With great joy about forty RSCJ gathered in the chapel of Hayes Stuart to celebrate the opening of the new novitiate, and the entry of three new novices. We were joined by some friends, including students from Barat House - with whom Katie had lived as a candidate - who provided music for the liturgy.

First we opened the novitiate, by listening to the Gospel account of the Visitation and installing the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, followed by a time of silent adoration. We prayed that Siobhan, Katie and Karen will learn to make the Eucharist the centre of their lives, as our foundress Sophie desired for all of us; and that they will grow daily in their understanding of this mystery, which will become their strongest support of life in community and the reason for breaking their lives for others.

Siobhan, Katie and Karen were then officially received as novices, and given copies of the Constitutions and hand-carved medals of the Society's heart symbol. They were reminded that the Constitutions are the guide and inspiration for our lives, and that the symbol is a reminder of their desire to grow in the love of the Heart of Jesus.

The liturgy ended with a Blessing Prayer for a New Beginning by John O'Donohue (below) - read by RSCJ who have journeyed with the three in different ways  - and the Magnificat. The celebrations then continued over a splendid tea provided by the community of Hayes Emmaus.

 

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the grey promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
This is at one with your lifes desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.