Candidates, novices, young professed of Europe

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“We realize that we are living in very different realities, but we find that we are on the same wavelength in our desire to love and follow Christ, particularly in contemplation, which is the way for us to love as Jesus loves. For this we need the love of the wounded Heart of Jesus. It is important for us, therefore, to nurture our contemplative life individually and in community by trying to avoid activism.”

These few sentences are from the evaluation of European candidates, novices and young professed at the conclusion of our meeting, which helped us to allow the Lord to work within us.

Zoom
Some of the participants - Zoom

 

From left to right: (Young Professed = YP)
Seated : Florence (Novice, Belgium), Maria Dolores (YP, Spain), Sarah (Novice, France).
2nd row : Julia (Novice, Hungary), Maria de Valle (YP, Spain), Esther (YP, Spain), Olaya (YP, Spain), Edit (YP, Hungary), Maria Carmen (YP, Spain).
3rd row : Judit (YP, Hungary), Aline (YP, France), Rachel (YP, France), Noëlle (incharge of YP, France), Irina (YP, Russia), Elisabeth (YP, United States), Amélie (Candidate, France), Fatima (YP, Spain).

We had the great good fortune to meet as novices, candidates and young professed from Europe. There were twenty-three of us from several countries: Spain, Hungary, Poland, Russia, France, Belgium... and even the United States!

We met for some things all together as young professed, novices and candidates; for others, we were in different groups. The theme of the young professed meetings was “Dialogue” and of the candidates and novices: “Interior life and contemplation through the five senses.”

 


I was particularly struck by the diversity of ways of approaching the theme, which allowed us to easily and spontaneously go over what we had experienced afterwards. We entered into contemplation:

  • Through visual art, like Giotto’s paintings in the chapel of the Scrovegni: How do I utilize looking? And how do I contemplate through the interpretation, through the contemplative gaze of another, of an artist?...
  • By means of music, for example, the DVD about Sebock (the great Hungarian pianist). How do I listen to the other, and how do I listen to myself beneath the surface that can appear very beautiful, as do these professional musicians, who may be technically perfect, but are led by their professor (Sebock) to a deeper listening to themselves and in friendship with themselves…
  • Through talks on human psychology by Helga Hauer, RSCJ, on the conditions for good listening and looking...
  • Through the practice of contemplation in the city… in order to learn to have a contemplative outlook on persons in daily life…
  • Through many other points of entry.

Personally I have in mind two symbols from the meeting:

  • In connection with the theme, the scented candles which we exchanged in promising to pray for one another. For me they are a reminder to be attentive to becoming more and more “the perfume of Christ” for everyone: “We are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Cor 2, 15)
  • And the fan given to each one by the Spaniards at the beginning of the meeting of novices and young professed (which proved to be very useful!). This was something of a sign of communion among us, because for me, besides the content of the meetings themselves, it was important to be able to meet as novices and young professed from the whole of Europe; it was very stimulating and even essential, as we are so few young people in formation… for the time being!

 

 

Many thanks to those who made it possible for us to have this experience: our Italian sisters, the provincials, those responsible for formation, et al.

I believe it is an experience to be repeated so that, in the midst of a world strewn with difficulties, we may grow and bear fruit together for the glory of the Heart of Jesus and the joy of those around us! Like those grains of wheat that die to produce much fruit, so our little tasks done together will yield great results!

 

Florence Draguet rscj
Now Young professed of the Province of Belgium-Netherlands

Click here to see other RSCJ News...

Comments (6)
  • Mirna Elizabeth van Asten  - Argentina

    Castellano: Me gustaría saber algo de la familia e historias ya que mi abuelo es venido de Bélgica y se llamaba Juan bautista y quisiera tener contactos con familiares.
    Français: Je voudrais connaître quelque chose de ma famille et des ses histoires, mon grand-père étant venu de Belgique. Il s’appelait Jean-Baptiste. Je voudrais être en contact avec des personnes qui le connaissent.
    English: I would like to know something about the family and it stories, as my grandfather came from Belgium and was called John Bautista and I would like to make contact with my relatives.

  • Susana Abarca de Santiago  - Argentina

    Castellano : Soy una ex-alumna del Sagrado Corazón, y siempre mantengo encendida la "llama" que recibí en el colegio, hace ya tanto tiempo! Tengo 60 años, y una familia muy grande y bendecida. Soy catequista, y desde hace un tiempo, acompañante espiritual. La oración contemplativa es un camino que he empezado a transitar con todo mi corazón puesto en querer seguir descubriendo la presencia del Dios de la Vida en mí y en todos. Tengo en mi oración a toda la gran familia del Sagrado Corazón: Reciban un abrazo lleno de ternura, que las ayude a fortalecer ese SI que han entregado generosamente.
    Français : Je suis une ancienne élève du Sacré-Cœur et je maintiens sans cesse allumée l’appel reçu au collège, il y a tant d’années ! J’ai 60 ans, et une grande famille très nombreuse et bénie. Je suis catéchiste, et depuis peu accompagnatrice spirituelle. La prière contemplative est un chemin que j’ai commencé à emprunter de tout mon cœur, cherchant à continuer de découvrir la présence du Dieu de la Vie en moi et dans les autres. Je garde dans ma prière toute la famille du Sacré-Cœur : recevez un baiser plein de tendresse, qui vous aide à vous fortifier dans le OUI que vous avez généreusement prononcé.

