Charity Reflections
Spiritual reflections by Sisters and Associates
March 7, 2021 – Third Sunday of Lent
Forgiveness: the Lenten Face of Love Each time of the year, in the Church’s perspective, invites us to think about and to imitate another face of charity, of love – God’s love for us, ours for God and for each other. At Christmas, for example, love is about gifts,...
February 28, 2020 — Second Sunday of Lent
Readings: Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 116; Romans 8:31b-34; Mark 9:2-10 In what do I believe? Or in whom? I am an American, after all. I believe in self-reliance, independence, going for the “dream” – whatever dream it is that I follow. So much in our culture tells...
Opening Doors as Reminders of God’s Grace
“Certainly He will open the door, probably as generally happens in such cases, when we least expect it.” - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Volume 2, 285) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s words bring to mind the familiar line, “Ask and it...
A Poem for Catholic Schools Week
Elizabeth Seton: Light and Grace Candlelight on her Bible. She reaches for the pen, writes in the margin “to know Thy truth.” To know, in the midst of argument and controversy … Candlelight flickers as she underlines Eternity. “Evenings alone:...
All in the Order of Providence
“…I see all in the order of Providence.” (to Julia Scott) – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, from Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings 2, 642. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is enjoying Restaurant Week. (Remember those?) Maybe she is meeting her friend Julia at their favorite...
Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
January 4, 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of Elizabeth Ann Seton's death. Elizabeth Ann Seton Wife, mother, foundress, saint. Her steadfast fidelity, unwavering hope, astute ability to trust in her own experiences, make her a woman for our times as for her own....
Epiphany Reflections
EPIPHANY… … sign, summons… … star, angels’ song... … response, risk, search… … revelation, discovery, faith SEEKERS OF GOD, CALLED & SENT… Mary and Joseph – Shepherds and sages – Simeon and Anna – Elizabeth Seton, Elizabeth Boyle & the early...
November Through the Looking Glass
“The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends; but let us not despond. God is like a looking-glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to him.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, from...
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,...