She was instrumental in introducing the Discalced Reform to France,
and later entered as a sister of the white veil after the death of her husband.
-source-
Wisdom is vindicated by her works...
I recall this feast day every year since it is on this day I 'fled' the Discalced Fathers novitiate. In my great fervor and ascetical judgment, I was scandalized by their laxity. Interestingly enough, all the friars that were there persevered in their monasteries - some have gone to their reward, others are still alive, serving God.
And here I am, my life a pattern of inconstancy, instability and infidelity. It's just so damn ironic.
I'm thinking of these things - especially when I read Catholics online today, vehemently condemning others for not being as Catholic as they themselves are. They condemn those who are too lax, too liberal, too whatever. Yet the 'condemned' follow Christ, they have a real vocation to do so and they remain faithful to it. They bring the sacraments to those who would otherwise not have them ...
Yesterday at Mass a friar from Holy Hill celebrated Mass - his visit was a mission appeal. Their seminary in Kenya is booming and they need adequate housing. The priest was around my age, wearing his habit. He may have entered seminary around the time I left the novitiate in another province. He's a good priest. He persevered. I avoided trying my vocation in his province because they were considered too liberal, too lax - their observance so unlike the friars of yore. They weren't like the nuns ...
“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” - Matthew 11
Just saying.
"It's constancy God wants." - Matt Talbot
Our romantazied self like to think about all religious in consecrated life as being perfect and pleasing to God. In reality we have no way of knowing who pleases God more. You are too hard on yourself my friend. I sometimes think I should have entered some community but know it would have been my undoing not my salvation. Still the ideal is alluring.
ReplyDeleteI recall Mother Angelica saying that she was called to the cloister by God - and if she were not there she "would have been hell-on-wheels" in The World. She expressed that the world was protected From her by her presence 'away' from it - can't think what else she was saying on that specific show so long ago, except that she found it quite hilarious.
ReplyDelete.....and what happened ?....she saved so many others ! she Softened hearts: in an era in which so many religious turned people off....including me, especially me....
and now....I can be gentle with those who look at me like I am a great sinner: for I Am a great sinner, and I appreciate the reminders. In a small town like this there are very very long memories: & 'my sin is always before me'.....
4/16 Msgr. Pope wrote something so fine about sheep: wayward: witless: weak.