Sep 27, 2020 | FORUM
This book by Joan Chittister, an American Benedictine nun, is a provocative book, which wants to shake up, awake and restless. The author deals with the problems of the Church, orders and spiritual communities of today because they are diverging and looking for new ones. It is not always easy to bear reading this book and I have sometimes found myself as described in the foreword: “The gesture of” angry-laying-out-of-hand, the-in-the-corner- throwing can be entirely appropriate to this reading. “But I didn’t do it, I read it to the end and I’m grateful for it to this day because while reading this book, it is becoming increasingly clear: The author is not writing the book to criticize, complain or to blame. It is characterized by high esteem for religious life and looking for ways to rid it of incrustations and indurations and create new, lively ones to find life forms. The book literally breathes the author’s love for religious life: “… it is about the godly burning passion that is required to form a present of religious life to find that between the cherished old and the emerging new, which paves new paths and develops in a world that is the turning point in history is shaken by constant change. ”
It is not easy to write a review of this book because every page is filled with this passion. Therefore we think it is good to also think about it in sections which we will send you gradually.
So I would like to invite you in this first article, together with the author, to seek the meaning and mission of medals. For Sr. Joan, the most essential option for emergence is and the reason for orders in the search for God. She writes: “In truth it has never given a good reason to enter religious life at all, except ‘for looking to God ‘.” In this context, she describes clearly and critically the situation of the orders and Congregations of our time and goes into historical contexts and developments and the influence of the Church and society. She clearly sees that what was meaningful and necessary in the beginning of the formation of communities is often only today is still preserving tradition and sticking to the familiar.
Most of us entered the congregation when religious life was primarily shaped of apostolic activity, self-sacrificing service, and common prayer as a strict daily structure. That was all well and good at the time, but here the development of society is probably outdated. Sr. Joan writes: “The spirituality of productivity is over.”. And elsewhere: “If our main interest is in the work, the religious do, the religious life itself is consequently questioned as soon as their work – out of which whatever reason – becomes less important. ”Whereas in the past, medals went to the places where the State failed, i.e. to the sick, the elderly, the disabled, the poor, the dying, etc., the Society caught up a lot here. The pioneering work of the orders is done and now they are “as that needs what they should always be: a spiritual voice, a sign of a counterculture, a prophetic presence in culture. “At this point it is slowly becoming clear why the author uses the title “Under the ashes a secret fire” for her book. The image of fire and ashes reappearson. She herself is completely fulfilled, yes burns from this inner fire, but she experiences it.
Religious communities often as groups that are internally extinguished and now only ashes preserve. And now it is up to us to keep the embers and rekindle the fire. But how? Sr. Joan warns, “If the fire is to be saved for another generation, it must keep the voice of God alive in religious life in this time.. ”And that is today, in one largely secularized and indifferent to religious life, often not light. On the one hand, it demands from us an intensive spiritual search, deepening in that Gospel, but at the same time, and that is the other side, a translation and transmission of the words and texts of Holy Scripture in the lives of people today. And it demands one dealing with the problems of people today, who are often so different than they were before 30 years ago. Our actions, our reactions and answers must be different. There are no ready-made, permanent solutions, everything is changing and in constant change.Also and especially religious life. Because if the external forms and circumstances also change, our inner mission always remains the same! And that is why religious are there at all times called to be prophets, i.e. the present with all its needs and problems in the light to see God and from this point of view to offer answers and solutions, often are not understood, ridiculed or even fought. But the world is waiting for it and she also expects from us: “The task of religious life … is to translate the great questions of life in the language of all areas of life … Is religious life itself religious enough to get you back to the gospel instead of going to the institutions focus, which certainly characterized it most in the past, but in this new era anchored elsewhere and are more part of the culture than acting prophetically towards it.”
(to be continued….)
Sr.M. Petra Ladig
Sep 10, 2020 | NEWS
In Tanzania, after religious ceremonies (sisters’ profession, novitiate and postulate), we begin another year of formation. Earlier, I wrote about planning these celebrations, now I will give some information about their course.
