Prayer
Ponderings of Grace Archives

Ponderings of Grace - The Visitation

 

In everyone's life there is a great need for an anam cara, a soul friend. In this love you are understood without mask or pretension. When you are understood, you are home. Understanding nourishes belonging. When you really feel understood, you feel free to release yourself into the trust and shelter of another's soul.

Anam Cara
John O'Donohue

 

The image of the visitation is a sacred encounter of two anam caras: Mary, searching for a sister, a soul to share her life-changing news, and who found a safe haven where she could let down her guard and be loved deeply by another; and Elizabeth, who relished the supporting strength and companionship of her youthful cousin. The two women provided comfort for one another's souls, an offering of pure presence.

When Wisdom Speaks
Lyn Holley Doucet and Robin Hebert

 

For many years, it was my great privilege and blessing to serve as a doula, one who accompanies and companions women giving birth. Presence and trust, courage and strength are essential for the sacred work of bringing new life into the world. There are few life events where two souls meet so intimately than in birth. I am struck by how similar a doula relationship is to the anam cara relationship between Mary and Elizabeth to which Robin Hebert poignantly refers.

In an age when detachment is alarmingly present in our society, let us honor and cherish the anam caras in our life, soul friends with whom we share deeply.  It is through our anam cara relationships, our visitations,  that we encounter the face and heart of our loving God. What a privilege it is to join with Mary and cry out, my soul proclaims the greatness of God.

As we journey through this day, may we not forget to offer gratitude for the graces and blessings and gifts of our anam caras.

 

Joan Dollinger
SSJ Associate