Georgie Blaeser rscj
Leader
God, the refuge you offer is no hiding place from the world. It is the sanctuary for survivors, where you warm us with shared experience, and kindle in us the passion to struggle against cruelty, exclusion and oppression. Your wings lift us high with hope and laughter. Soaring above loneliness and pain, we see the vision of what might be. So let us celebrate the venture of other women who acted with courage and perception and as an inspiration to us on this journey of transformation of persons and societies.
Reader 1
We were inspired on this journey by the light of Ruth, a foreigner who journeyed into the unknown for the sake of love and loyalty to Naomi, and who acted with initiative to change their lives for the better. We have spent this year gleaning life- giving initiatives in the province and being deeply committed to profound collaboration at all levels.
All: for this we praise you and claim Ruth’s power of solidarity
A candle is lit
Reader 2
This is the light of Joanna and Susanna, who knew and loved Jesus, who comforted, challenged and inspired by His ministry witnessed a new way of living, Women of Communion.
All: for this we praise you and claim the disciples’ power of commitment
A candle is lit
Reader 3
This is the light of the Celtic women who integrated action with contemplation, passion for creation with respect for learning. And we like them see human growth and transformation as a process that affects every stage of our lives
All: for this we praise you and claim the Celtic power rooted in wisdom - Sophia.
A candle is lit
Reader 4
This is the light of women who have struggled to build bridges of hope, justice, and reconciliation in a world of poverty, suspicion and war; as peace makers, politicians, community campaigners and good neighbours. Women who can take the first step forward.
All: for this we praise you and claim the power to dream dreams of hope and justice.
A candle is lit
Reader 5
This is the light of women who have shattered the silence of violence, by speaking out in the face of indifference, and by offering places of safety in which fear is banished and self esteem affirmed
All: for this we praise you and claim the power to act in collaboration with others to create a space where the disempowered can be "at home"
A candle is lit
Reader 6
This is the light of untold women's lives, shining through the hardship, sustained in hope, cherished in tenderness, poured out in passion, glowing with glorious life-giving love. It is the light of our mothers, grandmothers, and religious sisters. It is the light of refuge and adventure.
All: for this we praise you and claim the power of persevering love.
A candle is lit
Reader 7
This is the light of all indigenous women who show us strikingly their attitude of contemplative listening to the earth, to silence to the word of the other. Like Philippine a kind of "praying always".
All: for this we praise you and claim the power of dadirri
A candle is lit
We claim the power
through our prayer together
to live in freedom,
justice
and wholeness.
Compiled by Betty McMahon rscj
province of Australia – New Zealand
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