Cultivating our Ancient Vine - Bearing New Fruit for the World

28/08/2026

 

From the Circular 312 of Sr Susan Flood osu - Prioress General

As Ursulines of the Roman Union, we have received a precious gift, which comes with a responsibility. We are caretakers of this ancient vine, which Angela reminded us to care for, to cultivate (8th Counsel). Angela knew from her own experience about cultivating vines. She knew that cultivation is hard and sometimes painful work, for both the vine-dresser and the vine! Cultivation involves pruning, shaping, fertilising, watering. The soil needs to be aerated and kept free of weeds. Cultivation involves watching the weather and reading the changing seasons. One step in cultivation is harvesting the fruits, which have been nourished by the sap of the vine. The farmer doesn’t leave the fruit on the vine to admire its richness and beauty. Unless they are harvested at the right time, the fruit rot on the tree or on the ground around the tree. Sometimes the root stock will be used to produce new vines, and new fruits – cultivation requires openness to transformation!

As we read the changing seasons of our time in history, we, too, must keep our eyes on the fruit, recognizing when and how to harvest so that its richness and beauty is shared as nourishment for the world. This gift we have received is not just for our own sake, or for us merely to admire. It is for the sake of the world. It is for the sake of the Gospel.

Let us not forget the words of Angela which follow her comments about cultivating the vine. She reminds us ‘After that, leave it to God, who will do marvellous things in God’s own time’. Let us entrust to God our work, our discussions and discernment, our hopes and desires, knowing that God will continue to do marvellous things with and among us.