Religious Life Poetry

[Lisa]

Found on the passionist nuns' site:[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] Who believes in the Absolute[/center][center] and aarrr and aarrr arises in search of it,[/center][center] Laughin' at all who[/center][center] Speak of the impossibility of it,[/center]

[center] For a woman, who is a nun,[/center][center] Knows that the impossible[/center][center] Becomes the possible in a matter of seconds,[/center][center] At the biddin' of her Beloved[/center]

[center] A nun is a woman who has become mad,[/center][center] Totally, irrevocably mad![/center][center] For she has accepted[/center][center] The stand aarrrard of God’s wisdom[/center][center] Which is in truth folly to man.[/center]

[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] Hangin' on the other[/center][center] Side of His cross[/center][center] Knowin' that it becomes[/center][center] His marriage bed with her[/center][center] The moment she asks[/center][center] “To be lifted up” with Him.[/center]

[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] Of the water and aarrr the towel[/center][center] Constantly kneelin' before[/center][center] Mankind to wash its[/center][center] Tired feet.[/center]

[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] In love with God – hence with all humanity[/center][center] Always…constantly…totally![/center]

[center] A nun is a prayer -[/center][center] Everlastin'ly liftin' her arms to God[/center][center] For those who don’t.[/center]

[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] Who fasts[/center][center] Knowin' well how fast fast reaches[/center][center] The heart of God![/center]

[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] Wrapped in the[/center][center] Poverty of God,[/center][center] The mantle of[/center][center] His surrender, His emptyin'![/center]

[center] A nun is a woman[/center][center] Who exists[/center][center] To show that God exists too.[/center]


[center]~ Catherine de Hueck Doherty[/center]

Edited September 19, 2011 by Lisa

[Lisa]

the pirate fiddler really destroyed this poem. Will repost tomorrow.

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='Lisa' timestamp='1316452376' post='2307031']
the pirate fiddler really destroyed this poem. Will repost tomorrow.
[/quote]

It brought a big smile to me face though to imagine a piratenun or even nunpirate

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='Lisa' timestamp='1316452376' post='2307031']
the pirate fiddler really destroyed this poem. Will repost tomorrow.
[/quote]

I be wonderin' what be up with the poem, as the Passionists don't usually say "arrrrrrrrrrr"

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='LaPetiteSoeur' timestamp='1316452548' post='2307036']

Passionists don't usually say "arrrrrrrrrrr"
[/quote]

dUSt should use that as one of the taglines!

[MissScripture]

This made me laugh so hard!

[sistersintigo]

Well, at least I don't see any MATEY MATEY s.

[FutureSister2009]

i be wonderin' what be wrong with it! It's still nice though!

[i<3franciscans]

This made me laugh. I loved it anyway. Plus I be recently Captain Hook in a play, so now this has a special place in me heart.

[HopefulBride]

So it is a pirate fiddler. Soooo when will it be over?

[Lisa]

I'm assumin' tomorrow- today is International Talk like a Pirate Day.

[HopefulBride]

Oh wow. I didn't realize thar be such a day. lol

darn fiddler!!

Edited September 19, 2011 by HopefulBride

[Feankie]

Just call me Mr. (or Ms.) Smee, matey I thought I needed stronger lenses in me glasses when I read this.

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

Strangely (or maybe it's not so strange), many of me posts seem to be BETTER in pirate talk. (Although one day is plenty.)

[TIWW]

[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] [/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] [/size][/font][font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][b][color=#333333][size=4] [size=5]Per Pacem Ad Lucem[/size][/size][/color][/b][size=5] [/size][/font]

[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] I do not ask, O Lord, that thou should shed[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Full radiance here;[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Give but a ray of peace, that I may tread[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Without a fear.[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] [/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] I do not ask my cross to understand,[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] My way to see;[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Better in darkness just to feel Thy hand[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] And follow Thee.[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] [/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Joy is like restless day; but peace divine[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Like quiet night:[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Lead me, O Lord,—till perfect Day shall shine,[/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] Through Peace to Light. [/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5] [/size][/font]
[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif][size=5]From a poem by Adelaide Proctor[/size][/font]

Edited September 20, 2011 by TIWW

[Pax_et bonum]

I love [url="http://www.houndsofheaven.com/thepoem.htm"][i]The Hound of Heaven[/i][/url] by Francis Thompson I think it can be applied to religious life, or more so discernment and running from it at first. It's a bit long to post it all, though.

[size=4]I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;[/size]
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat--and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet--
"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."
[...]
[size=4]For, though I knew His love Who followed,
Yet was I sore adread
Lest having Him, I must have naught beside[/size]

Edited September 21, 2011 by Pax_et bonum

[IamMyBeloveds]

[b]To Mary among us [/b]

"Mothers to the motherless
Children to the childless
Sisters to the sisterless
Solace in our sorrow

Sacrifice of love for all our sins
Petitions endless in our endless grief ...

Behold thy mother
Behold thy daughter
Behold thy sister

Behold, O lesser son of Man,
The Bride of Christ!

... in supplication on her knees ... for thee --- for thee!"




(Not sure where I found this, I can't find it online anymore. It was originally on http://www.boston-catholic-journal.com, I believe.

[Lisa]

To live of love- St. Therese

The eve His life of love drew near its end,
Thus Jesus spoke: "Whoever loveth Me,
And keeps My word as Mine own faithful friend,
My Father, then and I his guests will be;
Within his heart will make Our dwelling above.
Our palace home, true type of heaven above.
There, filled with peace, We will that he shall rest,
With us, in love.


