The Episcopal Church, like the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other traditions, has a calendar of saints and commemorations, honoring the lives of faithful people, worthy of remembrance in the church because of the ways in which they honored God and showed God’s love in their lives.
On February 25, the church’s calendar honors Emily Malbone Morgan, an Episcopalian who lived in New England from 1862–1937. She is not the most familiar saint, but is recognized for her life of prayer and care for the vulnerable. Most notably, she founded the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, a women’s society that focuses on prayer, spiritual growth, peace and justice. This group, that now spans continents and has over 800 members, began as a small act of care and inclusion for one person. Emily’s dear friend Adelyn became sick and homebound, and was missing the spiritual companionship of attending church with community. The then-21-year-old Emily, concerned for her friend’s well being and faith, started the Companions. This group of likeminded women of faith gathered together with Adelyn at home, and committed to thanksgiving, prayer, lives of simplicity and the work of social justice. In this way, these spiritual companions nourished their friendships and wove together the ministry of God’s love in action and prayer, as each was able.
Emily was also a business woman for love. She was a savvy budgeter and investor of her family’s money, but not for business enterprise. Rather, she carefully stewarded funds to respite and retreat homes for women and children who were ill or facing overwork in the mills of the industrial revolution. She wrote, “My greatest desire has always been to make tired people rested and happy.” Emily saw this as a ministry of providing sabbath for those who needed it the most, and had the least resources to access such care and rest.
While many aspects of Emily Malbone Morgan’s life are different than ours, we still remember her life and other saints whose lives were a witness of God’s love. These ordinary people filled with extraordinary love can teach us ways of faithful living that transcends their cultures and contexts. Emily Malbone Morgan has much to show us about the practice of our faith in community, and the way that prayer and contemplation, action and social witness, weave together and inform each other in the Christian life.
First, her witness reminds us that we are called to care for others as beloved members of the body of Christ and our communities, and none are excluded from our concern. Those who are physically vulnerable, living with chronic health concerns or disability are often dismissed in society, but for the Christian community, we affirm the dignity of every human being and give extra care to those who are vulnerable.
Emily’s life also shows us that to remember each other in prayer is more than just a kind thought or word. Prayer is the connective tissue, the ligaments and fascia that holds together the body of Christ. When we hold each other in prayer, invoking both our own love and the love of God, our churches and friendships can be transformed.
Finally, Emily Malbone Morgan teaches us that action and prayer are woven together in the fabric of our faith. A life of prayer should lead us to wonder what God is calling us to do in the world, where the Holy Spirit we meet in prayer is leading us to act justly and love mercy in the world around us. And the inverse is true, too. Our work of service, love, and social justice cannot be fueled on our own power; this ministry should turn us back to God in prayer for spiritual grounding, wisdom, and strength. Let us follow her example in love, prayer, service, and commitment to God’s beloved community.