France - Out of the World!

Our hard and beautiful week with the Community of the Lamb on the occassion of our daughter, Little Sister Hallel's taking of her vows to become the Bride of Christ, has now been completed... yet we are feeling the glow in our faces and our hearts as Moses did after speaking to God on the Mountain!

How we wept and continue to weep at the depth of the experience that is only to be described as out of the world!  The rustic conditions in which they live and work accentuates the poverty that they have embraced and vowed to follow to prevent the distractions of the world to come between them and their LOVE - Jesus Christ!  Our daughter lay prostrate on the ground - she is the one to the right having her scapular straightened by another little sister... we heard the words translated from the beautiful French as Fr Jean Claude homilized about their laying "with their noses in the dust" to remind them that they are totaly His and dependant upon him to arise from that dust!  "Your habits are the color of the heavens and take the shape of the cross as you lay prostrate before Him."  Can you imagine the river of tears that flowed?

The celebrant spoke these words to these 8 that took their "first vows." 
"Little sisters, the Church gives you three years in order to persevere in the apprentiseship of this life.  But the temporary profession (vows) that you are about to pronounce consecrates you from now on to the Lord.  In truth, He is the Bridegroom and you the bride.  Be faithful, do not grieve the Holy Spirit; in all things, give thanks to God.  That which God has begun in you, may he bring to completion for the day when Christ comes."
Little Sisters:  "Amen!"

So much in my heart after not only being at the most powerful liturgies... in which there can be no doubt of Christ's presence in the Word and the Table of the Eucharist, but also living the life and sharing in the life of our daughter in the Community of the Lamb! " The 'Purpose of Life' of the little sisters of the Lamb, for three years, in order to apply myself to faithfully live out the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, following the Lord Jesus poor and crucified.  He,'the Lamb who is the Way, the Rule that will bring me to the port of Salvation' " (from the Act of Profession)

Her peace and joy carried us through the week, and we could only rejoice with her!  Jesus, may we carry forth into the rush and distractions of this life we are living... the reality of YOU and YOUR CROSS, which we need to embrace as you did!  Jesus, we trust in you!  Amen and Halleluia!

Bless-bless, Barb

"Come forth, Lord Jesus, on the day of your wedding feast.  Receive her who has already consecrated to you in her heart and who will now consecrate herself also through her profession.  Fill her with the knowledge of your will.  Make firm, from the beginning, her steps on the way of salvation, in the spirit of holiness and true faith.

So will your servant say: 'You hold me by my right hand.  You guide me by your counsel and you lead me to glory.' (Ps 73: 23-24)  Open wide your hand and satisfy her soul with blessings, (Ps 145:16) so as to save her who trusts in you." (Ps 26:2)  From St Ambrose and read while they are lying prostrate on the ground!  River of tears!