One of the apostolates of our Community is to service in residences of a few Bishops in the United States. One of these residences is the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. The day to day life of the Sisters who serve here revolves around a horarium (order of the day) which is mostly similar to the schedules that all of us keep. Prayer, Holy Mass, and Community time are all mingled with apostolic service. Much of what the Sisters do at the Nunciature is in the realm of cooking, cleaning or laundry. It is one of the ways in which we support the Church through our direct service to the Shepherds of the Church. We are also able to pray for them and the intentions that they entrust to us.
In these days, this role of servant is allowing the Sisters to serve Pope Benedict during his stay in Washington, D.C. Right now they are probably gearing up for the Holy Father's birthday dinner. They have been planning for these moments for a long time. What a blessing for our Country and what a blessing for our Community. May we always strive to have hearts of service after the Heart of Jesus. May we always make His Merciful Love visible in this service.
Here are some newslinks which include images of the Sisters greeting the Holy Father at the Nunciature.
http://video.nbc4.com/player/?id=240753
http://www.wusa9.com/video/player.aspx?aid=58791&sid=70752&bw=hi&cat=74&provider=topVideo
Photos: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSL1564528320080416
April 16, 2008
The Servants' Privilege
"I vow to the Triune God..."
Alleluia! Celebrating Christ's Resurrection for 50 Days!
February 23, 2008
Mission: To be SENT with Christ into the world
At the beginning of February, our six second year novices returned to the novitiate from their mission experience. They have come with a deepened knowledge about our religious life, of the difficulties and joys of apostolic service and a greater appreciation of prayer and the Lord's work in their own hearts. To read about some of the graces of their time on mission, visit our website at http://altonfranciscans.org/. Please pray for them in their time of preparing for their first profession of vows. Thank you!
February 11, 2008
Our Lady of Lourdes and Lent
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance to Saint Bernadette. What a beautiful parallel is given to us by the Lord in this feast falling in the season of Lent.
Lourdes today is a place of faith and healing. Lent is a time in which we renew the faith of our Baptism and present all of our brokenness and wounds to Jesus for His healing love to touch us and make us whole again.
May the example and intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes lead us to a deeper surrender of our lives this Lent, that we may commend ourselves into the arms of Mercy.
For more information on Lourdes and the 150th Jubilee go to http://www.lourdes-france.org/index.php?goto_centre=ru&contexte=en&id=405&id_rubrique=405
God bless you!


