What a wonderful heritage and legacy we celebrate today -  that on January 24, 1824 twelve women in Paris professed their vows as Sisters of Bon Secours and pledged to be a presence of good help to the sick and dying in their homes; something truly unheard of at that time!  Something risky yet creative.  Something that inspired other women to follow and others to seek their compassion and good help in their times of need.

The same Spirit moves among us today, calling us to a new creativity; to take new risks; to continue to meet the pressing needs of today in our world.

We give thanks for our 12 founding sisters and all those who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand.  We give thanks for all of our sisters, associates, ministry volunteers and co-workers today who generously provide compassion, healing and liberation to people in need.  And we give thanks for all those who will come and join us tomorrow and in future years to be “good help to those in need.”

Blessings and love,

Sr. Rose Marie Jasinski, … continue reading…

A Prayer for Labor Day

O God, creator of the world,
of sun and moon and stars,
you chose to fashion us, your own,
your handiwork of love.
Indeed, we are your hands’ own work

and yet into our hands
you give the care
of every living thing.

In more ways than we can count
our work builds up
or tears apart what came
as gift from you.

Keep us faithful in preserving
all you’ve given
lest we harm the smallest part
of all you’ve made.

Give us good and honest work to do
and rest at each day’s … continue reading…

The Archdiocese of Baltimore will join Catholics around the world in 60 hours of Eucharistic prayer for vocations to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s ordination to the priesthood.  Archbishop O’Brien asks all to make Eucharistic adoration available for 60 hours beginning June 29 and conclude July 1, feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In the Pope’s “Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, ‘Proposing Vocations in the Local Church’,” he reminded Catholics that we all have a responsibility to pray for vocations. 

The Archdiocese of Baltimore provides a schedule of prayers throughout the area on their website at: http://www.archbalt.org/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=46431  Whether you live in the Baltimore area and can attend one of these services or you live at a distance and will be attending a service within another diocese, please join us in prayer for vocations at this time.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations was a couple of weeks ago, but I want to share this video and ask for your support in praying for vocations to religious life.  I’m sorry I don’t know who developed it (I would otherwise acknowledge them - perhaps the USCCB).  God’s call to live life as a sister has a long tradition. Not many are called, but it is a valid life calling even for today. Life in a convent is not strange – like other vocations its about relationships and living a faith – filled life. Thanks for helping us pray for vocations.

Create your own video”>http://animoto.com”>video slideshow at animoto.com.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Sister Rose Marie Jasinski, country leader of Sisters of Bon Secours in the USA offered the following prayer at the close of our feast day honoring our community’s patronness, Our Lady, Help of Christians.   We invite you to reflect with us as well on her prayer. 

Sr. Rose Marie:  “As we come to the close of this feast day I have this evening prayer for your reflection:”

            Holy Mary,

            Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ

            priestly woman and holy prophetess,

            who carried in your very body                                             

            the Gospel of Peace -

            we greet you,

            and we ask you to be our mother as well.

            Holy Mother of God,

            whose sign in our presence is creation,

            whose sacrament is the earth,

            mother who is to us both womb and tomb -

            we praise you.

            Your jewels are the riches of beauty in all creation

            sparkling forth in flower bloom, bird wing and rainbow-singing sign.

            We honor you, Mary, wife of Joseph and mother of Christ.

            Hostess to angels, patroness to contemplatives,

            guide to pilgrims, inspiration to poets, light to those

            who wander in … continue reading…

Today, the Sisters of Bon Secours celebrate the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.  With this prayer, we remember our many blessings and ask for favor where we serve.

Mary, we come before you as a Congregation dedicated to you,
look favorably on our sisters in all the countries where we serve…
animate us with a loving prayerful spirit,
send generous women to us to help us to extend
the healing work of your Son on earth. 
May we be the echo of your “fiat” when God calls upon us.
May we be your goodness to those you wish to aid.
May the Spirit of the Lord help us,
especially in moments of difficulty, to repeat with you,
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord.”

(Prayer for the Congregation; Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Bon Secours)

The monthly forum for the staff at the Leadership Office and Spiritual Center was held April 27 and included a discussion about the Sisters of Bon Secours Mission Focus Statement and a special ceremony honoring Earth Day. 

Sister Rose Marie Jasinski, Country Leader, reviewed the Sisters of Bon Secours’ Mission Focus Statement, which was introduced in 2009:  We, Women of Healing, commit ourselves to defend and care for all of creation; to cry out with others against injustice and all that diminishes life on Earth.
Sr. Rose Marie shared, “For me this statement that we’ve adopted broadens the scope of our healing and caring mission to all of creation.”  She emphasized the importance of carrying out this mission in day to day life and work at the Leadership Office and Spiritual Center.  The staff also had a moment to share the various ways they care for all of creation and how the work environment benefits.  Employees shared different examples of how co-workers go above and beyond … continue reading…

This summer the Sisters of Bon Secours will be hosting a short-term service project for young, single women, ages 18 to 35, who have a willingness to serve those in need. Project Good Help will be held in July. Volunteers will need to arrive in the evening on Thursday, the 21st and will finish up in the morning on Tuesday the 26th. The women will stay at the Sister’s headquarters in Marriottsville, MD and work in nearby Baltimore city at a community garden, a drop-in center for women, a family support/learning center and a senior housing center.  This will be an excellent opportunity to serve the less fortunate and make a difference in the community.  

During this service opportunity, the volunteers will be able to share their experience with sisters and apply it to their own lives.  Each day will also be bathed in prayer and reflection. 

Interested in learning more?  Click Here for more information about Project Good Help and to access our online PDF application.

With Christians throughout the world, we celebrate the solemnity of Easter, the feat of Christ’s resurrection from the dead: liberation from sin, hope for the world.

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.  John 20:8  

The Resurrection of our Lord is the central mystery of Christian faith. It is also the central hope of daily human existence. With the Resurrection we can be certain that suffering and death is not the final word on the human condition. This is the deepest source of Christian hope. And it is the wellspring of true Christian joy.  On Easter Sunday God’s Word bursts forth in a joyful hymn of praise as the Church resounds with Alleluias.  Our Lenten observance now finds its fullest meaning.  As the message of Easter resounds in our minds and hearts, the truth of Jesus’ Resurrection … continue reading…

The Christ who went to the poor

like steel to a magnet, was poor himself.

He was poor in his origins and in his birth,

but even more so when he left behind the life of a village tradesman.

The poor Christ is not just the wandering preacher…

he is above all the one who died.

-   Rosemary Haughton, Theologian

Today is a day of quiet and darkness, as Jesus lies lifeless, bound by the burial cloths, confined to the tomb. Mary is our example today. She is quiet. She mourns. She protects her Son’s body. But she does not despair. We ask for light in the darkness that, even on this most sorrowful day of the liturgical year, we be allowed to look with hope to tomorrow.

Please join us and share your  prayers and reflections.