Greetings! My name is Sister M. Eucharia. I am a second year novice who, along with five others, will be pronouncing vows for the first time on August 15th. The formula that we use for saying our vows is, I think, very simple and beautiful. My favorite part is at the beginning, “with a firm resolve to consecrate myself to God, and to follow Christ unconditionally.” What powerful words these are! They say to me, “Be faithful and firm in serving the Lord.” As Christ is my Bridegroom and I, His bride, let nothing separate me from loving and serving Him to the best that I am able. Yet, above all, let me not do anything contrary to what He wills me to do. Christ is the Master, and I am a humble handmaid with my eyes fixed intently on Him whom I love.
Recently, I found a reflection I had written during my first retreat as a postulant. The last conference that had been given was on Spiritual Motherhood. As I approached the 4 th Station where Jesus meets His Sorrowful Mother, this is what struck my heart: What is the sacrificial love of a mother? It is the self-sacrifice made to love her children. Mary’s self-sacrifice to be there with Christ, her Son, in His passion was the selfless love that united her with Him. Her heart was pierced with 7 swords in the agony of watching her beloved Son endure a cross that He did not deserve, but which He embraced for the love of the Father and mankind. Could she not have said to Jesus, “You don’t have to do this, there are other ways. Do you know how much pain You are causing me and those who love you?” She knew He could have chosen any other way t...
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