Skip to main content

A Series of Saints

As November approaches and we remember our beloved dead, it seems an appropriate time to begin a reflection on the saints that have influenced our congregation in one way or another. So, this inaugurates a Wednesday series on "The Motherhouse Saints." Christ the King Church, the "chapel" of our Motherhouse in Germany, is richly decorated with images of the saints who reflect some particular aspect of our history, spirituality or apostolic work. Over the next weeks, we will glance at their lives and their meaning to our congregation.


This introductory installment shows the mosaic in the sanctuary of the Motherhouse Church. Christ the King, robed and sceptered as King, wearing the stole of a priest, displaying His Sacred Heart, is the focal point of the entire Church. When seen in person, this huge vision of Our Lord is overwhelming - He dominates your vision from the moment you enter the doors. He is surrounded by angels and Saint George and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary stand at His side ... but we'll speak of them later.

He is the center. His pierced Heart invites us all to embrace His merciful love. His face seems stern, but with majesty, He invites us to His service.

All praise to this Divine Heart which won our salvation!

This vision expresses in image the totality of our spiritual foundation. We look on Him whom they have pierced - but He is the Lord risen in glory, pouring out His mercy to all, and inviting us to live our lives wholly in His love.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Journey with Mary: Sacrificial Love of Spiritual Motherhood

                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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome to our Family, Postulants!!!

Today, on the Feast of the Birth of Mary, our new postulants entered the postulancy of our American Province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George! We thank God for the gift of these vocations. Pictured above - on their very first full day in the convent - are (from left) Ashley Vola, Samantha Goodson, Miranda Edgar, Jennifer Clark and Erin Leis. Welcome, Postulants! We Sisters are grateful that you have accepted Christ's invitation to belong totally to Him in our Franciscan community, and we support you wholeheartedly with our prayers and help! If you would like to send a word of welcome and encouragement to these new postulants, we will pass the greetings along to them. Just leave them as a "comment"!
9 comments
Read more

Seeking like Mary Magdalene

Blessed Easter! May the joy of our Risen Lord fill your heart with His joy and peace!          Mary Magdalene and her story of encounter with the Risen Lord has often been a favorite meditation of mine. Throughout the time of our Lord’s Passion, Mary’s deep love for Our Lord compels her to walk with Him experiencing His Passion and Death. Her grief was so deep because she loved much. She knew Jesus, she knew Love. Mary Magdalene walks with Our Lady, who must have also taught her love by receiving Mary Magdalen into her heart. What were those encounters like for Mary Magdalen, between her and the Mother of God. She must have known Mary well to remain with Our Lady during Christ’s Passion. She must have known the deep love, mercy and kindness Mary had towards Mary Magdalene after her conversion from her previous sinful life. She knew Christ through His Mother. When Mary Magdalen goes to the tomb and finds the tomb empty, her heart sinks once again with g...
Post a Comment
Read more