Day 6: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 9

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: “Blessed are the single-hearted: for they shall see God.”

Sr. Dorothy said: "I know they want to kill me, but I will not go away. My place is here alongside these people who are constantly humiliated by persons who consider themselves powerful."

Sr. Dorothy’s single-heartedness came from always keeping her gaze on Jesus Christ crucified. In seeing Jesus on the cross, she saw all the “crucified people” whom she loved, lived beside and worked to protect.  This gave her courage to forge ahead when meeting opposition on every side. 

Today’s suggested action:

Take time to listen to nature communicating with you. Delight in a bird’s song. Stand still and feel the wind caress your face. Look at and be bathed by the beauty of a sunset. While doing this, ask yourself: Who do I need to reach out to and walk beside this week?

Prayer:

Jesus, you too were constantly humiliated and challenged by the powerful. Yet, you always spoke the Truth. We ask for the grace to speak up on behalf of the powerless. We pray for the grace to continue to "see," understand and act on behalf of environmental justice.  Be with us, Lord, as we continue Sr. Dorothy’s work today.  Amen.

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.  Amen.


[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]

Day 5: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 8

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: “Blessed are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.”

Sr. Dorothy said: "We can’t talk about the poor. We must be poor with the poor and then there is no doubt how to act."

Sr. Dorothy did not think that mercy was just something to talk about, but rather it is something to be lived.  By walking with her neighbors, by talking with them, by supporting them, by assisting them in their daily struggles she showed and lived mercy.  As a final act of mercy, she read the Beatitudes to her would-be assassins, letting go of herself and preaching the Kingdom of God to them.              

Today’s suggested action:

The gifts of this earth are for everyone. Do you have more than you need? This week sort through your excess and donate something to a charity that serves the poor.

Prayer

Today’s prayer is a reflection on Psalm 125

You surround us like mountains

you keep us safe and secure.

When we trust you, we, too, are like the mountains

unshakable and enduring.

You are strength.

You are protection.

You are mercy.

You offer your riches to every one of us –

rich, poor, believer, non-believer

we are one in your heart.

Help us give, in turn, to others.

Peace be upon all people.

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.  Amen.

[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]

Day 4: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 7

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice; they shall have their fill.”

Sr. Dorothy said: "Our Gospel response calls us to take risks among our people. They don't have this privilege or they would be killed if they resist openly --indeed, they are killed."

Sister Dorothy had a passion for justice expressed over almost 40 years of struggle for the poor farmers and for the integrity of the rain forest. Hundreds of people lost their lives, their homes, their crops and animals to the violence of illegal ranchers and loggers, but she doggedly pushed on. She knew the risks she was taking, knowing that there was a $25,000 bounty on her head.  Like Sr. Dorothy, let us never give up in our work for justice and peace.  We may not have death threats, but we can continue to work patiently, courageously and joyfully for justice and peace. 

Today’s suggested action:

Pick one issue where justice and peace is needed, and learn one thing about it.  Share that new knowledge with someone else.

Prayer:

Good and gracious God, we pray for the safety of our Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who are still working in Brazil. We pray for the people for whom they continue the dangerous work of accompaniment. We ask that you change the hearts of those who perpetuate violence in Brazil. We also pray for ourselves, that we be faithful to the practice of justice and peace in our communities and in responding to the needs of others. This we ask through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.  Amen.

[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]

Day 3: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 6

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: “Blessed are the lowly: they shall inherit the earth.”

Sr. Dorothy said: "We need to be poor with the poor and re-appropriate a kind and tender relationship with Mother-Earth. Then we will know how to act."

As a child, Sr. Dorothy lived on a farm here in the Dayton area.  Sr. Dorothy’s kind and tender relationship with the earth was engendered in her by her father who taught her to love the earth, to smell its warm, rich soil and to rejoice in what it produced. From her mother, she learned love and generosity for those who have less.  Sr. Dorothy’s wisdom of sustainable farming and protecting the least among us has gone far from the land of Ohio, to the richness of the Amazon.

Today’s suggested action:

Plant something; a seed or hope in someone's heart. Enjoy a delicious fruit given to you by "Mother Earth who is so tender and kind."

Prayer:

Let us pray:  God of Creation, We pray that those who work with the land--from the Ohio Valley, to the fertile fields of California, Florida and Brazil--be treated justly and with respect.  We also pray that we might have a more profound respect for all the Earth, our Common Home.  Help us to see the beauty of your creation, and work to protect it for all peoples.  This we ask through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.  Amen.