After the spiritual preparation in which we were helped by the retreat, we started preparations in organizing the celebration. This year, due to the pandemic. The celebrations were somewhat cumulative in place and time. Everything took place in Chikukwe in two days. This “intense” celebration, however, had its own special charm.
The immediate preparations were also, in a sense, another celebration – a holiday community and good cooperation. Sisters who came from other communities also helped work for celebrations. Each was given some responsibility: for example, Sr. Anna (the postulate mistress) and Sr. Yasinta (the superior of the Nunciature) were responsible for making mandazi and pilau (traditional food that cannot be missed in Tanzania during big occasions). Sr. Ksavera novice mistress was baking bread and bananas with meat. I was assigned to undress the meat preparation (Bull and chickens).
Sr. Franciska, Superior of Nanjota decorated the chapel and was responsible for the liturgy together with Sr. Miriam. Of course there was a lot of fun during this work, but in moderation, because we wanted to respect the concentration of the sisters who prepared themselves spiritually for their great day.
On the day of the celebration of August 28, for some, the wake up time was even at 2:00 A.M. for others at 4.00 AM to be in time with the cooking and final work by morning at 6.30. After common prayers, during the Holy mass four were accepted into the novitiate, postulants who took new names: Sr. Eliana, Sr. Prisca, Sr. Diana, Sr. Grace. In Tanzania, the external sign of novitiate admission is the habit and the white veil. For novices it is always a very important moment because it is visible to everyone change – not only in their lives, but even in appearance. Habits and veils were blessed by Bishop and blessed our new sisters who now, through daily work, prayer, the study of the Word of God and our Constitutions, but above all through ones common living in joys and problems will prepare themselves to confirm their intention to dedicate one’s life to God in a religious community.
After the photo session in beautiful, new habits and a quick but common one for breakfast, there was the last singing attempt under the watchful eye of Sr. Anna.
At 10.00 a solemn mass began with three novices: Sr.M. Stefania, Sr.M. Emilia, Sr.M. MarcelIna,made their first religious vows. And Sr. M. Regina, Sr. M. Clelia, Sr. M. Innocencia, Sr M. Theodora, made their perpetual vows. The liturgy of the Holy Mass itself lasted two and half hours. Probably this time will fall deep in the hearts of these sisters, the time of the wedding with Christ and total surrender to Him. This moment is never forgotten!
Remembering this moment, I think accompanies each of us, no matter what religious internship and helps us through difficult times in our ministry and in spiritual development. These solemn and beautiful celebrations aroused a lot in us joy in the present moment, with new sisters, but also with many memories of our own celebration.
After the beautiful liturgy and the satisfaction of the first hunger, there was an artistic part, during which novices and juniors performed various songs, dances and skits. Looking at them, how joyfully they entertained us, I wondered when they had have prepared? After all, there was so much other work before the celebrations. Singing and dancing are an inseparable element of all celebrations in Africa.
When celebrating, it’s hard to do without singing and dancing. Anyway, one thing entails second. How to sing without moving to the beat of the music? How to move rhythmically without drums?
I think that the dance is a mirror of our sisters’ interior. Both this one during liturgy and recreation. The next day, five candidates in Nanjota were admitted to the postulate.
For myself, this time of celebration is always a great joy because I can see how the Congregation lives and grows here. I am grateful to God that I can participate in celebrations that are slowly being forgotten in Poland as a result of lack of vocations. Then I remember my veills, my first and perpetual vows.
It is also a moment of reflection on my zeal and faithfulness to God.
Let us be grateful to God for every vocation in Tanzania.
