Bl. Rosalie Rendu DC - Feb 7

 

Blessed Rosalie Rendu - February 7, 2023

This Tuesday February 7th, is the feast of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, who was a member of the Daughters of Charity, an order cofounded by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. They were founded in 1633, when Louise de Marillac began a systematic training of the women, particularly for the care of the sick. The sisters lived in community in order to better develop the spiritual life so as to more effectively carry out their mission of service. The Daughters of Charity differed from other religious congregations of that time in that they were not cloistered. They maintained the necessary mobility and availability, and lived among those whom they served.

It was this order that Jeanne Marie joined at the age of 16, and a few years later received the habit, taking on the name of Sr. Rosalie. Over the years Sr. Rosalie became known for her creative, relentless and effective work in some of the worst conditions such as revolutions and epidemics, not to mention the horrible poverty and destitution in which the people whom they served were living.

But it was Bl. Sr. Rosalie’s guidance combined with the dedication of the students of the History Conference formed by Bl. Frederic Ozanam that led to the creation of the Conference of Charity, which eventually became the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

***********************************************************

This year I thought we could reflect a little and pray about some of Soeur Rosalie’s virtues. In the work titled “Life of the Soeur Rosalie” the author wrote about some of Sr. Rosalie’s virtues, 

“The humility of Soeur Rosalie was equal to her charity. When told that a person had been speaking well of her, she replied, “He is very wrong to say it, and still more to think it.”

“She could not bear the poor to call her their benefactress. “Call me your friend, your sister, your servant if you will, for that is what I am.”

“She could not endure that any of her good works should be known and talked of. “One single grain of self-love,” said she, “is enough to spoil any good work.”

“What a folly it is,” she often said, “to take credit to ourselves for the success of any of our undertakings, when we owe it to the prayer of some poor man or the intervention of some unknow friend.”

From the book, “Life of the Souer Rosalie: Jean Marie Rendu” p. 62-63, published by Burns and Lambert, London, 1858 and reproduced in the same format as the original work. No attempt was made to update the language.

While the language is a little antiquated and sounds a little negative/harsh, it does help us as we reflect on her life and allow ourselves to remember our beginnings.

As we celebrate Bl. Sr. Rosalie Rendu’s feast, let us reflect on her instruction and pray to her for the grace to see Christ in every person. As we continue to draw closer to the poor may we be drawn closer to our Lord, whom we serve and who gives us the grace to do the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

Blessed Rosalie Rendu pray for us. As I said last year, may she say of us, “How good these young people are! Oh, how good they are.”  Enjoy the day all you “young people”!!!!

- Deacon Steve

Be Kind - Blessed Rosalie Rendu

 

Reflection submitted by Deacon Steve for the feast day of Blessed Rosalie Rendu - February 7, 2022

This Monday February 7th, is the feast of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, who was a member of the Daughters of Charity, an order cofounded by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. They were founded in 1633, when Louise de Marillac began a systematic training of the women, particularly for the care of the sick. The sisters lived in community in order to better develop the spiritual life so as to more effectively carry out their mission of service. The Daughters of Charity differed from other religious congregations of that time in that they were not cloistered. They maintained the necessary mobility and availability, and lived among those whom they served.

It was this order that Jeanne Marie joined at the age of 16, and a few years later received the habit, taking on the name of Sr. Rosalie. Over the years Sr. Rosalie became known for her creative, relentless and effective work in some of the worst conditions such as revolutions and epidemics, not to mention the horrible poverty and destitution in which the people whom they served were living.

But it was Bl. Sr. Rosalie’s guidance combined with the dedication of the students of the History Conference formed by Bl. Frederic Ozanam that led to the creation of the Conference of Charity, which eventually became the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Bl. Sr. Rosalie was constantly guiding young women and young men in works of charity. In the work titled “Life of the Souer Rosalie” speaking of some of Sr. Rosalie’s instruction, the author wrote,

“Then, teaching her pupils what she so admirably practiced herself, she cast the light of her experience on their first footsteps in the career of good. 

She recommended a patience which never counts time lost which is spent in listening to the poor, because they are comforted by the very good-will which stays to hear the tale of their sorrows; an indulgence ready to pity than to condemn the faults which arise from a wretched education; and lastly a courtesy most sweet to those who have been used to only slights and contempt.”

