A Word from Clare

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Life’s call

In July this year, Sister Leonie Dueñas, made her Perpetual Profession as a Sister of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict in a ceremony in the Holy Family Parish Church, in Bacolod City in the Philippines. (see First Filipino Good Samaritan Sister makes her Perpetual Profession)

This was the first Good Samaritan Perpetual Profession ceremony to be held in the Philippines –an historical day, not only for Leonie and the parishioners of Holy Family Parish, but also for our congregation as well.

In this ceremony, Leonie renewed the vows taken at her first profession, the vows of stability, conversion of life, and obedience, in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict and the Constitutions of the Congregation. The difference now is that these vows are taken for life.

In Chapter 58 St Benedict suggests that when someone seeks to join the community entry should take some time: “When someone comes first to the monastic life, one should not be allowed entry too readily.” (RB58:1) Why? Because, like any commitment, an individual needs to be sure; this is a serious step.

Benedict then goes on to quote from 1 John 4:1 “Test the spirits to see if they are from God”.

Leonie has lived with the Good Samaritan Sisters for 11 years, and through these vows she is stating that she desires to live for God within the community of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan for the rest of her life.

None of us knows what our future holds, what graces, what demands it will bring forth, but we do know that Jesus promised those who followed him that they would need to take up their cross as he did.

In the wider faith community we gather in different ways and in different circumstances at different times with great faith, love and courage to say YES to God, because we hear Jesus say to those who follow him: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, bears fruit in plenty.”

Jesus promises to remain with us, no matter what life calls from us.

In this modern world, life as a vowed religious is a radical life style.

It is a choice for reconciliation and peace.

As religious we are saying aloud and publicly for all to hear that we desire Christ to be at the centre of our lives and our world, to be the source of peace and reconciliation.

This seeking of God, through Christ, is the very purpose and heart of Religious Life.

As Sisters of the Good Samaritan our Constitutions are very clear: “Perpetual profession commits a Sister to lifelong formation in living the Gospel according to our charism”.

Every day we are called afresh to say “yes” with love and devotion.

This growing into Christ is a lifetime journey and yes, it is also a task. It is a way of life and it will take a lifetime to absorb it.

It is from this centre of prayer and communal life that we step out in the service of God’s people and we do so from the heart of the Parable of the Good Samaritan – with mercy, justice and compassion.

Our Church is focusing this week (August 8-15) on life vocations.

As you read this article, I invite you to think about your life’s vocation and to reflect on what direction you believe God’s call is asking you to take.

  
Sr Clare Condon SGS
Superior
August 8, 2010

Vocation

photo: Sister Clare and Sister Leonie leave Holy Family Parish Church, in Bacolod City, the Philippines, after the historic Perpetual Profession.

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