S.M. Monika
Sep 7, 2020 | NEWS
“Trust God, He has a better plan for you”
One phone call asking: “Sister, could you help work in Żerniki, where the women are infected with the virus? ‘ My answer was, “Yes, I would like to.” I know the house in Żerniki and I worked with disabled children, so for me the work did not scare me, but I had thoughts in my head about how it would work meet these ladies, their names and take care of them? Who else will help? Will there be employees? Despite these questions bothering me, I had peace in my heart and joy that I will be able to help and trust that God will take care of everything. Many of us seem to have a hard time, struggling with some difficulties every day, we complain, we do not have something, that our superiors “tell us to do something” or they also decide for us in certain matters. Sometimes I also complain, every day little things grow into big problems, some limitations which dictates the religious life whether the superiors are “burdensome”. The reality I found after arriving in Żerniki, it allowed me to change at some things in my life otherwise.
The people I took care of endure everything with great patience, without more complaining and resistance, although their everyday life does not fill us with optimism. Our pupils do not have much influence on how this day will run. They depend almost entirely on their guardians – someone has to help them dress, help to the toilet, feed them or even go to the doctor and explain what hurts. The caregivers choose what to eat and what shoes they have for them what kind of deodorant to use. I must admit that it is sometimes hard physically and emotionally. We work for 12 hours a day, in overalls, masks, shoe covers, exercising same activities every day. Routine, fatigue, inner struggle so as not to complain. What gives strength? Unity and mutual cooperation, an interview with sisters, sharing joys and difficult things, mutual help. One smile of the student, without front teeth – real, sincere; look straight in the eyes, from a person who cannot speak, a gesture of nodding his head in evidence gratitude for the meal served, for help in bathing; hug, rest her head on my shoulder with the words “sister I love you” – he can compensate for ones painful legs and fatigue, all the toil. Another time, a girl who comes by after breakfast and gives me a drawing with the image of Merciful Jesus, under which she wrote herself “Jesus, I trust in You” – the tears came to my eyes. Think – Jesus is with me, I have to trust, He is here among these girls, he is in them, He gives strength. One day, during lunch, I notice a moment when one of the women holds the bowl to the less able friend who was sitting next to her, helping her to take the soup. It might seem like an “insignificant gesture”, but how it touched my heart. From them you can learn to be sensitive and perceive the needy.
When I feel tired, have a headache after work, I look at the girl who walks with the image of Jesus, she stares at it, kisses with great tenderness. It makes me wonder how my love for Jesus is. You may ask yourself: Where is God in all of this? After all these women are sick, doomed and dependent on others. Well, it’s in all of these situations, small gestures, in a smile, in a look, in children’s joy, sensitivity.
It is not always the way we plan, invent or dream. You can rebel, get angry, complain, but you can also look for meaning in change plans of your life, adapt to the new situation, because everything it is God who knows better what is best for us. The time spent between these women is one of the most beautiful moments in the last months of my life.
S.M. Noemi
Time…
Message, thought, moment… and decision
The world of people with disabilities has always been with me. In the family home, in School…
But never so much when after the first year of life with my nephew diagnosed with disability. The call to God echoed. So and faith weakened, followed by the question of the “sense” of calling. Is it really a way of life monastic, since God … so absent.
I don’t think the smile, joy and love that this child brought into our family’s life allowed to doubt until the end. I quickly discovered in it “a different, spiritual world” – beautiful and inaccessible even to me – a nun.
Time passed and a lot happened. Sometimes I was able to help my sister in accompanying her and her son in subsequent hospital stays. In Wrocław in the hospital in the neurological ward, I met a boy with a beautiful smile, and a snow-whiteblonde hair, with an extremely severe, painful disease. Everyone was talking to me that it is “Sisters child.” I was surprised and I asked: “what is it?” It turned out to be a boy from our home in Piszkowice. Such a little creature has stolen my heart again. Yes, it was “my child” – our sisters, my sisters from Piszkowice. This the short meeting remained firmly in my heart.
