June 27, 2008

My Journey to God

Sacred Spaces–Continuing the Ascent

The curved driveway, stone bridge,
The flowing green lawn, swaying trees
And flowers galore
Welcome me.

The castle stands waiting.
My feet climb stone stairs—
Stairs so many have climbed before me
In these seventy years.

The cool air from
Inside invites me
Into the sacred space
Warm in spirit.

Walls inundated with prayer
Wrap even my heart
Sometimes made of stone,
Sending peace into the soul.

Love embraces.
Stress and tension evaporate,
Replaced by
The presence of God.
This sacred space,
Safely, softly,
Holds the beautiful residents,
Fresh faces, smiling and welcoming,
Unconditional love pouring from them,
Touching us as we reach for hugs.
My heart is full as tears fall.

I love these beautiful sisters,
The Sisters of the Monastery of the Resurrection,
Moving on to a new adventure
As they continue the ascent
To the pinnacle of Mount Carmel.

We, who are left behind,
Also move onward
In our own ascent of Mount Carmel,
Holding in our hearts
That beautiful
Sacred space.

By Trudy Bledsoe, O.C.D.S.

(Trudy Bledsoe is a member of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis and the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order. She wrote this poem after the Mass and open house on June 21 marking the Indianapolis Carmel’s June 30 move to the campus of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg.) †

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