With our new Pope Francis - I had to put in prominent places my two statues of St Francis the inside one and the outside one. It reminds me to pray for our newly elected Pope, and also a beautiful reminder of the love of the poor and the desire for Peace in the world that comes to us through the LIFE and teachings of St Francis. "Our Pope Francis certainly chose this name out of the love for the poor, but also like St Francis, to be a MAN OF PEACE in this time when wars..." Little Sister Marie of Hallel's Community of the Lamb. We recently received in the mail a special sharing as teh Community was so thrilled to have an invitation to visit with the Pope on the day following his election as Pope! There is a group that lives in Rome, and little Sister Marie must have been there for the conclave. She continues to share in this special letter;
"So in the steps of the Holy Father, let us love Jesus and His Gospel, let us love the Church and the poor, let us be men and women of Peace, 'children of Light' before whom darkness flees, and in one word: CHARITY!"
We know that when Hallel left to join the Community... she had struggled for a month after leaving the discernment house with what the Lord was asking of her. As she left she said - full of conviction in the Truth she had found - "Two things I know are that I am called to leave it all behind and to be poor!" This is something that you hear often from the Community - they are the poor, and they live among the poor, and they beg for their food from the poor! Yes, that last part of what they do is mind boggling! And when Little Sister Marie, their foundress, heard the Lord telling her this - she was confused by it and asked for some direction. She was led to I Kings 17:7-16
We all have heard the powerful story of the drought and the widow with only enough to make a last loaf of bread for her son and herself before they die of starvation. "Make some for me and your flour will never run out or your jar of oil will never run dry!' Elijah tells her, and so it was! In willingly giving her all - she was granted a miracle of LIFE! The Community share with the poor in their lives and bring them the LIVING WORD - Christ knocking on their doors! Pope Francis said this to them when they gathered on March 15th - the day after he was elected:
"we need witnesses more than teachers. You have a great capacity to be witnesses. Pure grace. Hold on to that. It is the witness of your life, the prayer, the liturgy, begging for bread, hitchhiking, the witness of poverty and joy. People love you - in the Community of the Lamb - for that reason." Pope Francis
So beautiful is this! No wonder they are thrilled to have this recognition of their lives by the Holy Father! He assisted them while he was in Argentina to find a place to build their little monastery there! So he knows and loves them from experience!
They with great excitement showed us this picture of the gathering - so amazing!!! I will continue to quote Pope Francis from their meeting -
"I am convinced that we do not realize that this combat, this battle is great. It is a battle that can only be won with the blood of Christ on the Cross. The more we will be in the image of Jesus, the closer we are to Him; the stronger will we be to vanquish, but the more we will be crucified. The first thing I would like to say is: 'Let us not be afraid of the Cross.' It is not masochism, it is LOVE. Every offering we make to the Lord is an offering which resembles the great offering of the Father. During these last days we have been reading the letter to the Hebrews in the Liturgy of the Hours. We see what this priestly annointing signifies: in interceding, he has opened the gate of Heaven and he has overcome evil. The battle against evil is serious. Sometimes I think we do not pray to St Michael the Archangel enough. This is true. We put him aside. We should pray to him more often."
Therese helping Godmother, little Sister Hallel, wash the dishes - no dishwasher or microwave or even hot water from the faucet for them... they heat it on the stove in a big pot... they live as the poor and find JOY! Look at the smile on Therese's face as she puts on her blue apron to help! She will hold this special memory in her heart,mind and soul always! She wasn't treated as a princess and waited on hand and foot - she was shown the beauty of loving through service and being "poor."
The pope continues to share with the Community of the Lamb gathered around him on the day after he was elected...
"I already had 77 votes and we had to continue the vote. At that point, when we applauded, I had Cardinal Hummes beside me... We are good friends, he is Franciscan. At that moment... already before getting there, as my votes were increasing, he comforted me with words of encouragement: 'Be at Peace!' When we got to the majority, he came to my side, he hugged me and gave me a kiss, and he said to me: 'Don't forget the poor!'... The poor... the poor... St Francis of Assisi! Then I continued to reflect as the votes were still being counted to the end, I thought of all the wars, there are so many wars! St Francis of Assisi, the man of peace! Then I realized that it should be Francis. It came to me by an inspiration from God... I like that with the Lord... Cardinal Hummes did not tell me to call myself Francis... The name Francis came to me like that. I believe God gave it to me."
Therese helps Hallel put away the chalice after mass...
Jesus, so amazing this day to know the JOY that can be found in being poor of all that distracts us from following after YOU. We are thankful to You for directing your Church to choose St Francis to remember the poor and to fight the battle for Peace to reign throughout the world. Hear our prayers this day and always! Use us to share your LIGHT with all those around us, especially those in our domestic Church/family. Jesus,we trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
"Truly in calling us straight away, Pope Francis, did not forget the poor!" Little Sister Marie after their amazing meeting with Pope Francis just 36 hours after his election as Pope!
Little brother Patrick!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51LGsPMKeAE Laura Story
Blessings!!!
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