By SSND Associate Kathi Barth
On March 9, 2024, Sisters, Associates, and guests gathered for their annual Lenten Retreat. This year’s leader, Sister Lorrita Verhey, SSND, chose the theme “Did You See him?”
She first spoke of how those who saw Jesus after his resurrection did not recognize him, but once they did they were filled with awe or were “God-smacked.”
She then shared the findings of Dacher Keltner from his book, “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life,” on the many ways experiencing awe can affect a person physiologically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially.
In small groups, we shared with each other our experiences of awe and we took an “awe-journey” throughout our gathering space, noting anything that inspired awe in us.
Associate Karen Didier noted that she values these Lenten experience.
“For me, these gatherings give me something spiritual to focus on during Lent. I also enjoy spending time with the Sisters and Associates, sharing and learning more about their personal lives, where they are at in their life, and what brought them there.
“Also, as a single lay person, I enjoy the opportunity to share things I am going through and have gone through in my life with the Sisters and other Associates.”
We are grateful to Sister Lorrita for sharing her wisdom with us during this sacred season and for helping us recognize that, if we pay attention to our surroundings, we can each live awe-filled lives.
A special part of our morning was witnessing Barbara renew her Associate covenant for another year. From left: Sister Lorrita Verhey, her sister Rita, Barbara Healy, Sister Jean Phelan.
From left: Sisters Lupita Marie Cordero, Maureen Clancy, Rose Cecile Espinos and Caritas Wehrman
