Feast of the Sorrows of Our Lady Dear Mother – how brave she was – do we not rejoice now to think of her joy. Let us be generous, and then we too shall be joyful.
Our Lord is never outdone in generosity – he will repay a thousandfold the little sacrifices we make.
Our Lord is never outdone in generosity – he will repay a thousandfold the little sacrifices we make.
“It was the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, and from that moment, crosses poured in upon us... We had hard and unexpected trials, as though to assure us the foundation was of God.”
SMG Annals
A saint once said that the surest sign that an undertaking was of God was the appearance of trials, disappointments, failures... The devil is trying his best to discourage it. Don't let him win.
SMG Annals
A saint once said that the surest sign that an undertaking was of God was the appearance of trials, disappointments, failures... The devil is trying his best to discourage it. Don't let him win.
We have to go down the hill of suffering before we can go up the mountain of transfiguration. Soon, the white robes of Heaven and the transfiguration will come. Courage!
Let’s keep the thought of the beauty, the joy, the delights of Heaven before us as we plod on each day, and keep reminding ourselves with Julian of Norwich, “All will be well!”
Let’s keep the thought of the beauty, the joy, the delights of Heaven before us as we plod on each day, and keep reminding ourselves with Julian of Norwich, “All will be well!”
... I was thinking the other day that we never had a work which is more completely suited to the Servants of the Poor - for those you are to look after are the poorest of the poor.
You know, perhaps, that in France the workhouse is called the “Hôtel Dieu”, God’s House, or God’s Inn. You will need this thought often in your mind to sustain you in what will certainly be hard work...
Extract from a letter to the Sisters in Rathdrum, at its foundation.
This was the last foundation Mother Magdalen made in her lifetime. It was part of her dream that we should continue to work for those with no voice to speak for themselves. And we don't have to look for opportunities... they are always there.
You know, perhaps, that in France the workhouse is called the “Hôtel Dieu”, God’s House, or God’s Inn. You will need this thought often in your mind to sustain you in what will certainly be hard work...
Extract from a letter to the Sisters in Rathdrum, at its foundation.
This was the last foundation Mother Magdalen made in her lifetime. It was part of her dream that we should continue to work for those with no voice to speak for themselves. And we don't have to look for opportunities... they are always there.
We are destined to be before the throne of God forever – “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God Almighty”
Yet here on earth, we will not study to be like that all-holy God! He continually offers us his graces, so that we will be holy like him. He just asks us to try; can't we do that?
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Coromoto. Pray for the peoples of South America and – especially for all our parishioners and associates in Maracaibo today.
Yet here on earth, we will not study to be like that all-holy God! He continually offers us his graces, so that we will be holy like him. He just asks us to try; can't we do that?
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Coromoto. Pray for the peoples of South America and – especially for all our parishioners and associates in Maracaibo today.
Poor in spirit, dependent totally on divine providence, we give ourselves generously, humbly and wholeheartedly to the service of others.
Way of Life
We pray today that we will remember and live those words, especially when we meet someone in need.
Our spirit is expressed less in what we do than in the manner and attitude in which we serve.
Way of Life, Directives 3
Mother Magdalen was insistent on a respectful, loving attitude toward those we are privileged to serve. She always had in mind the words of Christ in the Gospels: “As long as you did this to one of my least brethren, you did it to me.” Let us do the same...
Way of Life, Directives 3
Mother Magdalen was insistent on a respectful, loving attitude toward those we are privileged to serve. She always had in mind the words of Christ in the Gospels: “As long as you did this to one of my least brethren, you did it to me.” Let us do the same...
Birthday of Our Lady
I wish you a very happy feast day. I hope you will add to Our Lady’s joys by letting her see how faithfully you are following her example.
Pray to Our Lady for all those whose birthday it is today, and for all unwanted babies throughout our world.
I wish you a very happy feast day. I hope you will add to Our Lady’s joys by letting her see how faithfully you are following her example.
Pray to Our Lady for all those whose birthday it is today, and for all unwanted babies throughout our world.
A spirit which is not lived and shared will die.
As Poor Servants of the Mother of God, we are bound to interpret and live our spirit within the church today. Therefore, throughout our lives, we must deepen our awareness of the spirit that animated Mother Magdalen in the early days of our Congregation through reading, studying her writings, and the history of her times.
Way of Life: Directives 2a
Read as much as you can about Mother Magdalen and what made her the woman she was. Imbibe her spirit and try to live it in your prayer and work today.
As Poor Servants of the Mother of God, we are bound to interpret and live our spirit within the church today. Therefore, throughout our lives, we must deepen our awareness of the spirit that animated Mother Magdalen in the early days of our Congregation through reading, studying her writings, and the history of her times.
Way of Life: Directives 2a
Read as much as you can about Mother Magdalen and what made her the woman she was. Imbibe her spirit and try to live it in your prayer and work today.
Faithful unto death
I feel I must write to you about Mother M. Philomena's death. It is a terrible loss, but our Lord knows best. Her strength was worn out in her long, faithful task. And what has been the result? The novitiate has been little or no anxiety to me... Teach her spirit to those who will come after her, and be like her, faithful unto death.
Ask for the grace today to be, like Philomena, faithful unto death.
Mother Magdalen
“I feel I must write to you about Mother M. Philomena’s death. It is a terrible loss, but our Lord knows best. Her strength was worn out in her long, faithful task. And what has been the result? The novitiate has been little or no anxiety to me... Teach her spirit to those who will come after her, and be like her, faithful unto death.
Ask for the grace today, to be, like Philomena, faithful unto death.
”
Don't say “I'll try”, but “1 will do it.” He will then do the rest.
“Reflect on Luke’s Gospel today.
Do not be afraid when they take you before magistrates and authorities. Do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. I will tell you what to say. I will give you wisdom and eloquence that no one will be able to resist or gainsay.
Luke 12: 11 – 12
”
Let us resolve, after this, we will work more earnestly for God...
After every celebration, she wanted us to work “more earnestly for God.” That is the fruit she wanted, so let us try to do that today.
“After every celebration, she wanted us to work “more earnestly for God.” That is the fruit she wanted, so let us try to do that today.”
Let us rejoice and give thanks...
“A fervent Magnificat is what Mother Magdalen recommended for today, but any prayers of joy, thanksgiving and praise would be appropriate.”
Mother Magdalen
“A fervent Magnificat is what Mother Magdalen recommended for today, but any prayers of joy, thanksgiving and praise would be appropriate.”
“Lo, the finger of God is here!”
“I see our first little house, our hard work, our hard days, when we had little to eat, and much to suffer... and now I see our great house in Rome, and our numerous other houses, and I feel no one can help saying: “Lo, the finger of God is here!”
We too can say that as we look back on our own lives with their joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations. Stay with that thought as we thank him today for his blessings and for looking after us throughout the years.”
Mother Magdalen
“I see our first little house, our hard work, our hard days, when we had little to eat, and much to suffer... and now I see our great house in Rome, and our numerous other houses, and I feel no one can help saying: “Lo, the finger of God is here!”
We too can say that as we look back on our own lives with their joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations. Stay with that thought as we thank him today for his blessings and for looking after us throughout the years.
”
Thank God for all beginnings today, no matter how humble, and ask him to bless them.
Daily reflection
“...as I let my memory travel over those first few years, I see a little set of hired rooms in the midst of vast London. What a contrast between the turmoil of this great city, full of business and strife and sin, and our simple ceremony when the first little statue of Our Lady was put in its place, as Lady, Mistress, Queen and Mother... and our first litany rose up to her in Heaven!”