“O Mary, Woman and Mother, listen to our stories; hold them in your heart; and make your own the stories that no one wants to hear. Teach us to recognize the good thread that runs through history. Look at the tangled knots in our lives that paralyze our memory. By your gentle hands, every knot can be united. Woman of Spirit, mother of trust, inspire us, too.”
Pope Francis
We imitate the joy, simplicity, and “Deo Gratias” of Saint Felix of Cantalice, whose name Divine Providence has chose for our Congregation.
We wanted to celebrate our novena in preparation for the feast of St. Felix in a different way. We decided that, whenever a child came to the gate, we would share with them the story of St. Felix and give them a candy. For the babies, we would give them a toy. As the nine days unfolded, we saw what joy this simple gesture gave to kids. During this pandemic, our activities have been put on hold; but daily someone would be at our door.
On Sunday, May 17, we decided to celebrate together the feast of St. Felix with a barbecue. We had much to celebrate–St. Felix, of course; Jean Philip who lives in St. Felix House on the property; and the past birthdays of Annette and Sr. Inga. It was a great celebration!
On May 18, the feast of St. Felix, we were ready to share the joy of the Lord with our friends. We sent a message out to our kids to come to us at 3 p.m. We had prepared St. Felix cookies, topped with a chocolate candy, to give to those who came. We also made peanut butter sandwiches to be served with a glass of Gatorade.
Sure enough, the kids were right on time. We were aware of the social distancing that needed to take place, and each child received a mask to wear.
When all was finished, we proclaimed DEO GRATIAS, giving praise to God for the joy of the Lord in our midst even during a pandemic. St. Felix could always be heard saying “Lord, I entrust these people to you.” And so, we, too, did the same.
Today, after our Evening Prayer and adoration, we went to our grotto to pray the rosary together. The Lord showed us beautiful flowers that He has given His Mother to honor her.
O Mary,
you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of All People,
know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Pope Francis
Even though we do not know when, we are doing what we can to prepare for our children’s First Holy Communion. Sr. Izzy is busy measuring, sewing, and trying on outfits while keeping good social distancing, of course. Sr. Inga is busy getting all the prayers to the kids so they can continue to learn them for the glorious day, whenever that will be.
What have we been asking of the Lord in His name? We ask Him daily to use us for His people, to bring His salvation to all. During these difficult days of pandemic, we ask the Lord to show us the way He wants us to care for His people; and He certainly does this everyday.
Here is one way…every month we have a woman with her children who come for food and assistance. But this time, it was more serious. Her children are showing more signs of being malnourished, full of bites because they are sleeping on a bare floor, and so very hungry. The first thing we needed to do was have our doctor see them; and, yes, they are malnourished and needed medications for infections and vitamins.
Then we gave them rice and beans. As they were eating, we were gathering things they needed like soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and some kind of floor covering for bedding.
Yes, we asked in the Lord’s name to have available what they needed, and sure enough, it was done. How great is our God!!!!! After they finished eating, Sr. Izzy made sure they had some toys to take home with them, too.
On Sunday, May 3, Good Shepherd Sunday, we felt we needed a break–to get out and at least go for a ride. We made our journey to Cyvadia. We often would take volunteers there for the beauty and scenery. It was a first for Sister Izajasza. We were well protected with our masks.
We then took a walk down to the sea, and we felt like the Apostles ready to go fishing.
Then, low and behold, a group of fishermen came to shore; and, of course, we asked if they caught any fish.
And sure enough, they did, so we bought some…we know we made their day with our purchase.
After our afternoon outing, we returned home for our time of adoration and prayer. We remembered all of you in our prayers.
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 