Sr. Magdalena works with children with disabilities in Outer Mongolia. But she came to understand that God brought her to the ministry "to test my capacity to love through my service with them," she writes.
As I read how the pope aims to create "a new style of leadership," I thought of women leaders I've met, servant leaders who did not surrender. The world needs a greater feminine voice, vision and leadership on a global level.
I feel disheartened seeing our vocations being manipulated by patriarchal, misogynist and sexist elements. Isn't consecrated life meant to raise our spirits to heaven and expand the horizons of our mission?
The inspiration of Jesus' life is usually attributed to his presence, his miracles, his preaching, his message and his followers. And of course, the empty tomb. But I think the marvel of his life was in his one-on-one encounters.
Scripture for Life: To be an Easter people means to do the work of Easter: to work against injustices, to shake up the status quo, to welcome the marginalized and to embrace all creation with healing love.
Horizons - At Jamaica Mustard Seed, the residents and their caregivers can laugh, dance and sing with the hope of God's love. And we, on our Good Friday journey through Jerusalem, can find joy as well.
Sr. Marlene Quispe Tenorio reflects on the inner journey and the experience of encountering the divine presence in everyday life. It's a journey of freedom that profoundly changes her life and impacts the lives of those she encounters. "This Lenten season has been incredibly moving for me," she shares, "as I truly feel like a child of God, liberated and free."
Sr. Helen Prejean accompanied Ivan Cantu through his Feb. 28 execution. Her act "mirrors that of the many courageous women who stayed with another man executed for a capital crime," writes Christin Schenk.
We understand God's love better in our time because of the many good Samaritans around us. It is in helping the needy, poor and marginalized that we can lead a holy life, imitating the acts of Jesus' love.
Spirituality is not "some kind of formula or algorithm," writes Stephanie Peirolo. "Even the holiest have periods of desolation, and even the most profane can feel spiritual consolation."
Horizons - "Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree." Doesn't this passage sound like a summary of a current news story and not a Gospel scene that unfolded millennia ago?
In today's reality, the traditional model of consecrated life tied to an institution is obsolete," writes Sr. Magda Bennásar. "The ministry model of the past is in urgent need of updating."
How do congregations cope with the changes and the decline in vocations? Sr. Dora Tupil shares her experience of the closure of houses and projects of her congregation, the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I am an Assumption Sister of Nairobi, Kenya, working in Jamaica. I never dreamed I would be a missionary, but it is a wonderful vocation. Working with the community here continues to bring me much joy.
Horizons - In society some people willingly lose their identities to give dignity to those in their care. They wear the face of God. Among many such good Samaritans, the role of a priest or nun is highly distinguishable.
Sr. Carmen Notario compares the desecration that some individuals have done today of the body, mind and spirit of so many women, men, girls and boys, and the desecration of the temple of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus.
In San Antonio we held our city's first "Festival of Faiths." It was a time of hearing each other's stories, taking comfort in each other's music, and experiencing the joy of each other's dance. We learned and we laughed.
