whether is is a waltz, jig, line dance, or modern whatever.
Can I join you Marsha,
Oh! YOU most certainly can learn this dance! I do believe you know many steps already! ....I do so look forward to being a continued recipient of your new experiences and joy.
I want to dance too! Me Too!
I so appreciate this post, your notes, your friends' blessings and inquiries....
I hold you in prayer as you discern, share, step boldly into the rhythms of a new dance, trusting each move you make, that God is in all your limbs' and the partners, or community of dancers around you...
LOVe!
Hello Marsha! I am in relationship with the Visitation Sisters as well, and you have articulated so beautifully their very essence. Prayer, service, community...all with the gentlest of spirits. We are blessed to have them in our lives! I look forward to meeting you at your next visit.
Peace-
Brigid Ryan-Ling
Thanks to all for your kind comments. Brig and Jer, thanks for your remarks. Looking forward to meeting you when I am in Minneapolis.
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