On Your Special Day – To Marguerite

In darkness and light, a true mother,

          you walk with us.

Amid crashing waves and on dancing beaches,

you hold us up.

Through fearsome forests and meadows blessed

          with bird-song, you guide our steps.

With frail health or robust energy, you climb

          the hills of our memories,

Never too busy to listen, or sit beside us in

          comfortable quiet,

All the while, leading us to Mary’s open,

waiting arms,

All the while, showing us her Son living

          within us, transforming us with his

          Presence.

 

And now we celebrate your special day:

four hundred years since your birth

and baptism as God’s  own.

We come with grateful hearts for all—

          your dear CND family and ours,

          near and far.

We come with caring hands for the deep

          and crying needs of our world,

near and far.

We come as we are to you, Marguerite,

our foundress, friend and mother.

We join our voices to those of unseen

          throngs:

May your special day be truly joyful and

          somehow, extra happy!

Amen.  Alleluia!