Could we, in the lead up to this Chapter Event commit as individuals, in small or large groups to an extra ten to fifteen minutes contemplative prayer just to open ourselves up, along with the chapter preparatory group, the delegates, chapter four working group – all of us who will be involved in any way in the whole process so that we are truly open to hearing what God wants to say to us at this time – this new moment in our congregation story.
This was an invitation to each of us, from Margaret Casey, our Congregational Leader, in the September edition of Mercy Alive. I decided to do a small survey across the Province to see how it had been received. It turns out to be an invitation that has been taken seriously by many of the Sisters. Here is a sample of their initiatives:
The Sisters living in Westport write in the minutes of a cluster meeting, “… We decided to commence this practice as individuals daily and at our cluster meeting today [and] will continue to do so at the beginning of all our cluster meetings for the coming months. This quiet time led us into the process with hope, trust and a great sense of solidarity with all who are engaging with it at this time.”
Another Sister from Swinford comments… “All of us are in the same boat – this boat we all share. Right now I can only steer the ‘what I am doing right now boat’ – which is paying attention to God’s breathing in me – and even that is hard to do sometimes!!”
A cluster group in Sligo are taking this so seriously that they ritualised their response, devising a commitment card, seen below. They have decided to pray the Chapter Prayer each day, in groups or in private, and to dedicate ten to fifteen minutes a day for silent prayer. They do this conscious of praying with membership of the seven provinces in the Congregation.
Two Sisters at the center of Ireland in Athlone, already have a practise of spending twenty minutes in silent prayer together morning and evening. They too took the request to heart, adding a further ten minutes to their usual time. Their message is: We hope our commitment and faithfulness will be of benefit to the chapter.
Margaret’s invitation is to add extra time to the existing practices that are so much knit into our daily lives. In Longford Convent, for example, their daily prayer ritual begins with the rosary; after praying evening prayer, they recite the Chapter Prayer, then a prayer for the Year of the Family, followed by prayer for those commended to the intercession of Catherine McAuley. Time for specific contemplative prayer for the chapter happens alone or in small groups. Another practice, to which a small group is faithful, is that of Lectio Divina.
The following photographs taken in Stella Maria, Galway, give a glimpse of how comfortable we are in this sacred place.
Dorothy Duggan is seen here in the Stella Maria chapel, where she feels at home
Catherine Egan is deep in prayer
Towards the end of the article, Margaret shares: Remember Mercy reveals the very nature of the heart of God not only towards humankind but towards the whole of creation. Let us continue to be prayerful women of Mercy, knowing the truth of this insight.
Suzanne Ryder rsm
Western Province
