Franciscan Footprints

Sister Rose Therese and I spent several hours today at the Motherhouse as today is First Friday & our monthly Retreat day. What a wonderful way to spend this day– with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!

 

Adoration

 

Today is the First Friday in the month of March. First Friday is a special day set aside for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also a special day to offer reparation to Jesus for all the sacriliges and abandonment that He suffers throughout the entire world. First Fridays are dedicated as our Day of Recollection(Day of Retreat) in which we keep communal silence and have more time for personal prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reading, taking walks, etc. It is a special day to rest in the Lord.

The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

1. “I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.” 
2. “I will establish peace in their homes.” 
3. “I will comfort them in their afflictions.” 
4. “I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death.”
5. “I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings.”
6. “Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.” 
7. “Tepid souls shall grow fervent.” 
8. “Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.” 
9. “I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.” 
10. “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.” 
11. “Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.” 
12. “I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.” 

May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament
be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection at every moment
in all the tabernacles of the world, even until the end of time Amen.

So, for the past week or so we’ve had turkeys take up residence on our convent grounds. Normally there would be three of them walking together , feeding in the grass. One day a female in the group laid an egg. In other outdoor news the flowers are coming out nicely.(tulips, daffodils, jonquils, etc)  The trees are getting leaves and the grass is getting greener. Spring is FINALLY upon us. Sister Mary Stephanie is making an outdoor grotto area in part of the garden. She planted a type of hosta on both sides of the statue of St. Francis. It’ll look beautiful as the weather gets warmer.  Let’s see, on Tuesday we went to the Motherhouse and met with the Brothers of St. John. We had a fantastic time. But, more on that when I can upload those photos.  I promise it’ll be soon. Tomorrow we have our monthly Day of Recollection(retreat day)/First Friday devotion. We will keep silence until supper.(with the exception of Mass, Rosary, and the Divine Office) For me it is a really special day. I come to crave the silence and solitude as well as the extra time for prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Well, that is all that I can think of now. More to follow.

May God Bless you and keep you.

 Jaimie