Ursuline – Blog

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord causes us to pause and ask – why – why did Jesus, the Son of God need to be baptised by John? It is a strange inversion of what we would expect.  John is offering a baptism of repentance, surely Jesus did not need such a baptism – as the sinless one he does not need to repent.

In today’s Gospel Luke does not tell us why either, however, if we go to Matthew’s account of this event we see Jesus insist that it is fitting that he is baptised by his cousin John so that he can fully identify with all of humanity. So he humbly joins the queue and awaits John’s baptism of repentance in the River Jordan.  It is when Jesus’ turn comes and he goes into the water that something different happens for him – the voice from heaven proclaims that he is the beloved Son of God. His identity is confirmed.

This feast invites us to focus on this revelation of Jesus as the Promised One, the humble servant foretold by Isaiah, the beloved Son of God in whom the Father is well pleased. 

Karen OSU

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized” Sun Tzu

It’s January and we rejoice for the gift of another year of living that invites us to walk into newness with hope and confidence. And we give thanks.

Ephesians 5 :16 clarifies my focus for the year ahead: “make the most of every moment, recognising the urgency of using time wisely, as the world is filled with challenges”.

The text encourages me to seek God-given opportunities, aware that time is a precious resource.

So the key question is always: what is the opportunity in this moment. On reflection, I have narrowed my focus and ask – what are the opportunities when life is an uphill struggle? It is not easy to see them in such situations. But they are there! My prayer is to see the hidden gift in the pain, be more gentle with myself, more open to the help and support of my friends, respond in love and so use the pain and trauma to open the door to inner peace.

By exploring and becoming aware of the painful struggles of life, we step beyond our comfort zones and sharpen our awareness. In moments of challenge, we discover our true potential and resilience and enrich our understanding.

This new year, how can we make the most of the opportunities that come our way when we are overburdened by the trials, difficulties, harshness, negativity, criticism that come our way and respond firmly, justly, appropriately and lovingly?

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it; a challenge, meet it; a struggle, accept it; an adventure, dare it; a sorrow, overcome it; a tragedy, confront it; a promise, fulfil it.

Life is precious, do not destroy it.

Life is a gift, fight for it.

Mother Teresa

B.O’S

Reflecting on the Gospel stories over these days of Christmas and sitting quietly at the crib in the church led me to notice the action of listening as being at the heart of time of year.

At the Annunciation Mary listened to message of the Angel Gabriel…

At the Annunciation to Joseph…he listened to the message of his dream…

At the Visitation Mary heard the words of Elizabeth as the two women greeted each other…

The innkeeper heard Joseph’s plea for a place for them to stay for the night…

On the hillside outside Bethlehem the shepherds heard the angels’ song of joy…

While the Magi from the east listened…the star guided them to visit the Saviour…

Sitting at the crib and reading the scriptures asks of me what is the message being offered to me today…by these people before me…

It asks me how am I listening to the Gospel of Christmas…what are these words calling me to be in the world today?

The messages come to each of the characters of the Gospel from unexpected places…in unexpected ways…at moments when they are least expecting such an invitation…they come in the ordinary moments of their daily lives and yet ask them to go…to be…to change their own plans and desires for their lives to allow the Messiah to break into the world as God has planned. 

There is no denying the fact that Christmas has become very secularised and very commercialised. It is indeed, very easy to say that we have taken the religious symbols away. Is that really true? This year, I have decided to look a little closer. And the truth is that they are still there, but we can fail to see them – they are all around us and have much to tell us.

Together, let us look at a few of the main symbols most of us use:

The Advent Wreath:

The circular shape represents eternity and reminds us of God’s presence in our lives. Its four candles symbolise hope, peace, joy and love, each representing a week leading up to the birth of Christ on December 25^th The wreath is  a symbol of victory too.

“I have fought the good fight…I have kept the faith…now there is laid up for me the crown which the Lord will give me.”

2:Timothy 4-7

The Christmas Tree:

Christians believe that the evergreen tree represents eternal life with God and reminds us that Jesus is the New Tree of Life.

The lights: in the words of Pope Francis: “the Christmas tree with its lights reminds us that Jesus is the Light that shines through the darkness and makes room for forgiveness”

The Bright Decorations: they remind us of all kinds of stories about children and tell us that we will be gifted with Spring and good weather again.

The Angel: has a special place as the one who announces the birth of Christ.

Every Christmas, a 91foot tree is put up in St. Peter’s Square. It has a special role because when the season is over, it will be repurposed into toys for children in need – so the wood of the tree will bring joy to many well into the new year.

“Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the Lord,

for he comes to rule the earth. 

Psalm 96:12

The Poinsettia:

As children we were told a beautiful story about the poinsettia’s connection to Christmas – it is about a poor little Mexican girl. Long, long ago she was searching for a gift to bring to the crib. In desperation, she found a few weeds and brought them along. Immediately the weeds turned into deep red star-shaped flowers. Ever since, the poinsettia symbolises the star of Bethlehem.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy.”

Matthew 2 :10

There are so many symbols! Before concluding, I cannot omit the holly – those exquisite shiny green leaves that adorn every home. Can they be more than a decoration and be a reminder of Jesus’ suffering?

“They made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head.”

Matthew 27:29

As we prepare for Christmas, let us embrace the meaning behind the symbols.

What is your favourite symbol and what does it mean to you?

                                                                                                       B. O‘S

As Ursulines this week in November is filled with days of celebrations, moments of remembering, of prayer and of uniting together as one – the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula.

We begin tomorrow, Monday 25^th November when on the Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria we recall the moment when Angela Merici called together the first 28 women with whom she had been meeting and praying with and preparing for this occasion when they would sign the Book of the Company in Brescia, Italy so forming the Company of Saint Ursula.  Over time as we know Ursuline life has faced the many twists and turns of the road but despite all the history, the movement to new places, to new ways of Ursuline life we remain united in the spirit and vision of Angela Merici.  On this day as we celebrate we remember all who have walked the path of Ursuline life before us and give thanks for the rich legacy they have handed on to us.

On Thursday of this week, 28^th November, we recall the coming together of 62 independent Ursuline monasteries in 1900 to form the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula.  It is a day to give thanks for the courage of these women who gave up much knowing that they would be stronger together going forward.  Over time other monasteries and groupings of Ursulines have joined this Union including ourselves, the sisters of Ireland and Wales, who joined in 2018. While we are growing into life as part of the Roman Union we know that we too are stronger as part of this group as we face into a future still unfolding for us. 

On Friday 29^th November we mark the day in 1900 when the sisters came together for the first General Chapter of the newly formed Roman Union.  This year our delegate sisters gathered in Rome in September to discuss a revision of the Constitutions. We pray for this process as it continues and for ourselves as we seek to continue to live the vision of Angela Merici today.

So as we walk through these days let us remember, let us pray and let us celebrate all that we are as individuals, as communities, as Provinces, as the Roman Union and as members of the global family of Ursulines. Let us give thanks for the vision of Angela who says: “I am in your midst lending aid to your prayers”. 

Karen OSU