[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]

Day 2: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 5

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: “Blessed are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.”

Sr. Dorothy said: "I don't want to flee, nor do I want to abandon the battle of the farmers who live without any protection in the forest."

Sr. Dorothy heard the cry of the sorrowful: those who were downcast; those who were persecuted; those who were rejected by others.  She also heard the cry coming from the earth that was being exploited in her beloved Amazon forest.  But this didn’t get her down.  She practiced simple kindness everyday, and in doing so she offered consolation to those who needed it the most. 


Today’s suggested action: 
Look around your part of the world. Where is someone crying out in sorrow?  Today offer a small kindness or consolation in a place where it is needed, just as Sr. Dorothy did every day.


Prayer:

Jesus –

a man the children loved,

a kind man

who healed 

and freed the lame to walk again

and the blind to see,

who consoled the sorrowing.

He was a quiet man

enraged by money changers 

in his Father’s temple,

by their arrogance and grabbing asperity,

by the stink of sickened animals.

Dare I be like him –

loved

kind

a consoler –

and enraged?

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.  Amen.

[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]

Day 1: Sr. Dorothy Stang Novena

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, marks the 15th anniversary of the murder of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and graduate of Julienne High School (1949).  To celebrate the anniversary of her martyrdom and to carry on her legacy, the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community will be praying a novena in her honor.  The daily text is below.  To learn more about Sr. Dorothy, click this link.

February 4

From the Gospel of Matthew we hear: "Blessed are the poor in spirit; the reign of God is theirs."

Sr. Dorothy said: "If we strip ourselves of all our extras that consume so much of our time and thoughts…our left-over time is no longer colored and it is no longer hard to give a Gospel response."

Sr. Dorothy lived in great simplicity. She didn’t own much and always traveled light. Yet, she radiated joy and found happiness in simple things, like God’s creation. One of her prized possessions, was a well-worn Bible that she always carried. She reminds us that God alone is enough, and here we see her poverty of spirit at its best.


Today’s suggested action:
Sister Dorothy loved nature. Take time this week to let go of things for a moment and marvel at the beauty of nature.


Prayer:
Generous and compassionate God, help us to learn how to simplify and focus our lives in order to be more available to others. Increase our consciousness of your Presence in our lives and help us to trust in you alone. This we ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

May the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.

[The text of this Novena is adapted from https://www.sndohio.org/sister-dorothy/dorothy-stang-novena]

Ash Wednesday

What do a pumpkin, a mouse and an old apron have to do with Ash Wednesday?

Well, before we answer that question, let’s go back a little and remember something from our childhood.  In the story of Cinderella, you might recall that a pumpkin is transformed into an incredible carriage.  A few mice are transformed into magnificent horses.  An old apron is transformed into a beautiful evening gown.  These objects remind us that the story of Cinderella is a story about transformation.  The life of the young Cinderella (literally the one who “sits in the cinders/ashes”) is miraculously changed, and she goes on to live happily ever after.

And here we get to the connection with Ash Wednesday – it’s about transformation!  As we mark ourselves with ashes (or “sit in the ashes” you might say) we are reminded that our lives are to be transformed into something new.  They remind us of our need for repentance, our need to reorient our lives, our need for God.  If we take this all seriously, then we can begin to turn ever more far away from sin, to believe ever more fully in the Gospel, and to fall ever more deeply in love with God.  Like the pumpkin, the mouse and the old apron our lives become transformed into something incredible, magnificent and beautiful because we begin to return to the Lord with our whole heart.

This is the journey we are invited to undertake on Ash Wednesday and to continue throughout all of Lent.  It is a journey of transformation.  Not into a carriage or a horse or an evening gown.  But into a child of God who is graced by God, loved by God and fully alive in God.

In the story of Cinderella, it is joyfully announced that “the prince is giving a ball!” and all the townspeople (Cinderella included) want to attend the ball.  Believe it or not, it’s the same with us.  Our Prince (the Prince of Peace) is giving a ball (or really a heavenly banquet to be more exact.)  As we cover ourselves in ashes today, let it be a sign of our desire to be transformed by God’s help and grace into a new creation at Easter so that some day we might find ourselves with the Prince in that great heavenly ball – and live with him there happily ever after.

Blessings on your Lent!