The more I learn and read about Pope Francis, the more I seem to love him and what he stands for. He is a pope for the poor, also a focus of the charism of Sisters of Bon Secours. We send our continued prayers and support for Pope Francis!
Please enjoy this brief e-book of the pope’s history, Lowly But Chosen by Kevin Cotter:
http://www.popealarm.com/LowlyButChosen.pdf
On Tuesday, March 12, 2013, after celebrating a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, 113 eligible Cardinals will meet behind locked doors in the Sistine Chapel to begin Conclave to elect a new Pope. Conclave literally means with key otherwise behind locked doors.
During the last week the Cardinals have gathered in General Congregation which is a way to say they are meeting to get to know each other and to talk about what the new Pope will need to attend to after his election. This gives the Cardinals clues for developing a possible slate of candidates.
Cardinals swear an oath of secrecy that they will not divulge what happens at Conclave, though we may learn through general terms what happened.
After being asked if they understand the gravity of what they will undertake and calling upon the Holy Spirit, the Cardinals will decide if they will cast their first vote on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 13. If they do, ballots are distributed which say: I elect as Supreme Pontiff and the name is written on the ballot by the Cardinal. … continue reading…
This prayer was used by Pope John XXIII at the Second Vatican Council and then prayed by all the Bishops at the beginning of every session.
We stand before you, Holy spirit,
conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name.
Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts.
Give us light and strength to know your will,
to make it our own,
and to live it in our lives.
Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power,
for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.
You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favour.
Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.
As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward promised to
good and faithful servants.
You live and reign with the Father and the Son,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Pope Benedict XVI resigns from the office of the papacy today
As our Sisters in Formation took the tour of our Motherhouse and Motherhouse Chapel in Paris, France, a new type of reality became prevalent. Sister Bernie remarked:
It was like going back in time walking in the footsteps of the sisters who came before us.
The creaking of the floorboards brought into existence the realities of the strong and courageous women who took care of the poor, sick and dying. The walls and the furniture made the past real today.
The Bon Secours Chapel was the highlight of this two-hour tour. It was more exquisite and breathtaking than pictures or imagination portray.
We also had the opportunity to hear the vocation stories of the Peruvian, Irish, and English sisters and shared our stories.
The fascinating thing we found was that while the stories took place in different places, different countries, there were many common threads. Each story was an inspiring experience and lead us to feelings of closness and belonging to one international congregation.
An excerpt from our 2012 Prayerbook…
To receive a copy of the prayerbook, please email us at CBSVocations@bshsi.org
An excerpt from our 2012 Prayerbook…
To receive a copy of our newest prayerbook, please email us at CBSVocations@bshsi.org
We released our video, A Mission of Hope and Healing in South Africa, to show others the dramatic needs of the South African people. These are people faced with hunger, malnutrition and even starvation. They also suffer from HIV/AIDS and there is an overwhelming population of orphans. Our sisters in South Africa provide care to many with these devastating needs while sharing their love of God in everything they do.
Our ministry began in the village of Limpopo, South Africa in June of 2008. In 2010, two sisters from the United States, Sister Vicky Segura, CBS, MD and Sister Elaine Davia, CBS, NP traveled there to assist with medical and nutritional needs. The sisters utilized their medical skills to assist many HIV/AIDS patients and were also able to help refugees, families and orphans with basic needs in the village. They share inspiring stories from their journey in this short video.
In addition to the sisters’ work in their HIV/AIDS clinic and in outreach to the people in the village that continues today, they are now educating young women in the … continue reading…
Read the updates from July 2001 for UNANIMA. Learn more about how the Sisters of Bon Secours and UNANIMA fight against human trafficking.
MADRID (CNS) — The future Blessed Pope John Paul II will be the official spiritual patron of World Youth Day 2011, which will be Aug. 16-21 in Madrid. CLICK HERE to read more!
By