I am re-reading Sr. Elizabeth Johnson's book, Dangerous Memories: a Mosaic of Mary in the Scriptures drawn from her earlier book, Truly Our Sister. October 7th is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and that put me in mind of the occasion ten years ago when I was on retreat in Emmitsburg when I felt the marian hymns at Mass that day did not speak of the richness of the role of Mary in our lives. So I wrote my own.
White is the Rose
White
is the rose of beauty of beginnings.
Woman
of joy, you heard and you believed.
You
share our dreams of what the future offers;
Pray
we be one: a people full of joy.
Walk
with us now, our Mother and our Sister,
We
follow you, our guide in times of joy.
Red
is the rose of sorrows deep and lasting.
Woman
of faith, you saw and you were grieved.
You
share our tears when all we see is horror;
Pray
we be one: a people full of faith.
Walk
with us now, our Mother and our Sister,
We
follow you, our guide in times of tears.
Gold
is the rose of triumph unimagined.
Woman
of hope, you sensed all would be well.
You
shared that trust in One who came to save us;
Pray
we be one: a people full of hope.
Walk
with us now, our Mother and our Sister.
True
is the rose of wonder in God’s presence.
Woman
of love, you sought Home in your heart.
You
shared that grace and rest in the Beloved;
Pray
we be one: a people full of love.
Walk
with us now, our Mother and our Sister,
We
follow you, our guide in times of grace.
Text: 11 10 11 10 11 10;
Moira Quinn, OSsR © October 7, 2005
Redemptoristine Nuns of New
York, Inc.Tune:
FINLANDIA by Jean Sibelius 1865-1957
