Our story of the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban traditionally begins with the words, "It was because two people shared a vision and answered a similar call that the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban came to be." Those two people were Fr. John Blowick and Frances Moloney. The latter was one of the many women who found their hearts stirred by the appeal Fr.
February 14, 2018
Anniversaries frequently have symbols associated with them like silver for 25 and gold for 50. Mindful that this year Columban missionaries celebrate 100 years of witnessing God's love through our relationships with people, especially those who are vulnerable and with the wounded Earth, I was curious what might represent an anniversary of 100 years.
February 13, 2018
We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
February 12, 2018
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give Your Angels and Saints charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest Your weary ones,
Bless Your dying ones,
Soothe Your suffering ones,
pity Your afflicted ones,
Shield Your joyous ones,
And all for Your love's sake.
Amen.
February 12, 2018
The Missionary Society of St. Columban was founded in 1918 for evangelization in China. The first Columban Fathers went to China in 1920 and began work in Hanyang. The Columban Sisters began work in China in 1926.
February 11, 2018
Virgin, most holy,
Mother of the Word Incarnate,
Treasurer of graces,
and Refuge of sinners,
I fly top your motherly affection
with lively faith,
and I beg of you the grace
ever to do the will of God.
February 10, 2018
Good Shepherd, tend us,
Jesus, of Your love befriend us,
You refresh us, You defend us,
Your eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see.
You Who all things are known,
Who on earth such food bestow,
Grant us with Your Saints, though low,
Where the heavenly feast You show,
Fellow-heirs and guests to be.
Amen.
February 9, 2018
Virgin Mary, most loving Mother,
please give me a heart like yours,
firm in its attachments and of unshakable loyalty,
an affectionate heart which radiates a discreet tenderness and which is open,
a pure heart which lives in the flesh without being burdened by it,
a generous heart,
quick in forgetting its hurts and always ready to forgive,
February 9, 2018
Richard Ranaghan was born in Killough, Co. Down, Ireland, in 1889. He was ordained in 1914 and ministered in the Diocese of Down and Connor until he joined the Missionary Society of St. Columban in 1917.
February 8, 2018
Look down, O Lord,
from Your sanctuary
and from the high habitation of heaven,
and behold this sacred Victim,
which our great High Priest,
Your Holy Child,
the Lord Jesus,
immolates unto You
for the sins of His brethren,
and be propitious
to the multitude of our iniquities.
Behold, the voice of the Blood of Jesus,
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.