Over the 2012 August Bank holiday weekend members of England-Wales and Ireland-Scotland met at a Gathering at Kilgraston school, near Perth. We prayed and reflected together on that which unites us: the spirituality of the Heart and the Constitutions which lie at the heart of our common call; we also relaxed in each others' company, forming new friendships and strengthening existing ones. We were joined throughout by Jim Crampsey SJ, who celebrated the Eucharist with us each day.

The mornings were spent together in the whole group. On the first day we had input into the spirituality of St Madeleine Sophie from Phil Kilroy RSCJ, from Ireland-Scotland, author of Madeleine Sophie Barat: A Life and The Society of the Sacred Heart in 19th Century France. On the next day Helen McLaughlin RSCJ, also from IRS and Superior General 1982-1994, provided input into the interior life in our Constitutions and our tradition. On the final day the ENW Vocations Ministry team - Barbara Sweeney RSCJ, Lorraine Pratt RSCJ and Silvana Dallanegra RSCJ - led an interactive reflection on the essentials of our call and spirituality.

We then spent time in small groups praying over parts of our Constitutions. Different RSCJ also led workshops on a variety of themes, such as Janet Stuart, sacred dance and praying with art and images. A few of the participants share their reflections below: -

Mary Barrow RSCJ (ENW): The gathering at Kilgraston was for me a meeting of old and new friends in a setting that was unthreatening. It was so good to be able to share with each other at some depth the foundation of our calling and life as rscj,to take time to go deeper into the spirituality of the heart, the Heart of God. The Co-coordinating committee were inspired and offered enough suggestions to help make it possible.

Maureen Cunnion RSCJ (ENW): There was a wonderful sense of Cor Unum. I enjoyed every minute! I felt that real links have been made between the two Provinces. The meeting was really well organised with a variety of activities.

How can we keep this flame going???

Jim Crampsey SJ: I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the assembly of the two provinces. It was great to meet up with old friends and make new ones. I found my own sense of religious life illumined, deepened and encouraged by the inputs and conversations.

Therese O'Donnell RSCJ (IRS): I was unable to be present at some of the Gathering sessions, so that my initial feeling was that of an observer. As such, I was completely surprised by the abiding sense of community amongst the group. I share Fr. Jim's impression - had I not known that this was a gathering of two provinces I would never have guessed it! There were so many rscj who knew each other and were delighted to meet, that it seemed like a very large family gathering. I understood then that our underlying sense of Cor Unum is stronger than any sense of difference or distance.

Mairead Quigley RSCJ (ENW): I have never worked in Kilgraston. My one and only visit was with a group of Irish Girl Guides for a few days over 30 years ago. My main memories are of a warm welcome and the fascination of the girls with the rabbits on the front lawn. Some of them were out on the lawn watching them at 6.30 am each morning.

It is 29 years since I came to join the English/Welsh Province so I was excited and a little apprehensive coming to this meeting. So many old friends had died, and would I remember the names and faces of those whom had been part of my life in the Irish/Scottish Province for the previous 29years? would they remember me? Yes they did and yes I did!

To my joy and surprise every moment was a delight. The planning was perfect and even more so because there was such a sense of freedom. Great sadness at the home going of Eileen Hannan - she had taught me as a child in Roscrea and been one of those who had inspired and encouraged me to think about religious life. Yet it's wonderfully fitting that she died on the very day we were gathering in her beloved Kilgraston.

It was all a living mainifestion of our precious COR UNUM.

Mary Hinde RSCJ (ENW): The Gathering for me  it was just that, a meeting of friends and followers of Jesus and Sophie. I felt a sense of being at home which transcended, but also reverenced, our differences of age, culture, theology, history and experience of church.

During the liturgy at the end we were asked to write something about the experience. Janet Stuarts image of highways and byways came to me. Highways head for clear destinations, are signposted and straight. Byways take unexpected turns and wander off pursuing sunlight without leading anywhere the journeying is what is important.  We had been on a byway, slower, more mysterious and inviting than a speedy highway. Thank you to all who trod this byway.

Click here to read an account on the Irish-Scottish website