“From our charism flows a spirituality that is the wellspring of our life…”
-SNJM General Chapter Acts, 2016
Across our congregation, Sisters and Associates shared their personal reflections on the meaning of spirituality. Their words reveal a way of living that is embodied, creative and grounded in the presence of a loving God.
Mandala by Judith Mayer, SNJM
Contemplative Creativity
Art becomes a form of prayer when it inspires stillness, imagination and a sense of wonder. In these pages, we share works by SNJM Sisters that invite reflection, meditation, hope and joy.
“Prayer of Molly” by Molly Neville, SNJM
Practices of Prayer and Presence
Our spiritual practices show how prayer and mindfulness are intentionally woven into daily life, offering quiet, continual connection to each moment.
Sister Beth Liebert: The Ignatian practice of entering imaginatively into a Scripture text and letting the Spirit take over in my imagination has made Jesus come alive to me as a real person I can converse with at any time. I also use the Ignatian Rules for Discernment of Spirits to make thoughtful, Spirit-led decisions. Through my teaching I have tried to demystify these resources so others may experience their own personal relationship with Jesus as the ground of their lives.
Sister Fran Kearney: Whenever I am writing, I begin with JMJ (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) at the top of the page, invoking the Divine to guide my thoughts and words. It may be a to-do list, a shopping list or notes from a meeting. I depend on the Spirit to help my words in letters and notes be thoughtful, sensitive and supportive of the recipient.
Sister JoJean Cavalli: Using the Orthodox practice of our “Desert Fathers,” an interior recitation of The Jesus Prayer: Jesus, Son of the Living God have mercy on me, a sinner, helps center me in the present moment. This practice resonates with one’s breathing, and I like to think the Holy Spirit continues the prayer in me, even as I fall asleep.
Routines That Root Us
Familiar habits, daily rhythms and long loved prayers are touchstones throughout our days. These simple, faithful practices become anchors for presence, peace and spiritual connection.
Sister Peggy Kinzie: Humming a simple mantra like “Be Still and know I am God” or “Jesus, I know you are near,” can help quiet an active mind and body.
SNJM Associate Helen Janisse: A meaningful part of my spiritual life is living each day with a special scripture passage, phrase, or word, often drawn from a daily reflection.
Melodies of Grace
Through rhythm, harmony and silence, music is a living prayer, woven into worship, reflection and the flow of daily life. Music offers moments of grace throughout our days.
Sister Linda Riggers: All my life, music has fed my spirit. Listening to music, playing music, brings the details of everyday life into a new light, helping me spot where the Divine rests in my surroundings.
Sister Claire Durocher: As I drive, I often find myself thanking God for the gift of still being able to do so and turning street names into moments of prayer like singing “Shepherd Me, O God” when I pass Shepherd Street.
Sister Janet Walton: When singing or making music on the piano, I create moments for myself of courage, of resilience, of joy. When I listen to music, I know what beauty is, that hope is real. I know, within and without, that God is more, one note after another.
Words That Hold Wonder
Spirituality often resides in our deepest questions and moments of awe. Through poetry and reflection, we are called to observe and ponder.
Hope is Rising – Mary Lyons, SNJM
“Hope Is Rising” by Mary Lyons, SNJM.
The focal point of this image is the charred remains of an innocent victim of a forest fire portrayed in Black.
Beneath the tree is a band of Grey, a symbol of serious depression which can quickly descend over people who experience total helplessness.
A triangle of Orange symbolizes anxiety/not hopelessness.
A blue triangle is a shower of calm which encourages a sense of Hope.
Hope is quickly discovered in the green of New Birth rising from charred remains.
The flower, a flicker of Joy, which hopes to survive but is unstable and cannot yet find her rootedness.
The band of yellow is total Joy which recognizes the gift of Hope.
The band of pink is an ecstatic awareness of the universal presence of our God of Love and of Mercy who is here for all of creation.
In all these ways, we live out a vibrant spirituality. Sister Joan Saalfeld writes, “Individual spiritual transformation is usually a quiet and gradual process. It is the fruit of openness to what happens as we try to live our lives with integrity and intention. It is not so much something we do, as something we receive when we are faithful to our journey into the mystery of God, doing our best to make each life transition as it comes to us.” This is our call, to be rooted, open and ever attuned to the Love that holds all things.
Holy Thursday Lessons from the Redwood Trees – Miriam Malone, SNJM
No one of us stands alone
We stand straight and tall
and we bend with the wind
What we know for sure
is this
the fog will lift and it is fog
that we need to live well
and fully
as we reach heights never
imagined and our roots
stay firmly grounded in
the earth
Look up and see
we can almost touch the sun!
“Meditation Drawing” by Maria Faina, SNJM
“El color de la Esperanza” (The color of hope), photograph by Ana Maria Vilca Mamani, SNJM.