From Issue No. 6 of The Lange Newsletter, April 1993, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
"Our Sole Wish is to do the Will of God"
With breaking heart, Mother Lange accepted the proposal to send Oblate Sisters to serve at St. Mary's Seminary as housekeepers.
This was far afield from the purpose of their foundation. It seemed to echo Archbishop Eccleston's cryptic comment, "To what use (are they as Black women religious and teachers of Black children? They should disband." They had struggled for many years, offering Christian education to neglected Black children. What should they do? How would they survive?
To do the will of God...Lange chose to see it as an opportunity. She, a free woman of African ancestry, a leader, an educator, a foundress, this mother to orphans would find in the Archbishop's unhappy pronouncement God's way of providing income for the children, the school, and the infant community of Oblate Sisters.
In doing so, Mother Mary taught us a valuable lesson. Use the circumstances of life to work for you. Turn them into challenges rather than defeats. If the mission to which one is called demands sacrifice, then do it with a generous spirit and a loving heart.
Her decision of September 30, 1835 was indeed the will of God. It gave permanence to the Congregation of African American Sisters. Started with her personal funds, and continued with monies earned as domestics, her mission and ministry provided Catholic education to African American children not just in Baltimore, but through 164 years (1829-1993), expanded to 18 states, the District of Colkumbia, Cuba and Costa Rica, Central America.
From Issue No. 7 of The Lange Newsletter , August 1993, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
"Hasten to the Blessed Sacrament."
In these few words Mother Lange expresses her deep and consuming devotion to the Blessed Sacrament - Jesus Christ present upon our altars; Jesus Christ our spiritual food and nourishment.
"Sister...hasten to the Blessed Sacrament." Indicated Mother Lange's personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament or Eucharist. This devotion found resonance and affirmation at the 45th International year as speaker gave meaning to devotion to the Eucharist as "the spark to make Christianity contagious to non-Christians." The essential element of the Eucharist was idenified as "participating in the life-style of Christ." Belief was expressed that the eucharistic table implies solidarity and participation with the poor and the announcement of a more just and more fraternal world." And it was noted that "with the Eucharist, the church appears before the world as a sacrament of unity and a sign of charity."
Was Mother Lange implying all of the above in her simple statement, "Sister.....hasten to the Blessed Sacrament?" The compelling personal and corporate witness of Mary Elizabeth Lange seems to affirm that she not only participated in the life-style of Christ, but passed it on in legacy to those who call her "mother."
From Issue No. 8 of The Lange Newsletter,, December 1993, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
"Do All You Can for the Glory and Honor of God"
The above is a quote from a personal letter to a friend signed: Sr. Mary, Sister of Providence dated January 8, 1871. Tradition says that this letter was dictated by Sr. Mary though not written by her own hand.
What is the message of providence spirituality that Mother Lange is trying to convey?
Doing all one can for the glory and honor of God is to be God conscious: mindful of our own personal limitations while at the same time fully conscious of God's omnipotence. In so doing we are constantly reminded of the obligation we, the creature, have to God-the Creator.
Doing all one can for the glory and honor of God is to keep one mindful of God's Word which encourages us to pray always (Eph. 6,18).
Mother Lange's friendly advice to give God reverence due Him seems to resonate from her own depth of spirituality articulated in Psalm 95:3-7: "The Lord is a great god, and a great King is a great god, and a great king above all gods. For in His hand are all the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are His. And the sea is His and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us adore and fall down and weep before the Lord that made us; for He is the Lord our God and we are the people of His pasture."
We sense Mother Lange sharing with us, her friends, not only the depth of her own spirituality honed by constant communication and prayer, but also reminding us of the spiritual legacy of her example. "From the rising of the sun to the going down thereof, praise the name of the Lord." (Ps. 113:3)
How can Mother Lange's message lead to practical application for us? Upon awakening in the morning, we can be mindful that it is God who has empowered us to rise to a new day. With reverence we can give Him honor by offering Him our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of the day. We can offer to God who and what we are in praise, thanksgiving, and reparation; we can offer to Him as gift what we make of ourselves and our resources that day. It gives us the opportunity to give God glory as we try to pray always.
From Issue No. 9 of The Lange Newsletter, , May 1994, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
Mother Lange said...."We recommend this important affair to our good Mother..."
Mother Lange's devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary can easily be identified, even 165 years later, in the dep and abiding devotion to Mary manifested by her daughters. After the example of Mother Lange, the Oblate Sisters unhesitatingly recommend their need, and the needs of other, to Mary.
This was the lesson learned "at the knee" of their foundress who, in the simplicity of her own spirituality, found confidence in making tough decisions when anchored in the mediatrix of all graces-Jesus' Mother.
Through these simple words: "We recommend this important affair to our good Mother..." Mother Lange re-minds us to pray before making decisions. We learn not to depend upon our own resources and fallible wisdom, but to take advantage of God's gift to us - the communion of Saints - especially Mary, God's mother and "our good Mother." Mother Lange teaches us that we are not alone as we seek answers in life and God's will for us. We have a powerful ally and friend speaking on our behalf before the throne of God.There is Mary, His Mother, and "our good Mother..."
