Dear Friend,
As we enter into these most holy of days, we in the National Office of the RFC extend blessings for the Triduum and the Easter season to all our member communities, collaborators and friends.
The Magdalene's Blessing
You hardly imagined
standing here,
everything you ever loved
suddenly returned to you,
looking you in the eye
and calling your name.
And now
you do not know
how to abide this hole
in the center
of your chest,
where a door
slams shut
and swings open
at the same time,
turning on the hinge
of your aching
and hopeful heart.
I tell you,
this is not a banishment
from the garden.
This is an invitation,
a choice,
a threshold,
a gate.
This is your life
calling to you
from a place
you could never
have dreamed,
but now that you
have glimpsed its edge,
you cannot imagine
choosing any other way.
So let the tears come
as anointing,
as consecration,
and then
let them go.
Let this blessing
gather itself around you.
Let it give you
what you will need
for this journey.
You will not remember
the words-
they do not matter.
All you need to remember
is how it sounded
when you stood
in the place of death
and heard the living
call your name.
Author: Jan Richardson
Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
Image: Mary Magdalene Announces the Resurrection to the Apostles, Sr. Mary Charles McGough, OSB
During this time of strife and sorrow, we are called, now more than ever, to hear the call of life and respond with courageous hope.
May we live boldly as Easter people in an injured world.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
-RFC Staff
Karina Conrad, CDP, Together Program Coordinator
Ellen Dauwer, SC, Executive Director
Ryan Hofmann, Associate Director
Kathy Kandefer, BVM, Operations Manager
Connie Schoen, OP, Program Director