God’s peace be with you, in these unusual days which God has allowed the world to experience. We hope you and your loved ones are safe.
We hope many people will be brought closer to the Lord during this time, realizing their great need for Him.
We have been praying much against the coronavirus. A few days ago we had a procession throughout Marycrest, asking Our Lady’s help and sprinkling holy water in all the areas.
Saint Joseph is also a very special friend and protector of our community, and on his feast day, March 19, we had another procession, carrying his picture, reciting the litany of Saint Joseph, singing, and sharing our petitions.
We are also praying twice daily, as Pope Francis has asked, his prayer to the Mother of Divine Love. You may like to do the same:
Mother of Divine Love, you, salvation of your people, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Dear Heavenly Mother, help us to live these difficult days filled with hope, with renewed unity, with a true spirit of obedience to what is required of us, with the certainty that after this trial we may arrive at the blessed and glorious hour of the Resurrection.
This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of our foundation, and in very early March (before the virus spread) several Parish Visitors made a pilgrimage to various sites in New York City which are a part of our community’s history. Come with us as we review our pilgrimage. While walking with us, ask the intercession of our foundress, Servant of God Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, for your vocation.
When Mother Mary Teresa Tallon arrived from Utica, New York by railroad to New York City, she then took the subway to West 72nd Street. We also traveled by subway to the West 72nd Street station. Arriving there, we headed to Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church on West 71st Street.
In the early days of our community, before we had daily Mass in our convent, the Sisters walked the two blocks to Blessed Sacrament Church each day. We were glad to be able to have Mass in this beautiful church and to pray for our community. The pastor, Father David Nolan, recognized us as Parish Visitors and reminded us that one of our Parish Visitor Sisters had encouraged him, many years ago, to become a priest!
We walked the two blocks to the house which was the convent of our August 15, 1920 foundation, 328 West 71st Street. We prayed there for the community and talked informally with some of the passersby. Unexpectedly we were invited inside the building as well. This building is now being used as offices for a school. What a privilege to visit the “cradle of our community”!
Between these two sites we happened to pass a very tiny public park, not much wider than a driveway! We had brought our lunches, and it was the perfect place to stop and have lunch.
We then walked to West 61st Street to get as close as we could to the site where
St. Paul’s parish convent had been, where Mother Foundress, on January 25, 1908 at Mass, received the fullness of the inspiration to begin our community. We couldn’t get to the exact site, as a college is using the property now. At this site also we prayed for our community.
After that we walked the block or so to the large St. Paul the Apostle Church, where Mother Foundress would have gone for so many First Communions and other occasions.
This painting in St. Paul the Apostle Church could apply to Mother Foundress. She certainly “kept the faith” through many trials and difficulties. We praise God for the foundation of this community one hundred years ago.
Everywhere we went, people were extraordinarily friendly–smiling, talking, asking or promising prayers, giving us seats on the subway. We arrived home tired but happy to have the privilege of this special pilgrimage. May the graces of this pilgrimage extend to our whole community and to all of you who are reading this!
May God bless you now and always!
In Jesus,
Sister Dolores Marie