• Our Life
    • Our Story
    • Our Day
    • Apostolates
  • Charism
  • Vocations
  • Blog
    • Subscribe
  • Giving
    • Donate
    • Growth
    • An Evening with the Sisters
  • Contact
    • Message us
    • Request a Prayer
    • Vocation Inquiry
    • Newsletters
Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
  • Our Life
    • Our Story
    • Our Day
    • Apostolates
  • Charism
  • Vocations
  • Blog
    • Subscribe
  • Giving
    • Donate
    • Growth
    • An Evening with the Sisters
  • Contact
    • Message us
    • Request a Prayer
    • Vocation Inquiry
    • Newsletters

Blog

St. Michael, Defend Us! All Ye Holy Archangels, Pray for Us!

9/29/2017

 
​BLESS the Lord, all ye His Angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute
​His word, hearkening to the voice of His orders. ~ Introit from the Mass for St. Michael
On this feast of the three named Archangels, the Sisters particularly love to honor the angels by singing the hymn "Michael, Prince of All the Angels". In this triumphant hymn, St. Michael is given pride of place for His role as Defender, but the Gabriel and Rafael are also honored in their roles as Messenger and Healer. Each of the other choirs of angels are mentioned, with a special note of thanks for our faithful guardian angels.
Michael, Prince of all the angels,
While your legions fill the sky,
All victorious over Satan,
Lift you flaming sword on high;
Shout to all the seas and heavens:
Now the morning has begun;
Now is rescued from the dragon
She whose garment is the sun!
​Mighty champion of the woman,
Mighty servant of her Lord,
Come with all your myriad warriors,
Come and save us with your sword;
Enemies of God surround us:
Share with us your burning love;
Let the incense of our worship
Rise before His throne above!
Picture
Picture
The Three Archangels by d'Oggiono
Gabriel, messenger to Mary,
Raphael, healer, friend and guide,
All you hosts of guardian angels
Ever standing by our side,
Virtues, Thrones and Dominations,
Raise on high your joyful hymn,
Principalities and Powers,
Cherubim and Seraphim!
​

Collect from the Feast of St. Michael

O GOD, who hast constituted the services

of Angels and of men in a wonderful order,
mercifully grant, that they who ever stand
before Thy face to do Thee service in
heaven, may also defend our life upon
earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world
without end. 
Picture

​Mary, Queen of all the Angels, "whose garment is the sun," pray for us who turn to thee!

"A God Who Is Love"

9/26/2017

 
"Only a God Who is love could ask you to love Him with all your heart.
​Only He Who has given you everything could ask you for everything."
Picture
.
Picture
"Only He Who loved you on the Cross could demand from you a love that will lead you to the Cross. Only He Who forms your heart each day with His Spirit could ask you to love in ways different from that of 'flesh and blood.'
"It is therefore often a crucified love, because at certain times it is "at great price." It is not a "game." It is a love that turns often to the Crucifix, in order to remain faithful to crucified love.
"It is a love that knows how to pass from the transfigured face of Jesus to the disfigured face of the Crucifix, a love that exults on Tabor and is faithful on Calvary, a love that knows the powerful attraction of the divine eros and knows how to lower itself to agape's humble, obscure way of loving.
The Crucifixion by Leon Bonnat

​"It is a love that must always be cultivated in interiority, in intense prayer, for it imitates the virginal, praying Son, knowing that chastity and intimacy with the Lord are one and the same thing. Only one who cultivates prayerful intimacy can bear witness that the virginal life is the fruit of an invisible, but irresistible, love.
"It is the love of the bride for the Bridegroom: 'It is toward the garden of perfect Union that our path leads.'"
​~from A Short Course on the Consecrated Life
Picture
Picture

"Living the Fullness of the Liturgical Life"

