Angela's titles for Jesus (2)

 

One of the titles that Angela likes to use of Jesus is "TRUTH". It is Jesus as "TRUTH " who will teach us . This learning for Angela takes place especially at the foot of the Cross. She says:

 

"take refuge at the feet of Jesus Christ because if he directs and teaches you, you will be well taught."

 

7th Counsel 

 

Angela at the feet of Jesus - icon at Le Grezze

Jesus for Angela

 

 

In today's Gospel Jesus asks us : "Who do you say I am?" It is a question addressed to each one of us personally. We need to ask ourselves:  " Who is Jesus for me? "and following from that : "Who am I for Jesus?"

 

Angela uses a number of titles for Jesus and in subsequent posts we will consider some of them but today let's focus on a central one , that of Spouse a

 

"gentle and loving Spouse"

Rule Ch XI





 

Linked to this is that of a "Lover" who cannot be resisted and "whose light and joyful splendour of truth will surround you at the moment of death."

Last :Legacy



Invocation in the North

Invocation 2013

A wonderful and inspiring weekend at Invocation in the North, 2013. This is a discernment festival and weekend for young people aged 16 to 35 years which has taken place this weekend at Ampleforth Abbey. 

Here I am with a number of people from the Lancaster Diocese who have been attending, and like me, sharing their faith and meeting others as we talk about how the Lord calls us to follow him.

For more information about Invocation in the North see their facebook page 

The Sacred Heart in Ursuline Spirituality

 

Today we keep the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Before the apparitions of Jesus to St Margaret Mary this devotion can be found in the spirituality of a seventeenth century French Ursuline, Blessed Mary of the Incarnation. It features in her Apostolic Prayer found below. In it are to be found many echoes of St Angela's Prayer given in Chapter V of her Rule.

 

" By the Heart of my Jesus, who is the Way, .the Truth and the Life,

I approach Thee, O Eternal Father.

By this divine Heart, I adore Thee for all who love Thee not;

I love thee for all who love Thee not;

I acknowledge Thee to be my God for all who,

wilfully blind, out of contempt, refuse to acknowledge Thee.

By this divine Heart, I would render Thee the homage which all thy creatures owe Thee.

In spirit I go round the wide world in search of all the souls

redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus.

I embrace them all to present them to Thee by Him and by Him,

I ask for their conversion.

Oh! can it be , Eternal Father, that thou wilt allow them to remain in ignorance of my Jesus?

Wilt thou suffer that they should not live for Him who died for all?

Thou seest, O Heavenly Father that they live not as yet!

oh ! give them life by this divine Heart.

 

On this adorable Heart, I present to Thee all who labour for the extension of the Gospel,

in order that by its merits they may be replenished with Thy Holy Spirit.

 

On this Sacred Heart, as upon a divine altar I present to Thee especially..........

.....................................................

Thou knowest, Incarnate Word, my beloved Jesus, all that I would ask Thy divine Heart, by Thy holy Soul. I ask it of Thee, when I ask it of Him, because Thou art in Thy Father, and Thy Father is in Thee.

Deign to do all this together with Him.

I present Thee all these souls; make them one with Thee. Amen

 



News religious life in Lancaster

As part of Lancaster Cathedral's vocation updates, they featured Ursuline activity including our blog, facebook page and Twitter.  As one of the religious orders who have played an active role in the parish of St Peter and St Thomas More we've had a presence for nearly 20 years.  

With the help of God you will do much good for others
 St Angela Merici

For previous posts about some of the things the Ursulines have been doing in Lancaster:

Drop in Day for Prayer - the Creed 2nd Monday of the Month - all welcome

Sr Maureen's Golden Jubilee

Sr Zela's Golden Jubilee

Wednesday Word of Witness: WWW

Sr Jayne a call to service 

A grand performance - during the 150th Anniversary promenade performance of Life of St Peter


To follow us on Twitter 

To read more about us on Cathedral blog 

Visit from Rome

 

St Angela tinvites us:-

 

"Please go often, as you have time and opportunity, especially on feast days,

and visit your dear daughters and sisters." 

 

 

During these past two weeks we have had the joy, in the English Province, of a visit from our Mother General Cecilia Wang and one of our General Councillors, Sr Brigitte Brunet. It was interesting to hear about the lives and activities of Ursuline sisters round the world and to share with our visitors something of our mission in this country.

 



Sr Brigitte and Mother Cecilia in the garden at Wimbledon

Golden Jubilee Celebration at Wimbledon

 

In her writings Angela encourages us to "rejoice together" and we did just that yesterday  afternoon when the Wimbledon Community hosted a  celebration for the two Golden Jubilarians, Sisters Frances Oakley and Zela Procter.All the Province were invited.

 

The afternoon started with a buffet lunch and concluded with Evening Prayer I for the feast of the Holy Trinity. Angela's spirituality is very Trinitarian, she begins and ends her writings with invoking the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The mutual love within the Trinity was to be the model of the love lived by the members of the Company of St Ursula.

 

This love we experienced in our celebration together and as we sang with joy as our opening hymn some of her words:-

 

"I am here in your midst with Jesus,

my love and yours,

lending aid to your prayers.

 

I am more alive than when I was on earth;

I can help you more and hold you dearer.

 

Act, bestir yourselves,

make efforts, cry to him;

you will certainly see wonders.

 

Raise your hearts on high;

don't rest in things of earth.

Jesus is your only treasure.

 

Live in harmony,

be bound by bonds of love;

Sign of Jesus'favour; lead a new life.

 

 

Sr Zela and Sr Frances