Outside United States Bishops Conference Meeting in Baltimore June 12th- "Women Praying Beside the Water; Male Bishops Praying Inside" by Janice Sevre-Duszynska ARCWP

This windy Baltimore afternoon, holding a tambourine and an anti-nuke poster Pope Francis calls “The fruit of war,” I joined Catholic Worker women friends,  Paul Magno of Jonah House, and other local women for a 2 pm prayer service outside the Marriott Hotel by the water as the US bishops prayed inside.

 It was good to meet up with these women friends who pilgrimaged to Rome in February during the Bishops Summit to bear witness to the suffering church and address reforms. 

I was looking forward to praying with them again.

Our invocation took the form of a litany of saints: among them Mary of Magdala, Hildegard of Bingen, Mary Mackilop of Australia, Brigid of Ireland, Sr. Thea Bowman, Dorothy Day and pacifist Ben Salmon.

After the Opening Song, “Spirit of the Living God,” we began with an Opening Prayer adapted from a prayer written by Sr. Joan Chittister:

Come Spirit renew the hearts of all who are gathered here for prayer and praise. The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God, the animating energy present in all things and captured by none. In celebration of the great feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of God, we pray:

May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

bring fire to the earth

so that the presence of God

may be seen

in a new light,

in new places,

in new ways.

May our own hearts

burst into flame 

so that no obstacle,

no matter how great,

ever obstructs the message

of the God within each of us.

I had brought along a treasured booklet of reflections by Sr. Elizabeth Johnson: “Women, Earth, Creator Spirit,”

that accompanied my witnessing to the bishops years earlier.  I showed this “dancing” Hildegard of Bingen description of Spirit to Claire Schaefer-Duffy who suggested it as a third reading after Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-18 and an Excerpt from Sr. Veronica Openibo.

“I, the highest and fiery power have kindled every living spark and I have breathed out nothing that can die...I flame above the beauty of the fields; I shine in the waters; in the sun, the moon, and the stars, I burn.

And

by means of the airy wind, I stir everything into quickness with a certain invisible life which sustains all... I, the fiery power, lie hidden in these things and they blaze from me.” (From Hildegard of Bingen: Mystical Writings, Fiona Bowie & Oliver Davies, eds. (NY: Crossroad, 1990) 91-93.

Here is a sampling of the Intercessory Prayers:

We pray for Pope Francis and for all of the bishops gathered for this Spring meeting that they will open their hearts to the cry of the people of God. We pray that they will listen, and be given the courage and strength to be renewed and heed the call of the Holy Spirit.

Response: Spirit of God, breathe in us.

We pray for all survivors of sex abuse that they may be given comfort, experience the deep healing love of God, and find mercy and justice for what they have suffered and endured.

Response: Spirit of God, breathe in us.

Subject: Witnessing at Bishops Conference in Baltimore,     Tuesday, June 11   Very windy today in Baltimore. Spoke with some bishops Including one from Milwaukee, my hometown. Listened to stories from a number of SNAP people and passers-by which made me recall that I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years. Interviewed by TV reporter who asked what needs to be changed in the church. I responded with “married priests and women priests and circular non-hierarchical communities where all are welcome.” I said it is a servant priesthood we espouse. Max and I held our anti-nuke and anti-war signs and asked the bishops to speak out against Militarism, nukes and our Military Budget. I reminded them that nonviolence is the root of the Gospels. Representatives of Harbor East Security asked us for a permit. We explained that we do not need a permit and intend to continue with our vigil.  Janice Sevre Duszynska ARCWP witnesses at United States Catholic Bishops Meeting in Baltimore, June 11th and June 12th