Celebrating Jubilee A Time of Thanksgiving
by Mary Frances Reis, BVM

Planning family anniversary celebrations might be compared to mountain climbing.

Initially there is present boundless enthusiasm in discovering vistas of fantastic ideas. As the clouds clear and reveal the challenging paths to the summit, the family usually decides on an achievable plateau.

Often, when reminiscing on the event, it is seen how incredibly the plateau actually reflected the creativity and possibilities of an envisioned mountaintop experience.

In November of 2005 a group of our BVM family gathered to explore possible paths of a jubilee year commemorating the 175 years of BVM life and mission.

That initial meeting at Mount Carmel revealed an abundance of joy and enthusiasm, as one might expect. What was surprising, however, was the quick discovery of a common focus; a focus reflective of Mary Frances Clarke, our foundress:

• The celebration/s would be simple. They would not focus on BVM achievements.
• The event/s would be a celebration of deep gratitude to God for partnerships shared through the years

It was these partnerships of alums, co-workers, family, religious congregations, dioceses and agencies that made possible a world-wide extension of BVM core values of education, justice, charity and freedom in God's steadfast love.

Reaching a Plateau

An achievable plateau was sited early. This creative cross-section of BVM educators, artists, musicians and administrative folk brought boundless amounts of literary, organizational and imaginative skills to meetings centered in prayer. Work at that first meeting and during the few following gatherings was often tempered by the mantra: Keep it simple!

Choosing a theme was another astoundingly simple achievement, as one ordinarily might not expect possible in a group of educators. Meeting on the bluffs of the Mississippi River and reminiscing how waterways directed our journeys—in the Americas and broader world—shaped the theme:

The theme rooted the celebration in BVM history and vision. It showed a deep connectedness to our increasing consciousness to develop personal respect and care of the precious gift of water as well as our congregation's ongoing commitment to assist water-deprived communities in the world.

The idea of “water currents” was seen as a metaphor of Mary Frances Clarke's dauntless hope through many trials and difficulties, and the current challenges we meet today as women dedicated to peace and justice. The “currents of hope” is the abiding power of the Spirit working in and through us and together with our many partners.

The Proclamation evolved as a reflection on the theme. It is an invitation to all: BVMs and Associates, families, friends and partners with whom we have lived and worked in 46 states and 35 countries with hundreds of thousands of children and adults these past 175 years.

In reading the Proclamation you will see that we invite you to journey with us as we

Honor the
Past
Celebrate the
Present
Embrace the
Future

in the spirit of Mary Frances Clarke, who would probably say of today as she did in the nineteenth century:

“Leave the future to God,
I have no fears as long as you are working unitedly.”

We hope that you will be able to join with us this year in some celebrations that, hopefully, will be simple yet profound mountaintop experiences of our love and deep gratitude.

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©2007 Sisters of Charity, BVM