I met Pope Francis in 2016 in Rome at a Conference for the Vicars of Religious. It was a most memorable occurence - a true encounter - one that needed no words; everything was said to each other by smiling eyes and a firm handshake. I certainly got the feeling that during those few minutes, I was the only one in the conference hall.

We mourn the passing of Pope Francis but rejoice in his entrance to our Father’s house.

I am a pilgrim of Hope when I :

• Pray for the world in war-torn places

• Reach out to someone in pain

• Enter into someone’s story with compassion

I am a Pilgrim of Hope when :

•  I sit under a tree of blossom and hear it hum

• See the new growth sprouting up from the earth

• I hear the dawn chorus and know a new day is breaking

In this Jubilee Year of Hope may we, as Presentation People sharing the proud legacy of the work of Nano Nagle and countless Presentation People around the world, commit ourselves to being pilgrims of hope in our place and time. May we look for ways to make a difference, however small, to those who have lost hope for whatever reason. May we open ‘windows of hope’ this Jubilee year.  

On Saturday 29th March, the Convent at Matlock welcomed about sixty visiting Presentation Associates and friends from a variety of locations - for a day of Prayer and Reflection on Pope Francis’ letter “Dilexit Nos” - He Loved Us.

Whirlwind of fundraising by Nottinghamshire school to support a centre in Bethlehem which helps disabled children and youth:

“The children have been fantastic in their enthusiasm for raising money for the Centre and spreading Christmas cheer through their performances.”

Nano Nagle was an Advent person – someone who understood that God’s love had to be spread through our everyday actions.

As we light the Advent Candles in our homes and churches, let us give thanks for Nano’s example of selfless giving, for the legacy and presence of Presentation People everywhere, and for the light of Christ beckoning us to help light the world with love - one person, one act of kindness at a time.

Each year on the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Presentation Sisters all over the world celebrate their feast-day. Nano Nagle, their foundress said that the symbolism that appealed to her in Mary’s Presentation, was the ideal of Mary’s complete gift of herself to God – a gift freely given and then lived out in service.

How do we live up to Nano’s example of loving without counting the cost – in the situation and place where we find ourselves?

As we remember the needs of our world today, we respond:

                            Let love be our lantern flame

Because she knew God’s love for her, Nano was able to see God in the dark streets of Cork and in the injustice around her.

Nano Nagle stood at the periphery and from there she saw and reached out to those made poor.

As we remember the needs of our world today, we respond: Help us take one step beyond

Reflect on the past few days – what have you learnt about Nano Nagle. What do you feel called to change in your life?  

As we remember the needs of our world today, we respond:

Give us welcoming hearts

Nano admired those who lived with zeal. What does zeal mean to you? What most kindles zeal in you?

“Looking on the Sacred heart of Jesus, Nano learned the meaning of compassion as suffering with another, the weak, the sinful, the ignorant and oppressed.‘ (Fire on the Earth)

Presentation

In the morning of your life, Mary,

You danced before the Lord.

Later on, much later on,

You stood still in His presence

Through a long darkness.

Mary, steadfast one,

Grant that when we can no longer dance

We may stand beside you,

Still, in God’s presence,

Believing beyond the dark.

Raphael Consedine, 1978

During the month of November, the Church invites us to remember all the unsung, unknown Saints and to pray for those who have died.

As Presentation Sisters, we are very aware that we

 “stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.”

The school responded to the request of Pope Francis to pray for peace on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Having thought about the meaning of peace, some of the older  children led everyone else in prayer. We prayed some of the rosary in the hall and then they waved their doves while chanting peace.