Laetare Sunday

This is Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent. We\’re halfway to Easter!

On this Sunday (and on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent) the priest has the option of wearing rose-colored vestments (as you see the Pope wearing below).

This Sunday is called \”Laetare\” from the incipit of the introit of the Mass: Laetare, Jerusalem (Rejoice, Jerusalem). 

Today in our chapel, we heard the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B, which include this beautiful passage from the Gospel of John: \”God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.\” These are definitely words to make us rejoice today!

The Lord remembers his covenant forever!

A weapon against the flood waters stored on high, lighting up the firmament by its brilliance, 
Behold the rainbow! Then bless its Maker, for majestic indeed is its splendor; 
It spans the heavens with its glory, this bow bent by the mighty hand of God.
Sirach 43:11-12

We had a tremendous amount of rain this weekend (thank you, God!) which helped our drought-stricken area, and on Sunday afternoon the sun began to come out. We went outside and there was this beautiful double rainbow in the sky over our monastery! It was like a gentle reminder from God that he is still taking care of us. Truly, \”the favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each day, so great is his faithfulness.\” (Lamentations 3:22-23) May his name be praised forever!

From The Heart of Texas

Today we celebrate Texas Independence Day…well, we observe it, anyway, since this is a Friday in Lent!

February was quite a month for our community, and we are so grateful to everyone who wrote, commented, called, visited, and prayed for our departed sisters and for us and with us. We cherish the hope that one day we will all be reunited in Heaven, God willing.

Check out our other Texas posts:

Some Texas History from a Catholic Point of View

The Patron Saint of Texas

Remembering Sister Mary Therese

Sister Mary Therese of the Annunciation was a great sister in so many ways. We will miss her so much! Here is a brief look back at her life and times:

Sister Mary Therese entered the monastery here in Lufkin in 1947 and professed first vows on April 20, 1949. She was our first African-American sister and hopefully more will follow in her footsteps!

 
Sister served our community as sister in charge of the Cloistered Workshop (sewing vestments, etc.), infirmarian, cook for the chaplain, and sister in charge of guests. She also served on the Monastery Council.

 She loved roses and loved to garden.

Sister Mary Therese had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and made countless Sacred Heart badges for many people. 

Sister Mary Therese celebrating her 80th birthday with special cakes!
We will have much more on Sister Mary Therese in our next issue of \”Monastery Bells\”.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.

Remembering Sister Mary Catherine

Sister Mary Catherine de Ricci of the Immaculate Heart was a remarkable sister and we will all miss her a lot. Here is a very brief retrospective of her life and times.

Sr. Mary Catherine entered the monastery on August 4, 1946. She made her first vows on August 15, 1948.

Sr. Mary Catherine served the community as printer, secretary, head of the Infant Jesus Guild, directress of novices, subprioress, and librarian.

Sister also served as first President of the Conference of Dominican Nuns in the USA (the forerunner of our present Association of Monasteries of Nuns of the Order of Preachers in the USA).

Sister will be remembered for her beautiful smile.

Sr. Mary Catherine celebrating her 60th Jubilee!

We will have more about Sr. Mary Catherine in our next issue of our newsletter,  Monastery Bells. 

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.