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The monastic communities of Jerusalem come to Rome |
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03 Oct 06 |
 Rome seen from the Trintà
178 years of RSCJ presence at the Trinità dei Monti came to an end in a simple ceremony in Mater’s chapel, the evening of August 30, 2006. There, the six remaining members of the Trinità community and Sr. Clare Pratt, representing the Society, stood in a semi-circle with the 12 members of the Jerusalem communities (8 women and 4 men) and their Prior and Prioress General, Fr. Pierre-Marie and Sr. Marie.
Each one of the RSCJ community, in the context of a brief prayer of thanksgiving, placed on the altar before the fresco of Mater a symbol of her apostolate at the Trinità: keys to the front door, the church, the sacristy, the House of Welcome; a globe on which an image of Mater had been superimposed; a CD of programs of Art, Science and Faith, the educational project of the school. A few songs, words that came from the heart, the Salve Regina, a warm kiss of peace amidst tears expressing a mixture of emotions, and it was over.
The following day the RSCJs left – four to France, one to Japan, one across the Tiber to the Villa Lante – and the Jerusalem community arrived in the full force of numbers and youth. It is their custom to gather as many of the congregation as possible at the moment of a foundation, and over 100 monks and nuns, as well as family members and lay associates, began a 3-day pilgrimage/celebration including two Eucharists at the Trinità, one at St. John Lateran, and Lauds in the Crypt of St. Peter’s. At the final Eucharist in the Trinità courtyard there were three prayers asking for God’s blessing on this new moment: one by a representative of the Superior General of the Minims, one by Clare Pratt and one by the Prior and Prioress General of Jerusalem. After the liturgy a number of sisters approached Clare to tell of their Sacred Heart connections. One Belgian sister, an alumna of Angers said “I have lived with Mater all my life!”
The new community began their liturgical life immediately, publicizing the hours of Lauds, Eucharist and Vespers in the church, to which the public is invited.
Let us pray for our new brothers and sisters of Jerusalem, that through their mission of radiating the praise and love of God in the heart of the city, the heart of Rome may become more and more the dwelling place of God.
Clare Pratt, rscj
You might want to read the following article from La Croix, 3 September 2006 (in French)
http://www.la-croix.com/
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Last Updated ( 06 Dec 06 )
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