Advent Reflection Guide
As we await the coming of Christ, we are reminded that the journey of restructuring mirrors the Advent journey—one of waiting, trusting, and preparing for new life. May hope, peace, joy, and love guide us, bringing renewal to our spirits and communities.
Week 1: Hope in the Face of Change
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Madame d’Andigne loved to call St. Mary Euphrasia the “mother of hope.” SME used to say, “We must always hope in God for the grace we need however great the difficulties you have to overcome, however hard and painful the sufferings you may be called upon to endure. Never lose courage, lest your want of confidence render you unworthy of God’s help.” (Conf 55)
- In this time of restructuring, hope can feel fragile. When we reflected on our present reality of the demographic of sisters, human and material resources, mission effectiveness and sustainability, partners in mission during our restructuring process, what feelings surfaced?
- What recommendations drew out strong emotions from you and the other sisters in the community? What might be the invisible structures operative in yourself and/or in the community that need to be addressed and discussed to facilitate the process of restructuring?
- When faced with the unknown, we are invited to make a conscious decision to step out of our comfort zone and embrace the opportunities that change presents. How is God inviting you to embrace change, welcome new possibilities and trust in the unseen future?
- Recall moments when God has worked in unexpected ways in your life or ministry. How can these moments inspire hope now?
- What role does hope play in sustaining your community’s mission, even in times of aging and diminishment?
Week 2: Peace in Restructuring
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
St. Mary Euphrasia’s life demonstrates that peace is not the absence of challenges but the presence of faith, compassion, and trust in God. She once said, “I am never disturbed, for I see clearly the finger of God in all things.” Her ability to see God’s hand in her work enabled her to navigate challenges with calm and confidence.
When some questioned her establishment of the Generalate, she responded with calmness and a commitment to dialogue, ultimately gaining approval and fostering unity. She often reminded her sisters that their primary duty was to reflect God’s mercy, fostering peace in the hearts of the sisters and those they served. She spent significant time in prayer, drawing strength and peace from her relationship with God.
The establishment of the Generalate (which was a restructuring process!) was rooted in her belief that unity across countries and cultures would bring greater strength and peace to the mission of the congregation.
- How have you experienced God’s peace amidst the challenges of change and diminishment?
- What can you learn from St. Mary Euphrasia’s life so you can attain this peace and share it with our sisters and partners in mission during this time of restructuring?
- You may spend more time in silence, focusing on your breath as a prayer. With each inhale, pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.” With each exhale, pray, “Grant me your peace.”
Week 3: Joy in Journeying Together
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
St. John Eudes delighted in recalling God’s favors which included the graces derived from events which seemed negative. He prayed, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Admirable Heart of Jesus and Mary, and my joy knows no bounds when I realize how much I am loved.”
St. Mary Euphrasia also reminded us “to value the happiness of our vocation and behold with joy and thanksgiving all the good heaven reserves for us to accomplish.” St. Mary Euphrasia lived in joy even while immersed in contradictions and trials. She witnessed the closing of some convents as she welcomed the sisters back to Angers during the Revolution. She told her daughters, “If you ever find certain days long and weary, seek refuge at once with Him whose word or glance suffices to dissipate the clouds of sadness and restore joy to your heart.”
- Recall the blessings you have received in your lifetime that led you closer to God and brought you joy. Recall with joy what God has accomplished through you in the past years. Reflect on the times when you witnessed joy in the sisters and in the ministries. Allow these memories to uplift you now.
- The present world is characterized by VUCA – volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity – qualities which make it difficult for us analyze the situation, respond to or plan for our ministries to make them responsive and relevant. This is vis a vis a situation of diminishing human and material resources in the congregation. The situation could lead us to feelings of helplessness and sadness as we are called to let go of some of our beloved convents and ministries. What is difficult to let go of?
- Dialogue with St. Mary Euphrasia to understand better how to deepen your own capacity to rejoice in God even in the midst of sadness or sorrow.
- How can we deepen our experience of joy in our community and mission even as we face diminishment and aging?
- You may create a “Joy Journal” where you will write down each day one thing that brings you joy, no matter how small.
Week 4: Love as the Heart of Restructuring
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
In the process of restructuring communities and ministries, love is the guiding principle that transforms challenges into opportunities for renewal and growth. Restructuring can feel like a loss, but when rooted in love, it becomes an opportunity to realign with God’s vision for the congregation. Love ensures that decisions are not just practical but spiritually meaningful.
As ministries and roles evolve, love helps us move beyond our attachment to specific duties, embracing our identity as beloved of God. Restructuring can lead to feelings of uncertainty, grief, or even resentment. Love ensures that every sister feels valued and respected, regardless of her role or contribution. The Paschal Mystery teaches us that love leads to resurrection. Restructuring, when embraced with love, mirrors this process of death and rebirth. Love inspires hope that God is bringing forth new life, even in diminishment.
Restructuring brings together sisters of various nationalities with different cultures, traditions, perspectives, and approaches. Love bridges differences, fostering unity while respecting diversity. This same love can help us navigate the tensions of change with patience and understanding.
Restructuring is not an end but a transformation, a chance to reimagine how we can live our charism of compassion in changing times, developing a universal culture of justice in our communities and ministries in the process. By making love the foundation, the restructuring process becomes not just a challenge but a sacred journey of renewal and grace.
- How does your love for God inspire your response to the challenges of restructuring? How can love help us remain faithful to our charism in these changing times?
- How does your love for the congregation and its mission inspire you to see the possibilities in restructuring, to see the potential for new life and mission, even in diminishment?
- In what ways can you foster deeper bonds of love within the community? Can you listen and respond to the voices of sisters and partners in mission with love and openness?
- Create sacred spaces where sisters and partners in mission can share their fears, hopes, and dreams in an atmosphere of loving support.
Prepared by: Sr Mary Teresita Figueroa, RGS
