Sisters at the General Chapter of the Faithful Companions of Jesus come from various parts of the world where the Society has a presence. Today our moments of prayer had a Latin American flavour.
Sr Paula, from Salta, Argentina, placed on each table a mate made of clay, reminding us of our Constitutions, calling us to be empty vessels ready to receive all from God. Some of the mates were a little bit cracked and this recognises our fragility but also how light can shine through the cracks.
A folk music singer, songwriter and poet, Mariano Coll Mónico, has gifted our community in Salta, Argentina, with a song in honour of our foundress, Marie Madeleine d’Houët. One of our sisters provided him with a poem which he adapted, adding music in the style of the North West of Argentina. Here are the words followed by the translation.
EN HONOR A MARIE MADELEINE
Madre Marie Madeleine, madre viuda, madre abuela,
escudriñando en su alma lo que Dios quería de ella.
Orando frente a una cruz le ofreció su vida entera
y es allí donde Jesús ‘Tengo Sed’, le repitiera.
DULCE MARIE MADELEINE, COMPAÑERA DE JESÚS
COMO MARÍA MAGDALENA YO QUIERO SER COMO TU (BIS)
Ella fue la nueva fuente cual otra Samaritana,
que nos diera de beber a los sedientos del alma.
Nuestra hermana fundadora hizo el Señor que ella fuera
compañera de Jesús fiel reflejo de Su entrega.
DULCE MARIE MADELEINE, COMPAÑERA DE JESÚS
COMO MARÍA MAGDALENA YO QUIERO SER COMO TU (BIS)
Mother Marie Madeleine, Mother/widow, mother/grandmother,
searching her soul for what God wanted of her.
Praying before the Cross she offered her entire life
And that is where Jesus said to her, ‘I THIRST’.
Gentle Marie Madeleine, Companion of Jesus
As Mary Magdalene desired, I too want to be like You.
She was the new fountain-source, like the Samaritan woman,
giving drink to thirsty souls.
The Lord made of her, – our sister-foundress-
a companion of Jesus, faithful reflection of His self-giving.
Gentle Marie Madeleine, Companion of Jesus
Just as Mary Magdalen desired, I too want to be like You.
We sang this hymn at the end of our Eucharist, which included other bilingual songs in the tradition of the multicultural church of the Americas.
Our opening prayer in the morning was also in Spanish and encouraged us to keep inviting the Holy Spirit in our deliberations, as we continue discussing the matters of greater importance for the coming years and enter the process of elections. The song is Ven Espíritu Santo, by Cristóbal Fones, SJ. Below is our translation.
Ven, Espíritu Santo (Cristóbal Fones SJ, Chile)
Come, Holy Spirit Creator,
Come, fire that encourages life,
Come, water that cleanses and fertilizes us,
Breath that makes us walk.
You push history towards freedom,
you undo fears that bind,
you tear down the yokes that oppress voices,
you shake cowardice.
You are closer to my heart than I am myself,
you inhabit me, Spirit of love,
You move me inside, you impulse me to love,
you fill me with grace and tenderness.
You lift me up from the dust, you help me stand,
you reopen the pathway for me,
you print with fire on my heart,
the face of Christ the Lord,
Come, Holy Spirit Creator,
Come, Comforter of the poor.
Come, Holy Spirit Creator,
Come, fire that encourages life,
Come, Water that cleanses and fertilizes us,
Breath that makes us walk
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