Lifegiving Helfta Work: Book of Special Grace 1:1

 

Wisdom’s Chalice: The Helfta Theologians on Women’s Ministries

 

Wisdom has built her house,
    she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
    she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
    from the highest places in the town,
“You that are simple, turn in here!”
    To those without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

           Proverbs 9:1-6

 

When it came time for the noble banquet in which Mechthild was to receive her soul’s Beloved in the sacramental communion of his body and blood, she heard him say, “You are in me and I in you, and unto eternity I will not forsake you.” From the very depths of her heart, she desired nothing but the praise of God. The Lord gave her his divine heart in the likeness of a wonderfully decorated golden goblet, saying “Through my divine heart you shall always praise me. Go and offer the living cup of my heart to all the saints, so they can be happily intoxicated with it.”

Book of Special Grace 1:1

Overview: Beginnings and Endings

     I begin this blog as my intentional dedicated 19th Annotation retreat nears its official end:

    From July 31, 2020, feast of St. Ignatius, to close --which began on Tuesday November 16, 2021 feast of Gertrud of Helfta and Margaret of Scotland, continued through Saturday November 20 2021, vigil feast of Reign of Christ, and should wrap up this Saturday November 27, 2021 with vigil of Advent 1. 

    But in the broader sense it began in March 2019 when I discerned the call to spend July in private retreat at Brush St. townhouse with Katie at Kriegbaums and Matt at Mark and Lynley's. And he turned it into kidnapping and trauma and end of active mothering for barely 16 year old Katherine and especially me.

     Intended to do it formally that July 31, 2019 to August 6, 2020--Transfiguration, Catherine LaCugna's birthday, and priesting anniversary. But lots of stuff going on so not as formal/in depth as past year.

    Biggest learning, perhaps, is that there is an overall arch of 4 Weeks from Principle and Foundation to Contemplation to Attain Love...But also shorter ins and outs of those dynamics along the way. 

    Will take that, not sure precisely how, to my own yearly practice as well as, please God, someday companioning others and writing on this.