NCFishwrap publishes LCWR prayer “for discernment”. Fr. Z opines.

The Fishwrap (aka the ultra-liberal dissenting National Catholic Reporter) has published a prayer written by a woman religious in advance of responding to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the upcoming annual meeting of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR).

The LCWR (a subsidiary of the Magisterium of Nuns) is in the process of being retooled by the CDF.

Have a look:

A prayer for discernment as LCWR begins deliberations
by Thomas C. Fox on May. 29, 2012

NCR Today

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious begins several days of deliberations today in preparations to offer a response to the April 18th Vatican doctrinal asssessment. Leaders of 13 regions of women religious will begin to decide this week on a course of action and will take the ideas which come from this week’s discussions to the full LCWR assembly, set to meet in August in St. Louis.

Meanwhile, LCWR as asked for prayers and has posted on its website a prayer written by Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Chris Koellhoffer.

God’s Spirit
A Prayer for our Sisters

In this time of pain and promise,
we call on God’s Spirit to bless
the leadership of LCWR, of our
Congregation, and all women religious
who strive to live the gospel in these
uncertain times.

We call on the Spirit of God to reveal
the way forward that is faithful to God’s
dream for us and our lives together.

May all who are called to engage
in prayer and conversation come to
the table with hearts that are open,
transparent, and faith-filled. May their
reflection be marked by a deep listening
to the voice of the Spirit at work in
our world.

May the holy ones who have gone
before us inspire us by their courage
and wisdom and affirm that we are
not alone.

May we continue to faithfully live the
questions of our time and witness to
the people of God that we are women
at home with mystery and filled with
fierce hope for our shared future.
Amen.

by Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Chris Koellhoffer

Okay… all in all it isn’t a horrible prayer, considering the …. unusual… environment it comes out of.

Yes, this is a time of pain and promise. Yes, it is good to pray to “the Spirit”, “the Spirit of God”, “God’s Spirit”, so long as we are praying to the Holy Spirit, Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity.

No, Sister, God doesn’t have a “dream” for you.

I am not sure what being “women at home with mystery” means, or what might be involved in a “fierce hope” for a “shared future” means, especially when you see the list of the speakers for that Assembly.

However, I suggest that, as part of the their “conversation” and “listening”, they ought to do a great deal more listening than talking. And in their listening, sure, listen to the Holy Spirit, but especially as manifested through Holy Church’s duly appointed shepherds. Their LCWR’s listening should be offered to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and those whom the CDF have appointed to oversee their renewal. They must not attempt to pit the Holy Spirit against Holy Church’s shepherds. The Holy Spirit is talking to the sisters already, through Holy Church’s shepherds.

Therefore, sisters, listen a great deal more than you talk and pray for the courage to be docile.

In the meantime, try this prayer.  And I ask all the readers here prayerfully to read this through, in this special time of the Octave of Pentecost, asking the Third Person of the Trinity to help these women attain a great victory and give a profound witness by openly and joyfully offering obedience to the Holy See.

Latin text
English version

Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
et emitte caelitus
lucis tuae radium.

Veni, pater pauperum,
veni, dator munerum,
veni, lumen cordium.

Consolator optime,
dulcis hospes animae,
dulce refrigerium.

In labore requies,
in aestu temperies,
in fletu solatium.

O lux beatissima,
reple cordis intima
tuorum fidelium.

Sine tuo numine,
nihil est in homine,
nihil est innoxium.

Lava quod est sordidum,
riga quod est aridum,
sana quod est saucium.

Flecte quod est rigidum,
fove quod est frigidum,
rege quod est devium.

Da tuis fidelibus,
in te confidentibus,
sacrum septenarium.

Da virtutis meritum,
da salutis exitum,
da perenne gaudium.

Come, Holy Spirit,
send forth the heavenly
radiance of your light.

Come, father of the poor,
come, giver of gifts,
come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter,
sweet guest of the soul,
sweet consolation.

In labor, rest,
in heat, temperance,
in tears, solace.

O most blessed light,
fill the inmost heart
of your faithful.

Without your grace,
there is nothing in us,
nothing that is not harmful.

Cleanse that which is unclean,
water that which is dry,
heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible,
fire that which is chilled,
correct what goes astray.

Give to your faithful,
those who trust in you,
the sevenfold gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue,
grant the deliverance of salvation,
grant eternal joy.