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RECOLLECTION Guide

               

 

                 MONTHLY RECOLLECTION GUIDE 2025

Introduction

As Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, we are called to be pilgrims of hope, journeying together with hearts rooted in God’s promise and eyes set on His vision. In a world filled with uncertainty, our vocation challenges us to bring Christ’s hope into every community we serve. As Spes Non Confundit reminds us, “Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured into our hearts”  (Rom 5:5).

This monthly recollection guide invites us to reflect deeply on our mission, nurturing a hope that inspires and strengthens us to be active bearers of God’s light. In our faith sharing, we will engage in spiritual conversations structured in three rounds as we have already been doing. In the first round, we will listen to one another without interruption, creating a space for each person’s insights and feelings to be shared.

In the second round, we will reflect on and share on what we have heard. Finally, in the third round, we will express our personal commitments moving forward, articulating how we can embody and share God’s hope in concrete ways. May this time of reflection draw us closer to God, renew our commitment to His call, and empower us to carry His hope to those around us. Let us embrace this sacred practice, trusting that through these conversations, we will be strengthened and inspired to fulfill our mission with renewed zeal and commitment.                                                                                             

JUNE 2025

THEME: Appeals for Hope: Care for the Earth

INTRODUCTION: 

“The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole. . . Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the others. It would be wrong to uphold one set of duties while trampling on the other.” (Pope  Benedict XVI, Charity in Truth [Caritas in Veritate], nos. 48, 51)

GRACE: Lord God, grant me the grace to cherish and care for your creation, to see its beauty, and to act responsibly in preserving it for future generations. Give me the wisdom and courage to be a faithful steward of all you have made.

SCRIPTURE TEXT:  Romans 8:22-23

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that … we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies”

CORRELATED READING:  Spes non Confundit #16 par 1

“Echoing the age-old message of the prophets, the Jubilee reminds us that the goods of the earth are not destined for a privileged few, but for everyone.”

POINTS TO PONDER AND PRAYER EXERCISES:

  • Close your eyes gently and center your thoughts on this moment, feeling stillness envelop you.
  • As you breathe in, reflect on the beauty and wonder of creation—mountains, rivers, forests, and oceans.
  • Yet also hear the earth’s profound sorrow: vanishing forests, dying species, shifting climates. This groaning is an urgent plea for healing and renewal.
  • As you continue to breathe, turn your attention inward and acknowledge your personal groans—your longings, frustrations, and hopes. Recognize that these emotions are part of the human journey. Each sigh, each worry, and each hope is part of the universal cry for redemption.
  • As you meditate, consider your personal concerns and the pains of the world. Bring your inner struggles and heartaches to Christ, recognizing that your feelings resonate with creation’s deeper longing for healing. Take comfort in Jesus’ understanding, knowing He deeply comprehends human suffering.
  • Embrace hope and the promise of renewal. As creation groans, it also holds the potential for new beginnings and transformation. Picture the beauty of renewal: forests re-growing, rivers running clear, and communities thriving in harmony with the earth.
  • As you bring this contemplation to a close, consider the actions you can take for the earth. Hold this intention close as you gently return to your breath, bringing awareness back to the present moment.

POINTS FOR SHARING:

  1. Share the moments when you have witnessed or participated in acts of care for the earth—community gardens, clean-up efforts, advocacy for sustainable practices.
  2. As a community what can you start to do, continue doing or stop doing in order to care for the earth, our common home?