Suscipe

Religious Sisters...women vowed to Chastity harbor sexually abusive members within their convents.  That is the hard cold truth whether people want to know or believe it.  Victims of sexual abuse by nuns yearn for healing...which does not come from the good sisters...but from God alone.

 

This poem is a take on Mother Catherine McAuley's own "Suscipe", her prayer to let nothing come between her and God.  She was a good woman.  The Sister of Mercy who abused me needs to get to know her...

Suscipe

 

Suffer nothing to sorrow me but sin,
nothing to delight me 
but the hope of Your glory!
Nothing to sorrow me but sin,
nothing to delight me but Love.

Abused at a tender age
by those she trusted so!
Early years that set the stage 
'til she learned to say "No!"

Drawn to God for purity
believing the ideal.
Hurt by the reality, 
creating more to heal!

She sought out sanctuary
with God's pure holy ones
but holiness can vary
even among the nuns.

Suffer nothing to sorrow me but sin
nothing to delight me 
but the hope of Your glory!
Nothing to sorrow me but sin,
nothing to delight me but Love.

So she shared her brokenness
with one more than the rest
but the nun would not confess
that passion was her quest.

So those she loved and trusted
she knew not they'd abuse.
How could she know they lusted?
How could she dare accuse?

Children blamed for adults' sin:
"You wanted it" they scold!
"Let nothing sorrow me but sin."
The Mercy prayer, we're told.

Suffer nothing to sorrow me but sin
nothing to delight me 
but the hope of Your glory!
Nothing to sorrow me but sin,
nothing to delight me but Love.

As I cry out for Mercy
My soul longs to be healed.
And will they love or curse me?
 True natures are revealed!

Suffer nothing to sorrow me but sin
nothing to delight me 
but the hope of Your glory!
Nothing to sorrow me but sin,
nothing to delight me but Love.

 © 1995 Cait Finnegan