What's New

May 2009

Commemorating the Fourth Anniversary of the Beatification of
Blessed Marianne Cope

Sister Rose Garramone Shares Her Reflections: (Sister Rose Garramone shared her reflections at the Mass at St. Anthony's Motherhouse Chapel on May 14, 2009 - the 4th anniversary of the Beatification of Blessed Marianne) Can you imagine - - for a moment - - the night Mother Marianne came home to us? In order to help us relive that moment, I will read part of the poem I wrote about that special occasion:

"Soft quiet darkness hovered round and we waited expectantly.
There was little sound save the soft rustling of the trees
Meeting the cold windy breeze and the bitter frigid air;
Everyone waited..."

(And to the 2nd last stanza of the poem)

"And we welcomed Mother Marianne home
In song and grateful voices of praise;
Our voices - - mixed with uncontrollable tears of joy
Sang amidst the darkness - -
As we moved in respect and touched and kissed the casket bearing
             the remains of our own Mother Marianne."

And I begin this reflection today with a quote probably familiar to all of us: "The eyes are the windows of the soul." (I did research the origin of various sources of this quote and found many sources.) Cicero supposedly said, "The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are the interpretation." The one I chose to use today is from the French: "The eyes are the mirrors of the soul." I invite you now to reflect on this quotation: "The eyes are the mirrors of the soul." So often, in fact daily, as I leave our chapel or see the banner of Mother Marianne in the hall at Pen & Pages, I look up at the banner of Mother Marianne and look into her eyes. I remember with gratitude the privilege of kissing Mother Marianne's casket on that cold night - - and I thrill in the gift of seeing her and gazing into her eyes now in our chapel on that banner. (Banner picture on left)

Mother Marianne speaks to us through her eyes. As we look into those eyes - - what do we see? Can we not marvel at the serene deliberation - - the gentle, yet piercing gaze - - a courage and determination - - compassion - - and a steadfastness graced with deep faith?

But also - - a look that speaks of patience, of faithfulness in adversity.
Most of all - - there is a peace - - a deep serenity and at the same time, an almost whimsical smile of gracious understanding.

I quote here from the words of Sister Leopoldina in speaking of Mother Marianne - - "but loveliest of all are her wonderful eyes. What a wealth of love and tenderness were in those angelic eyes. Oh, from the depths of these wonderful eyes was the reflection of loving charity."

Those beautiful eyes do speak to us. We can be drawn into the soul - - the life of Mother Marianne.

Mother's eyes do say to us:
Be strong.
Risk.
Do not be afraid to love FULLY, without reserve.

I believe Mother Marianne wants us to find the many "LEPERS" in our world today - - not only to be open to them, but to embrace them.

"The eyes are the mirrors of the soul."
And what a SOUL!
A woman of vision who went miles away from Syracuse, Utica, family, friends, community . . .
to a "small corner of the world" to follow God's loving plan.

She must have wondered - - and perhaps questioned - - but she went!
And she stayed...I think here of a favorite saying of Sister Grace Louise, my group and friend - -
"Bloom where you're planted."
Didn't Mother Marianne do this?

Now for each of us in our corner of the world. . .
What is expected of us?
Can we ignore the poignant message from the soul of our Mother Marianne?
Can we not hear her say:
"There is more for you to do. Now go and do it!"

How can we refuse to heed this message from our valiant, magnificent Mother Marianne?

Sister Rose Garramone
May 14, 2009