WHITE IS THE ROSE

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.

We follow you, our guide in times of hope.

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