Day: 21. January 2016

Our first day in Bethlehem

Published by Andreas

On 21th January, the postulants Andrea (Costa Rican), Lúcia (Brazilian), Nancy (Costa Rican) and a friend of Sion Andreas from Austria went to Bethlehem. First, we went to a big and beautiful Carmelite Monastery where Sister Mary of Jesus the Crucified lived many years ago. She was known as the little Arab, or Lilly of Palestine, was beatified by Pope John Paul II and was canonized on 17th May 2015 by Pope Francis. We had the opportunity to know how her room was and we put on one coat for prayer remembering her and all her working. The convent had a wonderful garden and a beautiful chapel where we sang together “The Magnificat.” It was a beautiful experience and gave us energy and strength to our ways. Then, we went to L’Arche Bethlehem which is a project of the International Federation of L’Arche Communities where the men and women who live with an intellectual disability share a common culture of the Heart. We shared with them one delicious lunch and we had good laughs and …

Reflection at First Vows January 20th 2016

Published by Andreas

“And why has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” Lk. 1:43 Today we celebrate two visits of Mary One visit, tradition says, was here in this place of Ein Karem: the young Mary was coming in haste on the energy of her recent experience of God’s call and her own total YES, to visit her older kinswoman Elizabeth who was known to be barren and whom she had learned was also going to have a child. The other visit of Mary was in Rome on this day, Jan. 20th in 1842 to a wealthy young French Jew Alphonse Ratisbonne engaged to be married. This visit would change his life completely. We are gathered here today in this amazing place because of the 2nd visit, which brought about the birth of this family of Notre Dame de Sion: Two religious congregations and numerous friends and associates who live out of the same spirit. And today we are here with these 6 young women to celebrate with them their first commitment …