Prayer to End Human Trafficking in Persons

From: the School Sisters of Notre Dame (Gen Cassani, SSND)

O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of children and adults deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed.

Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights
are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force.
We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.

Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted.
Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers
with a love that is tender and good,
and send the exploiters away empty handed.

Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them,
that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen.

May Peace Prevail on Earth

By Henrita Frost, SSND

Recently, my heart aches, as I behold pictures of the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong – un, looking through his binoculars and seeming to enjoy North Korea’s latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic  missile as it rises from the earth and pierces the atmosphere. The thoughts terrorize me as I think of the possibility that someday a missile could explode bringing destruction and death to an earth community and its people.

Today June 20 Is World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is a day celebrated around the globe to honor the strength and resilience of refugees.

Refugees are individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution, war, violence, and famine. For many of us, when we hear the word “refugee”, we think of the most vulnerable individuals in the world – images of the boy on the beach in Syria or a starving child somewhere in a camp in Africa. But the word “refugee” means much more than that – it also represents strength, courage, and the human capacity to succeed.

World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate the strengths of individuals who have come to our country and made it a better place.

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Seeking the Ever Present Moment, or How Puffs are Training for Presence

By Henrita Frost, SSND 

One day I asked myself what are you hungering for?  I truly hunger for the presence of the Divine within – the God of compassion.  For fleeting moments it happens and puff it is gone – my distractible mind did it again.  Wait it is back!  I entered the present moment again – briefly, but for sure – puff it is gone again.  O God, I am exhausted by puffs – I beg, give me only presence.

Two Chapel Doors

By Henrita Frost, SSND

Our Christine Center Chapel, Mary of the Angels, holds many memories of preparing for the Solemn Blessing of its Altar on September 5, 2010.  Recently as I was meditating in the Chapel, I remembered how our staff was preparing the Chapel for the blessing.  Laurie Bieze, stained glass artist, who created the Chapel windows was present.

As she was installing the stained glass doors, I heard a voice saying: “we like them the other way.”  Without hesitation Laurie honored the suggestion and turned the door windows upside down.

Roll the Stones Away

By Henrita Frost, SSND

An Easter Encounter
Welcome transformation
Roll the stones away

If Easter and the Resurrection are to be alive in our times and lives, it is crucial for us to become an Easter People in these unbelievably difficult times in which we live.  We know them, we can feel them and we can hear the cries of our suffering sisters and brothers.

Allow the Resurrection experience to be present.  Feel the stone being moved from the entrance of the tomb.  Rejoice Jesus is freed.   What great hope is ours!  Our great challenge is to be transformed by the Resurrection!  As we experience the stone being removed from the tomb, consider removing the stones that bind our lives and prevent us from being an Easter People.

The Easter path is mysterious and it is ours to navigate by rolling away stone upon stone.  Then freedom can emerge as we become transformed, bringing Easter Hope, Joy and Love wherever we are, and to all beings that we encounter.

Easter hope is here
Stone upon stone rolled away
Joy and love live here

Feast of Annunciation

Reflection and Mandala by Henrita Frost, SSND

Often as I gazed on the image of Mary’s Annunciation in my office, a desire evolved within me to create a mandala with Mary as the center surrounded by a rosary. Connecting the beads is the symbol of the Charter for Compassion, for Mary has become for me the Cosmic Mother of Compassion.

Mary accompanies my meditations, my hopes and desires to bring passionate compassion to my daily journey and to the Global Community.

This desire grows within me as the presence of the rosary accompanies my life.

 

Image of Mary from: The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898

An Ashes Journey With Compassion

By Henrita Frost, SSND

The experience of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday continues to be a companion on my daily journey.  I view ashes as integral to countless daily lives of women, men and children and all beings in our Common Home.  I remember that the once lovely palms became ashes.  Now, almost daily in our global community, once lovely countries become rubble and ashes, through violence.

Compassion for All

By Henrita Frost, SSND

Compassion for all!

A tear stained voice pleads for it

For abused animals

As I listened to a television commercial about abused animals, I entered into a deep sorrow as I heard a voice that seemed to cry.  It led me into a profound realization of sensing suffering in all beings that exists today.

Compassionately Approaching Chaos

By Henrita Frost, SSND

 The Annunciation – Henry Ossawa Tanner – 1898 

Across from my desk is this image of Mary contemplating the invitation to be the Mother of Jesus.  The light radiates the call to her.  This image is often a comfort to me as I ponder my life.

I sit somewhat paralyzed as I feel the call to alleviate the chaos that permeates our nation. Once I learned that the challenge is always to embrace chaos.  Embrace it and respond!