Month: January 2017

Happy Feast of January 20th, 2017

“Sion is a seed that sprouted and germinated and today this seed still continues living and growing through the intercession of Mary.” On January 20th, we went to Ratisbonne in Jerusalem to have a beautiful mass. Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, celebrated the mass and Fr. Carlos, NDS, Fr. David Neuhaus, SJ and some Franciscan priests concelebrated. We, the  Contemplative  and Apostolic Sisters, the Brothers of Sion, volunteers and friends of Sion felt a great joy in thanksgiving for 175th anniversary of Mary´s sign to Alphonse Ratisbonne and this was a beautiful and special celebration (1842-2017). Mary, daughter of Sion par excellence, her work is Sion and Sion was born from her glance on January 20th and we want to ask Mary to encourage us and to help us to live our mission today to the church, to the Jewish people and to a world of justice, peace and love. Mother of Jesus, we want to respond like you did “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me …

175th Anniversary of the Event of January 20th

We are celebrating 175 years of God´s revelation to Alphonse Ratisbonne through Mary. Today we can reread Fr. Marie Alphonse`s life and reflect on all the events of his life. In an instant Alphonse Charles Tobias Ratisbonne, a non-practising Jew, became a Christian, and he consecrated his life to God. (Book 2, pg.20) Moreover, we can see how God was leading him through people since he left Alsace, France at the end of November 1841. There are some important details before the 20th of January, 1842 in which we can see how Alphonse was guided by God. In Alphonse´s life, there are a lot of mysteries that lead him to have a deep experience with the Mother of Jesus. For instance: When he was approaching Naples by boat on December 8th, people were celebrating the Feast of Mary´s Immaculate Conception, and Alphonse asked “the reason for this warlike noise in the peaceful land of the Popes.” (Book: The Event of January 20, 1842, pg. 132) Also, when he was in Naples on January 1st he …

Discipleship

What is the meaning of discipleship? The answer to this question can be easily found in a dictionary but the deep meaning of this simple word goes further than a sentence or a description about someone who follows somebody else. The discipleship is a relationship between two persons, the master and his or her disciple. This relationship has to be an effective and affective bond between both of them. They have to deeply know each other and this profound connection only can occur when the master and the disciple walk together for a long time. In order to keep the relationship alive, authentic and strong, the master and the disciple require an attitude of listening, observing and obeying the Word of God. Each one has to do this in his own way of being, as a master or as a disciple. The master is the source of teaching. He is the one who is able to transmit and instruct the disciple. He can do this by giving all his or her knowledge and spirit to …

2017 starts with Bible Study

Classes with Sr. Ivete From January 2-5 and 9-11, we had an opportunity to study with Sr. Ivete. The Junior sisters, Cida Duca, Joselia, Leah, Wafaa and Victoria, who are currently part of Ecce Homo community did also join us. Sr. Ivete discussed on the different ways of understanding the Bible from different and particular texts of the Scriptures in which we were always invited to relate to the Jewish Bible, the Torah. For examples, our discussion on particular topic on John 1: 1-18, the text gave us a deeper understanding of what is the meaning of “adultery” which is normally related to infidelity to the Covenant. The act of writing with finger on the sand could be regarded as a symbolic act related to the text of Exodus 31:19 where the first set of tablets were inscribed by the finger of God. The first time Jesus stooped to write, it is specifically mentioned that he wrote with his finger (8:6), he writes with the same authority as God, because He is God. Another example …

New Year 2017 in Sion Novitiate!

“Henei ma tov umanaim Shevet achim gam yachad Sinai ma tov umanaim Shevet achim gam yachad” It was in this atmosphere of union and love that we, the family of Sion welcomed 2017. Sisters, brothers, volunteers and friends (Franciscan priest and a group from the Canção Nova community) came together in the novitiate house to celebrate with us, novices, our first and special New Year’s Eve in Ein Karem. We started our night with a lovely prayer, followed with two questions to help us to reflect about the year that is finishing: “What would you like to thank God for this year? And what are your hopes or wishes for the next year?” We had a time of petitions and thanksgiving. Some of us thanked God for the people who were a light on our way, some thanked for the wonderful experiences that we had during 2016 and some just asked for a new year better that 2016 with more love, peace and hope for the nations. We had a very delicious meal, desserts, games …