Mary Mother of Mercy

Sister Thoma Swanson, OP, has painted this contemporary representation of a traditional image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy. (An explanation of the figures may be found at: http://www.dominicanstudies.org/library/dominic-finds-his-followers-under-mary%E2%80%99s-mantle-version-1.)

We begin 2016 under the mantle of Mary, Mother of Mercy and Mother of Peace.  January 1^st is traditional the feast of Mary “Theotokos”, the Greek title, “God-Bearer” (Mother of God).  During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, her mantle embraces all in the Loving God’s Mercy.

Let us joyfully receive this gift of Mary as Mother and let her model for each of us the call of every Christian to bear Jesus for the world. This wonderful title, Mary, the Mother of God, "Theotokos", reveals a profound truth not only about Mary, but about each one of us. We are now invited into the very relationship that she had with her Son. We can become "God-bearers", Disciples of Jesus, and bring Him to all those whom we encounter. Let the beginning of 2016 find us resolved to be bearers of mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace in our families, our neighborhoods, with the stranger and foreigner, in our own hearts.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny wish all a Happy and Blessed New Year full of God’s Promise of Mercy and Peace.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Bon Noel, Feliz Natal

A Child is born for us

Emmanuel

Wonder Counselor

Prince of Peace

May your Christmas be filled with the awe and wonder of belief and gratitude.  May the Loving Gaze of the Word Become Flesh fill you with Joy.

Click to hear Pentatonix sing Mary Did You Know?

Desire of All our Hearts

O Come, O Come…

         O Wisdom,

                  O Lord, O Root of Jesse,

                           O Key of David,

         O Splendor of Light,

                  O King of all Nations,

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, God with us.

 During this last week of Advent we cry out in Hope for the birth of Jesus!  We know that with Jesus our life is very different.  With his birth we are saved, healed and made whole once again.  In the story, Joseph listens to the voice in a dream directing him.  Mary conceives by the Holy Spirit and gives her own flesh for the life of the world.  How are we preparing for this birth, this Incarnation of God’s love made manifest in our lives and our own world?

O Come,

         all you faithful, joyful and triumphant!  

O Come,

         Come to Bethlehem.

O Come

         Behold him, adore him.

O Come,

         Greet him now in flesh appearing … Christ the Lord!

Jubilee Year of Mercy Begins

Holy Doors opened by Pope Francis begins the Year of Mercy

In Scriptures Jesus said,

“I am the door”

(John 10:7),

bringing to fruition the words of the Psalmist,

“This is the door of the Lord where the just may enter”

(Psalm 118:20).

Opening Prayer

 Blessed are you, Lord, holy Father,

who sent your Son into the world

to gather all men and women,

wounded and scattered by sin,

into one body through the shedding of his blood.

You appointed him both shepherd and gate for the sheep,

so that whoever enters may be saved,

and whoever comes in and goes out

will find pasture for eternal life.

Grant that your faithful

may pass through this gate,

and be welcomed into your presence,

so that they may experience, O Father, your abundant mercy.

Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The ritual opening of the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, December 8, 2015, marks the official start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis is asking that in every diocese and in churches and shrines designated by the diocesan bishop, there will also be a celebration of the rite of opening of the Holy Door in unity with the Universal Church so all can participate and obtain the indulgences promised in this Jubilee Year.

For more on the Jubilee Year of Mercy go to:

 http://www.im.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo.html )

Just before opening the door, Pope Francis said: "to pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.”