Listen and Repent: Blessed Rose-Marie Durocher
(Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79; Lk 10:13-16)
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“Made a searching and fearless moral inventory” and “Admitted to God, ourselves and another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs”
These two sentences are Step 4 and Step 5 of the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, and together with the readings today, they provide us with a message to both listen to God’s word and repent of our wrong-doing.
Within the Church, those two steps of AA connect directly with two stages of the sacrament of reconciliation: examination of conscience, and confession. The readings today focus on both.
The prophet Baruch, in the first reading, is a powerful example of a communal examination of conscience, and an admission of guilt. He laments that his fellow Israelites, even after they celebrated the Torah upon their return from exile, still failed miserably to keep it: they disobeyed it, did not listen to it, were stubborn and willful, gave themselves over to false gods in idolatry, and even did evil deeds. His was certainly a searching and fearless moral inventory, as well as an honest and humble confession.
The psalmist continues along the same line of repentance – “Do not remember against us the iniquity of our ancestors” and adds a prayer for deliverance.
Jesus in the gospel uses even stronger language in addressing his disciples, chastising the Israelites for their lack of repentance and telling them that they are worse off than the pagan nations surrounding them. He then honors those who believe in him and have repented with the statement that those who listen to them, listen to him and to the Father.
Church of the Beatitudes where our guide talked about Chorazin, Capernaum and Bethsaida
So, in a nutshell, to follow Jesus is to listen and take to heart his word, to search our hearts in response for how we have failed to truly listen and live that word, to repent and to turn to him for forgiveness and deliverance.
Those who pray using both centering prayer and contemplation are encouraged to use a mantra derived from the words of scripture. A friend advised me to make that mantra seven syllables, for some reason. Since then, I have been doing that and have found it helpful. My mantra for these readings today became, “Lord Jesus, listen, repent.” As I prayed I realized that these four words in seven syllables expressed quite well the message from the readings today.
Today we honor Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, who certainly was one who listened attentively to the words of Jesus, took them to heart, repented of any sins she may have committed, and lived out the word throughout a long life of ministry as a religious woman. She holds a special place in my heart because of her connection with the Oblates or Mary Immaculate, to which I belong, and also because members of her community served in our archdiocese of Keewatin-The Pas. The following biography is taken from the Living With Christ pamphlet
Blessed Mari-Rose Durocher
Born Eulalie Mélanie Durocher, Marie-Rose Durocher founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Born in 1811 in St-Antoine, Quebec, Eulalie went to school in Montreal. Soon after her mother’s death in 1829, Eulalie moved to Beloeil, where her bother, the pastor, put her in charge of his household, where she worked for 13 years.
Sr. Carmen Catellier, a member of Blessed Marie-Rose’s congregation, with an elder from Cross Lake, MB
The Oblates of Mary Immaculate had just arrived from France, sent by their founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod. With their assistance, Eulalie established the first Canadian sodality for young women. She became the first Canadian postulant of the Sisters of the Holy Names, of Marseilles.
Oblate cross and vows
When the Oblates failed to recruit religious teachers form Marseilles, Bishop Bourget of Montreal invited Eulalie to found new congregation dedicated to religious education and in 1843 a small community of novices settled in Longeuil.
In 1844, they were professed by the bishop, taking the name, habit and constitutions from the Marseilles community, with Marie-Rose as superior. Presumably this is when Eulalie took the name of Marie-Rose.
Although she died just six years later, at the age of 36, the community had already begun to grow despite poverty and hardship, and several schools had been established. Today the outreach of the congregation is worldwide. Marie-Rose Durocher was beatified in 1982.
The Eucharist is a celebration that includes repentance through the penitential rite, listening to the Word of God, and both forgiveness and healing. It also missions us to go out to the whole world and live out the word of God through selfless service, like Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher.
Very good work. That picture is a few years old….but I remember well the day and time. Nellie McLoed was sick by then and kept getting worse for a year or so. I felt so sorry for her….there was so much disfunction and sadness in that family.
Well, well thanks for the beautiful story about listening and repent in order to follow Jesus Christ. The information you gave about Sr. Marie Rose Durocher as an example . What is mantra in seven syllables ? I always keep St. Therese Lisieux words in my heart as I pray and also Mother Teresa of Calcutta especially in the month of October. I should keep your words and teachings in my heart and spirit with all the homilies you presented. We are all grateful to have you as an archbishop and writing all these homilies to people. Many Blessings Bishop ! You have lovely pictures.