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Heart-To-Heart Talk
Everytime someone called her by her new name, Mother Thecla seemed to hear the words of the Founder given in a sermon:
"The superior is to be a model of religious observance: in community life, in poverty, in work, in the spirit of sacrifice, at table, at rest, in the apostolate, in clothing, in furnishings."
It was all so new to Mother Thecla. Sometimes she felt like a fish floundering on dry land. Everyday, every minute of the day, she was at her post, directing the community, solving new problems, groping for solutions, working to acquire in her own life the virtues expected of a religious.
"You are to be perfect," Jesus had said, "even as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt. 5:48)
"How long will it take?" the young Mother General felt like asking our Lord. But may be it was better that she didn't ask. The answer might have been too much all at once. No doubt He would have said, "A lifetime, Sister Thecla, until the very last breath of your earthly existence."
She knelt alone to make her daily hour of adoration.
She left the chapel, put her books on the shelf and glanced out of the window. Storm clouds were piling up. The community bell rng throughout the convent; it was supper time. Mother Thecla fingered her rosary as she walked to the refectory where the community had gathered. Each stood at her own place, in silence. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," began Mother Thecla. "Bless us, O Lord ...," - the community joined in - "and the food we are about to receive to keep us in Your holy service."
The sisters sat down. "Is no one reading tonight?" she asked softly.
"Not tonight, if you think well," the sister next to her whispered. "It's your feast day, and ..."
"Oh," exclaimed Mother Thecla, good naturedly. "How could I have forgotten my own feast day? Is that good enough reason to dispense of the customary silence for the first part of the meal?"
"Yes," the sisters chorused. And someone added, "We have written a song just for the occasion." They rose and gathered informally to sing their home-style tribute to Mother Thecla.
The song continued - daughters' tribute to a mother - young though she was, for her total donation of self to their Congregation. They pledged obedience, fidelity to the cause of the Pauline way of life and sang of the day, not too far away, when with God's help the Daughters of St. Paul would take the Gospel to all the nations of the earth.
Mother Thecla stared at the hand-written copy of the song being sung. She examined each line, meditated the words, and her thoughts went back to the chapel, to her conversation with Jesus just before supper.
"I prayed for faith, I begged You for faith, my Jesus. And You have given it. You have spread it around to these good sisters. Numbers mean little. If we are united, if we are zealous and obedient to Father Alberione, the world is ours."
The song ended. Mother Thecla rose from her chair and folded her hands at her waist. She smiled and tilted her head the way she did when she was pleased about something.
"Your song is a meditation," she said softly. "I treasure it very much. And there is no better time than St. Thecla's day to apologize to you all for the many times I gave bad example, for the offenses I might have given u. I ask pardon to each of you personally if I have ever caused you to suffer in any way."
The sisters glanced at each other in shocked surprise. "Where did this come from?" asked one. "Stop," whispered one of the older sisters with a smile. "You don't want to ruin our party."
The Mother General sat down. Her troubled face grew calm and she began to smile. Mother Thecla treasured these moments that foster the serene family living of which she was to speak so often. She loved to be with the sisters, to share not only prayer and work, but also hobbies, stories of apostolic adventures, songs and even problems. This is what made her so special. Then the sisters sang the song again.
Yes is Forever, by the Daughters of St. Paul, Copyright © 1981, Daughters of St. Paul. |
"Dear Jesus," she prayed, "our community is so small. How can we ever become what You expect? When will I be able to see with the faith of Father Alberione?" Without realizing it she stretched her arms toward the tabernacle and continued. "Show me what I can do to help us become the kind and number of Daughters of St. Paul that our Founder expects. No amount of knowledge and skill can buy the faith that makes miracles. Only You can give that faith, Jesus, here at the tabernacle. Make up for all that I lack ... help me to do more and better ... for You."