Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

When I entered the Novitiate, conformity, uniformity were the themes of the day. No casting of the eyes. Hands under scapula. Little sleeves had only one purpose, not to be used for dusting pianos! Particular friendships were frowned upon. It was 1902, no, 1964.   The rolly polly pope, John XXIII, had just opened the doors of the church to experimentation and ecumenism. What a breath of fresh air it was for many of us.    Time has changed us. Seasons have nurtured our vision to embrace a global world deepening Cosmically our Contemplative spirituality.   Our soul's field has and is being tilled and composted by pandemics of every sort. Sexism, racism, inequality, politics, lies, cover ups, climate change, division and abuse rage while the Institutional Church remains almost mute.   As Sinsinawa Dominicans, we have taken visual and active stances against these wildfires of rage and displaced power.   Now it is time for harvesting. Just as Vatican II opened d...

She was beatified by Pope John XXIII and he called her ‘the apostle of the Holy Spirit.’  She was a 19 th  Century Mystic who founded an Order in Italy, called the Oblates of the Holy Spirit.  She shared with others her love for and promoted a devotion to the Holy Spirit in their everyday lives.  She petitioned Pope Leo XIII many times, asking him to invite the whole Church to grow in this devotion.  Moved by her passion he mandated that the entire Church pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit leading up to Pentecost.  In one sense Jesus himself instituted this Novena when, at his Ascension he said to the disciples: “Stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49. The apostles returned to the city and spent the whole time in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus.  We all know what happened!   Today is the 4 th  day of this Novena which begins on the Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter.  You can find t...