Since the beginning of August nine RNDMs from our provinces of India, Kenya, Myanmar and Vietnam have been following the Preparation Course for Perpetual Vows online hosted by the Balay Euphrasie Team in Davao, Philippines. Due to COIVID-19 no one could travel to Davao this year, consequently, all courses are presented online for the next three months. Some of the sisters who were studying outside their country of origin had to stay there, so the online courses are reaching out to Perth, Australia; Nelson, Aotearoa New Zealand; Davao, Philippines and Dublin, Ireland, as well as Kenya and Kolkata, India. Already the sisters have had a course on Cosmology and Care of the Earth and just completing this month, Liturgy and RNDM Spirituality.
One of the topics we covered during this course was The Language of Time: Praying the Liturgy of the Hours (Prayer of the Church). Here is a reflection of one of the days from one of the participants: Sr Maria Bui Thi Kim Hong, who is following the course in Churchtown, Dublin.
I would like to share today’s reflection by the “Sign of HOPE” which I saw this evening in the Rainbow in the picture I captured on my phone. It just came and disappeared within a few minutes. We were all amazed: Tony, Rose Ann, Cecilia and myself – at the beauty of the rainbow which only lasted a few minutes. I took the picture to hold the sign of HOPE. Just Amazing! I can only say that as I stopped in wonder for the moment of the beauty and brightness of the colours I was caught up in the wonder of creation. Now, I am writing this reflection because the image of the rainbow brought me back to “The Liturgy of the Hours.” I had been trying, during the day, to convey in words what I have just experienced in the rainbow. Seeing the rainbow, brought to mind the “circle of prayer”: when we are praying, half of the world is sleeping and when we are sleeping, half of the world is praying. This inspiration reminded me about a song (“The Journey” by Leah Salonga. Source: LyricFind. YouTube) which describes our connections in life. The song also illustrates in our life that we have embraced both sorrow and bliss, but… Onward, always up…Catching every drop of hope…we go…!
“Half the world is sleeping
Half the world’s awake
Half can hear their hearts beat
Half just hear them break
I am but a traveller, in most every way
Ask me what you want…to know
What a journey it has been
And the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
And they’re bound to guide my way
When they’re shining on my life
I can see a better day
I won’t let the darkness in
What a journey it has been
I have been to sorrow
I have been to bliss
Where I’ll be tomorrow
I can only guess
Through the darkest desert
Through the deepest snow
Forward always forward, I go..
Forward, always forward…
Onward, always up…
Catching every drop of hope
In my empty cup
What a journey it has been
And the end is not in sight
But the stars are out tonight
And they’re bound to guide my way
When they’re shining on my life ……
I can see a better day
I won’t let the darkness in
What a journey it has been…
What a journey it has been…”
As we begin September, we keep in mind our sisters as they continue their journey in preparation for their final commitment as RNDMs within the Congregation and for the ongoing Mission of the Church.