Our Lady of the Cenacle
The above painting of Our Lady of The Cenacle used to hang on a wall in one of our former retreat centres in Grayshott England, the house where I made my novitiate and where I later lived at different times in my Religious Life. One of only three, it was painted by one of our Italian sisters.
I have always been drawn to this image of Mary in The Cenacle, because it speaks to me of her prayerful expectation and gives an aura of silent prayer drawing me into that same stance. With her arms out stretched she speaks to me of a surrender, an expectant waiting, for the Holy Spirit.
Maria d’Agliano, Cenacle Sister
The above painting of Our Lady of The Cenacle used to hang on a wall in one of our former retreat centres in Grayshott England, the house where I made my novitiate and where I later lived at different times in my Religious Life. One of only three, it was painted by one of our Italian sisters.
I have always been drawn to this image of Mary in The Cenacle, because it speaks to me of her prayerful expectation and gives an aura of silent prayer drawing me into that same stance. With her arms out stretched she speaks to me of a surrender, an expectant waiting, for the Holy Spirit.
Maria d’Agliano, Cenacle Sister
As a Cenacle sister, I remember that earlier, there was a great emphasis on ‘waiting in prayerful expectation’ in retreat for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This of course is true. However, the richness and depth of this mystery of Mary with the Apostles and women is broader and deeper as we live into it. Not only were that first assembly of the Church united around Mary in The Cenacle with one heart and one soul, it was from there that they ‘went out’, to share their experiences of Jesus and help others. Two aspects : the ’being’ in prayer/retreat and the ’doing’ going out making Jesus known and loved, is all part of the same mystery.
” The mystery of the Cenacle expresses our mission in the Church and the significance of Mary in our spirituality….” Constitutions 2
What is important is that Mary was persevering in prayer with the apostles and the women, waiting and calling for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love. Waiting, receiving, and then filled with the Fire of that Spirit, they were impelled to go out. The power of the Holy Spirit, and their zeal to make Jesus known and loved, is what impelled them to go out.
Mary’s example of surrender to the action of the spirit each day, is a call to me/us as we continue to live the mystery of the Cenacle which reflects the spirit and mission of our Congregation. Let us pray that we like Mary and the apostles and women, may be filled with that same Spirit that sets our hearts aflame. That full of zeal we will continue to “work for the transformation of the world by awakening and deepening faith with and for the people of our times” as we state in our mission statement.
“And may the Spirit be outpoured
And set our hearts aflame
To witness to the Risen Christ
And serve all in his name.”
Final verse of hymn morning prayer Feast of Cenacle
Article written by sr Ann Turner, community of London
You can also read our page Becoming sister
“And may the Spirit be outpoured
And set our hearts aflame
To witness to the Risen Christ
And serve all in his name.”
Final verse of hymn morning prayer Feast of Cenacle
Article written by sr Ann Turner, community of London
You can also read our page Becoming sister
