But the most wonderful thing that occurs here in early summer is June 8th, the feast of Our Lady of Combermere. On that day, twelve of our members made or renewed their commitment to this Madonna House vocation, either here or in our mission houses, for one year, two years, or forever. On that day also, four applicants made their first promises thus becoming members of our family.

For us June 8th is one of the most beautiful, festive, and joyous days of the year, and oh, what energy, generosity, and creativity—what love—went into its many-facetted preparations!

Those making Promises were given a three-day retreat, and people volunteer to cook and serve the table at one meal. What love was poured into making those meals relaxing, beautiful, and delicious! And what creativity the handicraft department put into the decorations for both the retreat and Promises Day itself!

What love went into cleaning everything until it glowed, mowing the lawns, weeding the flowers and making them into bouquets, and welcoming the families who came to share the great day with their son or daughter, brother or sister, friend or cousin, who was making promises!

The Mass, resplendent with song, was beautiful and joyous. The Gospel of the Sunday, the call of Matthew the tax-collector, (MT 9:9-13) fit well with the day.

Christ called Matthew, Fr. David May told us in his homily—"no introduction, no explanation, no preparation that we know of"—and Matthew responded immediately. His life, as well as the lives of those around him, was upended. Like the lives of those whom God calls to Madonna House—and the lives of their families.

Promises were made in Korean, French, and English, and three of those making them wore the beautiful dresses of their cultures: Lisa Diniz, India; Joo Eun Lee, Korea, and Alexandra (Alex) Do, Vietnam.

As always, some, shaken by the profundity of what they were doing, visibly struggled to say the words of their promises. As always, many of the rest of us were moved to tears. There isn’t much that’s more beautiful, especially in this day and age, than young people consecrating their lives to God.

Lots of family members were present, adding much life to the day. And the families, of course, were as multicultural as the staff. After Mass there was lots of milling around, hugging, and picture-taking before people got to the reception.

Then later on, just before our festive supper, we all said the rosary at the statue of Our Lady of Combermere.

And now, one day later, those who made first promises and one who made finals are visiting with their families, and the others who renewed, like the rest of us, are back to the ordinary life through which this vocation is lived.

Yes, to all outward appearances, our Madonna House life is very ordinary, but yesterday God gave us the joy of a glimpse into its underlying glory.

What else has been happening during the two months since last I wrote this column?

As always in May, the directors of our eighteen houses came from across Canada and the United States and from the West Indies, Belgium, England, Ghana, and Russia for their annual meetings.

It was a time for them together with the directors general to pray and to look at what God has been doing during the past year and to discern how he wants us to move at this time. It was also a time for them to be together, to share their struggles and concerns, to support one another, and to be renewed.

Those of us who live in Combermere had opportunities to get together with them as well. For example, we all had a picnic celebrating the anniversary of the foundation of MH Combermere.

Then there was the pope’s visit to the United States. The seldom-watched television was brought up to the dining room where, along with millions of others, we watched and listened to him. Like many of you, we were blessed by his words of hope and encouragement, and challenged to live the faith more fully.

Fr. Bob Wild, the postulator for Catherine’s cause, was interviewed on EWTN television. One result of this was numerous book orders for MH Publications, some of them from as far away as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Linda Lambeth (director of MH Publications) and Paulette Curran (editor of Restoration) attended the Catholic Media Convention in Toronto. This is the first time the annual meeting of the Catholic Press Association (CPA) was held in Canada.

Dr. John Scott gave us a talk about the Euthanasia and End-of-Life Issues Conference he attended in Rome and also about his own journey back into working in palliative care.

Helen Hodson, along with two of our associate priests, gave Ignatian retreats at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario.

A few of us (three priests, one woman staff, and one longterm guest) participated in the annual March for Life in Ottawa. MH Publications had a book table at a Lift Jesus Higher rally, and three staff took a First Aid course.

Meanwhile the season continued along. We had a lovely Pentecost Sunday, with our usual custom of receiving on a slip of paper one of the gifts and one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and on Corpus Christi we had a procession of the Blessed Sacrament.

We had work bees to plant both onions and potatoes, and to get Cana Colony ready for the families who will be coming all summer for a week’s retreat-vacation.

The next big event was the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City. Eighteen of us attended—eleven from MH Combermere and seven from four different field houses. Plus four from Combermere went to just the closing Mass. We’ll be telling you about it in the September issue.

Until then, may God grant you a blessed, life-giving summer.