|
Margaret Sinclair
Sister Mary Francis of the Five Wounds
(1900 - 1925)
"I Humbly Beg ..."
Sister
Mary Francis of the Five Wounds (Margaret Sinclair) would
have been accustomed within the Poor Clare Cloister, when requesting
the use of something, or needing a specific permission to say to Mother
Abbess, or another sister ... "I humbly beg ..."
'Could I humbly beg to ask Sister M some soap'?
'Dear Sister, could I humbly beg you to help me get that box off the
shelf'?
A request is always, courteously, preceded by, "could I humbly beg ..."
Likewise as a sister who' served outside the monastery', that is a sister
designated to go out and quest for food and alms for the community,
on approaching others, Sister Mary Francis would have said, "Could I
humbly beg if you have any unwanted food, or damaged goods for the Community
of Poor Clare's that you would be able to give for the love of God?"
A Poor Clare sister is ever mindful that she lives and exists on the
Providence of God, that everything is a gift. She is aware that she
is always a beggar before God, reaching out her hands in expectation
that God will provide, both for all temporal needs and for all the needs
of her soul, and those of others. This attitude creates a wonderful,
blessed dependence upon God.
We have nothing, we come into this world with nothing and we will leave
it with the love carried in our hearts alone...
Saint Francis and Saint Clare of all the brothers and sisters loved
and reverenced those who went out upon the quest, as beggars, for they
epitomised what Francis and Clare truly believed the Friars Minor and
the poor sisters should be, joyful beggars before the Lord.
'I humbly beg ... when approaching another's also shows a respect for
the other, and preserves charity ...
The Venerable Margaret Sinclair must of asked this a thousand times
over ...
Love and courtesy go hand in hand ...
Place yourself in the presence of the Lord, cup your two hands together,
as a beggars bowl and ask the Lord to fill you ...
He knows your needs, and He will provide ....
A Poor Clare Colettine
Nun
Printable PDF Version
|
