50th Anniversary of Vatican 11

October 11 2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council.  Anne Derwin, Congregational Leader, shares her reflection on this event.

Recently Sister Anne Derwin shared her reflection on the Second Vatican Council at a WATAC conference. During this address Anne spoke of her experience of talking with Sisters of Saint Joseph who took their first vows 50 years ago - January 1962. Anne shared how these women were delighted in what John XXIII hoped for - a new spring time, an opening of the windows, a letting in of the fresh air, a sense of being gardeners to help things grow, no longer museum keepers.

Anne's address is shared here today as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Council. Also provided for your reflection is an article on Vatican II from the Congregations of Saint Joseph in the USA and a link to a Sydney Morning Herald article of October 11.

The following prayer was said before each session of the Council and is well worth our prayer 50 years later:

We stand before you, Holy Spirit,
conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name.

Come to us, remain with us,
and enlighten our hearts.

Give us light and strength
to know your will,
to make it our own,
and to live it in our lives.

Guide us by your wisdom,
support us by your power,
for you are God,
sharing the glory of Father and Son.

You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favor.

Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.

As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions
may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward
promised to good and faithful servants.

Amen