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Disturbing Choices that Transform

Disturbing Choices that Transform

Lise Le Riche, fdls

 

Who has not trembled upon hearing the words of Jesus, “If anyone wants to be my follower, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me”? (Lk.9, 23) Who has not been touched upon hearing the words of Jesus on the cross, “Woman, this is your son”, then to John, “This is your mother” (Jn. 19, 27). These two verses and their contexts immediately immerse us into the other two paths towards mystical transformation proposed by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, drawn from the Gospel: universal mortification, and true devotion to Mary. After looking in depth into the two first paths, the international group of the Daughters of Wisdom meeting in Rome reflected intensely on these two other means that Montfort described so well in his treaty “The Love of Eternal Wisdom".

PHOTOS ALBUM

In fact, renouncing oneself is the very basis of the following of Jesus. It is expressed and lived in baptism and in the radical choices for Christ that follow. In an inspiring celebration, the Sisters renewed their YES, accepting to walk close to Jesus who first walks the path of self-denial. In front of the cross of Poitiers, rich in meaning for our Congregation, each Sister verbally expressed her personal commitment to bear her cross. 

The words on the cross written by Montfort offer a deep meaning to renouncement. It is not a question of self-inflicted penances, but acceptance of our human condition with its limits and carrying it with Jesus in faith. Then, a festive dance is set in motion in the assembly, with the cross adorned with five ribbons of varied colours and held by Sisters representing the different continents. Finally, all the participants joined in the dance, streaming ribbons of the colour of the continent where they work. Joy and peace prevailed! At this moment no burden or heaviness upon our shoulders as we follow Jesus and carry our cross since we walk behind the one who said “Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Mt. 11:30).

Following Jesus, Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom is also walking the preferential path that Jesus chose to come to us, that which is Mary. On the fourth path of transformation, Montfort invites us to live in Mary, with Mary, through Mary and for Mary. The way the faithful in the Church perceived Mary through the years has greatly changed and still varies much according to cultures. But one thing remains the same.  It is the upsetting choice taken by Wisdom to be conceived in the womb of Mary and to depend on her totally in everything. At the session, Mary was presented as a woman of justice and especially of the justice of Wisdom. Moreover, the reflection was focused on our Montfortian consecration that integrates baptism and religious consecration. We, as Daughters of Wisdom are solicited to renew our baptismal covenant, to consecrate ourselves to Jesus, Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom through the hands of Mary thus imitating Jesus in his radical choice of total dependency on her. With renewed awareness through a significant and symbolic celebration, the participants renewed their consecration through Mary, the sure and certain way to acquire Wisdom. 

No session would be complete without an intercultural evening of fun, dancing and singing, thus securing the bonds already created with each other. A little touch of folly united everyone for a few hours as very soon we would be taking the road back to the five continents where Wisdom is calling us. A final ritual celebrating the six images of Wisdom developed and deepened since the last 2006 General Chapter gave a global perspective of the formation plan. What wealth for each Daughter of Wisdom and Friend of Wisdom. A priceless treasure worth selling everything, losing everything in order to acquire it! Wisdom!

August 22, 2011

Sr. Lise Le Riche DW

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