9/22/2017

 
Regina Pacis, ora pro nobis!
Picture
Regina Pacis in the basilica of St. Mary Major
"In union with Mary, Mother of the Church, we strive to magnify Jesus Christ,
her Divine Son, by communicating the Beauty, Goodness, and Truth of the Catholic faith in
a spirit of joyful evangelization while living the fullness of the Church's liturgical life."
~ Charism Statement of the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
Our desire as faithful daughters of the Church is to live and love at the heart of the Church. This is, in part, lived out through our charism of living the fullness of the Church's liturgical life. When our Holy Father Emeritus Benedict XVI issued the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum and accompanying letter to the Bishops ten years ago, he envisioned that the peaceful mutual enrichment of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Forms of the Roman Rite would be "an interior reconciliation in the heart of the Church."
​Pope Benedict XVI crowning Our Lady of Lourdes
Picture
"What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.  It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place " ~ Letter accompanying Summorum Pontificum
Picture
In our life, we witness that "there is no contradiction between ​the two editions of the Roman Missal." We have the privilege of participating in both Forms of the Roman (or Latin) Rite in our chapel several times a week and it is our honor to provide the choir for the Extraordinary Form High Mass at the Cathedral each Sunday. Our communal understanding of the both Forms of our Latin liturgy enables us to appreciate and share the full richness of this key aspect of the Church's life. We strive in all our apostolates to give the traditions of the Church their "proper place" while living fully present in our current age.
In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the issuing of Summorum Pontificum and in thanksgiving for our precious charism, the special gift that God has given us for the life of the Church, our Superiors and Chaplain recently traveled to the Eternal City on pilgrimage. There they had to opportunity to join in many of the liturgies and conferences hosted by the Summorum Pontficum 2017 pilgrimage and to pray for the community and the Church at the major basilicas and other sacred places.
Gallery of the pilgrimage to Rome
Picture

Daughter ~ Spouse ~ Mother

9/19/2017

 
"When you shall see a soul leave all things to adhere to the Word with all her strength, live by Him,
allow herself to be guided by Him... a soul, in short, who can say: for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,
​ then you can indubitably recognize her for a spouse of the Word."  ~ St. Bernard
Picture
The Virgin Mary holding the Infant Jesus as He places a ring of St. Catherine's finger - by Hans Memling
Our consecration as religious women is most beautifully expressed and summed up by the three primary
​relationships in our life: Daughter, Spouse, Mother. 
Daughter
"I am a daughter of the Church." ~ St. Teresa of Avila
Picture
We share St. Teresa's ardent love of Holy Mother Church and strive to live each day as faithful daughters of the Church. Entering into our charism to "communicate the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic faith by living the fullness of the Church's liturgical life," each Sister ​strives to personally integrate and live the richness of the Church's liturgy, prepared at all times to share of this treasury with the souls in her care.

​Confident in His promise to remain with His Church until the end and His guiding gift of the Holy Spirit, she faithfully teaches the beautiful truths that her Spouse has entrusted to His Holy Church.
Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, share
​with us your great love for Christ and His Church!
Spouse
"The nuptial dimension belongs to the whole Church, but consecrated life is a vivid
​ image​ of it, since it more clearly expresses the impulse towards the Bridegroom." ~ Verbi Sponsa
Her public vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience bind the Sister to following Christ's life most closely, but more importantly, they bind her to the Person of Christ in a spousal relationship. This relationship is at the heart of her consecration and the source of her personal sanctification. In quiet contemplation, in the sacrifice of self for souls in the apostolate, in the joy of community celebrations, in the sorrows of human life, in the sufferings particular to her call, the Sister is united with her Spouse in His prayer, His sacrifice, His joys, His suffering for our sins. From this union the Sister derives the graces she needs to personally grow in holiness, the grace to be fruitful in His vineyard.
"I gave myself to Love Divine,
and Oh! my lot so changed is,
that my Beloved One is mine
and I at last am surely His!
 ~ St. Teresa of Avila
Picture
Mother
​There is a need for people able to show... the motherly face of the Church, people who spend their lives
so that others can have life and hope. The Church needs consecrated persons who, even before committing themselves to the service of this or that noble cause, allow themselves to be transformed by God's grace and
​conform themselves fully to the Gospel. VC 105
Picture
As a faithful daughter of the Church and Spouse of Christ, the Sister is impelled by love to cherish in her heart each of the souls He has created, holding them as her spiritual children whether they are known to her or not. She carries them before His throne each day in the liturgy of the Church and strives to share His Person and His Truth clearly and lovingly with the souls entrusted to her particular care. It is through her intimate relationship with Christ, her Divine Bridegroom, that the Sister is enabled to bring forth divine life in the children He has given her, be they eight or eighty.
As an extension of our liturgical charism, our maternal love, prayer, and support is particularly extended to Christ among us in His priests.Without the priest, we cannot encounter our love-offered Spouse at Calvary in the Mass and our relationship to the Church would be incomplete. Our primary support of our priests is given through our life of prayer and hidden sacrifices offered for Christ, His Church, and in a special way, His priests. Each Sister gives to the priests she encounters and works with the respect and assistance that is in her ability to give as an act of loving reverence to Christ. 
May Our Lady keep our priests very near to the
​ Heart of her Divine Son, the Eternal High Priest!
Picture
Picture
Daughter, Spouse, Mother ~ in each of these, the Sister holds Our Lady as her Model and Mistress. May Mary, Daughter of the Eternal Father, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and Mother of Christ and of the Church, pray for us and obtain for us the grace of final perseverance in our holy vocation as a
Daughter of the Church,
Spouse of Christ,
Mother of souls!
Picture

