Claire Smith, O.S.U. The Pentecost psalmist sings a masterful hymn to the Spirit of God, Creator of the Cosmos, taking hardly a breath, in the telling of the God-colors into the world, into humanity, into my own heart. Meanwhile, back in the Upper room in the Cenacle, the apostles are hiding behind closed doors,…
This watercolor painting by Sr. Anne Therese Dillen, O.S.U., featuring two persons and not the apostles, is a symbolic representation of us all as we “look up” in expectation, sometimes forgetting that we need look only around us and within us to find the risen Jesus. “MEN of GALILEE, WHY DO YOU STAND LOOKING UP?”…
Bridget Puzon, O.S.U. How often we have first impressions that turn out to be far different realities. A person, a situation, an encounter, aren’t what we thought. First-hand accounts of the Easter stories show just such recognitions of reality. Days after the brutal death of Jesus, the Gospel stories after the event artfully show…
Anne Therese Dillen, O.S.U. HOLY, INDEED! A sacred march to town, with seating on a donkey’s colt; A path of palms thick-strewn, yet soon to be awash in tears; Joyous songs of children echoed by the very stones. HOLY, INDEED! A crowning for the King, a regal purple robe as well: A throne erected…
The watercolor Redemption and accompanying poem are by Sr. Anne Therese Dillen, OSU. WHAT IF…? Anne Therese Dillen, O.S.U. What if Lent, this lengthy entry into Spring — bereft of birdsong, flowers, warmth: a “fast” perhaps, but slow – What if this unwelcome word took on a different cast? Instead of time without —…
Backlit with Joy is the new vocation blog of the four U.S. provinces of the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. Sr. Elisa Ryan and Sr. Jean Hopman, vocation co-directors, invite you to visit them here to experience God’s presence through the joyful spirit of the Ursuline Sisters. Backlit With Joy
Marie-Celine Miranda, O.S.U. Christmas is coming. Time to celebrate. What are we really celebrating? All the stores seem to be celebrating, but people these days look pretty bushed, as far as I can see. It’s the birth of a baby, a long time ago. For a baby born a long time ago it’s a pretty…
The Advent watercolor of Mary and accompanying poem are by Sr. Anne Therese Dillen, OSU. ADVENT REFLECTION Waiting … Time will not be pushed, nor will the stubborn soil. Slowly, in the dark, seeds grow in silence, Till – ready to emerge – they nudge the earth to open And, womb-like, Gaia births and feeds…
Painting of Pentecost is a watercolor on canvas by Sr. Anne Therese Dillen, O.S.U. Pentecost Anne Therese Dillen, O.S.U. All is silent. The door is locked. O my heart, how often this is true! Fear prevails, But love entails An openness of heart … Yet mine is locked. How gently does He knock! Whisper-wind…