SPIRITUALITY 

Special Feast Days of the Congregation and their Liturgies

St. Joseph| Julian Tenison Woods| Mary MacKillop| Foundation Day| St. John the Baptist |Sacred Heart

The feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost.

This feast gives the people of God an opportunity to give thanks for the great things that God's love has done for them. Traditionally a special day of celebration for the Sisters, this feast was also the day many Sisters entered the Congregation. In fact the Sisters were called:
"The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart."

Instruction from Julian Tenison Woods to the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

‘We should always consider our Institute as dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart will be our name, to distinguish us
from other Sisters of St Joseph’.
J.E.T. Woods. A Book of Instructions for the use of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Adelaide 1870, reissued at Perthville, brought to Lochinvar, 1883.


Liturgy

Reflection

Our lives are focussed on Jesus Christ.
We desire to strengthen the faith of others.
We value our bondedness with one another.
We share in common a unity of purpose.
- Acts of the Chapter, 1997: Josephite Spirituality


Prayer

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
We dedicate our whole lives in a special way to Your church.
Help us to develop our talents
so that in a true spirit of poverty
we can be of the greatest possible service
to God’s people.
- Adapted from Interim Constitution 1967


Intercessions

On the night before he died Jesus said to his disciples “No one has
greater love that this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We
pray with all our hearts:
- love one another as I have loved you.

Jesus, you looked on the rich young man with love;
- free the hearts of all who are enslaved to the material values of this
world.

Jesus, you said to your disciples, “Love your enemies”;
- bring reconciliation to the troubled parts of our world.

Jesus, you forgave the woman who anointed your feet;
- teach us the Gospel values of love and forgiveness.

Jesus, you were ‘moved with compassion’ for the blind, the deaf and infirm;
- move our hearts to compassion for those who suffer disability or
hardship.

Jesus, you welcomed children and blessed them;
- give us hearts that are open, trusting and full of wonder
at your marvellous creation.

Jesus, you raised the dead to life;
- welcome into your kingdom those who have died,
and give comfort to those who grieve.


Concluding Prayer

Father,
we rejoice in the gifts of love
we have received from the heart of Jesus your Son.
Teach us to see Christ in the lives we touch,
to offer him living worship
by love-filled service to our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Blessing

May the God of love and compassion we with us.
As we go, may we cast fire on the earth. Amen.