Dedicated to our Sisters at Marienborn and to the Gästehaus who offered hospitality to the leadership of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters of Rome, Poland, England, Belize, Rwanda, India, United States, South Africa, Switzerland, and Germany:
Worn over time, one step gracefully on one step—stone
Climbing to and from Chapel—wearing down the years
Long habits fingering the floor
How many prayers rose from these steps?
How many worries? How much joy?
The feet of missionaries, who cherished their homeland,
Sent forth from that Chapel and forth from the land of their birth,
Descending these stairs
Over miles of seas and land.
Oceans away, no steps of stone—to sand dunes and rock
Marienborn flowers a melancholy, sweet memory
Replaced in the eyes of persons hungering for the Word
Bearing new flowers in new lands from Marienborn seeds
Worn over time, step-by-step planted firmly on foreign soil
Chiseling ancient rock into new hallowed walls
How many prayers arise from need?
How many dreams? How much hope?
The feet of our missionaries return,
Echoing harmony of praise
Rising on worn-down stone floor
Renewing their vows
Celebrating years of faithfulness born in farewells and trials.
Waves bringing the pioneers, their daughters and grand-daughters home,
Rejoicing at jubilees of those 50 and 60 years of committed living—alive!
Deepened gratitude of seeds harvested in flowers
Born into New Life.
Sr. Gail Borgmeyer, S.A.C. – August 09, 2011
The Old Staircase in Marienborn – a Silent Witness…
