The Sister Servants of the Eternal Word
Veritas, Caritas, Maria Issue #2 March 2022
March: The Month Dedicated to St. Joseph Beginning in the 10th century, the Catholic Church has dedicated the month of March to Saint Joseph. Devotion to Saint Joseph began in early Christianity, with solemn celebration surrounding what was thought to be the anniversary of his death on March 19. Although there is no historical proof of this date, several popes have encouraged this devotion; Gregory XV (1621) established March 19 as the universal feast of Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, to be celebrated by the entire Church. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph Patron of the Universal Church. Many ask: “Why Saint Joseph?” Our Lady herself answered this question at Fatima when she appeared with Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus. Mary points to Saint Joseph as our protector by her example: she trusted Saint Joseph with her own heart and wellbeing as well as that of her Son, Jesus. In times of confusion, Saint Joseph models for us surrender to Divine Providence. In a world of seeming chaos, let us turn to Saint Joseph in our prayer for peace. May Saint Joseph’s example of trust in God be a beacon of hope in the midst of suffering.
Apostolic Ventures SEEK 2022 Three different teams of Sister Servants hit the road to join FOCUS missionaries and college students at three regional gatherings. It was wonderful to see and visit with old friends and to make new ones!
Apostolic Ventures Continued... COLLEGE RETREATS We have been blessed to have been invited to attend, and help give, a variety of retreats for college students over the past year. Sometimes we are present on the retreat as a witness to religious life and the Church, participating in vocation panels and in small groups, as at Auburn's "Pan y Vino" retreat and at other times we have helped to lead the retreat.
We were excited to offer a retreat for college students and young adults this past November here as Casa Maria! Retreatants had opportunities to pray, reflect, and learn about God's loving providence and plan for their lives. We look forward to hosting our second young adults retreat this upcoming April! Please consider joining us!
St. Therese & Oblation to Merciful Love The Season of Lent is once again upon us, and the journey toward the celebration of the Paschal Mysteries has begun. We will celebrate the Passion of Our Lord on Good Friday and recall, in a profound way, His total self-emptying. But who will receive His love? This was a question that St. Thérèse of Lisieux asked in 1895.
She lamented that God lavishes His love on His children, but so many don’t accept it. Because of this, St. Thérèse decided to do something radical and different. She offered herself as a Victim of Love. In nineteenth century France, it was becoming somewhat popular for one to offer themselves as Victims of Justice. By doing this, one would accept God’s justice of unrepentant sinners. St. Thérèse, however, was not attracted to such an oblation, but rather offered herself as an Oblation to Merciful Love so as to be totally consumed by God’s love. Thérèse believed that the fire of God’s love would purify her in an instant and make her totally pleasing to Him.
Even more, though, she wanted God’s ocean of love to be able to flood her soul so that not one drop would be lost or rejected; she wanted to receive all the love that others did not accept. During her life St. Thérèse recommended this oblation to souls so that they would be more ready to receive God’s love and to make reparation for the love that is spurned. Good Friday is a time when we are reminded of the infinite amount of love that was poured forth from the side of Christ. But who will receive this love? Go to Calvary in your prayer and exclaim that you wish to receive all His love that is being rejected. Don’t let one drop fall to the ground unheeded. With St. Thérèse, let us show mercy to our Merciful Redeemer by receiving the love He longs to give. - Article by Sr. Marie Therese, SsEW
Lenten Sacrifices of Love
"My daughter, know that you give Me greater glory by a single act of obedience than by long prayers and mortifications." - Jesus to St. Faustina