Fears and Tears

I have completed week five of Magnify 90 which focused on the virtue of docility and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Docility means the willingness to be taught. The virtue of prudence drives docility.

Prudence is love discerning aright that which helps from that which hinders us in tending to God. St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Jane Francis de Chantal is a new saint for me to learn about. I did not know much about her life. She was a wife and a mother, she became a widow after her husband was killed in a hunting accident. She had four children that she would raise alone after the death of her husband. She would go on to enter into the vocation of consecrated life.

She prayed for a spiritual director and had a dream about a priest. Later she would meet Bishop Francis de Sales, who would become her spiritual director.

She founded the religious order of the Visitation of Holy Mary and served the sick and poor in the region of France.

I can relate to her in her struggles, She lacked patience and docility, and rather desired to “feel” that she was doing what God called her to do, without acting and doing the work. She related this to her spiritual director, Bishop Francis de Sales in a letter. He wrote back to her this advice, for her to tell God, “Lord, with all my heart I desire to practice such and such virtue just to please you.” and Bishop Francis de Sales continues, “Then set to work, if you do this, you will soon find yourself in that state of peace and tranquility which is so necessary for souls who wish to live virtuously, according to the spirit, and not according to their own inclinations and judgements.”

Lord, as I begin Lent today, I make this my prayer also, “Lord, with all my heart, I desire to please You”. Thank you for the witness of the saints, I give you praise and honor as I continue to follow where You lead me. Amen.