Solemn Evening Prayer to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Marymount
Eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 7, 2007
At 5:30 p.m. on December 7, 2007, about 100 Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, alumnae of Marymount schools (Tarrytown, NY, New York City, Arlington, VA, Los Angeles, CA, France, England, Italy and Colombia), faculty from Marymount educational facilities, and friends of the RSHM gathered in Marymount Convent, Tarrytown, NY for the eve of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the day when Mother Butler and six other RSHM founded Marymount.
The evening was opened with a brief history of Mother Butler given by Sister Kathleen Connell in the Convent auditorium, and a tour of the original Convent parlors, the Heritage Room and the crypt where Mother Marie Joseph Butler, James Butler and members of his family, Mother Gerard Phelan and Mother Rita Rowley are buried.
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Sister Kathleen Connell describing the history of the foundation of Marymount and some of the life of Mother Joseph Butler |
A tour group in one of the original Marymount Convent parlors during which some early history of the sisters was described |
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Entering the Heritage room which describes many of the RSHM foundations in the United States. |
Sister Bernadette Kenny (left) in the crypt with a tour group. |
Following a gathering for a brief repast in the Marymount Convent dining room and some time to greet friends from the past, all were invited to come to the Butler Memorial Chapel for a time of quiet reflection before the beginning of Solemn Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. During this time, Ms. Margaret Smelldon played a medley of reflective songs, hymns and Advent music on the harp.
In evening prayer, we celebrate the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. By solemnizing this prayer, we focus on Christ our Light and Christ our pledge of forgiveness. The evening prayer celebrated was First Vespers for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Sister Rosamond Blanchet in Butler Memorial Chapel
Evening prayer began with an introduction to the assembly by Sister Rosamond Blanchet, provincial superior of the Eastern American Province. Sister Rosamond greeted our guests who included our former general superior, Sister Catherine Dolan, and the provincial superior of the Western American province, Sister Patricia Connor. Participants in the solemn evening prayer included representatives from the RSHM Network of Schools throughout the world, faculty and administrators, former students and alumnae, and members of the SHM Extended Family. The presider for the Solemn Evening Prayer was Sister Gabrielle Corbally; the assistant was Sister Ines Gizzarelli.
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| Procession at beginning of solemn evening prayer. Cross bearer: Sister Catherine Dolan Thurifer: Sister Ann Thaddeus Marino |
Organist: Sister Catherine Vincie. Choir director: Sister Helene Louise Zimmerman Choir: RSHM and friends |
In the first psalm for the feast, Psalm 113, we praise God for all that God has done, especially for lifting up the poor and the weak.
The second psalm, Psalm 147, continues the theme of praise for creation and filling the land of the chosen people with peace.
The third sung melody, the new Testament canticle from Ephesians speaks of God's election of us in Christ and the promise of unity in the fullness of time.
Finally, the song of Mary proclaims the victory of the downtrodden and the lowly.
The Solemn Evening prayer was a twofold celebration: the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the anniversary of the founding of Marymount in the Eastern American Province by Mother Joseph Butler. The vision of education for women of all classes has been carried out by the RSHM over the past hundred years and is very visible in the present time through the RSHM network of schools. To proclaim this celebration in a special way, Sister Gabrielle Corbally gave a beautiful homily and reflection spoke about Mary's response and the journeys of Paul, Gailhac, and M. Joseph Butler as examples of the responses of those "who know that all things work for good for those who love God and who are called according to God's purpose" Romans 8:28.
Sister Gabrielle Corbally - text of homily
We then pray our intercessions and the Our Father to move forward the sacred history that will shatter secular time.
Solemn Evening Prayer concluded with the singing of "Immaculate Mary" by the choir and the assembly.
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© 2007 Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary