Henry O'Meara Ballads of America

Decoration

TO A SISTER OF NOTRE DAME *

O SISTER parted, yet a sister still,
   Though claiming now a name we little knew,
Why take a trustful heart with steadfast will
  From those whom life's true tendons bind to you?
Vocation sweet allures you to your Lord,
  To find content in cloistered Notre Dame,
As mind and soul, conjoined in grand accord,
  Choose Ad majorem Dei Gloriam
 
His greater glory now enshrines our pain,
  His mercy mitigation soft ensures,
His love may well your life and death enchain,
  Whose hallowed path and footprints now are yours.
Then as you yield to Him a soul sincere,
  Oft may your Patron yet the gift renew,
And by some grace of transmigration here,
  The Virgin Martyr live again in you.
 
Religion's gain lends grief of loss surcease -
  This choice of lot is but a happy haste;
Ours, sand oft swept by Passion's swift caprice,
  Yours, cool oasis midst a worldly waste.
O doubly Sister! that such claims entwine,
  What faithful light through doubtful years and dim,
To look toward one who yearns for Spouse Divine,
   And calmly leaves us evermore to cleave to Him!
 
Decoration
THE HEROES OF MONTMARTRE CONTENTS A TRANSPLANTED BLOOM

 

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updated Wednesday, April 19, 2000
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