Praying with suffering

Suffering of the heart of Jesus

comfort our hearts, console our hearts, soften our hearts.

Compassion of the heart of Jesus

clothe our hearts, support our hearts, enter our hearts.

Keep all those we love close to you.

Draw us nearer to you in the letting go, letting be, giving back to you all we have received in love.

Let us find our hope, our freedom, our peace in You.

And for those we do not know, 

who also ache for homeland, warmth and welcome 

we pray

let Justice be Done.

Now

Now, now is the moment to surrender
To dive deeply into the endless life given for the world,
ceaselessly

Now,  now is the moment of loving all that is alive
All that cries out for redemption
All that weeps for wholeness

Let go then of all that is not made for glory

You were made for exactly this.
All your life has been leading here.
All your suffering come to one
momentous self emptying second.

Take it, the chance.

Be Humbled out of your little self
and staggered by the strong core of freedom awaiting you.
You, who want so much to be different and find the same relentless same-old.

Let go? For what?

For all the little ones,
nameless, hurting in these early hours.
For the dying, the lost, those aching  in  lovelessness.

Live. Breathe , let God be the beginning, the end, the meaning, your everything.

You are loved, remember that.

You don't need to search to be found.
Already, you know,
you are thrice times held.
Once you drop down you will be taken unravelled into pure sparking true blue.
Dive deeper then,
come undone.

Surrender.

For you know, better believe it,
that God holds on to us with arms soaked through with tenderness.

Praying with 'On a Summer Day' by Mary Oliver

Helps to pray in a time of pandemic by Sister Winnie Morley rc Who made the world? who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean – The one who has flung herself out of the grass, The one who is eating sugar out of my hand, Who is moving her jaws back and forth instead Of up and down – Who is gazing around with her enormous and Complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly Washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, & floats away. I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, How to be idle & blessed, how to stroll through The fields, Which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and all too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do With your one wild and precious life? I invite you to find a quiet space and gently begin to unwind and relax. Place yourself in God’s presence and ask to know God’s dwelling in your heart. Read the passage slowly, maybe a few times, let the words hold you, speak to you. In these strange times what is your hope?  We see signs of new life, colour returning, birds singing in the natural world, so what do you hope for; dream of; wish for?  How is this time of isolation, solitude speaking to you right now? What are your fears, hopes anxieties, worries? Can you speak with God about them; share the burden you carry and know you are not alone?  Jesus reminds us he is with us always. When the pandemic is over what life will be like for you? Can you dream, trust and let God lead you? Bring your prayer to a close with a time of gratitude for all you have and are receiving and in the knowledge that God has plans for us, as God reminded Jeremiah ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans for your good…’ Blessings on you and your loved ones, keep well, enjoy the space and live for today.

Praying with St Therese Couderc 3

My prayer is very simple. I place myself in the presence of our Lord and tell Him all that is in my heart.

We must have confidence in God. He will never fail us.

Praying with St Therese Couderc 2

My dearly beloved ones,

(to her daughters 29 October 1838, Anth: 126)

Have the sweet confidence that

(to her daughters 29 October 1838, Anth: 126)

we no longer need

(to M. de Larochenégly 10 August 1866, Anth: 176)

to be concerned

(to M. de Larochenégly 10 August 1866, Anth: 176)

what is going to become of us.

(to Bishop Bonnel of Viviers, December 1834, Anth, 112)

We still possess

(to M. de Larochenégly 28 February 1871, Anth: 206)

this dear work.

(to M. Alice Bertier 27 December 1878, Anth: 239)

Always cherish

(to her nephew, Abbé Léon Couderc 21 November 1883, Anth: 261)

the consolation of being able to

(to her brother Abbé Jean Couderc  28 December 1882, Anth, 260)

make Our Lord known and loved.

(to Madame Stéphanie de Plessis  18 May 1880, Anth: 247)

All our affairs are in the hands of God.

(to Sister Agnes 14 January 1836, Anth: 113)

Allow the good God and His grace to work, gratefully receiving each day what he deigns to give us, well knowing that we possess nothing and that all things come to us from Him.

(to M. de Larochenégly 13 February 1864, Anth: 156)

I pray Our Lord more than ever to be your light, your wisdom and your strength.

(to M. de Larochenégly 27 May 1867, Anth: 184)

God will do the rest.

(to M. de Larochenégly 7 June 1876, Anth : 227)

Adieu and always for God

(to her nephew Abbé Léon Couderc 28 November 1884, Anth: 268)

Source: selection of M. Thérèse’s letters (Anthology of Congregation Documents)

Praying with St Therese Couderc 1

Some inspiration from the letters of our foundress St Therese Couderc (1805-1885)

My very dear Sister,

(to Sister Agnès 14 January 1836 Anth: 113)

I pray every day that He will give you the grace

(to her brother, Jean Couderc, seminarian 10 October 1829, Anth: 108)

to belong wholly to God.

(to M. de Larochenégly 7 June 1876, Anth: 227)

Be kind,

(to M. Félicié Chartier 21 May 1863, Anth: 151)

encourage one another,

(to her nephew, Adrien Rouvier 9 January 1863, Anth, 146)

for the glory of the good God.

(to Sister Agnès 14 January 1836, Anth: 113)