Writer's Corner | Sisters of the Divine Compassion

Books

How Will We Find Our Way Home

Inspired by something her dear friend asked Sr. Alice the day before she passed away, the book is a collection of Sr. Alice’s poems written over a period of time, and often reflective of questions that creep into our ordinary lives as we make our way in the day’s challenging climate.
Tracing Thin Places

In the hustle and bustle of our lives we are often challenged to pause and discover “thin places.” As referred to by Celtic Christians, thin places are those rare locales where the veil between heaven and earth is lifted.
We Walk the Road Together

Sr. Lori DeGiorgio’s We Walk the Road Together invites you deep into the hard experiences of people seeking a safe and more hopeful life in the United States. The photos of migrants’ poignant moments seem to mirror those of Jesus on his road to Calvary.
Compassion Casts out Fear

We all know what it is to be afraid. Yet God’s voice in the Gospel is constant, “Do not be afraid,” “Fear not.” It is our hope that these reflections will help each of us hear and believe those words urging us to replace fear with an acknowledgment of God’s loving presence and will expand our capacity for compassion.
The Fruit of His Compassion

The Fruit of His Compassion is the first, full-length biography about Mother Mary Veronica, the Foundress of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, and a vital and influential figure during the dynamic expansion and growth of the Roman Catholic Church in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Poetry

Advent Prayer 2021

Advent Prayer 2021, by M Doretta Cornell, RDC.

Advent
Walls Disappear

Alice Feeley was Poet Laureate for the Town of Greenburgh some years ago and had composed a poem about 9/11 honoring local residents at a ceremonial dedication of a wall in their honor.
The Plan

In these turbulent times it is very easy to believe that we are unimportant as individual people. The issues we live with, the problems that seem insurmountable confront us all the time. Terry Young offers us hope and perspectives needed to go on.
An Anointing

An Annointing, by Maureen McMahon, RDC
Living Cameras
Virus Invisible

by Alice Feeley, RDC
Mist

Mist, by Alice Feeley, RDC
The Evolving Landscape Within

The Evolving Landscape Within, by Terry Young, RDC
Faucets, Facts and Feelings

by Terry Young, RDC
Island in February

Island in February, by Alice Feeley, RDC
Consciousness Evolution

Consciousness Evolution, by Terry Young, RDC
Noticing “Winter” (Jean Antoine Houdon)

Noticing “Winter” (Jean Antoine Houdon), by Alice Feeley, RDC

Reflections

Our reflections are an extension of lessons learned about love, acceptance, authenticity, forgiveness and ever-deepening compassion. We hope that you will find joy, peace and perhaps some wisdom in them. Feel free to share them as you wish.

Can I Hear Myself?

Do you hear what I hear?
Have I listened to myself, lately...
When Great Trees Fall

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
How It Was

City takeover. Enough blocks, enough ground
for eight hundred ninety six apartments,
all public housing. I was a toddler
when we lost our family brownstone, still playing
in great grandfather’s garden...
Pentecost

The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God, the animating energy present in all things and captured by none.
Mary of Nazareth

No one ever taught us Marian theology in any organized academic way. They didn’t need to even try. It came with the May altars we built in grade school. It came with the crowning of May queens in high school. It came with the rosaries we said in October and carried in our purses and fingered in the dark before sleep at night. It was the DNA of religion in our bones.
Lockdown

...Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Jesus and the Children

Jesus’ tender love for children radiates throughout the gospels – he draws them to him, holds them, heals them, tends to their needs, even raises them from the dead.
Vows for the Whole World—No Exceptions

Poverty: I will pour myself out upon creation, retaining nothing, knowing that Creator God renews and grows my spirit. This speaks of my experience of God as Abundance, inexhaustible and available, and my desire to be “as God” to all.
Like Any Other Day

Is today like any other day?
Is the day of your birth like any other day?
Carl Sagan in “The Pale Blue Dot”

We succeeded in taking that picture, and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us.
Laborers in the Vineyard

A recent Gospel reading tells the story of the laborers in the vineyard, and how the owner paid those who only worked one hour exactly what he paid those who worked all day long.
A Tale of the Mustard Seed

A seed transported to the black dirt country, buried only lightly at first – but then, hearts won, it found its home deep down, growing roots that extended broadly – shoots sent up through the rich soil – watered by the love of God, of sisters and families – stems grew skyward kissed by the sun, the rain, the people – weeds, nowhere to be found – branches rose and parted, laden with leaves and flowers in due season...