RSCM GENERALATE

New Threads in the Tapestry
24 February 2008

The image of weaving on a loom, echoing the letter from the General Council for the 159th anniversary of the Foundation of our Institute, was a very powerful symbol for the inauguration of the SHM International Novitiate on Sunday, February 24, 2008. It was also a symbol recalling a past history of many weavers in our Institute journey of faith, and calling us to live the future mystery.

Eucharistic Liturgy

The end of the Entrance Procession: Terezinha Cecchin, Catherine Dolan
and Dom Aloísio Jorge Pena Vitral, auxiliary Bishop of Belo Horizonte

Catherine Gough introducing the Celebration and the people present
(in PORTUGUESE!)

The Liturgy, based on the readings of the 3rd Sunday of Lent, had as a central symbol a WELL constructed near the altar.

Sérgio, Dom Aloísio and Maria de Lourdes Machado
(Penitential Rite)

Other symbols included rocks, fruits, flowers, a globe without country boundaries and the flags of countries where RSHM minister as well as our Constitutions.

Isabel Cipriano explaining the meaning
of each symbol

Olga Georgina, explaining the process in the Institute leading to the creation of an International Novitiate

A number of languages were used in the Liturgy
as well as dances and moments of silence.

Sérgio, teacher in the SHM College in BH
(1st Reading )

Iranete, novice, sang the Psalm

Ângela Machado
(2nd Reading )

Audília and Rosinha (Petitions)

Paré Moreira, Loretta Ruvo
and Isabel Grangeon

Marina Queiroz, Antonietta Abreu
and Susana Carvalho

The Auxiliary Bishop of Belo Horizonte, Dom Aloísio, in his homily - especially directed towards the six “pre-novices” - echoed many of the exact words of our reflections during the Retreat of preparation for the insertion in the Novitiate.

The blessings at the end of the Eucharist mirrored the blessings
prepared for the Reception later that evening,
although Dom Aloísio had not been aware of these.
More “connections” and “weavings”... signs of God’s work in us.

We were very happy to have many RSHM sisters, other religious, families and friends with us on this occasion, in total about 130 persons.

The Reception of our six novices in the evening was also a moment of grace. Sixty people were present, mostly RSHM sisters.

Terezinha’s spontaneous words to each one again held strong connections to the retreat and reminded us of the Presence of God working in us... weaving patterns and creating new things in all of our lives.

The Blessing of the Novitiate house had to be deferred as the rain was too heavy to walk from the place of Eucharist on the 24th. On the evening of Wednesday, the 27th, there was a Eucharist and Blessing of the Novitiate with an abundance of holy water being used!

Each occasion was followed by festivity,
wonderful food and drink, joy and music.

We appreciated all the telephone calls, cards, emails and gifts received from the Institute, from the SHM Enlarged Family and collaborators of the RSHM, and also the prayers offered for us and for this new “interlacing of different threads” in the weaving of our story.