Our Glory: The Holy Cross

9/14/2017

 
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world
​ is crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14). ~ Introit for the Exultation of the Cross
Picture
As religious women, we are consecrated to following the life of Christ most closely. Each morning as we kiss our rosary crucifix, we make our own the words of St. Paul which the Church uses to provide the spirit of this feast: "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
As the introit of the Mass sets the tone for the day's liturgy, this veneration of the sign of our salvation serves to keep ever present in our minds the spirit by which our life is to be animated, a spirit of sacrifice leading to the fullness of life and love. 
"In the different forms of life inspired by the Spirit throughout history, consecrated persons discover that the more they stand at the foot of the Cross of Christ, the more immediately and profoundly they experience the truth of God who is love." ~ St. John Paul II
The first act of a candidate upon entry is to salute the cross - may the last act of each Sister also be to salute the wounds of her Spouse!
Picture
“There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us.
There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear
​ that Christ has not already born for us, and does not now bear with us.”~ St. John Paul II
Picture
Saint Augustine says: "Beautiful is God, the Word with God ... He is beautiful in heaven,
beautiful on earth; beautiful in the womb, beautiful in his parents' arms, beautiful in his miracles, beautiful in his sufferings; beautiful in inviting to life, beautiful in not worrying about death, beautiful in giving up his life and beautiful in taking it up again; he is beautiful on the Cross, beautiful in the tomb, beautiful in heaven. Listen to the song with understanding, and let not the weakness of the flesh distract your eyes from the splendor of his beauty." The consecrated life reflects the splendor of this love because, by its fidelity to the mystery of the Cross, it confesses that it believes and lives by the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this way it [consecrated life] helps the Church to remain aware that the Cross is the superabundance of God's love poured out upon this world, and that it is the great sign of Christ's saving presence, especially in the midst of difficulties and trials.... Fidelity to God also inspires devotion to neighbor, a devotion which consecrated persons live out not without sacrifice by constantly interceding for the needs of their brothers and sisters, generously serving the poor and the sick, sharing the hardships of others and participating in the concerns and trials of the Church. ~ Vita Consecrata (emphasis added)

Most Holy Name of Mary

9/12/2017

 
"Thy Name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing
​ some grace to him who does so devoutly!" ~ St. Bonaventure
Although the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary was not established until 1683 in honor of Our Lady's role in obtaining the Christian victory over the Turks at Vienna, her name has been confidently invoked from the beginning of Christianity. Many of the saints strongly recommended the practice of calling on Mary in every temptation and difficulty.
 "The name of Mary is the key of the gates of heaven." ~ St. Ephrem
"Mary is the salvation of all who call upon her!"
​ ~ St. Bonaventure
"In dangers, in perplexities, in doubtful cases,
​think of Mary, call on Mary; let her not leave thy lips; let her not depart from thy heart." ~ St. Bernard
"O most sweet name! O Mary, what must thou thyself be, since thy name alone is thus amiable and gracious!" ~ Blessed Henry Suso
"May the last movement of my tongue be to pronounce the name of the Mother of God." ~ St. Germanus
"The Sweet Name of Mary is my hope and refuge!"
Picture
Image from Holy Card Heaven

