There are
many changes that came with Vatican II that have affected my life over these
past 50 years in very good ways. But
there are two that I would like to mention now as especially important to me.
The first
one is interpreting the signs of the
times in the light of the Gospel. We started looking at Jesus in the Gospels
in a whole new way. We used to see
ourselves as “the Church AND the world.”
Vatican II reminded us that we are “the Church IN the world.” That called us out of the “monastery” into
the REAL world where we were ONE in unity with the laity. We saw Jesus wearing what others wore and
going out among them in service. So we
dressed more simply and included ministries that dealt with the signs of the
times of our brothers and sisters in the world today. And we knew we could not do it just by
ourselves! We needed the help of the
laity. So as time went on, we accepted
Associates to walk with us and assist us in ministry. What a gift Vatican II gave to us in giving
us our Associates!
The second
“return to the sources” that Vatican II called us to was more participation, dialogue
and collaboration. In its emphasis on
“the priesthood of all the baptized and the common responsibility for the life
and mission of the church,” we were called anew to participation, authentic
conversation and collaboration. “WE are
the Church” became a common phrase. In
our Congregation we started “Circles of Life” that called us to more dialogue
and sharing. We were ALL called to
participate in decision making. Instead
of a top-down kind of obedience, we formed a CIRCULAR kind of living so we
could listen to and respond to all our Sisters in working for the common
good. Again, we looked at Jesus in the
Gospel who reminds us that leadership is NOT about power but about loving SERVICE
to one another.
While we
may have a ways to go yet to really live out the calls of Vatican II, we have
been blessed and graced in many ways.
Thank you to the Spirit who guides us in God’s Love!
Sr. Mary Madonna Hoying, sfp
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