By Liam Michael Quinn, Communications Manager
Dawn broke on the Feast of Saint Mary Euphrasia in the Province of Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand where sisters and partner-in-mission gathered to prayerfully reflect on the words spoken by our foundress: “Our spirit is one of zeal, love, simplicity, unity, and cordiality”.
Together, they sang ‘You are the Song’ which was written about St Mary Euphrasia by the late Sr Sharon FitzGerald and ‘The Presence You Are’ by Jan Novotka.
In small groups, they reflected on the words of these songs and the meaning of mission partnership. People spoke of St Mary Euphrasia’s tenacity, courage, and generosity of spirit; of how she spoke of having no great talents nor of having done anything great, and yet she loved with all the strength of her soul. This was a phrase of her writings that touched people – that in today’s world loving with the strength of one’s soul is so important.
Lora Bussell, Sr Johanna Mathysen, Wendy Warmington, Sr Joan Raper, Sr Noelene White, and Sr Caroline Price celebrated the day in Melbourne.
In the Marycove School in Hong Kong, students enthusiastically reenacted on stage the story of the childhood of Saint Mary Euphrasia and her dreams of entering into religious life.
In Batam, Indonesia, women partners-in-mission – known as Aguchita’s group – came together to reflect on the life of St Mary Euphrasia. The teenagers who are under the accompaniment of Good Shepherd Social Services in the city also cooked a feast of a meal worthy of a foundress for all mission partners to enjoy. This was followed by cooking classes for parents of the students for them to learn how to cook nutritious food for their families (watch a video of the events here).
In Malaysia, Global Shepherds and Good Shepherd Services held a joint virtual celebration, in which the highlight was the screening of Euphrasia the Musical – complete with popcorn, snacks, easy chairs, and dimmed lighting! This was a wonderful opportunity to introduce new staff to the story and mission of Saint Mary Euphrasia.
In Singapore, sisters and partners-in-mission at the Marymount Centre brought an end to one week of celebrations of prayer, bonding, and fellowship by organizing group activities. For Sr. Fiona, the kintsugi activity was most meaningful as they repaired broken pottery by mending the smashed pieces with gold – meaningful because it presented our mission of healing and reconciliation (read more about the events here).
As the sun continued to shine anew on the earth, it was the moment for mission partners in Madagascar to begin their festivities with the girls in their care where they reflected on the words of Saint Mary Euphrasia who said: “Be careful to guard over them, to lead them into spiritual and human pastures”. It was a precious opportunity to pray together, listen to others, build trust, and continue to restore the dignity of each person present.
In South Africa, sacred spaces in which to hold a novena leading up to the feast day had been created for the nine days of prayer. On the feast day itself, reflections were held on St Mary Euphrasia’s words: “What we are doing in this world and why are we here if not to contribute to the well-being of our neighbors”. Following the Mass held in Gqeberha, the children in the care of the sisters each received sweaters and t-shirts which had been donated for the occasion of the feast day.
At the Generalate in Rome, a three-day triduum of prayer came to an end during which sisters and partners-in-mission from around the world shared about how the teachings and example of the life of St Mary Euphrasia influenced and guided them in their response to mission (watch these testimonies here).
In Portugal, apostolic and contemplative sisters came together for a special Mass to celebrate both the feast day of our foundress and the jubilee of 60 years of religious life of Sr Maria Jose.
Festivities and celebrations, continued across our global Congregation until the sun finally set at the end of the day on our sisters and partners-in-mission on the west coast of the Americas – with our hearts filled with a renewed spirit, a zealous passion, and a new determination to “go out and do something good”.
What a joyous day! Together, we are a living example of how St Mary Euphrasia’s words and life continue to inspire, influence, and shape the lives of her sisters, brothers, and children.
May our journeys continue to experience a transforming grace that will make our lives reflect the love, compassion, and living faith that were evident in St Mary Euphrasia throughout her life.
