Our going forth in mission is not
To form, much less build, a church.
Rather, our coming together in faith
Is to inspire, enable and encourage
One another to go back out into the world,
Stepping through the door of each chapel,
Shrine, cathedral or basilica to
Reflect the light of love enkindled therein

To share the flame of truth so that people
Weary of the cold indifference of a society
Hostile to the plight of the poor, and wary
Of our best intentions, might recognize
In offers of forgiveness, mercy and peace
A joy beyond the reach of human labor
And feel inexplicably drawn to come warm
Themselves in prayer and community

Come, wash in the waters of God’s grace
And do not let your past or even present
Prevent you from gently dying to old ways
And habits no longer wanted, needed or
Ignored but rather transformed in Christ
May all your wounds become for others
Overflowing fonts of spiritual healing and
The source and summit of our communion.

For Christ did not come to earth to be
Conf ined in tabernacles of gold but
To make his eternal dwelling place
Among us, that he might ever walk with us
Along life’s Way, turning our exile
Into a prayerful pilgrimage of hope
Reconsecrating our reborn world
From broken shrine into heaven’s sanctuary.