From Issue No. 10 of The Lange Newsletter, , August 1994, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
Mother Lange said, "I should love to have some of your pretty flowers and nice green trees."
"I would imagine that it was my own home in the West Indies; but I hope that we will see prettier flowers and more glorious sights in heaven." (Excerpt from one of the last letters of Mother Mary Lange dictated to a friend January 8, 1871. Mother Mary was about 87 years of age).
Was this just a superficial comment of an aging woman? Or, are we able to proble the ordinariness of the remark and discover deeper nuances?
The remark certainly indicates simplicity. On the natural level it demonstrates a fondness for nature. In strictly human terms, there is a hunger - an old woman's nostalgic thoughts and yearnings for a home long forsaken but not forgotten.
The hard years for Mother Mary were over. She could have anticipated Bishop Fisher's prayer for her beatification as he noted: "Mother Lange's love for all enabled her to see Christ in each person, and the pain of prejudice and racial hatred never blurred that vision." She could, in the twilight of her years, say as Paul said to Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that day the Lord, just judge that He is, will award it to me..."(2 Tim. 4:8,9)
Mother Lange's simple words seem to indicate that she has come to terms with the "last things" of her life. One notes her strong and abiding hope in the mercy of God's promise. Her hope led her to look forward to the "prettier flowers and more glorious sights in heaver." Again she can exclaim with the wisdom noted by St. Paul: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him."(1 Cor. 2:9)
Such was the simplicity, faith, hope and love of Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange's last years. Such is the legacy she left to all who, having "fought the good fight," know peace as they await the coming of the Bridegroom.
From Issue No. 11 of The Lange Newsletter,, December 1994, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
Mother Lange said,We prayed for enlightment..."
There may not be much recorded data from the pen of Mother Mary, but what we do have makes clear that praying was a vital component of her life. She personally prayed and she encouraged prayer.
It was a time when all looked bleak for the infant community. The founder, Father Joubert, was dying (1843). Student enrollment dwindled, and it became necessary to take in washing, ironing and mending to provide income for survival. The seminary rector asked for Oblates to take up service at the seminary as domestics. Therese Duchemin, one of the co-foundresses, a former student (Almaide), a long time friend and a former sother superior left the community (1845), and Archbishop made the wrenching declaration "Cui Bono?" ("What's the use?") All this might have been too daunting for a woman not fortified by a life of prayer. For Mother Lange it provides a glimpse of her spirituality.
"We prayed for enlightment..."
Mother Lange reminds us that prayer changes things. Prayer is powerful. Prayer is scriptural. We need only to look at Jesus' example: "When He rose from prayer, He went to His disciples..." (Luke 22:45). We need only look at Jesus' command: "Pray always." (Luke 21:36); "Ask and you shall receive."(Matthew 7:7). We need only look at Jesus' perseverance in prayer: "Pray and do not lose heart." (Luke 18:1).
Reminded of the divine energy generated by prayer, we shouldn't hesitate the next time we are confronted by a decision or dilemma to pray for enlightment.
From Issue No. 12 of The Lange Newsletter, , April 1995, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
In our permissive society of the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's is there any merit in Mother Lange's desire to "follow the rules"? Indeed, even to be "known as sisters"?
Individualism is rampant. The freedom to "express oneself" and to "find oneself" has been in vogye now for more than two generations. Religious life, that state of life perceived as totally dedicated or vowed to God through service to the Churchand God's people, is dwindling beyond recognition.
Does Mother Lange's desire hold validity as we move into the twenty-first century?
What rules do we wish to follow? For Oblates they are the guidelines compiled in Response to Love. (1986 edition of the Constitution and Directives of the Oblate Sisters of Providence.) "They are the roadmap of a pilgrim people, as we make our way to the arms of a loving and providential Father." They continue to embody the spirit of Mother Lange's charism and legacy of providence spirituality as we seek to serve humanity in response to the needs of today.
Do we still wish to be "known as sisters?" Indeed! "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few..."(Matthew 9:37), Oblates invite others to join us: Oblate Associates, Oblate Co-Hourners, all imbued with the vision of Mother Lange who are willing to continue this pilgrim journey into the twenty-first century and beyond.
Yes, "we (still) wish to follow the rules by which we live and are known to be sisters."
From Issue No. 13 of The Lange Newsletter, , August 1995, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
Mother Lange said, "We find in this another advantage, that is the facility to care for Father Tessier in his old age, and Rev. Father Joubert, our Founder, our benefactor and our father..."
Background: The time was thirty years before the Emancipation Proclamation. Maryland was a slave state. By 1834, Oblate supporters were few. Archbishop Whitfield was dead. Most Rev. Tessie was aged, Father Joubert was terminally ill. Archbishop Ecclston, a native Marylander, could see no need for African American women religious or the education of black children. His recommendation: disband...become house servants. Father Deloul, rector of the seminary (in compliance?) invited Mother Mary, Oblate Superior to send Sisters as housekeepers at the seminary.
