By Sister Justine Nutz
On Saturday, March 18, a Retreat Day for the 27 Ozanam Sisters, planned and facilitated by Sisters Justine Nutz and Connie Carrigan, included music, poetry, prayer, sharing, singing, and fun time at the end.
The poem See His Blood Upon the Rose, by the Irish freedom fighter Joseph Mary Plunkett, set the theme. The line "All pathways by his feet are worn," tells that each of us walks with Jesus through our unique Calvaries into our final Yes to God, followed by our Resurrections! The poem also provides visuals to many lovely mystical aspects of creation. Because Jacci Glessner had used the poem during earlier morning prayer, Sisters had adequate time for reflection.
We prayed and shared after each of three decades of a mini-Rosary: The Annunciation (Mary’s yes/our yeses), The Agony in the Garden (Jesus’ cup/our cups), The Resurrection (Jesus calling Mary’s name/our names). Many were eager to share bits of their lives and reflections. Gratitude for being together at this time of life was frequently expressed.
At the 3pm closing, plastic Easter Eggs containing papers with Easter thoughts were distributed and opened, to everyone’s delight. Sister John Mary Hayes played meditative hymns and some of her beloved Irish music. There was much laughter as a little windup chick danced around the floor and was sniffed suspiciously by the Ozanam cat.
It was a graced day for all of us; a true celebration of our unique SSND oneness.
I see His Blood upon the Rose
I see his blood upon the rose,
And in the stars the glory
of his eyes,
His body gleams amid
eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.
I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing
of the birds
Are but his voice-
and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.
All pathways by his feet
are worn,
His strong heart stirs
the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns
is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)
