May Procession 2021

For centuries, pilgrims have journeyed to shrines where Mary has appeared.  These Marian shrines, at Lourdes, Fatima, Loreto and many other places, have procured blessings for those who go there to honor Mary.  The Church has always encouraged devotion to Mary, the Mother of God and our mother.  St. Bernard once said:  “Mary has made herself all to all, and opens her merciful heart to all, that all may receive of her fullness:  to the sick, health; to those in affliction,  comfort; to the sinner, pardon; and to God, glory”.  We at Camilla Hall offered praise and honor to Mary, “our life, our sweetness, and our hope”.  May Mary, our Blessed Mother, direct us to Jesus, her Son and our brother.  Amen.

March is Women’s History Month, and “Her-story” is being made every day.  Celebrate the unique gifts that God has given to each woman, each man, every girl and boy.

Let us together give thanks for the call of Christ to follow him into a broken world and to lead the church into making all things new.

Let us sing praises to our God that we can claim the amazing sweet gift of "Ruah", the sacred Spirit that gives us life!  Let us offer our service and leadership – gifts of peacemaking, compassion, perseverance, unity and love – and use them for the sake of all God’s children.

We pray/ and offer thanks for women all over the world:

• Praise to you, women leaders of the seven continents, for your many works of justice.
• Praise to you, women leaders of Asia, for confronting trafficking of women.
• Praise to you, women leaders of Africa, for raising your voices to stop AIDS.
• Praise to you, women leaders of Europe, for your peacekeeping.
• Praise to you, women leaders of North America, for confronting economic inequities and racism.
• Praise to you, women leaders of South America, for struggling against U.S. domination of your land.
• Praise to you, women leaders in Antarctica, for your scientific research.
• Praise to you, women leaders of Australia, for supporting indigenous cultures. 

Holy God, be with us now as we meditate on your Son’s journey to Calvary. Remind us that still, in this present day, many of your children continue that walk to Calvary, carrying heavy, difficult crosses. May we be Simon to those whose burdens are too heavy to be borne alone. May we be Veronica to those who need the touch of love and comfort. And may we, struggling with our own crosses, always remember your promises of justice, mercy and peace. Amen 

On Wednesday, January 15, the actual birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Sisters celebrated his life within Evening Prayer.  The prayer concluded with WE SHALL OVERCOME.  Let us remember his words and deeds and try to make the world a better place for all to dwell.

"I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world.  It is not an expression of impractical idealism, but of practical realism.  Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, love is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization.  To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe.  Someone must have sense enough and religion enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil, and this can only be done through love."

                                     --Martin Luther King, Jr. in The Prayers of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Vol IV