Incarnate Word! Thou Word of God alone!
To live of love, 'tis to abide with Thee.
Thou knowest I love Thee, Jesus Christ, my Own!
Thy Spirit's fire of love enkindleth me.
By loving Thee, I draw the Father here
Down to my heart, to stay with me always.
Blest Trinity! Thou art my prisoner dear,
Of love, to-day.


To live of love, 'tis by Thy life to live,
O glorious King, my chosen, sole Delight!
Hid in the Host, how often Thou dost give
Thyself to those who seek Thy radiant light.
Then hid shall be my life, unmarked, unknown,
That I may have Thee heart to heart with me;
For loving souls desire to be alone,
With love, and Thee!


To live of love, 'tis not to fix one's tent
On Tabor's height and there with Thee remain.
'Tis to climb Calvary with strength nigh spent,
And count Thy heavy cross our truest gain.
In heaven, my life a life of joy shall be,
The heavy cross shall then be gone for aye.
Here upon earth, in suffering with Thee,
Love! let me stay.


To live of love, 'tis without stint to give,
An never count the cost, nor ask reward;
So, counting not the cost, I long to live
And show my dauntless love for Thee, dear Lord!
O Heart Divine, o'erflowing with tenderness,
How swift I run, who all to Thee has given!
Naught but Thy love I need, my life to bless.
That love is heaven!


To live of love, it is to know no fear;
No memory of past faults can I recall;
No imprint of my sins remaineth here;
The fire of Love divine effaces all.
O sacred flames! O furnace of delight!
I sing my safe sweet happiness to prove.
In these mild fires I dwell by day, by night.
I live of love!



To live of love, 'tis in my heart to guard
A mighty treasure in a fragile vase.
Weak, weak, am I, O well beloved Lord!
Nor have I yet an angel's perfect grace.
But, if I fall each hour that hurries by,
Thou com'st to me from Thy bright home above,
And, raising me, dost give me strength to cry:
I live of love!



To live of love it is to sail afar
And bring both peace and joy where'er I be.
0 Pilot blest! love is my guiding star;
In every soul I meet, Thyself I see.
Safe sail I on, through wind or rain or ice;
Love urges me, love conquers every gale.
High on my mast behold is my device:
"By love I sail!"


To live of love, it is when Jesus sleeps
To sleep near Him, though stormy waves beat nigh.
Deem not I shall awake Him! On these deeps
Peace reigns, like that the Blessed know on high.
To Hope, the voyage seems one little day;
Faith's hand shall soon the veil between remove;
'Tis Charity that swells my sail always.
I live of love!


To live of love, 0 Master dearest, best!
It is to beg Thee light Thy holiest fires
Within the soul of each anointed priest,
Till he shall feel the Seraphim's desires;
It is to beg Thee guard Thy Church, 0 Christ!
For this I plead with Thee by night, by day;
And give myself, in sacrifice unpriced,
With love always!


To live of love, it is to dry Thy tears,
To seek for pardon for each sinful soul,
To strive to save all men from doubts and fears,
And bring them home to Thy benign control.
Comes to my ear sin's wild and blasphemous roar;
So, to efface each day, that burning shame,
I cry: " 0 Jesus Christ! I Thee adore.
I love Thy Name!"


To live of love, 'tis Mary's part to share,
To bathe with tears and odorous perfume
Thy holy feet, to wipe them with my hair,
To kiss them; then still loftier lot assume,
To rise, and by Thy side to take my place,
And pour my ointments on Thy holy head.
But with no balsams I embalm Thy Face!
'Tis love, instead!


"To live of love, what foolishness she sings!"
So cries the world. "Renounce such idle joy!
Waste not thy perfumes on such trivial things.
In useful arts thy talents now employ!"
To love Thee, Jesus! Ah, this loss is gain;
For all my perfumes no reward seek I.
Quitting the world, I sing in death's sweet pain:
Of love I die!


To die of love, O martyrdom most blest!
For this I long, this is my heart's desire;
My exile ends; I soon will be at rest.
Ye Cherubim, lend, lend to me your lyre!
O dart of Seraphim, O flame of love,
Consume me wholly; hear my ardent cry!
Jesu, make real my dream! Come Holy Dove!
Of love I die!


To die of love, behold my life's long hope!
God is my one exceeding great reward.
He of my wishes forms the end and scope;
Him only do I seek; my dearest Lord.
With passionate love for Him my heart is riven.
O may He quickly come! He draweth nigh!
Behold my destiny, behold my heaven,
[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#FFFFFF"] OF LOVE TO DIE.[/color][/size][/font]

[Chiara Francesco]

From a Sr. Judith (deceased) at the Ty Mam Duw Poor Clare Colettine nuns in Wales, UK. A wonderful poem for a "barefoot, beggar" - truly St. Clare and St. Francis!:

[size=5][i]The wounded hands of Jesus,
outstretched, to me entreat,
who, running, fall before him
to kiss his wounded feet.
So, barefoot, as a beggar,
may I thy bride, Lord, be.
I lay my hand in thine, Lord,
for I belong to thee.[/i][/size]


[size=5][i]More her poetry and her picture on this page: [/i][/size]http://www.poorclarestmd.org/witnesses/sister/judith.html

[Clare~Therese]

St. Therese's poem and the one above by Sr. Judith are making me cry a little.
Why am I so emotional about these things today?