Today is the feast of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, RSCJ. Religious of the Sacred Heart, former RSCJ, students and former students of Sacred Heart, Associates, and colleagues around the world, are celebrating her vision, her gift, her life, in varieties of ways. Sometimes that celebration includes wishes in voice or emails sent to one another…

Most of the time when I write in my journal, I simply pick up the pen and begin. There is a modest initial structure in that entries begin with the time of day and a brief account of my surroundings at the moment. Perhaps a theme or thread will emerge according to the flow or…

Stepping Path When I go home, Lord,I want to walk on song-yes, lay me my stepping pathwith a love that sings. Line my way with orange blossoms, Lord,that hum your honeyed Wordof beauty and praise! Let the rail at my hand, Lord, be the rays of glorythat wake the sleeping choruswith their morning Amen! Oh…

8:34 p.m Sitting with N. Have been here since 7 p.m., F. coming at 9 p.m. This act of “being with” is amazing to me and I pray I will never grow accustomed to it. Comfortable with is one thing–accustomed to is another. The nurses just came in to rotate the side on which she’s…

How evening it feels How evening it feels to be thick tired yet drawntoward the secrets of firefly telegramsand how it is that spidersknit star-glow in their webs. Here among the orange blossomsand the moon heavy coolnessI sigh awake the hopethat lullabies in this gloryof presence and of mystery. c.MperiodPress

I am once again able to do the Friday Five! It feels good to be doing it again– and on what better topic than friendship Many of us have friendships – past and present…so today we will celebrate Friday with friendship: 1) Do you remember your first best friend? What did you do together? Are…

It has been three weeks and a day since my last posting. In those three weeks and a day, I have been witness to illness, death, and the feeling of someone’s sure and certain resurrection into the glory of God. I have witnessed other illnesses as well and the debilitating effects they can have on…

Friends of God and Prophets The morning sun,out beyond the irises,is writing the icon of her praiseon the wall beside my chair.This, after passing through me,borrowing contours of breath and being. Wisdom’s startling portrait,coffee included. c.MperiodPress

It is Easter Monday. It rained gently all night and the flowers in the raised beds are enjoying a prismatic, glorious morning stretch sun-ward thanks to the moisture. Floral resurrection. There were even a couple bees for musical accompaniment–seemed fitting. No surgery is necessary on my knee right now, thanks be to God. I am…

I am leaving Chile with many things –only several of which have physical form. Yes, there is a volume of Neruda packed in my bag, there is a medal of San Alberto Hurtado keeping Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat company on the cord around my neck. (I love that, actually, and have no doubt whatsoever that…