Angela Reflection

January 2020

“...be joyous and always full of charity, faith, and hope in God.” 
Rule—On Virginity

How will you and I begin this New Year?  Will we be making any changes?  Will we make any resolutions? If so, will they be material, emotional, physical, or spiritual? St. Angela Merici’s words in her Rule speak of ways we can BE as we move into a New Year, not so much what we DO. Maybe we are be called to BE more—and better.

Be joyous—be full of charity—be faithful—be a person of hope.

No one can dictate to us how to go about “be-ing.” This is something we have to work on, on our own. Angela’s words are a definite challenge. Life often dictates to us how we respond to situations and experiences we face each day. Can we or do we need to respond differently? 

Be joyous—be full of charity—be faithful—be a person of hope.

These words are a guide for us—a motto—a code of conduct. Our world today is in desperate need of values that bring about peace and justice.  How we relate to one another is so important.

Be joyous—be full of charity—be faithful—be a person of hope.

Let us strengthen our faith and hope in God—let us reach out to others in need in ways that make a difference—let us keep our hearts lifted to God in a spirit of joy and goodness. Let us BE who we are called to be.

 

Sister Donna Frey, OSU
Ursuline and Catholic Identity