Quote by Janet Erskine Stuart: "Your Life is a Sacred Journey. It is about change, growth, ..."

Wisteria Walk at the University of Roehampton

August 20th

"Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement and transformation.  It is continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul teaching you to see clearly and deeply, helping you to listen to your intuition."

Janet Erskine Stuart RSCJ (1857-1914)

6th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart

The above quote is taken from the perpetual spiral-bound calendar "The Life Lived" which celebrates the Centenary of Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ - (click here to order). And. to order your very own Janet Erskine Stuart Centenary Memorabilia - click here.

"Easter Sunday Resurrection", A Poem by Elizabeth Grantham, RSCJ

Easter Sunday

Resurrection

Tears and peace are one

Where you break through the walls that fear raised high
To touch the cowering self and bid come forth
Lazarus from the tomb, securely seated,
to recognize the Lord of life and love
And all of the wondrous openings
To freedom and to wholeness and to peace.
Joy grows and swells and fills the very earth
With tears of recognition:
"I am thou and thou art me"  and this is life
In all its tangled roots and thrusting stems,
Opening to flowers bearing fruit
That all may pluck and eat.
"This is my body, given for you."
"Drink of this cup, my outpoured life,
That you may live abundantly anew.
This is my gift; do as I do.
Be me, for I am with you
And life is yours."

Elizabeth Grantham, R.S.C.J.
Province of England - Wales

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.  If you have a favorite poem written by an alum or RSCJ that you would like to share, please send to AASH PAST PRESIDENT MER 

"Easter Reflection" A Poem by April O'Leary, RSCJ

Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue - Bloomfield Hills, MI

High on the clean and wind-washed hills
Christ in His beauty stands
And looks on the jewel He loves to hold
In His sheltering and nail-pierced hands

The rustling tree-tops softly stir
in whispering and hushed surprise
the flowers at His feet look up and see
their reflection in Love’s own eyes.

Lovely the wind in the pale smooth grass,
and the hills in their shadow filled folds,
and lovely the light on the tumbled clouds
that reflects on the jewel He holds.

Christ in His radiance walks the woods
and looks on His house with love
and the peace of his passing lingers long
in the wind smoothed hills above.

                                ---Poem written in 1949 by April O'Leary, RSCJ (1922-2013)

Province of England - Wales

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.  If you have a favorite poem written by an alum or RSCJ that you would like to share, please send to AASH PAST PRESIDENT MER

Happiness - A Poem by April O'Leary, RSCJ

The Happy Faces of Sacred Heart Schools Chicago -  "Brownie Troop"

Happiness

The mad philosopher


nibbling peanuts, feeding


lettuce to his


tortoise, chocolate


beans


to children button-eyed


with wonder,


burrowing into skies


like velvet


with a telescope


once used


at Trafalgar



is happy


to advance the cause


of happiness


by being


happy

April O'Leary , RSCJ (1922-2013)

Province of England - Wales

As we end National Poetry Month and enter the Merry Month of May how providential that I should discover this evening a lovely poem written by Sr. April O'Leary. The photo above is taken from Sacred Heart Schools Chicago and shows the very happy faces of the Brownie Troop. 

More about Sr. April O'Leary taken from the Society of the Sacred Heart England & Wales website is below. 

Born in 1922, April was one of 34 cousins to be educated at Sacred Heart schools, like their mothers and grandmother. During the Second World War she worked on farms as a "land girl", then in a NAAFI canteen and an aircraft factory before joining the Society in 1946. She made her first vows in September 1948 - 65 years ago - and was finally professed in 1955.

April read English Literature at Oxford, and taught this for many years at our schools  in Hove, Tunbridge Wells and St Julian's in Malta, and at Digby Stuart College. She later moved into spirituality work, spending seven years as part of our community at Llannerchwen, near Brecon, and then at Marden Lodge, in the grounds of Woldingham School. Both were rural locations, which the former "land girl" enjoyed immensely. In 2010 ill health meant a move to Duchesne House, where she died after a short illness.

Among other things April was a gifted writer and poet, and it is fitting that she should express herself in her own words. You can read her account of her vocation here, and some of her poetry here and here.

Several years ago, when a young sister made her first vows, April sent her a quote, from Julian of Norwich, which meant a lot to her. We can be sure that when April arrived in the fullness of God's presence, she heard these words once more:

My darling I am glad that thou art come to me, in all thy woe I have been ever with thee, now seest thou my loving, and we be oned in bliss.