I just returned home after spending a few days in Monroe, Michigan, with my IHM Sisters. On July 28 the Monroe IHM sisters all came together to celebrate Jubilee. A Jubilee is the anniversary of when a sister entered or professed vows in her religious community. We have a big celebration each year for sisters celebrating their 25th (silver jubilee), 50th (golden jubilee), 60th and 75th (diamond jubilee) anniversaries.
Click this link for more of what this day means in our congregation.
I wish I could communicate to you the feeling of what it is like to be home in Monroe with all of my nuns. It is electric. It’s like nunapalooza. It’s like the air is charged with IHM energy. It is pure delight to see one another and have a chance to say hello and catch up. Walking around the motherhouse is like Christmas morning to a child. There are wonderful gifts around every corner — a beloved nun you haven’t seen in ages, your formation buddies, the president of the congregation, a nun burning rubber on her scooter. Though I may not know all of the sisters well, every one I run into is my sister, someone who is part of me as I am a part of her.
One of the reasons why I think Jubilee Day is so special is that we have no other agenda than to celebrate our sisters and our life together. It is a day built on connecting with one another, delighting in one another, and having fun together. For myself living out on mission in the diaspora, this time at home with my nuns is so important. I feel like I am immersing myself into the heart of the congregation, into the very IHM spirit. Every moment, every step, every connection is like a prayer for each one of us recognizes that we are bonded together by the Holy Spirit and by our commitment to the liberating mission of Jesus Christ.
I love my nuns very much and am grateful each and every moment for their lives, their encouragement, and their commitment to our mission and our community.
Archived Comments
- July 30, 2007 at 11:06 am
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How lovely for you, Sr. Julie. The fact the Jubilee occurs just once a year no doubt adds to the excitement, and I’m sure the clock-hands moved way beyond the mid-night hour with all the catching up that had to be done.
- August 1, 2007 at 10:07 am
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It’s like a family reunion, isn’t it? I’m not sure if you live on your own or in a small community, but I suppose being reunited with the “extended family” gives one a renewed sense of purpose and harmony. Glad you had this experience and that you shared it with us.
- August 1, 2007 at 3:49 pm
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We celebrate two fiftieth and two sixtieth jubilees this summer. It’s always such a lovely day! All the sisters put an extra effort into making the day as special as possible.
By the looks of your chapel, you must have a LOT of sisters! Are you one autonomous group, or are you divided into provinces? We are currently reconfiguring our 8 No. American provinces. !!!! The process should be complete by 2009, which sounds so close yet so far away! Our southwest province only has 58 sisters, with two in temporary vows and the rest in final vows. But even with our small group, there are still hugs and squeals of joy when we all first get together each summer (Our sisters are in New Mexico, California, Texas, and Mexico, with one lone soul in Connecticut at our No. American Novitiate.
Oh, and those Jubilee celebrations? Those tend to grow and multiply! When I celebrated my silver a few years ago, I had a celebration with the sisters in the California region, one with the province, andother on the actual anniversary at my home parish, then another with the diocese. Party on!
- August 2, 2007 at 4:56 pm
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What a wonderful way to express community! Very moving to see the pictures also, points out that those called to religious life do not come from some rarefied environment specially suited to saintliness, The Holy Spirit moves upon those hearts whom He chooses and calls, wherever He finds them. I wish all your sisters many more years of fruitful and blessed life.
- August 4, 2007 at 7:55 am
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Hi Julie. Thank you for sharing this. I’m a first-time visitor who has followed your link home from Michele’s site. I can’t help but think that your efforts here will raise understanding and help enhance our general sense of community. Consider me inspired!
- July 29, 2009 at 5:57 am
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Hi Sr Julie i actually need advice my God mother is celebrating her silver jubilee next month she is really special to me and my family even though i don’t see often she is always in my prayers. I would like to buy something for her but i don’t know what i could by that will make her day. If i ask she will not ask for anything so please any ideas? thanks and God bless.
