Author: Andreas

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 …

Members of NDS about consecrated life

Published by Andreas

At the end of the Year dedicated to the Consecrated Life, six young girls profess their first vows in the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, Jerusalem With a simple sentence, these young girls have taken an important commitment. “Yes, I am ready to accept this call.” They said yes to life of poverty, celibacy and obedience to God and to the principles of the congregation to which they belong. The commitment has been accompanied by a prayer. “Father, send down Your Spirit upon me, so that, following Mary’s example, I accept your word. Father, enkindle in me a response of love and faithfulness. ” These six young girls, formerly novices, professed their first vows in the community of Our Lady of Sion. They came from Guatemala, the Philippines, Egypt and Brazil, and have spent two years in Jerusalem. JOEY EDUVANE, Philippines “We have studied and even made apostolic experiences in Jerusalem; some of us in Poland and Egypt. We are very grateful and we give glory to God for this day. ” The commitment …

January 20th 2016

Published by Andreas

On January 20th the vows of 6 novices were celebrated here in Jerusalem, Ein Karem, with a beautiful celebration. The “Notre Dame de Sion” community began to celebrate this very special date on the 19th with a lot of preparation, good emotions and joy. The next day, January 20th, the emotions and happiness increased more, especially for the six novices: Alejandra, Clara, Rozeni, Joey, Victoria and Arlyne. At 10:30 am, we began the Mass with the song “Come Daughter of Sion” accompanied by a warm welcome directed by Sr. Maureen. The Eucharist was presided by Fr. Carlos NDS. We had the privilege to hear the reflection by Sr. Darlene after the Gospel. She said: “Today we remember 2 visits of Mary. Gospel – One visit was here in this place of Ein Karem: the young Mary was coming with her total YES. The other visit of Mary was in Rome to Alphonse, this visit would change his life completely. What do these 2 visits have to do with you, 6 novices? ‘Today the 6 of …

Our first day in Jerusalem

Published by Andreas

I rejoiced that they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” At last our feet are standing at your gates, Jerusalem! Jerusalem, built as a city, in one united whole, there the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, a sign for Israel to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there are set the thrones of judgement, the thrones of the House of David. (Psalm 122, 1-5). The Postulants Lucia from Brazil and Andrea and Nancy from Costa Rica; we are thankful with our God for this amazing experience that we had in the city of Jerusalem. It was our first visit to this majestic place where you can see, feel, and learn about many cultures, religions and traditions. First we went to the center of the new city. Andreas who is a friend of Sion led us through the city center where we could see the beauty of all the buildings, train station and shops. We continued our journey walking with joy because we were …

„St. John in Montana“ News 01/2016

Published by Andreas

Some members of the Saint John in Montana Novitiate community will soon say goodbye to Ein Karem, and the professed sisters are ready to welcome 3 Novices – Andrea and Nancy from Costa Rica and Lucia from Brazil by the 20 of January, and we are hoping that Maria from Indonesia will be with us by the end of the Orientation Time. As always, time has passed far too quickly, when we remember our time together between our return from our apostolic experiences until Christmas, and then New Year’s Day and Epiphany, and now the retreat time before pronouncing First Vows on the 20th of January, Sion’s Feast Day. During these last weeks, we have shared many good moments, making invitation cards for the Profession, and thank you cards, celebrating Christmas on the 24th of December but also on the 7th of January following the Coptic tradition with Victoria. We also made a short trip to Galilee (another “goodbye”) where we visited Haifa, the Bahai gardens, the church in Nain, Mount Tabor, Safat, the Sea …