We sat down to talk of Jubilee – Mercy, Golden – and wondered where the years since Silver had gone. Hard to grasp that it was our turn to be golden. We thought of those who seemed so venerable in our early Carysfort days even before they reached this milestone. Perhaps it is true what they say – that those who were teens in the sixties never think they can grow old. With a big effort to absorb our incredulity and our maturity we decided we would walk through the Holy Door in Rome in this Year of Mercy. It became our focus, the focus of our pilgrimage and our marking of this time in our lives.
In the evening in the warmth of the Roman sun we approached the door with something that felt like awe. We prayed as we approached and were reminded of the Irish High Crosses as we saw the beautiful pictures of the life of Christ created in the panels of the door. We each then returned to our own thoughts as we moved through and past the door in the silence of our wonder.
That night as we returned to our accommodation we thought nothing better could happen. We had done what we had come to do and we were happy. But the graciousness of life sent us more. We were invited to attend the General Papal audience on the morrow (Wednesday).
As Pope Francis came to us and greeted us we explained that we were six Sisters of Mercy celebrating our Golden Jubilee of religious profession. He stopped, interested and chatted. We told him of our joy in the Year of Mercy, that we were so grateful for the face of mercy and compassion that he showed to the world, we assured him we prayed for him and he replied that this was good because his job was ‘no easy’. We talked of studying Laudato Si, he chuckled with delight and even the camera people from L’Osservatore Romano enjoyed it. He shook our hands and talked to each of us individually and the six of us together. His minders were anxious to move on – he almost seemed reluctant. He blessed us again though he had blessed everyone previously and said we could extend the blessing to our Sisters, our friends and families.
It was a profound experience as the energy and enthusiasm coming from the Pope was palpable and life-giving. The inner experience defies expression but it was another very happy day. I was going to say we will remember it when we are old – but when is old! Our Roman pilgrimage was like a crown upon our fifty years. The alleluia still sings in us.
Agnes Coll rsm, Luarena McCormick rsm, Bonaventure Higgins rsm, Colette Mullett rsm, Catherine Dooley rsm, Thomasina Finn rsm
South Central Province
