Litany of Thanksgiving

In gratitude to Our Lord for all the many blessings received

during these three weeks in Rome for the Domus Summer Program, in particular…

·        For the CMSWR—in thanksgiving for their dedication to the renewal of Religious Life.

·        For the Domus and its staff—in thanksgiving for receiving women Religious who wish to study in Rome, yet maintain the stability of Religious Life in Community.

·        For the benefactors and friends of the CMSWR—in thanksgiving for giving of their time, treasure, and talent for the up-keep of the Domus.

·        For the visit to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which gave me a deepened understanding of the Church in Her pastoral charity for the faithful, especially the loving and respectful process by which correction is given in order to maintain the integrity of the Catholic Faith.

·        Father Bechina’s presentation on The Joy of the Gospel, and the invitation found therein for a renewed living of joy in my vocation.

·        For the grace of experiencing myself as part of the Universal Church down through the centuries; this awareness was especially strong in visiting age-old pilgrimage sites like St. Peter’s Basilica.

·        I am grateful for the power of beauty to draw my heart to Jesus—and to draw the hearts of others.  I am more appreciative of the symbols of life and rebirth in Sacred Art.

·        I thank the Lord that I have understood more clearly that the Lord has given me a gift of empathy—of seeing myself as family with others (EG 273), and I have experienced the family of the Church more profoundly . I recognize that evangelization begins with loving others where they are—and that it is not easy, but is made possible through the Spirit giving me new eyes.

·        I am overwhelmed by the generosity of others and the joy they have in giving.  I have been blessed by each Sister at the Domus and all those who gave their time and service.  I am in awe at the wide variety of gifts God gives individual for the good of others.

·        In thanksgiving for each Cardinal and priest who took their time to nourish our souls and minds with the Word of God and for witnessing the joy of the Gospel, and their love for our Holy Mother Church.

·        In thanksgiving for each one of our Mother Generals of our different religious communities who permitted us to take this spiritual journey and walk on Holy Ground.

·        For the gift of being able to walk in the footsteps of the Apostles, Martyrs, and Saints.

·        For the gift of being able to see the humanity of our Church through the lives that serve Her selflessly.

·        For the wisdom and experience of Sister Mary Kathleen and Sister Mary Hanah who served us with love, generosity, and laughter.

·        In gratitude to God for being chosen to make this Pilgrimage to Rome here at the Domus.

·        In thanksgiving for the CMSWR Board for allowing this Spiritual Renewal Program.

·        In Thanksgiving for all Priests, Cardinals, and Religious who work here in Rome and support the CMSWR Board.

·        Thank you for helping me to be more aware of being a daughter of the Church.

·        Thank you for the opportunity to walk with our heavenly friends.

·        Thank you for the beautiful Churches that give praise and honor to our King, His Mother and His followers.

·        Placing before the Lord, at the feet of Martyrs and Saints, the intentions I carried with me…those of my Community, family, and friends.

·        The companionship of Sisters from different religious Communities in which we shared, prayed, worked, laughed, and journeyed together in faith.

·        The visit to the Sisters in Grimmestein, Switzerland, where our founding Sisters came from. Plus, the opportunity to visit the religious shrines that tell the story of the Catholic Faith.

·        I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be in the heart of the Universal Church for these past three weeks.  This experience has deepened my love for our Church and has renewed in my own heart the desire to be a better daughter to her.

·        I am grateful to God for the beautiful sisters I have come to know.  I have been edified by their example and believe that these friendships will continue to be a blessing into the future.

·        I am grateful that we have been blessed to meet so many priests and prelates who whole-heartedly love the Church and her members. This example is edifying; their teaching has been informative and formative.

·        For a strong spirit of Charity among us.

·        For encounters with persons who shared their faith with us, especially Sister Irene, Nicola, and Sandro.

·        The gift to come to Rome. In thanksgiving to God and my Community.

·        In Thanksgiving for the lives of the Saints who walked before us and with us now.

·        In Thanksgiving to the CMSWR Board for giving us this opportunity during the summer.

·        For the generosity and loving kindness of Sister Pauline Therese, Sister Marina, Sister Hortencia, and Sister Angelica.

In gratitude to God for these graces, and for the many other blessings we have received,

we pray together:

Glory Be…