“Remember” added she, “that the poor are still more grateful for kindness than for alms. The surest way to gain their confidence is to show them consideration. Even if you have serious fault to find with them, always carefully avoid any harsh or contemptuous word.””

From the book, “Life of the Souer Rosalie: Jean Marie Rendu” p. 29 -30, published by Burns and Lambert, London, 1858 and reproduced in the same format as the original work. No attempt was made to update the language.

While the language is a little antiquated it does help us as we reflect on her life and allow ourselves to remember our beginnings.

As we celebrate Bl. Sr. Rosalie Rendu’s feast, let us reflect on her instruction and pray to her for an increase in kindness and our ability to spend time listening. By drawing ever closer to the poor may we be drawn closer to our Lord, whom we serve and who gives us the grace to do the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

Blessed Rosalie Rendu pray for us. As I said last year, may she say of us, “How good these young people are! Oh, how good they are.”  Enjoy the day all you “young people”!!!!

- Deacon Steve

Returning to the Father - Spiritual Reflection

 

Spiritual Reflection - Monday June 14, 2021

Thomas Merton writes, 

“One thing above all is important: “the return to the Father.”

The Son came into the world and died for us and rose and ascended to the Father; sent us His Spirit, that in Him and with Him we might return to the Father… to God who loves and knows, to the Silent, to the Merciful, to the Holy, to God Who is All.” (K. Deignan, “Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours” p. 166-167, Sorin Books, Notre Dame)

Each day as we continue our journey encountering and loving our brothers and sisters, inspired by those Vincentians who have gone before us, we are returning to the Father, allowing God to live in us more and more, until one day when our journey is complete, we will hopefully experience in all its fullness that communion with our Lord. 

The mission of St. Vincent de Paul Society members, the feeding of and caring for our brothers and sisters, and more important, listening and being present to them, hopefully restoring some of their dignity as persons who are created in the image of God, is not a mission that the world appreciates or even sees, for it is carried out mostly away from the main stream of life, at night and out of sight and in places where society would rather not go or even care to know about.

This quiet service is done in such a manner so as to not draw attention to our work and, more importantly, so as to not cause any discomfort to those whom we visit by drawing attention to their situation or condition. In this way we offer respect and dignity and so love people as Christ loves them.

In loving people as Christ loves them we in turn grow in our love of Christ, which opens us to the love of the Father, allowing God to live in us and us to live in God.

And all of this is to be carried out in the deepest humility and simplicity.

Blessed Rosalie Rendu was for all of us as Christians and Vincentians a wonderful example of this. 

A story is told of a visitor who came to see Blessed Rosalie Rendu because of her “fame” in the hope of seeing “something very extraordinary.”

“He was received by Sister Rosalie, who spoke to him in her usual politeness and simplicity, and pursued her accustomed occupations in his presence. After some time, he went to another Sister of the house and he asked to be introduced to the superior, Sister Rosalie. 

On being told that he had just seen her, he exclaimed, “What… is Sr. Rosalie nothing more than that?” 

He had in fact seen nothing in her to distinguish her from others; and could not understand the apparent disproportion between the person and her reputation.” (J.M. Rendu, “The Life of Souer Rosalie”, p. 83-84, London)

The world like this visitor, as we know, does not understand because of the way it measures greatness.

Gene Bowles, whom we recently lost, was a wonderful example of the humble, quiet, peaceful and compassionate way that Vincentians carry out their mission and the fruits that result thanks to God’s grace.

May he and all of our Vincentian sisters and brothers, and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

(Spiritual reflection by Deacon Steve.)

Blessed Rosalie Rendu - February 7, 2021

This Sunday February 7th, is the feast of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, who was a member of the Daughters of Charity, an order co-founded by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. 

They were founded in 1633, when Louise de Marillac began systematic training of the women, particularly for the care of the sick. The sisters lived in community in order to better develop the spiritual life so as to more effectively carry out their mission of service. The Daughters of Charity differed from other religious congregations of that time in that they were not cloistered. They maintained the necessary mobility and availability, and lived among those whom they served.

It was this congregation of nuns that Jeanne Marie joined at the age of 16, and a few years later received the habit, taking on the name of Sr. Rosalie. Over the years Sr. Rosalie became known for her creative, relentless and effective work in some of the worst conditions, such as revolutions and epidemics, not to mention the horrible poverty and destitution in which the people whom they served were living.

But it was Bl. Sr. