Feast of Mater Admirabilis
On 20 October 2020 Sacred Heart schools across the globe celebrated the Feast of Mater Admirabilis (Latin for Mary, the most Admirable).
A statue or painting of Mater Admirabilis can be found in every Sacred Heart school around the world and has captured the hearts of students, alumnae, educators, friends, and Religious of the Sacred Heart throughout our international family. To walk into a Sacred Heart school anywhere in the world and see Mater is to be welcomed home.
Why have generations been comforted by this simple image? Why are we drawn to this image of Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Standing before the image of Mater, one senses that Mary knew something wonderfully extraordinary that gave her incredible peace.
During the time of Mater’s Feast, we pray for one another that each may be graced with the wisdom of Mater. May we benefit from the wisdom of Mater who knew her own heart well. May we continue to allow her countenance to remind us that a life firmly rooted in prayer, focused on the essential, which is God’s love, enables one to act in love no matter what the circumstances.
A Prayer asking for Support of Mary, Mother of Essential
by Marie-Therese de Lescure
RSCJ Superior General, 1946-1958
Circular Letter, 16 July 1949
Under the pressure of over activity which at times consumes us, disturbs us, or scatters our energies in doing what is visible and accidental, let us come to our "Mater." She is the Mother of the Invisible, and the Mother of the Essential.
Let us ask her to detach us, to free us from all that is not important, to lead us on, and fix our gaze upon the Invisible which her own eyes look upon: the Invisible Presence, the Invisible Life; the Invisible Action: the Invisible Love, all those things which are eternal values in us and the great realities of faith.
May she keep us throughout our busy and over-crowded days in the radiance of things that are not seen and firm as if we beheld them Invisible. In the midst of non-essentials which invite and often distract us, we run the risk of encumbering our beings and confusing our values. May She give us the right understanding of the Essential and a hunger for it.
One thing alone is necessary -- the will of God and the work of His love. May Mater give us the singleness of vision so that we, too, may see the Invisible and Essential in all.
Amen
Uniting in Prayer
An invitation from the European Network of Sacred Heart Schools was sent out to all Sacred Heart schools throughout the world to share a prayer on the theme: Hopes and Concerns for Ourselves, our Locality and the Wider World. The initiative was called : Uniting in Prayer.
The aim of the initiative was to unite our
Sacred Heart Family in prayer during this time of coping with COVID-19. The celebration of the Feast of Mater Admirabilis, on 20 October, was chosen as the date for the sharing of prayers.
We received prayers shared by over thirty schools. The prayers were written by students of all ages.
The prayers have been collated into a booklet that includes an introduction describing the initiative and an explanation of the cultural significance of Mater Admirabilis in
Sacred Heart Schools. Read the prayers
Mark Oski
Director of Mission