This was the title given to the unique and very special experience hosted by the Presentation Sisters at Nano Nagle Centre, Ballygriffin, Killavullen, Co Cork on the occasion of Nano Nagle being declared Venerable. Invitations to ten Congregations, including the Sisters of Mercy, were sent out in March/April by Sr. Jennifer P.B.V.M. who is at the centre at present but hails from Iowa State, USA.
We assembled in the spacious foyer where we were treated to a welcome “cuppa” and happily mingled with introductions all round. The weather was glorious and the birthplace of Nano Nagle basked in the sunshine while the River Blackwater flowed gently east just a few fields away. It proved to be an inspiring, pleasant, lively occasion.
Prayer Room
We proceeded to the large prayer room beautifully decorated with flowers, little lanterns and banners in a sacred space. Each Congregation had their own special little banner. A power-point presentation was set up. Two or more Sisters were present to represent each Congregation. Eleven Sisters of Mercy attended. Presentation Sisters came from the Fermoy community only as they had had many celebrations in honour of Nano Nagles’ being declared Venerable. Previous to this the members of the resident community were Sr. Jennifer, Sr Norah, Sr. Lisa, Sr. Monica (who was to return to Tasmania the following day) and Sr. Margaret. The guest group included Loreto Sisters, Nazareth Sisters, Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of the Infant Jesus, Little Company of Mary Sisters, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Missionaries of Charity, a Buddhist nun from the Palpung Kagyu Buddhist Centre, who lives nearby, and Naired Anita an Irish lady who was trained as a primary school teacher.
Sr. Norah with banner quoting Venerable Nano Nagle
A warm welcome was issued by Sr. Lisa carrying the Fire Arati aloft to symbolize the power of flame and fire – recalling Jesus’ words – “I have come to bring fire to the earth and how I wish it were blazing already”. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote:- “Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love and then for a second time in the history of the world, we will have discovered fire.”
A chant was intoned and continued while Sisters brought flowers, banners and flames, representing their own Congregations, to the sacred space,
“Sacred fire burning before me,
Burning within me, deep in my soul,
Sacred fire, transforming fire
Recreate me, make me whole.”
A Sister from each Congregation then presented the charism of their Founder and put a symbol in the sacred place.
A Presentation Sister gave a clear, concise account of Nano Nagles’ youth, vocation and ministry.
Sr. Mary Lyons sang the praises of Catherine McAuley. The symbol she chose was one of Catherine’s enduring mottos. She held that the poor prized above all:
“the kind word, the gentle compassionate look and the patient hearing of sorrows”
The contributions on the Founders’ charisms proved most interesting and informative. We learned some surprising facts e.g. that the Sisters of the Infant Jesus did not take formal vows for the first two hundred years of their existence as a Congregation and that Sr. Mary McKillop, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, was excommunicated for a period during her life and forgave the cleric/bishop who did so, as he faced eternity.
Following a sumptuous lunch we re-convened to hear further accounts of the charisms. The anthem “They’ve got the whole world in their hands” reaffirmed our faith but we were truly challenged by the question: “Where would our foundress wish us to be in today’s world?” This led naturally to shared prayer for groups marginalised in the world at present.
A reflection by Sr. Raphael Considine P.B.V.M. gave us food for meditation as the beyond beckons us forth. I quote a few lines:
“O who could hold back now when all’s to give and every fibre yearns to be down deep into the holy purposes of God!”
“Then let us seize the time and run with it, sow, broadcast now what other hands will reap, become the seed that in its death give life”
The host community then invited us to view the centre and ramble around the garden and farm.
We had a delightful afternoon, renewed acquaintances, met new friends and marvelled that we were all singing in unison, “Moladh go deo le Dia”! (Praise be to God forever) God’s Providence is being revealed in our one charism and in the beauty of presence and soul.
You can learn more about the Nano Nagle Centre by visiting http://www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie/
Ita Looney rsm
Southern Province
