Feast of Friendship
I love today’s feast of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. It highlights for me the beginning of a long line of friendships that have marked the history of our congregation over the years. The presence of Jesus was the central focus in the friendship between these two women. They were united because of Him and it was in Him that together they glorified God.
This history of friendship continued for us as St. Julie, our spiritual mother, worked closely with a friend, Francoise, to found the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Some years later, it was in the sharing of a dream between Hilligonde and Elizabeth that our own congregation in Coesfeld was born. We continue to live today the words in our Constitutions: “We appreciate true friendship which has its center in Jesus Christ and unites us in him.”
One of the many ways we are better together is by inviting our Associates to join us in living our Notre Dame charism and spirit. These 100+ women and men in our Toledo province, as well as many others throughout the world, are friends and companions with us as we proclaim God’s goodness wherever we are. For more information about our Associate program, visit www.toledosnd.org and click on the Make a Difference tab at the top. Today’s feast of the Visitation is our Associates’ patronal feast and we join them in grateful prayer today.
Who are the friends in your life who recognize Jesus living within you and support you in proclaiming the goodness of God?
This feast is one of my favorites. As someone involved in spiritual direction and retreat ministry, I am especially touched by this feast … for me, it is the quintessential feast for spiritual companions … the meeting of the two women and their experience of God in that meeting is the spark of life and love in the spiritual walk. Christ comes to birth in a new way … joy is rekindled … life leaps forth … Emmanuel … God is with us … comes ALIVE in every encounter in spiritual companionship. Mary and Elizabeth … Julie and Francoise … Hilligonde and Elisabeth … pray for us as we walk with those who come for spiritual encouragement on the journey! Show us the way to be “kindred hearts” to one another!