"I will show you the Bride, The Wife of the Lamb.." Rv 21

Three of the granddaughters in the window of our medieval home in Fanjeaux, France the day of Hallel's vows about 15 minutes away in Saint Pierre.  So many adventures were experienced, but foremost we shared in the life of our youngest daughter and her Community of the Lamb!  How the words from the first reading in Revelations 22 spoke to me today!

"Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain..." Rev 22
So much about this has to do with our experiences during our week with Hallel!  

Hallel in the shape of the cross during her vow ceremony...

The Cross is exalted on this day and the world is sanctified.  You who sit with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you stretched out your arms, O Christ, to lead the world to the knowledge of God and those whose hope is set on you, count them worthy of your divine glory.

Rise!  My little sisters, to hasten in you the fulfillment of your baptism in he death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, do you desire to consecrate your whole life to God through your perpetual profession, living unto death in poverty, chastity and obedience? 
little sisters:  Yes, I do with the grace of God

Do you desire to dedicate all your strength to the love of God and of neighbor, in a perpetual love for the Church and the poorest who constitute today the greatest part of humanity?
little sister; Yes, I do with the grace of God

"Seated at the feet of Jesus with Mary", mother of God, mother of mankind, do you desire to listen in the Church and keep the Word of God until it illuminates your darkness, until it burns in your hearts under the anointing of the Spirit to know Jesus, the tenderness of the Father and the Savior of your souls?
little sister; Yes, with the grace of God.

Hallel; "I promise unto death!"

Nancy shared these powerful thoughts about her sister's vows!

During this hard and sad moment in our American church, here is a little reminder of the beautiful.

We spent the last week in southern, rural France, witnessing my youngest sister’s final vows. She is the first American sister in her community, the Community of the Lamb, and the 3 hour service was incredibly moving, especially this moment.

The entire service was in French (and Italian, Spanish and Polish). The only 4 English words were the 4 in this video.

My sister made her final vows with 12 women. Each stated their perpetual promise to the prioress in their native language. Hearing those small, powerful words in English was an incredible testament to the real nature of vocation.

“I promise until death!”

And so, my fellow Catholics, I know you are hurt and confused and suffering right now, I am too! But, never doubt the profound beauty of our faith.

Never doubt that God has called us all to a vocation, and the devil is determined to trip us all up.

Pray for yourself in your vocational journey. Pray for those in formation. Pray for your priest. Pray for the church.

Remain strong and convicted, and grounded in the truth and beauty!

Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for us!

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Hallel in the Green Cathedral amongst the trees and the sunflowers!

On our way to her vows!

Jesus, I am filled to overflowing with your love for me!  This feast day of an apostle/one of the twelve... St Bartholomew fills me with all your graces once again given us by your Church!  The Lamb shows us the way to embrace our Most Cherished Cross to find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

"Wounded, I will never cease to love."  Do you desire to live the mystery of the Lamb in the humble daily life, making of each man and woman the "offering of Resurrection", thus announcing the universal reconciliation of all man and the return of Jesus?

little sister; Yes, I do with the grace of God.

The virgin with her lamp lit awaiting her Bridegroom!  "I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.."

The Gospel comes to life!  "He took me by Spirit to a great high mountain."  Yes!!!  Mountain top experiences were all around us!  Our family of 22 on the hillside above her head in this picture!  LOVE!

Deep in prayer for our family... Lourdes water and The Daily prayer of the Church/The Office/Morning prayer.

"The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth."  Psalm 145:18

The Hallel Psalm from mass today says it all!!!  our hearts are lifted up to the Lord!