Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
Nothing Says Autumn Quite Like Bittersweet
God who orders all things mercifully mingles sweetness with bitterness. If misfortunes take the upper hand, He spreads the veil of peace on the soul that places trust in Him. –Attributed to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton The bittersweet vine bears a...
September Providence
"Providence awaits me ... I say Amen to it." - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (CW 2, 181) – Elizabeth Bayley Seton Collected Writings, Vol. 2, 181 (Original quote: "Whatever providence awaits me consistent with that plea, I say Amen to it.") As Summer turns toward Autumn,...
Prayer for the Birthday of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, August 28, 2020
Two hundred years ago on August 28, Elizabeth Seton celebrated her 46th birthday in Emmitsburg. Her only living daughter Catherine had returned from an extended stay with the Harpers in Baltimore. Both her sons were at sea – William in the U.S. Navy, Richard on his...
June 21, 2020 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Father’s Day
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12–15; Matthew 10:26–33 We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life, that He gives us every grace, every abundant grace, and … this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty. (St....
To Heaven on Horseback
“If only we keep courage, we will go to heaven on horseback instead of idling and creeping along.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Collected Writings [CW] 2:156) St. Elizabeth Ann is looking toward the sunset, pondering heaven. At second glance, Betty looks to have mounted...
June 14, 2020 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2–3, 14B-16A; Psalm 147:12–20; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; John 6:51–58 Today, we celebrate the real presence of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist. But, in these difficult times, when we are not...
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – June 7, 2020
Readings: Exodus 34: 4–6, 8–9; Daniel 3: 52–56; 2 Corinthians 13:11–13; John 3:16–18 My parents, who were born in Ireland, looked forward each year to the arrival of a small box from the “old country” that contained fresh shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day. My mom always...
May 31, 2020 – Solemnity of Pentecost
Readings: Acts 2:1–11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3B–7, 12-13; John 20:19–23 “You of comforters, the best; You the soul’s most welcome guest… Solace in the midst of woe.” (from the Sequence of Pentecost) On this vibrant feast day,...
May 21, 2020 – Solemnity of the Ascension
(Celebrated in some dioceses on Sunday, May 24) Readings: Acts 1:1–11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17–23; Matthew 28:16–20 “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” the disciples in the first reading ask, seeking some certainty in their lives. In...
May 17, 2020 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 8: 5–8,14–17; Psalm 66; 1 Peter 3:15–18; John 14:15–21 Fifty years ago today I professed my final vows as a Sister of Charity. Like generations of women before me, I committed myself to live in poverty, celibate chastity and obedience for life,...