Category: Uncategorized

St. Margaret of Hungary

Margaret of Hungary, princess, Dominican nun, saint. Her story is unique: King Bela IV of Hungary and his wife promised to dedicate their unborn child to God if He would spare their country from the invading barbarian tribes. So at the age of 3, Margaret was given to the Dominican nuns of Vesprem. A few years after this, Margaret confirmed her parents\’ decision of her own free will. Several suitors sought her hand in marriage, but Margaret always refused, saying she had promised fidelity to her Lord Jesus Christ. No one in the monastery excelled her in humility and charity. She was obedient to the Holy Spirit in all things, and had an ardent love for the Eucharist. She died at the age of 28. Margaret is the patroness of peace between nations, an appropriate saint to invoke during these days of strife and conflict and war in our world! And yes, St. Elizabeth of Hungary was her cousin!
 Another view of St. Margaret:

Epiphany Celebration

January 6–the traditional date for Epiphany–was the day we celebrated Epiphany as a community! It was a day filled with joy, fun and games, and of course reflections on the Christmas season.
We began with a new take on the old three-legged race! The two sisters on each team had to wrap three packages–using only one hand each!
It wasn\’t as easy as it may sound!
The winners! 
We also played a Epiphany-themed version of \”hot potato\”, where instead of a potato we passed gifts in a circle while Christmas music played. When the music stopped, whoever was caught with a gift had to leave the circle!
In the evening, some of the sisters delighted us with a puppet show based on the story, \”The Fourth Wise Man\”. Excellent job!
The sisters with some of their puppets.
Community days like this are a way to relax, enjoy each other\’s company and grow in family spirit. We always keep up our prayers, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and necessary work (such as cooking!) on these days as well. It makes for a busy but delightful time. The Christmas season will officially end soon, so we are now taking down decorations and generally cleaning up. But we suspect there will be other opportunities for celebration before Lent begins in March!

The Epiphany of the Lord

Epiphany certainly does come fast this year! We\’re celebrating on two days–January 2, the official date, and January 6, the traditional date. For today, here are some thoughts from Pope John Paul II to meditate on:
\”Those who have already reached the faith and those who are on the path to finding it share alike in this feast. They participate, giving thanks for the gift of faith, as did the Kings who, filled with gratitude, knelt before the Child. The Church, more aware each year of the vastness of her mission, participates in the feast. How many people there still are who have to be brought to the faith! How many have to be brought back to the faith they have lost! This at times is more difficult than the first conversion to the faith. The Church, however, aware of the great gift of the Incarnation of God, cannot pause, can never stop. She has to seek continually the way to Bethlehem for all men and for all times. The Epiphany is the feast of God\’s challenge.\” –Homily, January 6, 1979

Happy New Year!

It\’s the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God–it\’s the world day of prayer for peace–it\’s New Year\’s Day, January 1, 2011. We celebrated Mary at the Divine Office and Mass, we prayed for peace as we do every day. and this morning we had the traditional drawing of the patrons for 2011.

Sr. Mary John gave an inspiring talk in the chapter hall. 
Then it was time to draw our patrons! Sr. Mary Giuse holds out the cards 
so Sr. Mary Therese can pick one…
…while on the other side of the room Teresa offers a choice of cards to Sr. Mary Christine.
Each sister received a card with a lovely picture on one side and on the other, a title of Jesus or Mary (such as Jesus Crucified or Our Lady of Good Counsel) to meditate on, as well as a patron for the year (selected from the Dominican saints with some extras like St. Paul and the Archangels), a thought to ponder (this year all the quotes came from a book by Raniero Cantalamessa, very good!), and an intention to pray over during the next year. After we all shared who and what we received for the coming year, we exchanged our traditional New Year greetings. 
 It\’s a lovely way to greet the New Year–a hug for each sister! All the Dominican nuns here in Lufkin, TX wish you a happy and holy New Year 2011, and remember we are praying for you!

Merry Christmas!

The angel said to them, \”Be not afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.\” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, \”Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.\” 
(Luke 2:10-14)