Prayer Intention

Dear Providence Community,

A moment from the 2017 Saint Anne’s Procession.

The Feast of Saint Anne seems an appropriate occasion for us to join in a special time of prayer for the needs of our world. Our annual Saint Anne’s Pilgrimage, on July 25 and the Saint Anne’s Shell Chapel were established by the Congregation in gratitude for Mother Theodore Guerin’s safe passage during a return trip from France during a terrible storm at sea in the winter of 1843.

The General Officers invite all Sisters of Providence, Providence Associates and Candidate Associates as well as all our Ministry Partners to stop what you are doing at 3 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, July 26, the actual Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, and spend 10 minutes in concerted prayer. We suggest our intention be the safe passage of those around the world who are fleeing oppression and violence in their own countries and seeking asylum elsewhere, especially those seeking asylum in the U.S.

This idea for a group of people to focus their thoughts together on the same intention and at the same time for 10 minutes comes from spiritual author and speaker Lynne McTaggart  and her work with the Intention Experiment. (See her book, The Power of 8.)  This group focus has been shown to be helpful and powerful.

McTaggart suggests beginning by concentrating on your heart and think of sending light to it, while also sending a loving thought to yourself. Then send the light outward thinking about appreciation of “the kindness and love of all living creatures.”  Next, think clearly about the intention. Visualize the outcome you are looking for as an “established fact.”  Hold the intention for 10 minutes.  Again, we are suggesting that the intention be safe passage for those around the world who are fleeing oppression and violence in their own countries and seeking asylum elsewhere, especially those seeking asylum in the U.S.

We thank you for your consideration of this request.

Gratefully in Providence,

Sisters Dawn, Lisa, Jeanne, Mary Beth and Jenny

P.S. We realize that the timing for those in Taiwan will need to be adjusted! We’ve chosen the 3 p.m.timing because of the long tradition of the daily recital of the Reunion at 3 p.m.