October 2024

Dear Friends of the IHM Congregation,

October is the month of the Holy Rosary and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, cordially invite you during these days to join us in praying the Rosary for peace in our world, our nation and in our own hearts!

From the beginning days of the IHM Congregation, in 1845, devotion to the Rosary has been central in our daily lives. Praying with and to Mary as her life with Jesus Christ unfolds in the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the Rosary strengthens and uplifts our personal hope in the boundless love of Christ for each of us. 

Our retired sisters at Camilla Hall, our IHM Nursing home, have prepared a YouTube recitation of the Rosary for each of the mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious. Simply click on the images below. As you pray the rosary with each sister, notice also the reflection before each mystery. These few words remind us of God’s boundless and personal love for each of us and for the world. (You may even recognize one or more of the sisters!)

Thank you for praying with us. Know we will be praying for you.

Pray the Rosary With Us!

The Joyful Mysteries

Prayed Mondays and Saturdays and Sundays of Advent

and Christmas

• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Nativity
• The Presentation
• The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Prayed Tuesdays and Fridays

and Sundays of Lent

• The Agony in the Garden
• The Scourging at the Pillar
• The Crowning with Thorns
• The Carrying of the Cross
• The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries

Prayed Wednesdays and Sundays

• The Resurrection
• The Ascension
• The Descent of the Holy Spirit
• The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

About our Patron . . . St. Teresa of Avila

The Original Dancing Queen

Artist: Sister Helen David Brancato, IHM

Let nothing disturb you.

Let nothing make you afraid.

All things are passing.

God alone never changes.

Patience gains all things.

If you have God, you will want for nothing.

God alone suffices.

~ St. Teresa,

The bookmark of Teresa of Ávila

St. Teresa of Avila, a patron of the IHM Sisters, is known to have lived her faith life with immense joy and would dance when overwhelmed with the love of God. She is quoted as saying “May God protect me from gloomy faced saints!” She is sometimes depicted holding a tambourine.

It was through Saint Teresa that St. Alphonsus Liguori came to understand prayer as “nothing but a friendly relationship and frequent conversation with Jesus whom we know loves us.” So, it was really through her spiritual guidance that St. Alphonsus handed on to his Redemptorist Congregation and to the IHM Congregation the wonderful gift of prayer – prayer that is simple and rooted in the lasting tradition of the Church.

Her prayer, shared above, reflects her deep faith and an optimistic stance about facing the challenges of daily living confident of God’s providential care. Perhaps she could be considered a perfect advertisement for the book title – Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. When you consider the personal challenges we each face and the more national and global anxieties of our present historic time, St. Teresa may be a good “go to” saint. In fact, dancing is known to be a great outlet for dealing with stress!

St. Teresa’s feast day is celebrated on October 15.

Upcoming Events

Holy Hour of Adoration and Prayer October 23, 7p.m. – 8 p.m.

Join us in person (or via livestream) for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer on October 23, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel in the IHM Motherhouse. Click on the flyer for more information.

IHM Retreat Offerings – October through December

Fall is here! What better time to take a pause and recharge spiritually. The IHM Congregation offers retreats to the public throughout the year. Click on the Fall 2024 Retreat Brochure pictured below for a list of retreats offered at the three IHM retreat centers. Visit the centers’ websites for costs, retreat amenities, and additional information.

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Proclaiming the Gospel Message in the Spirit of Jesus the Redeemer