For me, Lent is a time for recalculating. How far off-course have I gone in my life as a Christian? Do I need to make a U-turn? What are the coordinates that will get me back on track? We all need a Lenten GPS system to help us on our journey. Scripture works like that. Reading the daily scriptures or reflecting on the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday can point out the landmarks that I need as I seek to draw closer to Jesus. Sometimes I need to stop and re-fuel on the journey. My Lenten GPS helps me find vital resources that nourish my soul and keep me going. And it’s always important to remember that we aren’t alone. We travel through Lent with a global community and can count on them for prayer and support as well as offer the same to others.

It’s time to plug-in your destination and start your journey through the forty days of Lent. Count on plenty of detours and U-turns. But know that you can always count on the loving mercy of God, who waits for us, walks with us, each step of the way.

We were the first, after all!  Our sisters arrived in New Orleans in 1727, the first Religious women to come to what is now the USA.  I always love hearing the stories of their travels, by ship from France and then by pirogue (or canoe) up the Mississippi, in those long habits and swarmed by countless mosquitoes, to the French settlement established there.  These courageous women began a convent and school, served in healthcare, and established an orphanage.  One of them was the first woman pharmacist in the New World.

Today, Ursuline Academy of New Orleans thrives.  In addition, our sisters oversee the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor there, serve at St. Jude Community Center, and welcome Ursuline students from around the world who come to serve in rebuilding homes after hurricane Katrina.

Such daring courage!  Such committed service! I wonder, how are we called to continue that in the future?  And who will join us?

As a child, if I heard this saying once I heard it a thousand times: Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Mostly it was in regard to homework or music lessons. These words—and my mother’s voice—still live inside my head. They came to life recently as I began thinking about Lent. I’ve found over the years that if I take some time to prepare, I can enter more mindfully into this sacred season and not get caught off-guard when Ash Wednesday comes. I ask myself questions, like: What will make me a more loving person? What does God want me to discover about him this Lenten season? How will I incorporate prayer, fasting, and almsgiving into my life in meaningful ways this Lent? Then, I just take some time to listen and let God speak—usually over several days. Eventually I make some plans. This year I’m going to read a book by one of my favorite spiritual writers, Paula Huston, called Simplifying the Soul, Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit. I’m also using the Lenten resources from Creighton Online Ministries. Something else I’ve learned over the years is not to bite off more than I can chew. If I try to do too much, invariably I end up midway through Lent feeling overwhelmed and needing to jettison my good intentions. 

Over the next few days, I invite you to start thinking about Lent and how God is inviting you to live it this year. Check out some of the many print and online Lenten resources that exist and find something that speaks to you. If you have a practice, a resource, or anything else that you think could be useful to other readers, please put it in the comment box. I’ll be including more Lenten ideas, resources, and reflections in my weekly posts.

It makes me think about what has the potential to “strike our hearts” everyday.  What about the very young and the very elderly folks in our families?  Does not the light in their eyes have a way of striking the heart?  And the silhouettes of the trees in winter, the beauty of symphonic music, the refreshment of cold water after exercising?  What about sitting down to a simple meal and sharing the happenings of the day with family or religious community?

I don’t think we need Cupid to strike our hearts; we just need open eyes and readiness to receive the gifts that are all around us.

I  will be with a number of busy persons next week at Texas A&M University’s Catholic Center.  In fact, they are very busy students.  As part of a large team for the Busy Person Retreat, I and others will accompany students who commit to pray for 30 minutes each day, meet daily with their spiritual directors (us), and try to be more attentive to and discerning of God’s presence in their lives.

Having participated in these retreats numerous times before, I know what a powerful experience they provide for students and directors alike.  They are opportunities of grace and renewed purpose, and help us integrate our faith with daily life.  After the retreat, we will still be quite busy, but we can also be more aware of the God who gives meaning to it all and who centers us in the midst of the chaos.

For those who do not have the opportunity of a week’s retreat, try a 3 minute retreat.  Every little bit helps!

We began our time together in the words of St. Angela—”gathered together at the feet of Jesus Christ.”  Then we prayed Evening Prayer. I was so moved as we sang David Haas’ Canticle of Mary—Holy Is Your Name. I could feel the power of our voices expressing the depth of our prayer and longing. Something grace-filled and holy always happens “where two or three are gathered” in prayer. As these women continue their vocational discernment they can count on us for prayer and support as we ask the Holy Spirit to lead them along the path to the God of Wonders.

There are Nun Runs scheduled in other parts of the country over the next 3 months. To see if there is one happening near you, just send me an e-mail.

What are “throat troubles” of today?  We are all familiar with some: cancer, laryngitis, strep throat, etc.  But could we say that something like not finding your voice is another one?

Stephen R. Covey, the respected author and leadership/ organizational consultant, has said:  “The power to discover your voice lies in the potential that was bequeathed you at birth.  Latent and undeveloped, the seeds of greatness were planted.  You were given magnificent ‘birth-gifts’—talents, capacities, privileges, intelligences, opportunities—that would remain largely unopened except through own decision and effort.  Open these gifts.  Learn what taps your talents and fuels your passion. . . therein lies your voice, your calling, your soul’s code.”

May St. Blaise help each of us to find our voice!

Jesus: Our Ursuline North Star

Serviam [Latin for I will serve] is the motto of all Ursuline schools. It is our way of responding to the needs around us. By sharing the light of Christ within us— Ursuline Sisters, students, alums, co-workers, and all those touched by the spirit of St. Angela—reach out to others in loving service. St. Angela is alive and well, and Ursuline education continues to prepare students in the spirit of St. Angela for service in our globalized world.

I first met Angela Merici when I was in high school.  Observing the Sisters who taught me, superb teachers who cared about us and challenged us, made me wonder what inspired them.  They were obviously engaged in wanting to change the world by helping us discover and use our gifts in service.  Little by little, I discovered that what set these women on fire was their love for Christ and for Angela Merici.  Soon, I knew I wanted to be a part of that company founded by Angela.

Pilgrim, peacemaker, reconciler, leader—these are all names given to Angela.  This humble woman, this saint, said as she neared death, “Persevere faithfully and joyfully in the work you have begun. . . . I am going, and you, in the meantime, do what has to be done.”

Today, these many years later, I love her as a true mother and sister.  And I love seeing her alive in today’s Ursulines–in Agnes, always ready to help; Jeannie pursuing that Ph.D.; Mary Ann, Peggy and Pat teaching in the high schools; and Carmel, Karen and Benigna serving the elderly on the Texas border.  I delight in Angela alive in our co-workers and collaborators, in those who share our mission and spirit and who really love Angela as a friend.

Happy feast, dear Angela!  We truly love you!

Then we started talking about our animals. I was born in the Year of the Ram. We also had representatives of the Ox, Monkey, Rat, and Rooster. Can you hear the jokes and laughter? There was no Dragon at our table. So we started talking about the characteristics of the Dragon. I’m so fascinated by the way culture shapes our thought and behavior. In the West, a dragon is a scary creature. People go on quests to conquer and slay dragons—think Bilbo Baggins and Smaug in The Hobbit. But in Eastern cultures, the dragon is a wise and magical protector—think Puff, the Magic Dragon. The Dragon represents royalty and prosperity. Who wouldn’t want a Dragon on your side?

What animal sign were you born in? What characteristics of that animal do you possess? Willing to share?