Spirituality
The strength to cling, and to let go
By Michelle Francl-Donnay And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. – Mt. 28:20b As I write this, Lent has not quite spent itself. Still, wisps of resurrection are beginning to show themselves amidst the solemn violet trappings of Holy Week. At choir last night, we practiced Pange Lingua, […]
United in common prayer
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. – Antiphon for the Gospel Canticle, Night Prayer I saw the film “Of Gods and Men” last weekend. The movie is extraordinary: simple, beautiful and […]
Confronting the cross
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Jews demand “signs” and Greeks look for “wisdom,” but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews, and an absurdity to Gentiles. – 1 Cor. 1:22 For more than 20 years I’ve sat on the same side of the chapel for Morning Prayer, facing the statue of St. Joseph holding the […]
Watch for movements of God
By Michelle Francl-Donnay For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. – Mk. 4:22 Mike deftly douses the candles on the dinner table and takes his plate off to the kitchen. I am left to sit in the silent dining room, savoring a few […]
Resting in God alone
By Michelle Francl-Donnay I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Ps. 4:9 Last Thursday morning, the high school principal found Chris and his friend, asleep, on the floor outside their first block classroom. “Is everything OK?” he wondered. Roused from his […]
Penance: ‘An act of hope’
By Michelle Francl-Donnay A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. – Ps. 51:12 “…May God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Amen. The words of forgiveness poured […]
A confession: I go to confession
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. – Joel 2:12-13a I confess. […]
A still and prayerful place – always at hand
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. I opened the note on my desk and turquoise beads spilled out into my hand. The rosary that I had given to a friend to comfort her sister, is once again made a gift, this time to me. I ran the beads […]
Does your yes really mean no?
By Michelle Francl-Donnay Let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no.” Anything more is from the evil one. – Mt. 5:37a The meeting was called for Sunday – to begin at 8:45 at night. I’d agreed to serve on this group in the fall, knowing that it would entail some meetings out of […]
Finding God in the desert
By Michelle Francl-Donnay So I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart. – Hosea 2:16 I grew up on the Illinois prairie. Fields and dairy farms spread out as far as I could see, unbroken by the sorts of tall trees I dreamed of climbing. To my […]