"Perhaps you were born for a time such as this" (cf. Esther 4:14). Two of our sisters received this word from the Lord in recent days and shared it with us as an encouragement.
As human beings and as Catholics, it feels like so much is being stripped from us in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic. Things so many people took for granted only a week or two ago - going to school, eating out, attending a basketball game, etc. are no longer possible. Many are unable to attend the Holy Mass. Many are suffering isolation, sickness and death.
But we are not alone. Our Lord dwells in each soul consecrated to Him in Baptism. Even for those who do not know Christ, "he is not far from any one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being'" (Acts 17:27-28). It is important to acknowledge our fear, but it is also important to grow in trust and hope. The work of our old Enemy is obvious: chaos, fear, separation, and greed. The work of the Lord might be more hidden, but it is even more real and true than anything in the valley of the shadow.
Another sister wanted to share with you how the Lord is speaking to her in prayer:
Now is the time the Lord is working. Now is the time He wants to make Himself known to me, to you, to each of us, in a new and powerful way. Now is the time of His Mercy. Now is the time to return to Him with your whole heart, mind and soul. Now is the time to trust Him. Now is the time to see Him when He is seemingly hidden, taken away – but it is the time that He can and must be found. And we can always find Him with us, in our hearts. As we face this time of isolation, let us make a time of drawing near to God – just as He draws near to us. Let this Lenten experience lead us to the Risen Christ.
Although our chapel is closed to the public (following our bishop's directives), we continue to pray for you here. Please send us your prayer intentions. The sisters all want to know your struggles, your fears, your pain, and any other ways these times have affected you and your loved ones, so we can know how to intercede.
Many priests around the world are livestreaming Mass for all those who cannot physically attend. Our brothers, the Franciscan Friars, TOR, are livestreaming their mass at noon each day from Franciscan University. This can be found on their website https://chapel.franciscan.edu/live or www.facebook.com/
May our loving Mother protect and comfort you, and may Christ fill you with His peace that "passes all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).
Some suggestions during this time:
- Be nourished and fed with the Word of God. "In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, ‘but as what it really is; the word of God.’ In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them." -CCC 104. Magnificat is providing complimentary access to their online version to help people pray from home.
- Participate in the Mass spiritually. Make a spiritual communion each day. Tell Jesus of your desire and hunger for Him. "A spiritual communion is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality, by which desire we make all preparations and thanksgivings that we would make in case we really received the Holy Eucharist" (Balt. Catechism 912).
- Take time away from the news media each day to be silent and listen to the Lord's voice. It can be hard to hear amidst the clamor and tension of the world's constant changes. "The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace." -St. Teresa of Calcutta
- Join us for our On-Line Lenten Retreat! Learn more about the cross and the gifts that came from it: the Eucharist and Mary, our Mother. While we will not be able to host you at our home this year, we WILL be posting the retreat content online and we encourage you to try to keep March 28 as retreat-like as you are able! Try to take some quiet time that day to listen to the talks and to pray. More details and links to the videos and recordings of talks and meditations will be posted at www.franciscansisterstor.org/
events/lenten-retreat-2020
We are ramping up our prayers and sacrifices for you! Know that you are seen and loved more than you can fathom. "Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid" (Luke 12:7).
In His merciful love,
Your TOR Sisters
