A year and a half ago we road tripped out to Pennsylvania for a family wedding with my brother, James. Here I am with my two brothers, Daniel and James... they have been close always as they were just a year and a half apart in age.
John was going down the list of my 10 siblings this morning after he had shared to the amazement of a friend the miraculous story of the 13 converting - my parents and us 11 kids - to the Catholic Church 41 years ago! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html I have made a page about it on my blog as it is quite the story to share! Not only am I blessed with sharing my faith with my children and grandchildren, but also with many of my siblings and their families... foremost would be these two brothers and their families. Such a gift! They share with me the two things I value most in this world - Faith and Family! Praise Him, and His glorious Bride, The Church!
Little Augustine praying before our meal shared with the Community on our way home from Texas in February.
We are getting very excited as we start to see our trip down there in a week take shape. It will be John and I along with my 8 year old granddaughter, Mary. We will be bringing along a young mother with her 7 year old daughter, and possibly two high school girls that are discerning a call. What is the occasion? Three American girls, who have been postulants for over a year will be taking their habits and changing their names to Little Sister _____. It has happened in the U.S. one other time in September of last year when they dedicated the newly built Little Monastery, Lumen Christi! Marie took the habit and became Little Sister Inez!
Mary got to sit by Little Sister Hallel/Aunt Susan to watch the transformation! Each article of clothing that makes up her habit has a very deep spiritual meaning... the scapular the apron like piece that covers them front and back represents the Cross they bear for Christ! The sandals is that they may follow after Christ wherever their Bridegroom may lead them! So amazing!
"Your habits are the color of the sky and the shape of the Cross." Fr Jean Claude their Franciscan founder
Bringing forth the bread to become Jesus at the mass following. When Pat and his mom made it to France for Hallel to take her first vows a couple years after taking her habit... they both were deeply touched by the mass the night before for those taking the habit! To see them leave carrying their simple clothing and come back transformed and glowing was very powerful indeed. They could then imagine how moved we had been two years before when just weeks into John's brain cancer journey, John and I were able in just 24 hours time decide to come to France and be there for Susan's taking of the habit and becoming for all the world - Little Sister Hallel! We were puzzled at her name, but then she explained that it is the first part of "Hallelujah" - "Everytime someone says my name they are giving the God the highest praise!" So powerful and we were lifted up at this huge time of family shock and need! We were in the midst of the storm and this showed us, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus was in control!
Hallel will not make it back for this huge occasion, but we know of her love and prayers for us in front of Jesus each day!
Today in the Gospel, O Jesus, you tell us all we need to know - "I am the Way and the Truth and the LIFE." That is all we need, O Lord! We are filled with wonder and awe as we recall how you have held us in the palm of your hand and given us such amazing experiences on our journey with YOU! To look back at the conversion of the 13, to the Faith journey of each of my children whether led to marriage, religious life or brain cancer. The ongoing blessings we are daily given through your Church - the feast day today which surrounds two of my brothers with the great blessings of their patron saints/namesakes! The readings from Your Word each day, the Sacraments, the Saints, Our Mother of Heaven and Earth, Mary the Mother of God, and all the prayers we pray with every beat of our hearts and every breath that we take - "Jesus and Mary, save souls. Jesus and Mary, Save souls." So overwhelmed and filled with JOY and may Peace reign this day of fighting the mud to put cows and calves out on grass. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
My Most Cherished Cross - lover of LIFE and raiser of LIGHTS for the world!
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
"If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." Jesus to us today in the Gospel John 14:14
Casting Crowns - Glorious Day
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