Ha! Window of Valponasca

The Valponasca window

What did you  do dear Window? 

I stood static and remained heavenward

The little girl of Mornese came to me

‘There’, I showed her the abode of the Lord,

The Lord who abides forever in her heart.

She frequented me in all  the seasons

Thus for her siblings, she herself a window.

Then, what did you do dear window?

The young and the old often approached

Their childish ways  were not reproached

I was open and happily  welcoming

The family folk kept coming

Then what did  you do dear window?

I watch Mary growing in wisdom

A  hard worker and a friend of all

Charity reigns supreme in her

A dream began to shape her. 

by Sr.  Anne Augustine  INK- Bangalore, India.

Windows and Wells

The window at the Valponasca

Our day opened with an up-lifting Morning Prayer and reflection on “Windows and Wells”.

We are called to keep an open mind to the Spirit who calls us to remain connected, allowing the Light of that same Spirit to shine through us, down to the bottom of our ‘well’. We need to allow it to up-root life’s obstacles that can inhibit the air of God’s life getting in and through us. 

Our evening reflection spoke of ‘Discernment’, of Trasna, our crossing place.  We are called to acknowledge the sacredness in our Sisters and to seek out the goodness in each one. We need to keep in mind that the road is there, but I must make the path.

The well at the Valponasca

We ended the day with a most enjoyable recreation and a great laugh with games called Animal Animation and Bomb the City.

Valponasca

On the way to the Valponasca

Our day began with a very reflective prayer entitled: “Finding the treasure within”. It was in this spirit that we set out to spend the day at the Valponasca.

It was here at the Valponasca that Maria’s formation as an adolescent and young woman took place, as Sr. Máire explained in her presentation. “The time she lived here was spent in prayer and work. This was perhaps the richest period of her life, the basis on which she built a strong personality, open to God and others” (On Life’s Pathways with Main).

Mass at the Valponasca

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Anthuvan SDB our chaplain. Afterwards we enjoyed a beautiful lunch, or should I say a feast, which was prepared lovingly by Sr. Ines, the cook and delivered by Sr. Rosanna to the Valponasca. We ate heartily, enjoying every morsel.

After lunch and time for photos we entered into a time of prayer and reflection pondering on:

• ·         How the location /setting of the Valponasca spoke to us.
• ·         Some aspects of Main’s life as lived at the Valponasca.
• ·         What we would like to take away with us from this place as an inspiration for our life and our community.

We were invited to express this in symbolic form later.

Group photo under the Valponasca window

We reassembled at 4pm. to pray together and share on how this special place with its prayer window, sloping hills covered in vineyards, its silence and peace, spoke to our hearts and our lives.

It was evident from the sharing within the group, that Maria’s life had deeply touched us and called us to live our Salesian vocation with renewed determination and love.

Some of us returned home by the well, where Maria had drawn water before setting out for daily mass.

Before supper the sisters from the Philippine province (FIL)  gave a presentation on the wonderful work being carried out there.

Another blessed and grace filled day came to an end.