The Beatitudes Community

All the love he put into that marvelous creation, he entrusted to a family [Adam & Eve]…and then he gave the greatest demonstration of love: his Son. And where did he send his Son? To a palace, to a city, to an office building? He sent him to a family. God came into the world in a family. And he could do this because that family was a family with a heart open to love, a family whose doors were open…God gave the family a divine identity card, so that families could be places in our world where his truth, love and beauty could continue to take root and grow.
Address of the Holy Father Pope Francis, Philadelphia September 2015

God has a soft spot for families - he entrusted all creation to Adam & Eve, and His only Son to Mary & Joseph. The Early Church followed a familial structure, where followers held everything in common and prayed and shared meals together (Acts 4:32). And it is with this ‘divine identity card’ that The Beatitudes Community arises - the worlds first Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life.

*Members of the Beatitudes Community in Christchurch*

Unlike every other Religious Order I’ve encountered so far, the Beatitudes are unique in that they are made up of people from different callings and backgrounds - consecrated men and women, families and single people. During my stay, I met parents & children, young people, couples, and elderly friends of the community. Many live nearby the Beatitudes property in Leithfield, Christchurch. There are also other ways to be involved without making such a big commitment to the community - for example ‘The Friends of the Lamb’ who live their daily lives while embracing the spirituality of the Beatitudes.

Founded in France in 1973, the community took to heart the call of the Second Vatican Council, to be one people of God embracing the mission of Christ. I spoke to Sr Clare about the history of the Beatitudes Community in New Zealand.

Something I admire about the Beatitudes is the way they embrace different Religious Traditions. For example, they often incorporate the Hebrew language into times of prayer, have Jewish dancing, and once a week celebrate a Shabbat dinner. They show how although there are many ways of expressing our love for God, rather than divide us, we can still find similarities and strive for unity. This interdenominational outlook is rooted in the Protestant beginnings of the community, when the founders spent time experiencing and appreciating various religious traditions while discerning what the life of their community would look like. As the Beatitudes NZ Website explains:

Our charism brings unique gifts to this task: a thirst for unity, and an openness to our Orthodox and Protestant brethren, as well as to our Jewish forebears; an awareness of the evangelising and contemplative power of beautiful liturgy; and a sense of living eschatological hope in the final victory of Christ.

*Celebrating Mass in the Beatitudes Chapel*

As a relatively new community, the Beatitudes are just beginning to find their niche in New Zealand (and the world), and it is exciting to hear of their hopes and dreams for the future. Something in the works in New Zealand is Te Ara o te Mārama, a Mission Trail linking the Sanctuary of Fourvière (where the Beatitudes currently reside), with the first Catholic missionaries to Oceania - including Suzanne Aubert & St. Peter Chanel.

The Beatitudes Family are builiding a rapport with the wider community through regular events and prayer times open to all. I was blessed to participate in events such as a ‘Rose Petal Evening’ celebrating the feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and an after school meeting of young girls reflecting on Scripture through activities and crafts. I helped Sr. Monica prepare for an Amazing Race challenge she was running at an overnight camp, and met some of the people making a retreat at the Fourvière Retreat House.

In a world where our Religious Congregations are aging and their works are changing - though their spirit lives on! - it gives me great hope to encounter a new community, who hold in high regard the history and experience of those that have gone before them, are very mindful of the needs of our country, and well equipped to witness to the love of Christ in our times, drawing others into this mission with them.

If you are ever in Christchurch, take some time to stop by the Sanctuary of Fourvière in Leithfield, and step into the prayerful, welcoming environment of the Beatitudes Family.

FURTHER RESOURCES

Beatitudes Community NZ Website: https://www.beatitudes.nz/
Community of the Beatitudes International: https://beatitudes.org/en/
Sanctuary of Fourvière - Shrine & Retreat Centre: https://www.beatitudes.nz/sanctuary-of-fourvi%C3%A8re
Visit the community in Christchurch to find brochures & publications 📚 as well as a Catholic gift shop.

Discalced Carmelite Nuns

Sisters of compassion