Much sharing today with husband, daughters, son, and husband... why mention husband twice - not a mistake but just how much he wants to share in all over and over. These three beaming faces of Little Sister Agape, Little Sister Frances, and Little Sister Katere expresses it all, and I am in such a deep place that it is hard to find the words to express our crazy weekend with the Community and in the car traveling 14 hours for us but for our fellow travelers an additional 5 hours! The first question of my husband to travel weary Andrea in our garage after driving through torrential rain - "Well, would you do this again if you had a choice?" "Yes! Without a doubt! It was wonderful!"
8 year old Mary and 7 year old Nell watch with wonder as the three lay prostrate asking for the Mercy of God and of the Church. The two little girls were travel weary and tired yet they witnessed three young women answering their call to follow Christ and leave the world behind. "They will never forget this." Andrea's words when I said that maybe the girls were too young for this.
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Gospel is presented. Courtney raises her hands in praise of Christ/The Word present. Hallel does this also with the hugest smile of JOY ever when the Word is processed in! I realized that this was a most amazing Mother's Day weekend for me as I could be there with John, granddaughter, Mary, and a special TEC daughter, Andrea along with her sweet daughter with eyes now opened to the beauty of the Community of the Lamb. I was in a very real way close to my Little Sister of the Lamb, Hallel! A most wonderful gift to be sure!
A most glorious wonderful homily by Archbishop Naumann, who is responsible for the Community coming to the U.S. the heart of our country in Kansas City, Kansas! How overjoyed he was to be welcoming the 3 Americans into the order and hoping that the ripple will become a river of those answering the call!
He spoke of the habit they were taking and how it makes them stand out to the world yet takes away the world in not being tied into clothes and possessions. I took some notes but can't find them right now... It was so good to hear and spoke of the poverty and beauty of the call by Jesus to His Spouse.
Receiving each part of their habits with the meaning of each...
"Receive the scapular (the apron that goes front and back), this blessed garment, it is the yoke of Christ, meek and humble; wear it joyfully and, along with it, put on the meekness and humility of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Archbishop Naumann gave each one their rosaries and blessed them!
"Receive this rosary, and may the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, help you to enter the mysteries of her Son Jesus, she to whom are entrusted all the children of St Dominic. May Christ be fixed upon your hearts, he who was fixed onto the Cross for all."
Newly vested - radiant Little Sisters stand with arms outstretched in the form of a cross, then kneeling...
Little Sister Marie, the foundress says;
"Your name was Holly - it is now Little Sister Kateri"
"Your name was Courtney - it is now Little Sister Frances."
"Your name was Anycia - it is now Little Sister Agape."
We respond Hallelujah!
Aglow and beaming! Sitting right behind them we could see them so filled with joy... one was giggling with great JOY bubbling over!
The altar set up outside - there was the intercession of Our Lady answering our prayers and so many prayers for this night - the dark threatening thunder heads left without dropping barely a drop on us - the blue sky appeared overhead! It was a night much like our times in France- I told the parents there as well as my friend that this was much like our two times in France for Hallel's habit and first vows. The simple deep beauty is Christ's presence there in Word and Heavenly meal! The Lamb icon is newly completed and has their motto on it..."Wounded I will not cease to Love." As we waited for the transformation as they vested in their habit we repeated the litany of the Lamb - "Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world" 7 times and "Lamb of God grant up peace" 3 times.
I have prayed that they persevere and so they have! thank you, Lord, for your call and love for these three Little Sisters! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Mary and I by the statue of St Agnes, who protected the Lamb in the nuclear bomb in Nagasaki, Japan! May we also protect the Lamb in our lives. I am very weary today, and will obviously share more and more and more of this most amazing experience...
Mary and Nell helping set for the feast after mass!
John and Mary lead the dessert procession at the feast!
The feast it laid out and it was a true great event to celebrate with the utmost of wonderful food, family and friends and new little Sisters!
John with his head in the clouds and a French hat to protect his head from the sun... the Lamb watching over us.
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