May 29, Feast of Mary, ‘Mater Ecclesiae’

On February 11, 2018, Pope Francis declared that a new memorial is to be celebrated in honor of our Blessed Mother under the title: 

Mary, Mother of the Church (Mater Ecclesiae).

This memorial is celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost.

In the Liturgy for the feast day, the Gospel of John 19: 25-34 is used. This passage deliberately focuses on Mary’s Commission.  She was with her son, Jesus, at the center of the Paschal Mystery.  The Gospel says it this way:

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple, John there,

He said to His mother: ‘Woman, behold, your son (all the Church).’

Then he said to John:  ‘Behold, your mother.’

After the Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit, Mary is entrusted as Witness to all that has been said and done and for the strengthening of the faith of the early Church.

Her feast, calls us to go often to Mary, Vessel of the Holy Spirit, Woman of Yes, Disciple and Missionary as we too evangelize and ‘Go to all nations’ bringing about the Kingdom of God.

Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church

Mother, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise.

Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our faith is called to mature.

Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path. And may this light of faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord!

Hail Mary, Gentle Woman

Carey Landry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUey6ytEXqY

Vigil of Pentecost 2023

 

Pentecost is called the "birth-day" of the Church. The Apostles had already received the Holy Spirit on Christ's first appearance to them after his resurrection (Jn 20:22). But on Pentecost day the descent of the Holy Spirit was a public manifestation intended to impress and amaze the crowds of local and foreign Jews who thronged Jerusalem on that great festive occasion. The signs and wonders that manifested his coming brought these Jews in huge crowds to the place where the Apostles were staying, and immediately the gift of tongues was used by the Apostles to explain the occurrence.

Today was the day chosen for the beginnings of this mission of the Apostles. That they were backed by the divine power of the Holy Spirit was proved, not only by the gift of tongues but more especially by the change his coming wrought on the Apostles. From this day forward they were dedicated to one purpose and to one purpose only, to bring the good news, the Gospel of Christ, to the world. To form a Community of Followers, a Church, to bring about the Mission of Jesus entrusted to them, the Body of Jesus Christ.

Second Reading     First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 12:2-7, 12-13. 

You know how, when you were pagans, you were constantly attracted and led away to mute idols. Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the holy Spirit. 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 

there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. 

Missionary Disciples throughout the world today are …

         

filled with the Spirit,

                  and speak of the great things that God had done.

 

         afraid, but

                  the Lord is in our midst and says to us:
                  “Peace be with you, peace be with you.”

 

         set free,

                  letting the Lord breathe upon us and say to us:
                  “Receive the Spirit, receive the Spirit.”

 
         we are sent forth

                  to become bearers of Christ’s reconciling love
                  many the gifts of the Spirit given…

Litany of the Holy Spirit

Dan Schutte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp0vQdAju8Y

 

May 12th Foundation Day

 

May 12th Foundation Day

In the hearts of Cluny Sisters around the world today there is a great joy and deep gratitude for the charism that has been given to the congregation and the mission that has been entrusted to them since the beginning.

 

·               to know and do the Holy Will of God through discernment and total availability

·               to sow seeds of hope and compassion reaping a harvest of liberation and justice

·               to be a sign for our world through community Life - a place of personal growth, spiritual support, conversion and pardon, discernment, shared mission and caring

·               to be grounded in prayer and contemplatives in action, celebrating and nurturing our relationship with God in many different ways

 

 

On May 12, 1807, nine young women pronounced their vows of religion before the Bishop of Autun in St. Peter’s Church, Chalon. "Now we are religious!" wrote Sister Anne Marie who from now on could give free rein to her dynamic spirit. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny was born. After three years the congregation and works had grown and another house was needed.

 

Anne Marie’s father, Balthasar Javouhey bought for his daughters the former Recollets Convent in Cluny. Soon the name Cluny, linked to that of the Sisters of St. Joseph, would be known throughout the world on five continents.

 

On  May 12th, our Foundation Day, Cluny Sisters and their Associates and Collaborators in mission around the world celebrate their MISSIONARY CALL that began in 1807 in response to the needs of that time and the urgings of the Holy Spirit – a remarkable Pentecost

Happy  Foundation  Day,  Cluny Sisters!

Missioned May 12, 1807

 Go Forth!

On May 12, 1807, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny were founded by Anne Marie Javouhey to go forth and bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.  

Our charism calls us to work for the liberation of both others and ourselves, as we live faithfully our religious consecration and respond to the cries of our wounded world and creation.  Today we are 2,600 Cluny Sisters serving in 57 countries throughout the world.  Our internationality and diversity of culture, language and ministries, gives new vitality to the life of the congregation and all the world.  In joy we give thanks and renew our commitment to be available for the Mission, going further and going beyond our securities into the unknown.  

Beginning May 3rd to May 11th, the Clunys in the United States invite you to join in a Novena Prayer to our Foundress, Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, giving thanksgiving for these years of service in the Church and in gratitude that we have been entrusted with this Mission of Jesus Christ.

Novena Prayer                     Seeking God,  Finding God,  Following God

Lord our God, you enabled Blessed Anne Mrie to consecrate herself to the carrying out of your Holy Will in all things and to be ever attentive to your calls as manifested through the poorest of her brothers and sisters. Grant that we, in the Church of our day, may zealously continue the work you confided to her.

Through her intercession hear the prayers we address to You. In your goodness grant us the favor of her canonization for your glory and to promote your reign of love, justice and peace. Amen.

Blessed Anne Marie, Javouhey, 

Pray for us who have recourse to you.