Two more quotes before I go...

from a reflection on Martha and Mary:

“The external world is inclined to consider itself the real world; it accepts the inner realm as a remote, somewhat degenerate addition in which the weakling takes refuge when he can go no further. One day the correction will be made. What is now silent will be clearly evident as the stronger thing; what is now hidden as the decisive. The heart will prove itself mightier than the hand, a man’s essence weightier than his works. But things will not be entirely right until both worlds meet and blend. Then as much of the extrinsic will remain as is justified by the intrinsic; the rest will fall away. Only that will be received into the new creation which the spirit upholds as true.” (Guardini, Romano. The Lord, p. 228)      

This is how I hope to cross the threshold this afternoon, by the grace of God...                 

“So with no regrets and a heart filled with joy, I walked through the Catholic monastery enclosure door...With a heart overflowing with gratitude I gave myself forever to the Lord.”

(from Sr. Mary Mannes O.P.’s vocation story in Vocation in Black and White, p. 14...Sr. Mary Mannes is one of the sisters at my convent)

Thank you, Goodbye and Godspeed to all (well, almost...)

On this day, I am upheld by the grace of God and the prayers and good will of many souls.

Truly my life and vocation are a tremendous grace, 

and I could not be faithful to it all without the help of your prayers and encouragement.

I offered my Holy Communion this morning for the intentions of all.

All my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings are for the intentions of Jesus' Sacred Heart;

If I live for Him, I live for you, too. 

He loves you and desires all your good.

There will be two more posts on this blog, scheduled to appear after I go,

one today, and one on Monday.

Then, I will be quiet and hidden. I promise.

In the meantime, 

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, we love you, save souls!

St. Dominic, Pray for us!

 St. Benedict, Pray for us!

My Jesus, I trust in You!

(image sources are linked directly to the images)

Your prayer intentions?

As a nun once said to me, recalling her own entrance into the convent and Profession days,
"Jesus can't refuse the prayers of a soul when she gives herself completely to Him."

This may not be my last post here, but today I want to say thank you, dear readers,
for taking the time to stop by to read my poor words.
On Saturday, I am entering the convent to begin my postulancy.
My vocation is to pray for all souls: my family, priests, seminarians, and all my friends
--that includes you, whoever, wherever you are.

On Saturday morning, I will receive Holy Communion for all of your intentions,
and in the afternoon I will carry you all in my heart
as I cross the threshold of the door that can only be opened by love.

If you have any specific intentions you would like me to bring to prayer,
please leave them in the comment box,
or just leave your name/nickname and I will remember your intentions....

Thank you again for everything, and please pray for me, too!

In Christ,

Mary

update: doing some housekeeping type stuff, the comment boxes are now closed. Sorry. But I will pray for all you readers of my blog and your intentions anyway. 

All this is love, love's gifts.

This is my last Multitude Monday post.

On Saturday afternoon, I will pass through the door that only Love can open...and my life as the littlest daughter of St. Dominic will begin.

In the meantime, there is so much to be grateful for here and now...just noticing the little moments of grace every day...

...starting new, for the last time (here, anyway), in no particular order...

1. he came back to get me for Compline
2. Gregorian Salve, oh, how I'll miss it, though the Dominican Salve already holds a place in my heart, too.
3. singing O Lumen in the dark on the way home, followed by the De Profundis.
4. I have a place to call home and a family that loves me
5. Sister time watching Theresa of the Andes together and thinking about the separation we will have to endure as I answer God's call to be a cloistered nun
6. Brother time building the best K'nex ball tower ever; I couldn't have done it without him 
7. the astounding generosity of a friend giving me her favorite icon 
8. I was able to go to confession (finally, and just in time to prepare for my entrance!)
9. Adoration for more than an hour on Friday
10.  hugs, hugs, and more hugs
11. sunset Vespers by the bay
12. the beautiful moon, waxing again
13. my oldest brother, still the best big brother ever
14. the humility that comes from reading through old teacher's comments from high school, just reminding me where I've come from
15. beautiful plans of my friends from college, working on Organization for Life projects
16. other vocation stories
17. Dominicana articles making me think every day (and reminding me to pray for my Dominican brothers!)
18. a holy priest's homilies podcasted!
19. week of holy feastdays, especially St. Francis of Assisi tomorrow, Bl. Raymund of Capua on Wednesday, and Our Lady of the Rosary on Friday.
20. the grace to keep on praying
21. these words from today's Office of Readings: "pray earnestly and frequently, not offering long and wearisome prayers, but praying often, and with perseverance." (Saint Ambrose)

for these, and the untold gifts that I've noticed moment by moment but forgotten now...

my sweet Jesus, I thank You!  

And I join the Gratitude Community at A Holy Experience today for the last time
 

 

Blessed be God forever, forever Amen!

One day at a time...

Home again

As I unpack my bags,

I pause for a moment to look at the crucifix hanging above my bed

and I sigh, “Home.”

My heart and soul are at peace

after a beautiful trip to the mountain country

where I was born.

Grace upon grace showers down on me in these last few weeks

as I finally realize how dear they all are,

my family far and near,

only when it’s time to say goodbye.

And prayers fall from my heart,

through my lips,

on my breath as I have learned from holy people.

I pray calmly, quietly,

as I unpack my bags,

at home only for a time.

“Lord, help me to live these last few weeks—days!

one day at a time, in the moment.

Thank you for all the precious moments!”

11 days left, and I give thanks for:


-those mountains surrounding me for the last time : : homecoming over and over again
-American Cassinise Benedictines : : Mass with seminarians 
-The Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, looking after everyone in that house
-knowing that Sara is at peace : : and it's not too late to get to know her better
-this post, making me even more grateful for the rich correspondences I have enjoyed over the last few years

Joining the Gratitude Community at A Holy Experience today and every Monday 
(but there is only one Monday left until E-Day!)
 

 

Blessed be God forever!

One day at a time...