Prayer Service Mother Xavier

June 24, 2016

Call to Prayer

Leader: Let us begin our prayer by praising God

the Ground of our being,

the Source of our life,

the Spirit who sets us free. Amen. (adapted: More Than Words)

Prayer

All: Gracious and provident God, we gather to honor the life and legacy of our

foundress, Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan. May we who follow in her footsteps

imitate her life of humility, virtue, and decisiveness, all for God, for God, alone.

Amen.

Quotes of Mother Xavier for Reflection

“Don’t try to reach heights designed for other Communities, Sisters; your Rule is that of

the Sisters of Charity, and all perfection for you is summed up in the provisions of the

Rule as bequeathed to us by the great Saint Vincent.” Conference to Sisters, quoted by Sister Mary Agnes Sharkey,

The New Jersey Sisters of Charity, Vol. II, p. 124.

Quiet Reflection

“Tell our good Lord that you are ready to serve Him as He wants to be served, not as you

wish to serve Him; let Him dictate the manner of service, for He knows what is best for

you.” (Ibid.)

Quiet Reflection

“Everything you do, do all for the glory of God. Do not think of great austerities, fastings

or watchings, but perform your ordinary actions, speak your simple words, think your

thoughts, all for God, for God alone!” (Ibid.)

Quiet Reflection

“And now, dear Sisters, try to sanctify your own souls while laboring for the good of

others, as holy Rule reminds us. Keep God and His eternal glory always before you. Love

your Community; be true and loyal to it, and God will more quickly hear and answer

your prayers. The Community, as Saint Vincent says so beautifully, is always a loving

mother to us; we must prove worthy children of such a mother.” Letter to the Community. (Sharkey, Vol II, p. 106)

Quiet Reflection

A Reading from Mother M. Angela,

Superior of the New York Sisters of Charity,

to Bishop Bayley

Font Hill

Sept. 22nd, 1859

Rt. Rev’d dear Sir:

Fearing this dismal weather will not permit me to visit Newark tomorrow, I beg to

inform you that, the good Sister M. Xavier is appointed by the Council to the new charge, and

with her, Sister M. Catharine, who is, and has been for some years past, head of the free school

in Paterson. She is young in years, but mature in prudence & solid piety. Of other arrangements

I will acquaint you when I go over, which will be soon as possible. Please pray for us, and

believe us, with great respect,

Yours,

M. M. Angela

Rt. Rev. Dr. Bayley

Quiet Reflection

Mother Xavier

COURAGE

With faith wrapped tightly

in her heart,

Courage stepped out

and forged a path of expectation –

treading boldly.

Prayer kept pace

with decisions,

so the hand of confidence

moved difficulties aside.

Wearing the apron of simplicity,

she set a feast for famine –

filling poverty, healing illness,

instructing ignorance…

Veiled in love,

she protected with passion

and healed with honesty –

weaving justice into the fabric

of human need.

Greeting companions

along the way,

Courage clasped the hands

of charity.

Respecting the task of vision,

she dressed her company

with Providence…

then sent them on

to sow the seeds of God alone.

Anita M. Constance, SC

September 24, 1995

For Reflection and Sharing

How does our 2015 Direction Statement reflect the Spirit of Mother Xavier?

As we move into the future what advice do you think Mother Xavier would give us?

What would you like to say to Mother Xavier?

Closing Prayer

We pray to you, our good and gracious God,

as we walk in the footsteps of Mother Xavier

as a people who cherish the memories that are ours,

and who claim our common history as a sacred gift.

We ask you to renew your grace in us,

that we might recognize your presence in our midst

and hear the call of the gospel

in the human needs that surround us.

Through the power of your Spirit

may we grow in courage,

that our actions might reflect

the love we profess.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our brother. Amen (adapted: More Than Words)

Song: Ubi Caritas

Ubi Caritas et amor,

Ubi Caritas Deus ibi est.

Prepared by Sister Maryanne Tracey, SC