Nano’s call: a call that’s for all pilgrims

JANUARY REFLECTION

By Sr Susan Richert:

On the 25th Dec. 1775, two hundred and fifty years ago, a small event happened that was to ripple through the world. At the age of 57, Nano Nagle along with three companions founded the Congregation of the Presentation Sisters.

This moment of grace calls us to enter more fully into the mystery of God who continually calls so that the cry of God’s people is heard and responded to…

Nano’s call was not just for those who follow in her footsteps as committed Religious woman but for all pilgrims. It is a call “to a way of life, rooted in stillness, contemplation and wonder at the mystery of God and of all God’s creation.

Ø “The best works meet with the greatest crosses.” Nano Nagle (Letter XV1)

When Nano was setting up her schools, she met opposition and in fact was committing an act of treason but she was undeterred. In trying to put her schools on a firm footing, she spent a long time negotiating with the Ursulines in France to come and run the schools, only to find when they arrived, they would not leave the cloister. Nano had to start again -and did so by founding her own institute.

I often think of how some very beautiful delicate flowers are found coming up through cracks in the pavement and the effort and perseverance it must take to do that.

Ø “The Almighty is all-sufficient”  Nano Nagle (Letter 1)

Faced with disappointment  Nano held fast to hope and putting her  faith in the sufficiency of God she ventured forth to found her own society. Her faithfulness in prayer and in the care of the vulnerable  - a lesson to her followers to keep the light of God’s love as the centre point of their lives.

May our  lives of  deepening contemplation enable us to live with in : the Almighty is all- sufficient.