The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

There is no daughter of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, there is no Sister of Saint Felix of Cantalice who would not know that the day of November 21, the Feast of Presentation of the 3-year-old Mary in the Temple to the service of the Most High God, is so closely related to the dedication of the two first Felicians to the service of Our Lord Jesus [Zofia Truszkowska, who took the name Angela and Klotylda Ciechanowska, who took the name Weronika]. It is like no other day recorded in the history of the Congregation, because on this day it began to exist officially.

Temporary Professed Sisters from the Three Polish Provinces Meeting

From November 17 to 19, 2017, all the temporary professed Sisters of the three Polish Provinces of the Felician Congregation arrived to Cracow for a formation meeting. The meeting took place at the Provincialate in Cracow, however, prior to the official opening of the meeting, the Sisters came to the Museum and  Archives of Mary Angela Truszkowska,  Blessed Foundress of the Felician Sisters, to draw from the wealth of history and spirituality of Mother Foundress and the first Felician Sisters by visiting the Museum enriched with new exhibits.

Even though the Sisters spent in the Museum almost two hours, it was too short to absorb all the spiritual wealth that has been bestowed on us by our Blessed Foundress and the first Felician Sisters.

 

Conference of the Responsible of Ongoing Formation in the Felician Congregation

The Conference of the Responsible for the Ongoing Formation in the Felician Congregation was held in Cracow from November 4 to 9, 2017. The participants were: the Sisters from the General Administration and all the Administrations of the three Polish Provinces of the Congregation, together with the Sisters belonging to the Formation Team. The Sisters participated in a series of lectures and meetings while deepening the spirtuality of religious life and drawing from the wealth of the Felician heritage.

On November 8, the Sisters came to the Museum and Archives of Mary Angela Truszkowska, Blessed Foundress of the Felician Sisters, where they took part in the Lectio Epistuli and visited the renovated museum exhibition.

It was an unforgettable occasion to re-appreciate the wealth of the heritage bestowed on us by our Blessed Foundress and the first Felicians.

MEDITATIONS – Preface and Introduction

Meditations - Preface

Among the many different writings and notes which Mary Angela Truszkowska has left us (1825-1899) are also her Meditations. They came about as a certain form of prayer in 1861. Mary Angela was 36 years old at that time, and the Congregation, which she had founded and was directing, was going through a period of intense spiritual formation. The manuscript contains an introduction and twelve length meditations.

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Meditation I

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GOD SHOULD BE THE ONLY SUBJECT OF OUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, DESIRES AND ACTIONS

I know, O my Lord, that all my thoughts, feelings and actions ought to center on you because you have given me life. You alone have power over me. I should belong to you completely.

Meditation II

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THE GRACE OF A VOCATION

Religious life was a dream of my youngest years. It is true, there were moments when I had abandoned this desire, perhaps only seemingly, because in my heart it must have been constant. This life style appeared to me to be so holy, so perfect! I desired it only because I wanted to love God all the more perfectly, serve him more zealously and save my soul more easily.  God granted me my wishes sooner than I expected, and today I am already his servant.

Meditation III

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LIVING OUT THE VOCATION

O Lord, why did you draw me out of the world? Why did you bring me into your house? Why did you shower me with so many grace? Is it so that I will use all of this in order to hurt you all the more; that I should inflict more pain on your Sacred Heart? In fact, every one of my present sins is a greater insult to you than the sins of my past life. After all, I committed them then because there were more opportunities and I had less understanding of sin. However, I cannot make excuses. What can justify me in your eyes?

Meditation IV

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THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO HOLINESS IS NONCOOPERATION WITH THE GRACE OF GOD

O Lord, I ought not complain on the lack of graces but on their excess. I will have to give an account of each one of them and I know that to whom much was given, much will be demanded. And how do I, O Lord, make use of them? What kind of progress have I made in holiness? Do I love you more than others? Am I at least grateful to you?

Meditation V

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THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUES

A religious should not only try to be perfect in a general way but she should concentrate on a specific virtue which God demands of her, go out of her way to acquire it, and practice it.

Meditation VI

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THE NEED FOR A PERFECT RETURN TO GOD

I feel the need for a complete conversion but it seems to me as impossible unless a miracle takes place. I have fallen into such a moral inertia. I feel so helpless towards everything that is good and so inclined towards everything that is evil, that it is difficult for me to even start this work on my soul, and what about persevering in it. Maybe God will do with me as he did with Saint Augustine whom he drew to himself despite his unwillingness. He will also convert me, perhaps, without my cooperation, but this is blasphemy. After all, God himself said: Without you, I created you, but without you, I cannot save you; While I do not feel any desire or any courage to really discipline myself.