We have completed much of our Lenten journey and are nearing the most solemn days. This time of spiritual renewal is very important to us who are called to understand more fully “reparation to the Sacred Wounds of Jesus”. As humans, we are sinners. If we strive to avoid serious sin, we are desirous of a greater level of holiness—a closer relationship with our beloved God. Lent is a time to encounter Him more perfectly.

The beautiful season of Lent is here! Jesus spent forty days in the desert, thus forty days are set aside for offering penance, making a change of heart, strengthening our moral character and inner core toward holiness. The Church teaches us to consider three facets of penitential offerings: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let these guide your journey.

It was on this date in 1957, in their small Chapel in New York, that our first Sisters made their profession of vows in this community. Present in that room were the statues of Our Lady of Grace and St. Therese that you honor in our current dwelling. They stood before the hand-carved altar where Mass is offered in our Chapel today. They used the same kneelers and some of the chairs we use today. It was a solemn occasion for them and one that was history-making.

Our Beloved Virgin Mary is known under many titles. She has appeared in many places, countries and continents. She calls us to be united under the Most Sacred Heart of Her Divine Son Jesus. She encourages us through her Immaculate Heart. She distributes to us spiritual strength as the Mediatrix of All Graces. She is the comforter of the afflicted and refuge of sinners.  God Himself trusted His Only Son to her care!

Our Blessed Christmas Season has begun. The secular world has removed its signs of the holiday while we, as Catholic Christians, are just beginning our festive celebrations. So many have mentioned how “fast” time seems to be moving especially with celebrating thanksgiving; then the countdown of four weeks of Advent; Christmas shopping and a New Year in the offing. But we are so blessed to have these days of Christmas to honor the coming of Christ as our Newborn King.

The Season of Advent is a glorious and thorough way to open a new Church Year. Within it we are given reflections considering the end times; the important mission of St. John the Baptist; an anticipation for the coming of the Savior; all accomplished with a loyalty to our Jewish roots. 

It was the feast of St. Teresa, mendicant and friend of St. John of the Cross and reformer of the Carmelite Order. Teresa of Avila stirred age old practices because time had eroded the initial principles. Wealthy members used their power instead of offering those gifts thus practicing and embracing their vow of poverty. Teresa could not bear to kneel in contradiction before her God when she was called to give all. She desired for the precious, loving caresses to be received through truth of vision and lifestyle. Some followed her and many follow her to this day. Some would call her stubborn but truly hers was a determination to live a righteous life of holiness. 

Mother Mary Rose Therese, our Foundress, had a sincere and profound love for Our Blessed Mother. She chose ‘Mary’ in her religious name to honor her. Part of her birth name was a derivative of ‘Mary’. The day never passed without her fervent completion of the rosary. On one occasion, she had major surgery. The anesthesiologist told us that she was saying the Hail Mary as he began anesthesia. The entire long surgery took place and when she began to come out of the anesthesia, she finished the Hail Mary! Such was her fond dependence on the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Mary’s example, Mother Therese formed the actions of her own life. 

The season is changing. Parents are preparing for their children to return to school. Daylight hours are shorter. The intense heat is subsiding. Fall crops are more available. Nature is adjusting her colors from the intensity of summer. It is a beautiful time of year in the Northwest and recalls the seasonal changes we enjoyed in our childhood. Soon we will have to travel with umbrella in hand.

The season reminds me of Jesus’ message: “Go out to all the world and let your light shine for all to see” for, “I am the Light of the World!” Jesus sent His apostles and disciples out two-by-two to proclaim the Good News. As His followers, as individuals who have been given the gift of faith, as people baptized in water and infused by the Holy Spirit, as children of God who are privileged to know the faith and the wondrous gifts that God has granted to all humankind, we, too, are being sent. We are to be bearers of the Light of Christ. We are to bring the light of the “Son” of God everywhere we go. Are we so convincing in this call that we could be accused of being Christians? Are we bearers of His Word and His truth through our actions every day? Are we letting our “Light” shine?

As we journey through this month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and enter the month dedicated to His Most Precious Blood, may we feed upon all that He offers us. It is ours for the taking. He waits for us to say “Yes, Lord! I wish to love You with all my being. Help my weakness and strengthen me to reach high toward that eternal goal which is loving You forever!”

Roses have been particularly special to our Religious Community since its inception. The ‘rose’ was indicative in the work honoring Marie Rose Ferron, our spiritual inspiration, that eventually led to our founding. Mother Therese titled her concerts depicting the life of Rose Ferron, “The Life of A Mystical Rose”. It seemed a special landmark when God brought us to Portland, the “City of Roses”.

There were some beautiful purple perennial plants where I shopped this morning. They had been placed outside in the parking lot and I found myself without a cart or any other way to transport them. A handsome young black man came to my aid. He quickly found a plant cart and assisted in moving my selection onto it. He then offered to follow me to the cash register, waited until they were purchased, and put them into our car. His help was greatly appreciated. His store name tag was “Michael” so I asked him how he got that name.

It was in 1959 that our Religious Community arrived in the Diocese of San Diego at Mt. Saint Joseph School. The city was Barstow located in the Northern Mojave Desert. It was the only Catholic Parish within a forty-mile radius. There were many forms of poverty awaiting our Sisters and a “poverty of religion” was one of them. A very simple example was the answer Sister Anne Joseph received when inquiring ‘Who is the Holy Spirit?’ A young man raised his hand to explain: “He is the dove on the front of our book!”

“The Church’s foundation is unshakable and firm against the assaults of the raging sea. Although the elements of this world constantly batter and crash against her, she offers the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress.” Words of St. Ambrose

We have celebrated wonderful feasts in this transition to a new year. These honored events encircled a large spectrum in the Life of Christ and consequently the life of the Church. We are so richly blessed with this deep treasure of faith to guide us each day. It is not likened to earthly wealth, but rather, the richness that fills mind, heart, soul, spirit, and every facet encircling humanity. Through such celebrations we receive gifts that bring purpose and strength to everything we do. We are enriched with grace to fight anything that may be harmful to our spiritual growth. It is true wealth that generates joy!

Christmas is close at hand! Our goal throughout Advent was to have a proper gift to give the Christ Child on his Birthday. I tried to place a peaceful, meaningful, directive plan into my Advent days, however, time and circumstances disrupted much of that plan. Still, I moved forward in my effort. The life-gift that I will have looks much different than my original plan because I set the pace and God designed the journey.

The days of Lent have arrived! It is time set aside or put into place practices that will help us to grow in our spiritual life, strive to greater holiness, and constrain ourselves so that we will grow in our love for God and all that leads to eternal life.