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Feast of Saint Jeanne de Chantal
Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Jeanne de Chantal who, with Saint Francis de Sales founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady, or Visitation Nuns, in 1610.
Stained Glass window from Visitation School, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Saint Jeanne was an amazing woman — a wife, a mother, a spiritual mentor, and a religious. Her life is a testimony to faith, to love for God, to service of others, and she opened herself to being personally transformed through all of the events of her life.
Her life experiences “opened her heart to her longing for God and she sought God in prayer and a deepening spiritual life. Her commitment to God impressed Saint Francis de Sales, the bishop who became her director and best friend. Their friendship started before they even met, for them saw each other in dreams, and continued in letters throughout their lives.
With Francis’ support, Jane founded the Visitation order for women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age. She even accepted a woman who was 83 years old. When people criticized her, she said, “What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I’m on their side.” She believed that people should have a chance to live their calling regardless of their health.” (source)
I like Saint Jeanne, I like her a lot because of her deep commitment to God. She opened herself to be “more than”, to acknowledge but not get stuck in the contrarieties of life nor the conventions of life! She opened her door to people who were poor, even when she was living on a tight budget. She forgave and even befriended the person who killed her husband. She founded a religious community for those thought too old or sick to be a religious, a community which celebrates its 400th anniversary this year.
We have much to learn about following Christ from Saint Jeanne de Chantal. And thankfully for us, we have not only her life witness but some of her writings and sayings! Here are some great quotes.
Follow your own way of speaking to our Lord sincerely, lovingly, confidently, and simply, as your heart dictates. (Source: Letters of Spiritual Direction (Classics of Western Spirituality)
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In prayer one must hold fast and never let go, because the one who gives up loses all. If it seems that no one is listening to you, then cry out even louder. If you are driven out of one door, go back in by the other. (Source)
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{ 5 comments }
What a lovely window in honor of a lovely woman! Thank you for sharing it with us.
no one will ever accuse me of giving up on prayer, but sometimes i yell a lot.
yelling is fully acceptable!
I agree with you SJ – yelling is completely acceptable. Although I do not yell often, I have yelled and it’s made me feel better, knowing that I can bare myself to God in that way. Sometimes children yell at their Father. It’s very reassuring to know that no matter how much we yell, He always loves us. Jeannie
Amen, Jeannie
I need that reassurance more often than not!