Introduction:  As Associates renew their Associate commitment and Sisters their vows on this Feast of the Visitation; we unite in prayer for the August General Chapter.  And we rejoice in the gift of thirty-five years of the CND Associate Relationship.  Our reflection today calls attention to how Elizabeth can deepen our understanding of Visitation.

Opening Suggested Song: Prayer of the Congrégation,  (Ave or Songs of Visitation © KP Deignan, CND)

Refrain:  O dearest Mother and Foundress, we seek not comfort or wealth.

  We only ask that in your name, God may be greatly loved and oh, so faithfully served.

O teach us the wisdom of littleness to be simple, humble and poor,

to be open to God at the core of our hearts, and to wait on God’s word evermore.

And teach us the way of mobility: to be swift and graceful and true,

so that in our lives we may visit again the ones who are waiting for you.

And teach us the mystery of charity: to hold our neighbor in heart,

to sing of the Spirit alive in our midst, and to carry the word of God’s love.

During April, we gave three day retreats on “Discovering the Charism of Marguerite in the Stories of our Lives”. The goal of the retreat was to encourage Associates and others who attended to realize the connections of their own life events with the stories of Marguerite’s and Mary’s lives.

Staten Island

On April 1st, six Associates and three Sisters gathered in the beautiful chapel of Notre Dame Academy, Staten Island. All expressed gratitude for extended time for prayer, quiet and sharing. Some remarks from the evaluation of the day were: “Listening to each other becomes ‘graced time.’” “All our stories are so unique but similar.” “I learned and confirmed that I am not alone, especially in difficult moments. I have good friends here.”

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“Bring flowers of the rarest, bring flowers of the fairest. From garden and woodland and hillside and dale; Our full hearts are swelling our glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest flower of the vale. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.” The familiar words of this hymn echoed in the Chapel of Lourdes Health Care Center after Liturgy on May 4, 2017. Our own Sr. Marie Elaine Lachance walked from her wheel chair to do the honors of “the crowning.” We thought this role very fitting for Sister Marie Elaine: her Marian name, her membership in the Congregation of NOTRE DAME, and her deep devotion to the Rosary. And as she said “I wore appropriate colors, a blue shirt and white top!” Once again Marie Elaine makes us happy and proud!

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