Order In France Founded For Women Religious With Downs Syndrome

[das8949]

Below is an article I found pm FB  submitted by Imagine Sisters

 

 

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2014/07/women-with-down-syndrome-respond-to-gods-call/

 

  

Women With Down Syndrome Respond to God’s Call

July 26, 2014 by Kathy Schiffer 4 Comments

To offer oneself to God, in witness to the Gospel of Life.

This is the mission of the Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb, a contemplative order in France which opens its doors to women who feel a call to religious life, but who may be turned away from other orders because they have Down Syndrome.  The community depends on other sisters who do not have Down Syndrome, but who have committed to share their lives with these lovely, holy women.

The community was founded in 1985 with the support and encouragement of Jerome Lejeune, the French pediatrician and geneticist whose laboratory research uncovered the link to chromosomal abnormalities including Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).

In 1990, the group was canonically recognized as a public association by the Archbishop of Tours. The Sisters now reside in a priory in Blanc, where they model their lives after St. Therese of Lisieux’s “Little Way”.  A leaflet published by the community explains:

We follow every day the “little way” taught by Saint Therese; knowing that “great actions are forbidden to us”, we learn from her to receive everything from God, to “love for the brothers who fight”, to “scatter flowers for Jesus”, and to pray for the intentions entrusted to us.

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2014/07/women-with-down-syndrome-respond-to-gods-call/#ixzz38d0oFmso

[OnlySunshine]

How beautiful!  I wish they would make a male community for those with Downs.  I know a very Christlike young man who so desires to give his life to God as a religious Brother but is unable to because of his Downs. 

[superblue]

wow that is really inspiring,  and then I keep wondering how I am going to find my place in the world, to serve Christ, with all of my anxiety and problems,,,, then a lil ray of hope pops up that maybe if such a community like this is in the world, perhaps I can find where I belong after all.

[Nunsuch]

All of the altar servers in my parish are adults with developmental disabilities, including Down Syndrome. They live in L'Arche communities, which offers another opportunity for differently abled people to live together in community with a spiritual foundation. (Not all L'Arche members are Catholic, but its origins are Catholic, and most members are.)
http://www.larcheusa.org/

Here is a picture of three L'Arche members who are altar servers.
http://www.larchesyracuse.org/SpiritualLife.html

Edited July 27, 2014 by Nunsuch

[brandelynmarie]

Little Sister Disciples of the Lamb & L'Arche :love:

[truthfinder]

How beautiful!  I wish they would make a male community for those with Downs.  I know a very Christlike young man who so desires to give his life to God as a religious Brother but is unable to because of his Downs. 

 

They do have a male community - including one house in Kansas

http://www.communautedelagneau.org/en/petits-freres-de-l-agneau/

[OnlySunshine]

They do have a male community - including one house in Kansas

http://www.communautedelagneau.org/en/petits-freres-de-l-agneau/

 

Wow!  I wonder if the young man I know is aware of this community?  Thank you!  :)

Edited July 27, 2014 by MaterMisericordiae

[Catherine Therese]

Blown away by this.

How incredibly beautiful!

[Spem in alium]

Oh wow, how beautiful! Praise the Lord!

[twohearts]

TruthFinder:

The community in Kansas is another community of both men & of women that is in no way connected with French community for the women w/Down's Syndrome.

[OnlySunshine]

They do have a male community - including one house in Kansas

http://www.communautedelagneau.org/en/petits-freres-de-l-agneau/

 

 

TruthFinder:

The community in Kansas is another community of both men & of women that is in no way connected with French community for the women w/Down's Syndrome.

 

Twohearts is right.  The one in the US is a totally different community with no Downs Syndrome members.  :(

[Comingback]

Well, I would just love to join the community in France.  

[truthfinder]

TruthFinder:

The community in Kansas is another community of both men & of women that is in no way connected with French community for the women w/Down's Syndrome.

Thanks for the correction.  

[1054]

This is awesome.  Blown away by this!

[1054]

*** aWesome...

Tried to edit but my computer is changing the 'w' to a 'm'... 

Edited July 28, 2014 by 1054