Companions / East

Companions and sisters gathered in the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston for this year’s Companion Retreat Day. After a continental breakfast, our presenter, Sr. Julie Keegan, introduced the day’s topic: “Franciscan Contemplation: Opening Wide our Hearts to God’s Love.” During the day, Julie developed the topic from two perspectives: “Contemplative Awakening: Facing Vulnerability and Its Implications for Following Francis and Clare” and “Wholeheartedness in the Franciscan Contemplative Stance.” Using a series of PowerPoint slides, music, and film, she addressed the place of vulnerability in  our human development—both its healthy and unhealthy aspects. Particularly helpful was a film clip by Brene Brown entitled “The Power of Vulnerability.” You might enjoy watching it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o. Julie also outlined the differences between the monastic and contemplative paths of prayer and contemplation and the ways in which each of these paths links us and our human vulnerability to God.

After the day’s program ended, Sr. Jeanne Nisley, director of the Companions in Mission program, passed around a basket containing the names of the attendees from which we picked our prayer partners for the coming year. We gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel for liturgy during which both  companions and sisters prayed the Companion Prayer. All in all, the day reflected the message that Julie shared—that in coming together—aware of our both our giftedness and our vulnerability and sharing both with a sense of wholeheartedness—we are at the same time opening wide our hearts to God’s love.