In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds the three half-believing disciples of His approaching death and resurrection. Suddenly, they see Jesus changed, transfigured before their eyes, with a shining face and garments while He is conversing with Moses and Elijah. From a cloud, they hear God refer to Jesus His “beloved Son” and the reminder to “listen to Him.” Certainly Jesus was moved by His Father’s tribute, and it echoed deep in his heart. With a loving gesture, He changed the disciples’ fear to belief by saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

Our journey through Lent offers us the opportunity to be renewed. For example, how often during our lives do we face uncertainty and question how we will endure the stress? Whether it is anxiety while waiting for a medical diagnosis, concern for someone serving our country in a distant land, apprehension about pending financial issues, or any other number of things that weigh heavy on our mind and heart, we know that these dark clouds can consume us. Let us be reminded of the half-believing disciples of this Gospel and, like them, hear a gentle voice speak to us with the assurance of unconditional love. God is always near. May we walk by faith.

Our Sister M. Charitas Prince, O.S.F. (103) died on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at 6:20 p.m. here at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Charitas, the former Charlotte Vera Prince, was born in Cooks Valley, WI, on October 19, 1910, the daughter of William and Mary Swartz Prince. She entered our Congregation on October 15, 1927, and professed her religious vows on May 26, 1930.

Sister was a graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She served our community as a nurse at hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. She was a nursing instructor at St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing from 1932 until 1937 and again from 1942 until 1972 - she also served as Assistant Dean of Nurses from 1935 until 1937. In addition, she served as a science teacher for St. Francis High School at St. Francis Convent from 1937 until 1942. She was also a Missionary and English Instructor at Star of the Sea Clinic in Taiwan from 1972 until 1982 and again from 1989 until 1994, when she returned to St. Francis Convent.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Orland W. and Donald J. Prince, and four sisters, Evelyn Murphy and Ethel, Charlot, and Annette Prince.

She is survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 84 years.

Visitation will be held here at St. Francis Convent on Sunday, March 9, 2014, from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Andre Schludecker, OFM, on Monday, March 10, 2014, at 10:30 AM in our St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel here at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in our Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

To read a 2010 story on the occasion of her 100th birthday, please click on this link.

To read her feature story from 2001, please click on this link.

To see a short video, please click here.

Staab Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Our Lenten Journey begins on March 5 with Ash Wednesday. Using blessed ashes of burned palm branches from last year’s celebration of Palm Sunday, our foreheads will be marked with the sign of the cross as a symbol of humbling our hearts and a reminder that life passes away on Earth. (“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”) Ashes also serve as a symbol of penance, remind us of the need for sacrifice, and that God is gracious and merciful to those who call upon Him with a repentant heart.

The Gospel from Matthew on the First Sunday of Lent tells the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert by Satan, the devil. What nerve Satan had in tempting Jesus. Didn’t he know who He was?  But Jesus prayed and stood firm. Next, Satan tried to get Jesus to question His own identity. He thought that if Jesus doubted for a minute, he might tempt Him to walk away from God’s ultimate plan. Again Jesus prayed and stayed focused on His Father’s love. Not satisfied, Satan tempted Jesus a third time as he tried to get Jesus to fall down and worship him. Jesus finally had enough and told Satan to be gone.

The lesson of this Gospel for us is that if Jesus can be tempted, how much more can we be tempted. In the stressful world in which we live, temptations surround us from all sides. But if we pray, stay focused, and ask Jesus for help in these challenging moments, we too will have the courage to tell Satan to be gone.

Our Sisters have written Meditations that will be posted here weekly and we invite you to journey with us through Lent. The Series begins with Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday of Lent and the Series concludes on Easter.