The Gift of Prayer

Greetings dearest Seven Sisters…

“The best consolation is the next prayer.” – St. Padre Pio

When I arrived for holy Mass yesterday at the Missionaries of Charity Chapel in Minneapolis, Sr Dominique flashed that familiar generous smile and, without a word, held her hands like an open book.  This is the MC gesture of request to lector.  I accepted.

The Ezekiel reading was a pointed and stinging admonition of priests: both difficult to read and to hear, and the type of reading that awaits the homily to help sort it all out for both mind and heart.  The priest did not disappoint and offered a masterful homily.  His reflections stayed with me.  They wove in and out of my thoughts for much of the day, especially in relation to the weekly task set before each Seven Sister to pray for her shepherd.  Every Hour is important!

This morning I happened upon a thought-provoking reflection by Msgr Charles Pope regarding the very same passage.  Later, our son, Fr Spencer, paid a visit home and I took the opportunity to get his view of the passage and its significance then and now.

Today is my Seven Sister day. I carried the strength of that Scripture passage, the homily, the article and my son’s comments and visit – all the way to the Adoration Chapel this evening.  I couldn’t arrive quick enough to meet our Lord in my prayers. My sense of mission and duty seemed to crescendo with every block of travel.  As I began the Hour entrusting Father _____ and the time to the Lord, I was met with a deeper sense of the grace upon grace of these Holy Hours.

On return, I received an email from Terri, an Anchoress in Minnesota, who passed on the Msgr Pope article to all of her Seven Sisters members and included me on the send list.  My second grade teacher, Sr Catherine Ann, remains right, “Repetition is the mother of learning.”

Oh, dearest Sisters, we have such a privileged call to pray for our priests and bishops.  Their responsibilities are immense.  The stakes are high: eternity!  The warfare is fierce and relentless.   Know that you know that every ounce of our offering is utilized.  Our lack of enthusiasm at times, the pesky distractions, the unexpected consolations – all have merit, as we fully and freely offer them all for the sake of that other.

Every morning know that we meet at the altar.  I offer you and your prayer efforts at the time of the consecration of the Bread. This coupled with the strength of your actual Holy Hours truly allows us to anticipate sure answers to our prayers and the certain good of our benevolent Lord’s perfect and precise workings.  May all of our prayers be pleasing to God.

Take time today or this weekend to savor this article of Msgr Pope (and perhaps say a wee Hail Mary for him too!)

A Warning from the Lord to Priests and a Request for Prayers – Community in Mission

United in prayer and mission –
that our prayers may find the heart of every bishop and priest
… eternal gratitude as you remember to offer a wee Holy Mary for me each day….

Janette
+JMJ+