  • Maree Hamilton  - Australia/New Zealand

    English : Thank you so much for forwarding my request. I so enjoy reading the news on this website. Maree
    Français : Merci d’avoir transmis ma demande. Je me réjouis profondément de lire les nouvelles sur ce site. Maree
    Castellano : Gracias por haber transmitido mi pedido. Gozo mucho leyendo las noticias de este lugar de la web. Maree

  • Webweaver  - re: Maree Hamilton - Australie / Nouvelle Zélande

    Dear Maree, I have forwarded your request. With kind regards.

  • Maree Hamilton  - Australie / Nouvelle Zélande

    English : Thank you for this posting - as Hermine said "how encouraging". I found it wonderful to hear of the rich experiences you have been sharing. I would love to gain access to some material from the talks on human psychology by Helga Hauer, rscj, on the conditions for good listening and looking...Can someone let me know if such a thing is possible. I work across the 4 schools of this Province supporting, resourcing and trying to animate staff and all such materials from rscj are much desired by our schools. Warm good wishes. Maree - Province Director for Mission for the Australia/New Zealand province of the Society
    Français : Merci pour cet article si encourageant comme le dit si bien Hermine. J’ai beaucoup aimé découvrir les riches expériences que vous nous partagez. Je voudrais avoir accès aux apports de Helga Hauer rscj sur la psychologie humaine, les conditions pour une bonne écoute et un regard de qualité… Est-ce que quelqu’un peut me dire si c’est possible ? Je travaille avec les 4 écoles de la province d’Australie-Nouvelle Zélande, dans l’animation des équipes. Ce genre de matériel de RSCJ est très apprécié par nos écoles. Avec mes meilleurs vœux, Maree. Coordinatrice de Mission Province rscj Australie-Nouvelle Zélande
    Castellano : Gracias por este artículo tan alentador, como tan bien lo dice Hermine. Me encantó descubrir las ricas experiencias que nos compartes. Me gustaría que pusieran a mi alcance los aportes de Helga Hauer sobre psicología humana, las condiciones para una buena escucha y visión… ¿Podría alguien decirme si eso es posible? Trabajo en los cuatro colegios de esta provincia Australia-Nueva Zelanda, alentando, apoyando y tratando de animar a los equipos. En nuestros colegios se desea mucho este tipo de material de RSCJ. Con mis mejores deseos, Maree

  • Hermine van Asten  - Nederland

    English : Dear All, How encouraging for all of us alums, to get informed by this article on RSCJ-website about this cordial, inspiring and interesting meeting of the twenty-three of you from several countries in Europe. Dynamic "Dialoque" such an important theme! Dialogue is essential to come to new ideas/visions and strategies and only by this way cooperation will be improved. Wishing all of you good luck! Hope to meet some of you in Malta during AMASC Congress 2010. Love and prayers, Hermine van Asten-Wennekers AMASC President
    Castellano : Queridas todos/as: Cómo nos anima a todas las Antiguas Alumnas informaros a través de este artículo en la página web de las RSCJ, del encuentro tan cordial, inspirador e interesante de veintitres de vosotras de diferentes países de Europa. ¡Qué tema tan importante fue la dinámica sobre el “Diálogo”. El diálogo es esencial para admitir nuevas ideas, visiones y estrategias y únicamente por este camino podremos avanzar en la cooperación. Os deseamos a todas mucha suerte. Esperamos encontraros a algunas de vosotras en Malta en el congreso de AMASC del 2010. Con mucho cariño y oración. Hermine van Asten-Wennekers. Presidenta de AMASC
    Français : Chères toutes, Quel encouragement pour nous toutes, anciennes, de lire cette information dans l'article paru sur le site international: réunion dynamisante et intéressante de votre réunion des vingt-trois, venues de plusieurs pays d'Europe. Un dialogue dynamique, quel thème important! Le dialogue est essentiel si on veut arriver à de nouvelles idées, vues et stratégies; c'est seulement ainsi qu'on pourra améliorer la coopération. Souhaitant le meilleur à chacune! Espérant rencontrer plusieurs d'entre vous à Malte au Congrès 2010 de l'AMASC. En amicale union de prière, Hermine van Asten-Wennekers, Présidente de l'AMASC

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