Little Sister Jo

November 7th, 2009

Little Sister Jo

Little Sister Priscilla

On Thursday, November 5th, Little Sister Jo arrived for her time of retreat that she had arranged with our abbot. Mepkin has enjoyed the return of the little sisters annually for many years. We appreciate the desire of these women who minister to the traveling circus performers and their families and understand clearly their desire to “come apart” for a time of prayer-filled refreshment and renewal. Most often Little Sister Jo and Little Sister Priscilla are together, but various circumstances found them at study or renewal programs this year which brought them to Mepkin at separate times. The Little Sisters (associated with Charles de Foucald) were founded to embrace a religious life which seeks to minister by accompaniment. Mother Madeline carefully taught the women who found themselves called by God to this vocation. And so our two regular visitors are attending to the many folks who are employed by the circus and their families - working alongside them, sharing meals with them, being a presence of Christ to them and offering what they may by way of prayer with these people, religious instruction, scripture study and reflection, and connection with the local church for sacramental life. Their concern for the sick and the grieving is a particular grace for those who live ‘on the road’.

Charles de Foucald had a great reverence and regard for Trappist life. The Little Sisters center in Rome is on the property of our monastery of Tre Fontane. The name “three fountains” honors the place where we believe Saint Paul was martyred. We are told that after his head was cut off it touched the ground three times before it finally came to rest and that at each site where the head touched ground, a small spring of water sprang up. As the church celebrated the Year of Saint Paul recently, many pilgrims traveled to Tre Fontane to pray.