Section:
prayers
May 26
Environment
Three lighted candles as a centerpiece with Franciscan symbols: (e.g., San Damiano cross), an unlighted candle for each sister..
Hymn Suggestions
Here I Am (Schutte)
The Cry of the Poor (Foley)
Here I Am (Booth)
Seek Ye First (Lafferty)
I Have Loved You (Joncas)
We Are Called (Haas)
Benedictus/Magnificat My God and My All (Zaragoza)
Sunrise Mantra (Likovich)
Pescador de Hombres/Lord, You Have Come (Gabaráin)
In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful (Berthier)
Psalm Suggestions
25, 16, 27, 63, 67, 84, 91, 113, 121, 127, 133, 145, 146
Reading Suggestions
(Excerpt from: "Mother Mary Francis Bachmann and the Founding Years of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis" by Sister Jeanette Clare, O.S.F.)
Thus was their novitiate year spent in the Holy Family Home. In their welfare, the Venerable Bishop exercised great paternal concern, visiting at intervals to encourage and instruct them in those religious principles that he himself observed with heroic virtue. Of his interest in the Sisters of St. Francis, his biographer observes that “he lavished the utmost care” upon them. He received on the 26th of May, 1856, the vows of the three sisters in his private chapel, now an office in the Cathedral building at 18th and Summer Streets. Father Hespelein was present. The words of a member of the Community, now with God, may well recall the event:
“Of earthly splendor there was none at this ceremony. There was nothing of the greatness that might attract the votaries of the world in this little group; but the one great Lord beheld with pleasure their vows registered in the Book of Life; and heavenly melody filled their souls as the first great chapter of their lives as religious closed.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bishop Neumann handed Mother Francis a Rule of Life, written in his own hand, a copy of which is still preserved in the archives of the community. He said to them not without prophecy: “Take this rule, which is small in form, but which, if faithfully adhered to, will lead to great ends.”
Response
Each sister now holds a lighted candle and expresses her vowed commitment by using the vow formula or a spontaneous commitment statement.
Reflection
Taken from the words of Mother Francis
All: "Sunrise Mantra" (Andrea Likovich, OSF)
Reader 1: "God knows how much I love you. Oh that I had the happiness to live with you as well as all the others. United with so many good sisters where each one incites the others to serve the Lord always better and to love Him more intensely."
[pause]
Reader 2: "Oh dearest Sisters, let us raise our eyes to heaven and there contemplate God with love; then let us descend to earth and in holy obedience perform our assigned duties, thus imitating both Martha and Mary."
Response: "Sunrise Mantra"
Reader 3: "Oh, beloved daughters, elevate your hearts to God, and let them dwell only on what pertains to Him. . . . I beseech you, my cherished Sisters, to become true imitators of Christ Jesus, our Spouse, whom we have chosen above all others."
[pause]
Reader 4: "In the name of God, my dear Sisters, confide all your care to Divine Providence. God is our Lord, our Savior. If we dismiss all care, faithfully fulfill our mission, and confidently depend on God, we will happily experience God’s promise. I beseech you earnestly, Sisters, to endeavor by untiring effort endorsed by good example, to magnify the honor of God, to spread the holiness of Christ, and thereby to glorify his holy name.
Response: "Sunrise Mantra"
Gosple Canticle: Sing
Litany:
Individuals read/All respond: Pray for us.
Leader: Let us remember the heroic ones who have journeyed before us:
Ruth and Naomi
Women of strength and devotion, attentive and loyal to each other, we need your deep loyalty and faithfulness. Strengthen us to live as sisters to all...
Mary of Nazareth
Mother of Jesus, woman of incredible faith, first priest of the New Testament; keep offering us Jesus...
Francis and Clare
Lovers of Jesus, who embrace all, seeking always conversion and passion for God; minstrel of joy and womb of contemplation, teach us to simply dance freely before God...
Anna Marie Bachmann
Woman of simple prayer and inner strength, joyfully trusting in God’s Providence, faithfully encouraging your sisters to remain one in heart, inflame in us a deep desire for God...
Jesus
Word of heaven, making flesh your home, calling us to full Gospel living, washing our feet in loving service, promising not to leave us orphans, fill us with the Spirit you promised...
Our Father
Concluding Prayer And Blessing
Leader: As professed Franciscan women in the Church, let us pray for God’s blessing:
Side 1: May the Lord bless you.
Side 2: What you hold may you always hold.
Side 1: May the Lord protect you.
Side 2: What you do may you always do and never abandon.
Side 1: May the Lord be merciful to you.
