Monday, April 24, 2017

This Unchosen Cloister

You may have noticed that lately I've been absent from behind these cloister walls. I wish I could say I've been away on a long vacation, but the truth is far less glamorous. I've spent the last few weeks in a cloister not of my own choosing... within the little "cell" of a hospital room.

I hope to tell you more, soon, about this adventure. (I know you won't be able to wait). In the meantime, this is just to say "Hi! I'm back!" And I hope you're having a blessed Easter season.

'Thank God, there still remains one sanctuary, the sacredness of which no earthly power may violate…  It is the sanctuary of the human heart.  It needs no fixed place for its confines, no stated time for the opening of its gates, no particular hour of silence for its prayer.  A thought, a word, a moment of reflection, and by faith and by love, the soul is within the blessed refuge, and the gates are closed on the confusion of life with all its noise and tumult. It is secure against the bitterness and the pain of persecution, or hardship or trial, or hurt of body, or wound of earthly pride, or failure of worldly ambition, for there she is inviolable, sacred, impregnable in the fortress of her own spirit.' (From The Living Pyx of Jesus, Pelligrini and Co, 1941, p.101) 

'We cannot go to Jesus in the Tabernacle at every moment of the day, but we can turn inward to the Triune God at any moment, even in the midst of our day's worst difficulties.' (The Living Pyx of Jesus, Pelligrini, 1941, p. 27)

24 comments:

  1. I've been wondering where you've been and praying you were ok. Although i rarely post, I always a look for your blog entry for the day and am always edified. I, too, love St. Francis de Sales. And your artwork choices are always a perfect for the quote. I've missed you! Another Nancy

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    1. Thank you so much, Another Nancy :)! I appreciate your prayer!!

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  2. Just had a nudge to check here again
    Welcome back ✨

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  3. Hope all is well, I too have spent too many hours in the cell of a hospital room this past week. I look forward to your posts!

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    1. Vicki, You've been in hospital too?! I'm so sorry to hear that, and I pray that Our Lord's healing love shall be poured out.

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  4. So good to read this, Nancy. I hope you recover quickly in your hospital "cell". Leave it to you to turn something difficult into something so beautiful.

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    1. And leave it to you, Mary, to say something so kind.

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  5. I have missed your postings, but I'm afraid I was too dull to think there might be something wrong. I could have been praying for your recovery, of which I will begin now. I'm sure there are many souls in purgatory that have been released through your suffering. May Our Lord continue to touch you with his healing hands.

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    1. Thank you, Ann. Your prayer is coming at just the right moment, because this trial is far from over. Thanks for all the prayer yet to come!

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  6. Hello Nancy,

    Oh, yes I was wondering why we hadn't heard from you lately. I'll be praying for you to be well soon!

    Susan

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  7. So relieved that you posted! You have been in my prayers. I was hoping you were on vacation, but as the days passed I realized that the best response is to pray. I pray for your complete healing in body, mind, and soul. Although it is not preferred to be in a hospital, sometimes we have to listen from a different vantage point. Know that others that you do not know are praying for you, just as you have been an arrow pointing us to the Answer to prayers.

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  8. Glad you are back. Hope you are well. I was just beginning to worry about you. Your posts are very uplifting!

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  9. I was away myself (on holiday) so I didn't realize you were away (not on holiday). I hope this means you are on the mend or getting there.

    Sending hugs and a prayer...
    Brenda
    xox

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  10. I'm so happy to see you back, Nancy. I was a little worried, and praying that all was well with you. I missed your lovely and inspiring posts!

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  11. I am glad you're back and hope your recovery is swift! God bless you. Monika

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  12. Oh, I was missing your posts so much during the Easter season! I supposed you were on holidays. I hope you may feel that peace of the ones who know they are in His blessed hands. When I face some unknown trial, there´s a little sentence that helps me lots: "Even the hairs on your head!" I repeat it to myself many times a day, as a mini-prayer of trust. God bless you.

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    1. Thank you... I needed this very scripture about the hairs on our heads. Thank you!!!

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