When ‘old’ is still ‘new’!
Just published! New version of the oldest ‘Rule’ of the Sisters of La Retraite
A Rule of Life is a document which above all expresses the spirit in which a community has chosen to live. The earliest written document the Sisters of La Retraite have in their possession is a Rule of Life, printed in 1703, a decade or so after the death of their foundress, Catherine de Francheville. In England a small team has just published extracts of what they consider the essentials of this early Rule, translating them from the original French into modern English with a commentary and notes to make it more accessible.
For the team it was a labour of love. Morag Gardham wrote of her experience: “Translating these extracts from this early Rule of Life was a challenging experience for me, both linguistically and spiritually – and also a very enriching one. I felt it was rather like unearthing a treasure, hidden in the 17 th century French language in which it was first written, and bringing it out into the light of today, so that more people might be able to appreciate it and perhaps also be inspired by it. Among these would naturally be the English-speaking Sisters of La Retraite but also other women, searching to answer God’s call, and who may find in the spiritual intuition expressed here a place where they feel at home and where they can respond. This publication will be of interest too to those whose academic research leads them to the study of foundational texts such as this one.”
The team, which consisted of Morag Gardham, Moira McDowall and Margaret Harlock, have been delighted at the response the booklet has received from sisters and friends. Community member Liz Shaw said: “These extracts are an encouraging reminder to current members of La Retraite just how close we remain to our founding spirit as we enter the 21st century. I’m amazed at how relevant it is today. There is no doubt that these women placed God at the centre of their lives and yet also got on with the stuff of daily life. They were as concerned as we are today to develop women’s spirituality, to find contemporary approaches to prayer, to listen to people and make community a good place to be.”
Copies of ‘La Retraite. Extracts from an early Rule of Life first printed in 1703’ can be obtained from Liz Shaw on eshaw@laretraite.ws.
