The Hillbillies Are Back!
On January 18th, plaid shirts and straw hats could once again be seen around St. Joseph’s … that’s right, our monastic hillbilly band, Transluminous Obscurity, is back! What’s more, we were able to debut a couple of new members: Dill Emma and Miss Kris! (You might know them better as Aspirants Emma and Kristin Marie …)
“Infused contemplation is obscure because it is superior both to every sensible image and to every distinct idea. This state of TRANSLUMINOUS OBSCURITY… is very difficult to describe, for it is entirely supernatural and surpasses all expression.”
This concert was organized to honor our own Mother Catherine Marie and her “right-hand-nun,” Sr. Daniela. Earlier this month, our indomitable Madre Presidente had the first of two hip replacements, and her ever-faithful Sister Councillor flew in from Italy to help with the first three weeks of recovery. (Some of you may remember Sr. Daniela from the time when she was here to learn English, back in 2019!)
Since Mother Catherine Marie spends most of her time in Europe because of her work for the Monastic Congregation, we thought she might appreciate a bit of “down-home fun.” And when Sr. Daniela’s departure drew near, we had the perfect excuse to put on a real KY hoedown! In honor of the occasion, we re-wrote the classic tune “O Susanna” to give voice to our thoughts on the departure of our Sorella (Italian for “Sister”). Enjoy the lyrics below!
Back row: Sr. Mary Magdalen, “Miss Kris,” “Dill Emma,” “Holly Luyah,” Sr. “CC Marie,” “Hannah Banana,” Sr. Mary Veronica, Sr. Mary Agnes
Middle: Sr. “Maria Fantasia,” Mother Catherine Marie, Sr. Mary Elizabeth, Sr. “Franny Mae,” Christie
Front row: Sr. Mary Therese, Sr. “Mary Master,” Sr. Mary Andrea, Sr. Daniela, Mother John Mary
O SORELLA
O she came from far Italia with her luggage lost at sea,
and she came to old Kentu-u-cky her sisters for to see
She has helped our Mother President to get limber and spry
But now it’s time to say goodbye — Daniela, don’t you cry!
O Sorella, O where would Madre be,
if you hadn’t come to Whitesville with your luggage lost at sea?
Well, they’ve got a lot of work to do, the Madre and Suor D
But before long they’ll be on the road: our great globe-trotting team!
To the monasteries far and near, in duty you will fly
There are four years down, just two to go — Sorelle, don’t you cry!
O Sorella, O where would Madre be,
If you hadn’t come to Whitesville with your luggage lost at sea?