MERIDEN, CT (03-13-2022) - Marigold Rocero smiled delightedly when Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, announced that Marigold's religious name would be Sister Josina Marie. At a private Community ceremony in the Chapel of St. John, Marigold was received into the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist by Mother Miriam. As a sign of entering a life-changing choice and mission, it is customary for the new Sister to receive a religious name as well as the religious habit and veil of the Community. Mother Miriam shared that "Marie" expresses Sister's devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and alludes to her birth name, Marigold. "Josina" expresses qualities of St. Joseph reflected in Sister's life in Community - obedience, "behind the scenes" acts of charity, willingness to sacrifice for others without calling attention to herself. Mother Miriam explained that "Josina" also refers to Mother Josina Roth, the oldest Sister in the founding group who transferred to the newly-formed Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1973. Mother Josina had been the Assistant Mother General for 18 years and served many years as education supervisor in the former Community. Mother Miriam asked Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress, to share more about Mother Josina for those who had not known her. Sister Josina Marie was born and raised in Ampayan Butuan City, Philippines, the daughter of Salvador and Myrna Rocero. She studied for two years at Southwestern University in Cebu City and completed her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Benedicto College in Mandaue City. She worked for four years at Daniel Mercado Medical Center in the hemodialysis and intensive care units. In 2011 [...]

Brother Leo Maneri, Franciscan Brother of the Eucharist, and Sister Patricia Glass, Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, on Ash Wednesday 2010! They are still smiling and looking forward to a holy Lent in 2022! Pope Francis reminds us all of the meaning of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday in his homily: The ashes bespeak the emptiness hiding behind the frenetic quest for worldly rewards. They remind us that worldliness is like the dust that is carried away by a slight gust of wind. Sisters and brothers, we are not in this world to chase the wind; our hearts thirst for eternity. Lent is the time granted us by the Lord to be renewed, to nurture our interior life and to journey towards Easter, towards the things that do not pass away, towards the reward we are to receive from the Father. Lent is also a journey of healing. Not to be changed overnight, but to live each day with a renewed spirit, a different “style”. Prayer, charity and fasting are aids to this. Purified by the Lenten ashes, purified of the hypocrisy of appearances, they become even more powerful and restore us to a living relationship with God, our brothers and sisters, and ourselves. - Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis, Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Basilica of Santa Sabina, read by Cardinal Parolin Also for our reflection is the prayer intention of Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, Co-foundress, for Lent: "May our interior journey of Lent bring a deeper relationship to Christ and an increase of love and peace in our world."

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist wish you all a very blessed Christmas Season! May Christ, born of Mary and now present in the Eucharist throughout the world, be your source of strength, your hope during trials and your constant joy!

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God! Emmanuel, "God with us", come and do not delay!

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! The prophecies of the Messiah proclaim that he will be a King for all people, not only the Israelites.

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. When John the Baptist was born his father, Zechariah, spoke this Canticle: "In the tender compassion of our Lord The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness And the shadow of death, And to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79)

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! David is the King of Jerusalem with the keys to the kingdom of Israel. Christ is the King of Creation with keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. "And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." Isaiah 22:22

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! Jesse was a landowner in the town of Bethlehem and the father of King David. It is through his lineage that Joseph brought his wife, Mary, to the little town where Christ was born.

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! In ancient times it was unthinkable for faithful to use the name of God, so they would refer to him with the title "Adonai". The word "Adonai" simply means "Lord". The title is also used in the Old Testament for King Saul and King David. Jesus is the true Lord and King, the "Adonai" of heaven and earth.

The O Antiphons are part of the Vespers office recited during the seven days leading up to Christmas. This culmination of prayer contains an Old Testament promise of the Messiah. At the end of Advent, the Incarnation of Jesus on Christmas Day is the fulfillment of the desire of every human heart. The first antiphon is "O Sapientia" meaning, Wisdom. Together we pray: O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!