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary

9/8/2017

 
Picture
 Birth of the Virgin by Bertolome Murillo
The liturgy today commemorates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast, very important to popular piety, leads us to admire in Mary the Child, the purest dawn of the Redemption. We are contemplating a little girl like every other, at the same time the only one who was "blessed among women" (Lk 1:42). Mary was the immaculate "Daughter of Zion", destined to become the Mother of the Messiah. ~ St. John Paul II
Picture

​​"Queen of Angels, Thou are our Queen also; accept us as Thy servants. On this day, when the first movement of Thy holy soul was towards God, and the first smile of Thy lovely eyes was for Thy happy parents, may holy Anne allow us to kneel and kiss Thy little hand, already filled with the divine bounties of which Thou are the predestined dispenser. And now, grow up, sweet little one! Let Thy feet be strengthened to crush the serpent, and Thy arems to carry the treasure of the world! Angels and men, the whole of nature, God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all are awaiting the solemn moment, when Gabriel may fly down from Heaven to hail Thee full of grace, and bring Thee the message of eternal love." ~ Abbot Gueranger
Picture
Maria Bambina by Pietro Favaro
Picture

Recreation

9/4/2017

 
"Religious consecration establishes a particular communion between religious and
​God and, in Him, between the members of the same institute." ~ Essential Elements, 18
Picture
The Sisters at recreation
A consecrated woman is called to give up many things for the One Thing Necessary, a renunciation that is repaid a "hundredfold in this life" as well as in the life to come in the possessing and being possessed by Him Who is beyond price. The hundredfold is expressed in many ways, big and small. For our contemplative-active community, one of these is our very communal life. Each Sister has been gifted by the Holy Spirit with the communal charism to communicate the Beauty, Goodness and Truth of our faith and has been called specifically to live her consecrated life in this community. This foundational calling and gift enables the Sisters to connect with each other in a manner that transcends differences in manner and temperament (although those are also part of the hundredfold and may be given as God's gift to help each of us smooth off our rough edges).
Picture
Sister puts the finishing touches on a Sacred Heart badge
One expression of our communal spirit is seen in our recreation. Each day, the Sisters spend a period of time together in edifying conversation, games, light projects, or active sports. These periods of relaxed interaction help to build up our family camaraderie, refresh our spirits, and renew our common commitment to our life of prayer and apostolic works.
Pictured is a "project recreation," an opportunity for the Sisters to work on special handwork projects that are not part of our daily duties. Some of the Sisters make rosaries, others embroider or sew, some work on calligraphy or develop skills in other art mediums. Not every Sister enters the convent with the ability to do some form of fine work, but these periods provide time for the Sisters to learn many different skills. "Project recreations" are particularly appreciated because they permit the Sisters to share grace-filled moments from their day while enjoying each other's company.
Picture
Latte's recreation - destroying the squeak in his newest toy!

Monthly Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows

9/1/2017

 
Behold, this child is destined for the ruin and rising of many in Israel,
​ and to be a sign of contradiction; and your own soul a sword will pierce. ~ Luke 2:34-35

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
to praise your mighty deeds 
in the exaltation of all the Saints, 
and especially, as we celebrate 
the memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
to proclaim your kindness 
as we echo her thankful hymn of praise.
For truly even to the earth's ends 
you have done great things 
and extended your abundant mercy from age to age: 
when you looked on the lowliness of your handmaid, 
you gave us through her the author of our salvation, 
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through him the host of Angels adores your majesty 
and rejoices in your presence for ever.  
May our voices, we pray, 
join with theirs in one chorus of exultant praise, 
as we acclaim: Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus...
Picture
La Dolorosa by Cristobal de Villalpando
O God, who willed
that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross,
his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering,
grant that your Church,
participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ,
may merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. ​
Texts from the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Picture
Virgin of the Seven Sorrows
    Subscribe

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Christmas
    Easter
    Events
    Feast Days
    Image Insights
    Lent
    Liturgy
    Mary's Hands & Heart
    Monthly Devotion
    Our Lady
    Our Lord
    Photo Journal
    Prayer
    Reflections
    Religious Life
    Saintly Sayings
    St Joseph
    True-devotion

    Archives

    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

Picture

Navigation


  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Giving
  • Blog
  • ​Donate
  • Contact
  • ​Privacy

Stay Connected



Copyright 2024 Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa
Website by Fitz Designz