Margaret Anna Fridays - Vocations Edition

Most Fridays, I’m going to share a quote from the founder of my groovy sisters, Margaret Anna Cusack, known in religion as Mother Francis Clare. Here is today's installment (in graphic form) along with a little commentary from me:

Mother Clare was a forward thinking person. She knew that to begin St. Joseph's Sisters of Peace in the face of the turmoil of the modern world, she would need "brave, noble, large-minded courageous souls."

This statement from our very beginnings explains a lot. It's often noted that there is not a "cookie cutter" Sister of St. Joseph of Peace. We come with a great diversity of gifts, unique spirits, and strong opinions. What we hold in common is a great love of God and of peace, concern for people who are poor and oppressed, and a desire to do something about it.

As we face the future, in a world that it seems is even more in turmoil, our charism of peace seeks expression in the lives of a new crop of brave, noble, large-minded courageous souls. And, it seems, God is calling young women and some are at least pondering their answer. Sister Jo-Anne, our vocation director with the mostest (she was my vocation director when I was inquiring), is in the UK this week to meet with some of the young women who are interested in our community. A few weeks ago she was in New Jersey, where there is one serious candidate who has decided to get to know us better. And here in the Northwest, rumor has it, there are a few young women who are also checking us out. Something is happening, and it fills me with gratitude and hope!

Please join me in praying in gratitude for God's call to religious life, and for the women and men who hear this call and are open to it. Please pray especially for the brave, noble, large-minded,courageous souls who are considering a call to become a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace. May they experience our warm hospitality, passion for peace through justice, and love for God and God's people.