Arrivaderci

The dining area is echoing with laughter, tears, and the exchange of hugs as the Chapter Delegates prepare for travel tomorrow. Many of us will begin the journey home while a few will travel to Assisi and/or other destinations here in western Europe.

These days have been Spirit-filled with the convergence of our variety of cultures, life experiences, ministries, causes, and interests. The 23 days of chapter have brought us together as a community grounded in the franciscan values and charism we all share. As we return to our respective coountries and provinces, we take with us the memories and connections that have grown throughout our sacred converations, discernment, and prayer.

I am hopeful that eventually this blog will grow into an international effort with members of our different provinces sharing the challenges, joys and hopes that we embrace as the Daughters of Magdalen.

Ciao,

Margie

The Language of Team Ministry

We spent much of today attending to the remaining details of our conversations during this chapter.

Our new General Minister, Deborah Lockwood, spoke to us about her vision of team and the language needed for team ministry. She told us that this language must contain three essential words: "We", "I'm sorry", and "Thank You."

Tomorrow, after celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the delgates will elect that team for the next five years. May our hearts and minds remain open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Our New General Minister

Just thought you all might like to know that this morning we elected S. Deborah Lockwood as our new General Minister. The remainder of the General Council will be elected on Sunday.

Please keep Deborah and all of us in prayer as we continue to pray and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Pace,

Margie

The Mirror of Eternity

Yesterday, in preparation for the election of the General Minister, we had the opportunity to spend a day of Reflection with Clare of Assisi. We gathered in the Chapter room with sacred dance as we remembered that we are on Holy Ground. After an invocation to the Holy Spirit, we spent some time meditating on the Testament of Clare:

"For the Lord Himself has placed us as a model, as an example and mirror not only for others, but also for our sisters whom the Lord has called to our way of life as well, that they in turn might be a mirror and example to those living in the world.

Since the Lord has called us to such great things that those who are a mirror and example to others may be reflected in us, we are greatly bound to bless and praise God and to be strengthend more and more to do good in the Lord."

and we were invited to reflect upon the following questions:

What do I model?

What do I mirror?

What am I an example of?

What strengthens me to do good?

From Clare's 4th Letter to Agnes of Prague we heard:

" Gaze upon that mirror each day, O Queen and spouse of Jesus Christ, and continually study your face in it..." (#15)

Indeed, in that mirror, blessed poverty, holy humility, and inexpressible charity shine forth as, with the grace of God, you will be able to contemplate them throughout the entire mirror." (#18)

and were invited to reflect upon these questions:

As I look into the mirror of my life,

Where is my poverty?

Where is my humiliy?

Where is my charity?

With these and several other passages from the writings of Clare, we spent the day in quiet contemplation punctuated by opportunities to share our reflections with our language group in the morning and in our international group in the afternoon.

Our day ended with thanks to the outgoing Council: S. Anisia, S. Deborah, S. Hanna, S. Leda, and S. Alphonsine as well as S. Dirce, general secretary and S. Monique, general treasurer, for their leadership, guidance, and hard work over the past five years.

A quiet spirit of peace is evident in the house as we prepare for the final days of our Chapter and the selection of our leadership for the next five years.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Malo, malo, thanks be to God!

Today, Wednesday, was a day on which St. Francis Province led morning prayer. The prayer invited us to pray with the image of the tree. The tree, sustainer of life, planted in the earth, and rooted deep in the mystery of God's Life in us. We sang together: I'm a branch of Catherine's tree; rooted deep in mystery; her life alive in me. Images of trees from each of our Provinces throughout the Congregation were imposed on the screen for reflection. There was also movement accompanied by Ruffino's music Sacred Creation. Some days ago Holy Name Province led us in prayer mindful of Sister Water, useful, cleansing, pure. Images of water were used to assist our reflection on how water sustains, quenches, and supports all Life. Sacred Heart Province, on another day, accompanied us in prayer to the heights of soaring mountains, to awesome majestic beauty where eagles fly free and the highest peaks touch the clouds. Our mid-morning Eucharistic liturgy today was prepared by all three of our U.S. Provinces. After a simple, joyful celebration many Sisters emerged from chapel singing the closing song's refrain: Malo, malo thanks be to God! The work of the sessions this afternoon was to vote on the Chapter Directive Statement and several proposals. The Chapter Directive Statement was celebrated by the gathering of all the Provincial Ministers and Mission Minister (of Tanzania, Sr. Margie) around the San Damiano Crucifix. Around the crucifix were placed large images of Francis, Clare, and Mother Magdalen with colorful ribbons extended to and held by each Provincial Minister. Each led the reading of the statement in the language of her Province. Malo, Malo, Thanks be to God! Pace e bene! Janet (for the U.S. Provinces of Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis)

Morning Musing

Good early morning from Rome. We are now looking toward our last week here in Rome at the General Chapter. The days have been full, rich beyond measure. Longing to come home, yet still mindful of the daily need for attentiveness to our agenda at hand. We have moved into a deeper place of discernment regarding our international leadership. Yet the sights and sounds of the streets of Rome are still calling to us! Today we have an afternoon off from our schedule, since we have accomplished, well, the "work" of the Chapter thus far. Some are planning for various destinations in Rome and time for last sights and experiences before bidding farewell a week from today. We have made many friends, renewed some old friendships, and have been inspired by that which makes us Franciscans together in this life. The sense of our international bonds, those which reach deep into our shared Franciscan heritage and roots, have been richly expressed and experienced in these weeks. There is an abundance of gratitude, good cheer, deep love, and joy among us. It is palpable. Pace e bene! Janet (for Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis Provinces)

Indonesia

Our Indonesian Sisters planned today's morning prayer and liturgy. Both were very beautiful! I was moved to tears by a brief video portion of morning prayer "Will you hold this sign for me?" in which Jesus gives his cross to a youth to hold until he returns. Indonesian dress, movement, and songs lifted our spirits and drew us into prayer. At Mass, readings, responses and songs were all in the Indonesian language - so captivating, while the homily was in English (much appreciated since we had copies of the readings in English but would have missed the entire meaning of the homily if it were in Indonesian.) The homily challenged us to choose to be "rich towards God" rather than rich in merely accumulating and hoarding goods for ourselves.

In our language groups, we met to give our response to the first draft of our General Chapter Direction Statement. We will continue to refine it until it is what we want to say and it is clear in all of our languages.

This afternoon we will have a chance to tour the museum of the Sisters who run the facility where we are staying and meeting. We've seen sneak previews in all of the Spanish artifacts artistically arranged through the building. After that we will return to our meetings and move along towards the election of a General Minister and General Council members.

On a lighter (and warmer) note, all are rejoicing that they turned on the heat in our building as the temperatures have been dropping pretty low overnight lately. Overall though, the weather has been near-perfect - especially on our outing days (yesterday and last Sunday).

If my sister Theresa is reading this, she will be glad to know that I stopped to pet a friendly German Shepherd dog at La Foresta yesterday. That was one of the four places those of us who went to the Rieti Valley visited. We saw where Francis wrote a "tau" on the wall in Fonte Columbo, where he set up a Christmas crib scene in Greccio (and where many countries have sent cribs that are on display), where Francis had his eye "surgery" and where he went to recover afterwards.

Peace and every good blessing be yours,

Nancy Miller