Dance!

Community, joy, Love, Mary, mercy, Spiritual Life 2 Minutes

Saturday, September 8, 2018

       Readings:  Click here for readings.

Today, in Mercy, we celebrate the Birthday of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Ps13_6 bountifully

It is a special day for me and many of my Sisters, as September 8th was one of the traditional entrance dates for young women joining the community.  Fifty-five years ago, the sun rose bright as gold at my bedroom window. Its rays fell along the hem of my long, black postulant’s dress hanging in expectation on the door. 

On that day, I would step into an unwritten future, every possibility already joyfully given to God. Like Mary, I and my companions were being born into a God-destined life. It was a thrilling moment for me.

fam
Taken about nine months after Entrance Day.                                          ( Notice the guy still crying in the back!)

What I really didn’t think about that day was my mother. Yes, there was joy, but there was some pain watching me be born into a second life beyond her.

On this Feastday, I think about St. Anne and wonder what blessings and hopes she whispered over young Mary. I think about how Anne felt as she watched Mary choose her own path to God; how she felt as Mary’s awesome life unfolded. And I pray in thanksgiving for my own mother.

This morning, I stand in amazed and humble gratitude to see time’s long cast over the years. Decades seem folded into moments, a thousand stories bound in a single, grateful prayer. God, indeed, has dealt bountifully with me. But somehow I believe that God was encouraged to do so by my mother. 🤗🙏

The music today may seem an unusual choice, but I think it captures a hope every loving mother has for her child. Anne may have hummed the hope over Mary in Aramaic tones; my mother over me in a 1940’s ballad. May we sing a melody of grace over all our children, freeing and blessing them to dance with God.

Blessings and love to my “Band of Sisters”, shown here as we marked our Golden Jubilee five years ago. (Missing our dear Arizona contingent who was unable to join us that day.)

May you continue to be bountifully blessed, beloved companions in Mercy!

Band_Golden

Music: I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack

Published by Renee Yann, RSM

Sister Renee Yann, RSM, D.Min, is a writer and speaker on topics of spirituality, mission, and ethical business practice. After twenty years in teaching and social justice ministry, she served for over thirty years in various mission-related roles in Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Published

14 thoughts on “Dance!”

  1. Thanking God for his beautiful gift of Mercy shining through you these 55 years and blessing my life for these past 8. Dance by the fires of beautiful memories of your Journey to and through the Sisters of Mercy. Reach inside and find your Mother’s love alive in you dancing with you this day, celebrating a formidable, special, kind, giving, loving, beautiful women of Mercy, who she brought into the world and then shared with all who have shared your path these 55 years.

    Love you so. Happy Feast Day dear Friend

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Remembering that special day, stepping into the unknown, but gentle Love He poured out on that young band of women, ready to give their all to Him. Can it really be 55 years?? Today, remembering you and your sisters in Mass and Communion, and asking God’s abundant blessings on all of you as you continue the “dance”.
    With much love,
    Sue

    PS – need to hear from you in email, please!

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Wow! Congratulations on 55 years of living Mercy! 🎉 What a wonderful model of a Sister of Mercy you are! I am blessed to know you! Thank you for sharing your story and the lovely pictures. God bless you! ❤️🙏

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Renee,
    What wonderful memories your message brought back to me.
    We missed you at our gathering. Georgia read your blog and we all listened to the music. You were with us in spirit.
    Thoughts and prayers,
    Maureen

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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