Mother Lange's acquiescence to his request is preserved in her written response. Her reply became the basis of Oblate discernment of God's will as we continue to trust in his providential care.
We find in this (working as servants at the seminary) another advantage."
She saw that to survive it was necessary to meet the need of the time. Maintaining the school, orphanage and congregation was the primary concern. Through accepting temporarily this occupation, God was providing the opportunity to survive. What matter that Oblates were founded to educate? By accepting Fr. Deluol's proposal, the $60.00 per year per sister's salary would provide sustenance for God's work - they could continue the Christian (Catholic) education of his black children.
Another "advantage" Mother Mary recognized was the need to reciprocate kindness. Both Fr. Tessier and Fr. Joubert had been friends and benefactors. Now, in their old age and last illness Oblates could make some return by caring for them in their need (Jas. 2:14-17).
There was also the "advantage" of using this situation to pass a legacy down through the ages. A legacy of humbly trusting in God's loving providence. Humbly recognizing that nothing done for God is demeaning. Mother Mary spoke loudly and eloquently that our God is a faithful God; still we must trust. In the parlance of today we might say "God is never late. He is never absent. He is always on time."
From Issue No. 14 of The Lange Newsletter, , December 1995, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
Mother Lange's words bring to mind words of wisdom revealed by the Spirit preached by St. Paul: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man that God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor. 2:9).
In her January 8, 1871 letter dictated to her friend, Sr. Philomena, Mother Lange's comment rings with a nostalgic tone. She had already mentioned her desire for some of her friend's pretty flowers reminiscent of her "own home in the West Indies." However she seems consoled by anticipatinf the joys of the homecoming she can expect at the end of her earthly pilgrimage.
Mother Elizabeth Lange, at the time of this remark, had spent 43 years as a woman religious. Her active ministry was now in the hands of competent younger women. All of her early companions had gone on to glory before her. It would be eleven years before God granted her the fulfillment of her yearning - eleven years more to wait and pray and await the Bridegroom's call.
In this poignant statement, "I hope...more glorious sights in heaven." Mother Lange gives us pause to think. Do we see death as going home? Are we confident that God's mercy prevails. Do the words of our hearts cry "holy!"? Is our life a preparation for the awesome moment of hope possessed? Do we so live that we, too, can anticipate the joy of "the glorious sights of heaven?"
From Issue No. 15 of The Lange Newsletter, , April 1996, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
Father Deluol, S.S., had requested of Mother Mary Oblate Sisters to serve as housekeepers at St. Mary's Seminary. This request was a deviation from the Oblates' founding purpose: "the Christian education of children of color." After prayerful reflection, Mother Lange assents to his request.
Mother Lange teaches us a valuable lesson. Before making a decision, engage in prayerful reflection. Psalm 17 may well have been the reflection of her heart as well as the prayer upon her lips:
Listen, O Lord, to my plea for justice; pay attention to my cry for help! Listen to my honest prayer. You will judge in my favor, because you know what is right. You know my heart...You have examined me completely and found no evil desire in me...I have always walked in your way and have never strayed from it. Psalms 17: 1-5.
Many decisions are neither life threatening nor life changing. Most decisions have small, if any, faith or moral implications. Yet all decisions can contribute to and give indication of the depth of our spitirual union with our God.
After having reflected...I may decide not to take a job that (more money not withstanding) would place me in a position to compromise my faith, my family, or my integrity.
After having reflected...I may determine that the real and consistent urging og my soul is in fact the Spirit calling me toward a particular direction.
After having reflected...I may consent or dissent, accept ot reject, decide to act or decide to wait further - on the Lord.
Whatever I do, whatever direction I ultimately take, the sense of peace and satisfaction that accompanies and follows prayerful reflection recognizes my desire to unite my will to the will of him who is my all in all.
From Issue No. 16 of The Lange Newsletter, , August 1996, the following Mother Lange Said article appeared:
"We make a general Communion for this intention..." - Mother Mary Lange
The grace of Communion is so important and so powerful that no theological treatise could adequately explain its mysteries. Eucharistic Communion - the love of a God to unite Himself with a human soul. No wonder "Whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give you."(Jn. 14:16).
"Why dont's you say," she once admonished a sister, "I must hasten to the Blessed Sacrament."
Mother Lange had a deep and abiding love for the Blessed Sacrament. Even on her death bed she refused medication so that she could receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
When called upon to make a decision, Mother Lange, united with the whole community, made an offering of Jesus in His Sacramental Presence, her Eucharistic Lord. "Mindful that if two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by my Father in heaven (Mt. 18:19) Mother Lange and all the sisters prayed at the moment of Eucharist to know God's will.
This has been one of Mother Mary's legacies to us, her Oblate daughters - faith is the power of the Eucharist. To this day one often hears the confident remark when faced with concerns or decisions: "Put it in the chalice."
Mother Lange now invites you to this simple remedy for life's decisions. At the celebration of the Eucharist, as you invite Jesus through Eucharistic communion, put your dilemma in the chalice. Jesus never fails.