M. Vicki: Sister Hildegard, what do you seek?
Sr. Hildegard: The mercy of God and your mercy.
M. Vicki:
“Come to me. Follow me,” the Heart of Mercy whispered into your heart. And you followed. You left your native country to respond to Mercy who drew you to Cistercian life at the Abbey of Echourgnac in France. From there, the mercy of God drew you to a monastery in the hill country of southern Arizona in the United States–another journey to leave the familiar and follow where Jesus, Mercy incarnate, drew you.
And here we are today, the day in which you will become a permanent member of Santa Rita Abbey. Mercy is once more inviting you to take his hand in trust and love. With joy we receive you as you become a member of our community. With joy we travel with you into the merciful love of God poured out on us in Jesus and in which we will share eternally when all journeys reach their destinations in the Heart of God forever.
From Kenya, to France, to the United States – all places where there is a representative present today: you, Sister Hildegard, Mother Bénédicte of Echourgnac, and the Santa Rita community here. May God’s tender love keep us always united in the merciful heart of Christ.
