The month of September heralds the coming
of Spring here in Victoria, and our community was able to rejoice in the
beautiful feast days of two of our members here at Rosary Convent. The feast of the Seven Sorrows of the
Blessed Virgin on September 15 had us commemorating the very first name day of
Sister Maria Dolores, a canonical novice whose patron is none other than the
Queen of Martyrs. The Mass and Office of that day recalls her Compassion with
the Crucified Saviour and the Church’s confidence in her maternal intercession
for the redeemed faithful of Christ. May our dear Sister and our congregation
continue to reap a rich spiritual harvest of graces for souls under the loving
protection of a Mother who has suffered so much for our salvation.
of Spring here in Victoria, and our community was able to rejoice in the
beautiful feast days of two of our members here at Rosary Convent. The feast of the Seven Sorrows of the
Blessed Virgin on September 15 had us commemorating the very first name day of
Sister Maria Dolores, a canonical novice whose patron is none other than the
Queen of Martyrs. The Mass and Office of that day recalls her Compassion with
the Crucified Saviour and the Church’s confidence in her maternal intercession
for the redeemed faithful of Christ. May our dear Sister and our congregation
continue to reap a rich spiritual harvest of graces for souls under the loving
protection of a Mother who has suffered so much for our salvation.
The 29th of September was the Feast of St
Michael the Archangel and Mother General’s Feast Day, and this year saw the Sisters at Rosary Convent making the day extra special in thanksgiving to
Almighty God for our Foundress and Congregation.
Michael the Archangel and Mother General’s Feast Day, and this year saw the Sisters at Rosary Convent making the day extra special in thanksgiving to
Almighty God for our Foundress and Congregation.
As you might know, Mich-a-el means “who is like God,”
and it was this great Archangel who was chosen to lead God’s army against
Satan’s forces. Thus Christian antiquity portrays him wielding a sword for he
is truly the protector and the leader of the angelic army against the forces of
evil. Indeed, there can be a parallel drawn between the great Archangel and the
great St. Dominic who, in the 1200’s, was chosen by God to lead a new army of Religious – the Dominican Order.
and it was this great Archangel who was chosen to lead God’s army against
Satan’s forces. Thus Christian antiquity portrays him wielding a sword for he
is truly the protector and the leader of the angelic army against the forces of
evil. Indeed, there can be a parallel drawn between the great Archangel and the
great St. Dominic who, in the 1200’s, was chosen by God to lead a new army of Religious – the Dominican Order.
St. Michael’s war cry is QUIS UT
DEUS (who is like God?) and the Dominican motto is VERITAS (Truth). The Rosary
worn by all Dominicans is attached on the left side and reflects both of these
maxims as the sword used in their work of defending the Catholic faith and the
interests of Christ. We thus honoured both St. Michael the Archangel and St
Dominic in Mother Mary Micaela O.P. during this festive day.
DEUS (who is like God?) and the Dominican motto is VERITAS (Truth). The Rosary
worn by all Dominicans is attached on the left side and reflects both of these
maxims as the sword used in their work of defending the Catholic faith and the
interests of Christ. We thus honoured both St. Michael the Archangel and St
Dominic in Mother Mary Micaela O.P. during this festive day.

This
year, September the 29th fell
on a Monday within the Spring term break. Our day at Rosary Convent began with
Mass at Corpus Christi Church. It was a mild morning and heaven smiled sweetly
down on us with the newness of spring, enabling us to lunch outside with our
honoured guests Frs. Michael Delsorte and Jordie Stephens.
year, September the 29th fell
on a Monday within the Spring term break. Our day at Rosary Convent began with
Mass at Corpus Christi Church. It was a mild morning and heaven smiled sweetly
down on us with the newness of spring, enabling us to lunch outside with our
honoured guests Frs. Michael Delsorte and Jordie Stephens.
The spring break was not to
finish without a Community trip to the great Australian outdoors. Mount
Cannibal, a mere 10 minute drive from the convent, was our next destination a
few days after the festivities ended. At an elevation of 241 metres, this granite
hill offered challenging hiking along its steep paths as well as a variety of
native wild-flowers and trees.
finish without a Community trip to the great Australian outdoors. Mount
Cannibal, a mere 10 minute drive from the convent, was our next destination a
few days after the festivities ended. At an elevation of 241 metres, this granite
hill offered challenging hiking along its steep paths as well as a variety of
native wild-flowers and trees.

We
huffed and puffed our way up the rocky route. Two distinctive vegetation
communities exist in this reserve, with healthy woodland in the lower area and
lowland forest as we rise up the hill.
huffed and puffed our way up the rocky route. Two distinctive vegetation
communities exist in this reserve, with healthy woodland in the lower area and
lowland forest as we rise up the hill.
Finally, we were rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding
town areas and countryside. A big lovely boulder hung off the edge of the cliff
at the top of the hill, and the more cautious of the group simply watched with
some horror as the braver Sisters stood very close to the edge on this rocky
outcrop.
Fortunately,
no cannibals were sighted, and we descended downhill for a drive through the
charming Tynong-Garfield countryside.

Well-refreshed and ready
for the beginning of the last school term, we headed back to St Thomas Aquinas
College under the patronage of Our Lady of the Rosary at the beginning of
October. May God grant that we will bear in mind our mission to preach the
truth and to guide our charges, like St Michael and his angels, away from the
spiritual and moral pitfalls they might encounter.