When there was a request for help at home in Piszkowice in August because of the virus, it was obvious to me that I wanted, even had to. Unfortunately
the circumstances in which I received this message made it impossible for me to help “immediately”. When the Provincial Sister asked for help in our home in Żerniki … Oh … “they are not children anymore”, it was in my head. It was harder for me to make a decision as soon as before. Not even now I can fully explain how it happened that I am here. I don’t think so I analyzed and did not ask for details of the work. Well. I will. And that’s it. I was glad to hear about the sisters who were to be there with me. We like each other meet in our “senior” group. The first moments of our joint work – white foils, which we had to wear awkwardly from head to toe, mask and gloves… they were holding our breath. And how to work in it …? Not at all like to stand in front of a sick person in foil …? 12 hours of work every day, Saturday, Sunday and the awareness that no one will name us yet, that we were left alone in foreign land, home, work, people. Those were difficult moments.
The first day of work in these clothes, as I call them – lasted ages. But it came the first evening and the joy of being able to download it and the prospect rest…. This joy was short-lived because a new joy came …
Evening and a half-night meeting with the Sisters. We did not know how to “talk”. So many thoughts, so many things. We shared our fears and fears with what was ahead of us and the “How…? How can we do it? So many new things to work with these women. We didn’t remember anymore most of the information – who sleeps where, whether they are “mixed”, are they calm … One of the sisters interjects with the question “is M pampers smaller than L? “And many others…, but one thing was sure in each us, was the prayers of our sisters and the certainty of God’s presence, because “where two or three are in My name, there I am among them” Mt 18:20
The next days were meeting time. Time to meet God himself. Live present in our midst and in each of us. God present above all in our sick girls. I felt that I was making friends with girls. That I hug, ever stronger, more honest and that I want their good from my heart. God is so close here, at your fingertips. Through someone’s washed face, through dinner served, washing the floor… Every smile and gesture of these women. “Sister, I love you,” repeats Agnes, an inhabitant of the local house. At first, I usually heard these words, then I felt them inside me they live as they also become mine … “I love you Agnes … I love you Girls…”.
In the church, they are her heart, It can be a hand, a leg … but they are the most important ones and precious part of her that touches God’s heart.
S.M. Daniela
“O Lord, I love the house where you live and the place where your glory dwells” Ps. 26.8
This fragment accompanied me when I started volunteering in Żerniki. We prayed with Him during the noon prayers of the breviary. After arrival, Looking at the women who were here, I knew that this place, God was here. It is His home and I can be here. Working in this place teaches me to respect handicapped and sick women mentally. There are women with whom contact is limited: they won’t talk, won’t show, about what they mean. And one of the sisters says: they understand a lot. They are the people who deserve tremendous respect, treatment with dignity: in words and gestures. I can see being among them, like our joy, openness towards them inspires their trust, kindness, as it helps to nurture and care for them. When I met them their names became even closer to me. The initial horror of “if I can” is gone fast. We entered the rhythm of this house, which is determined here by caring for women: feeding, dressing, washing. I like the smile of these women, their laughter, I feel their gratitude, I can see how eagerly they are with us. We accompany women in their joy, sadness and fear – all of us in these feelings we’re similar. Women need so little – tenderness and an open heart, someone who looks kindly, hugs and stays with them. For them, the world is not important material, (although, like many women, they enjoy a nice blouse, beads around their necks). This to me shows that man is relational. What a person longs for the other, by touch, by a real presence. The experience of presence is strength, safety, love, this is what these women show me so touching. I’m not the only one for them, but they too for me. Being with women teaches me what is gentleness and humility. We are similar when we say the word “mama” with tenderness. Many women, even those who speak little, often repeat the word “mama”. It’s so touching that a mother is always the one closest to you. It is written deep within their hearts. Here I meet the richness of their hearts. One of the women says, “I don’t have mamma, but I have the Mother of God who is in the chapel”.
I do not know where the strength to work in me comes from, it is another day of duties after 12 hours a day. I see it as a gift. This time now is such an enrichment for me. I am glad to see my sisters with whom I can be here together. I can see how the joy of being together favors productive work, the work is smooth, and we have a lot of fun. Here all other problems fade away.
S.M. Dominika
