‘Glitter’ and ‘Bling’or ‘Mud’ and ‘Poverty’, which would you chose? In this world of instant everything, many of us reach out for the former but there are some amongst us who make choices in life which carry them away from certainty and comfort to walk the challenging road with those whom society keeps in poverty.
Nano Nagle, an Irish woman, declared ‘Venerable’ last week by Pope Francis, began with a longing for ‘bling’. Born to a Catholic family in 1718 in Ballygriffin near Mallow, Co. Cork, it is said she had the unusual distinction of being presented at the court of King Louis XV of France, of dressing in finest silk and of moving through Paris from ball to ball in a fancy carriage. Yet, she has been declared ‘Venerable’ not because of her place in wealthy society but because of her choice to walk with the poorest amid the dangerous and muddy streets of 18th Century Cork. Nano’s story, familiar to Presentation Sisters, colleagues, friends and pupils, will become more widely known over the coming days.
Her significance, however, is not just as an interesting historical figure, a good story to fill the pages of books but as a model of Christian calling from which to take courage, a counter calling to that of a superficial life of ambition for instant success. Following her example, countless numbers of Irish women, and others, set out from their families and communities to devote their lives to the alleviation of poverty, the empowerment of people and to the development of faith. It is a call which, if we have the ears to hear, is still as strong and as relevant today as it was for Nano in the 1700s.
I became a Presentation Sister not because it offered a life of instant anything but because it offered a life of belief in God’s love, which has the power to open doors, bring down walls and draw us ever closer to one another if we but follow the example of Christ, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (Jn 10:10) The Christian life is a choice. We may have been baptised as babies but when we come to adulthood, whatever path in life we follow, lay or religious, we must choose to take up the baptismal call of our childhood and live it as an adult. That deliberate choice will inevitably take us, in some shape or form, as it took Nano, into the dark and muddy lanes of the world to walk a piece of the journey with those who struggle most.
Nano, known as the ‘Woman of the Lantern’ had her steps lit by its light as she walked the lanes of Cork City. Probably embarrassed today with the spotlight now focused on her, but always practical, she would hope, I think, that this honour inspires others to courageously take up their Christian faith, to make the choice to live a life of love which makes a real difference and is not merely an unreflective life, a bit of ‘bling’.
Presentation education
Nano Nagleís commitment to formal education is, for the most part, now led by committed lay men and women steeped in the tradition of Presentation Education. Presentation schools are continuing under the trusteeship of individual dioceses and the CEIST Trust accompanied locally, where possible, by Presentation Sisters. The tradition of breaking down barriers to education continues in innovative new initiatives.
One such initiative, iScoil, is an online school community for 13 to 16 years olds for whom, at present, traditional schooling is not an option. Approximately 55 students are enrolled annually and most continue on to further education, to employment or return to mainstream school. For more information see www.iscoil.ie. Most Presentation initiatives have an educational focus, the stories of these and others can be viewed on www.presentationsistersunion.org
A call to something ‘more’
One of the characteristics of a congregation is that it remains true to its founding intention but is not fossilised by it. As Presentation Sisters, we meet internationally every six years to reaffirm our commitment as a congregation and to refocus our direction in the light of the Gospel and the needs of the world. This means that our ëvocationí to a religious life in the tradition of Nano Nagle is constantly drawing us out beyond ourselves in the service of Godís people.
A vocation therefore is not something for the present moment but something we take on daily. We are convinced that today the Spirit of God is calling people to follow in the footsteps of Nano Nagle as sisters or lay associates/friends. May you listen and follow your own baptismal call wherever that may take you.