Section:
prayers
ENVIRONMENT:
Bible, Rule Book, San Damiano cross, picture of Mother Francis, flowers, candles
Leader:
Just as Mary was to the early church and Clare was to her sisters, so Mother Francis Bachmann is to us.
Maria Anna was born in Wenigumstadt, Bavaria, on November 14, 1824, to Johann Wilhelm (John) and Magdalena Knegel Boll, who welcomed their fourth child with much joy. Through her parents, God graced the world with a great gift. Who would have known that more than 180 years later Maria Anna’s birth would give spiritual life to so many more!
In her short eight years as spiritual leader of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Mother Francis left her daughters a heritage enriched by loving guidance and example. Mother Francis’ letters and admonitions enhanced her efforts to lead her sisters as an encouraging mother. Now we are invited to faithfulness and a new life by following her message to "Remain as one in the spirit of love, in union with God."
Although separated from all family members and suffering from tuberculosis, Mother Francis knew peace at the time of her death because she joyously embraced God’s will.
All: Inflame in us a deep desire for God.
Pause briefly.
Leader:
As we have asked of Francis and Clare but too often have neglected to ask of you
All: Walk with us; we seek to know you, woman of faith . . . Maria Anna . . . Mother Francis.
Pause briefly.
HYMN: "My God and My All" – Rufino Zaragoza, OFM
READING:
An excerpt from Resource Book: Mother Francis Bachmann (Reading is to be proclaimed deliberately.)
Mother Francis died at 10:30 a.m. on June 30, 1863. It was the duty of Sister Agnes Bucher to notify relatives, friends, and church officials of the death as she was apparently the person next in charge. On that same day, she wrote to the sisters of the Syracuse foundation:
My dear Sister Bernardine,
It is with great sorrow that I am notifying you of our Mother Francis’ passing into eternal life on June 30 in the morning at 10:30. I am unable to describe the beautiful, peaceful death of Mother. Yes, we believe she died as a saint. Her longing for death was very strong. She had little pain, possessed great patience and was fully resigned to God’s holy will. Mother was conscious to the end. She was an example to all of us. Had we only such blessings to die such a peaceful death! It was sad but at the same time joyful to see our dear mother go to eternity. Our dear Lord blessed her in a special way. The Redemptorist Fathers visited her frequently during her illness. Weekly she received Holy communion three or four times. Her confessor and all her sisters were with her during her last hour and prayed continuously. We beg you to pray for her too. If she is in heaven, she will pray for you.
Best wishes for you all. I remain always your loving sister in the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart.
Sister M. Agnes
EXCERPTS FROM ADMONITIONS AND LETTERS OF MOTHER FRANCIS:
Statements are read by different persons. After each statement, all sing the refrain of "I Have Loved You" and then pause slightly.
- "Solely for God must be our motto."
- "Holy poverty is our wealth . . . so I beg you, my dear sisters, use all your energy to be faithful to holy poverty."
- "O, beloved daughters, elevate your hearts to God and let them dwell only on what pertains to God."
- "Let us exalt in the great privilege accorded us in the gift of our holy vocation."
- "As long as God does not stop giving to us, we shall not stop giving to the poor."
- "I care little if I have many sisters; but it is important to me to have good and faithful sisters."
Leader: Together, let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us. Our Father…
CLOSING PRAYER:
All pray together.
Eternal God, you inspired Mother Francis Bachmann to serve you in fidelity and to remain open to the prompting of the Spirit at work in her life. Keep us open to the working of the Spirit in our lives, and with Mother Francis may we praise you forever. Amen.
CONCLUDING HYMN: "Lift Up Your Hearts" – Roc O’Connor, SJ
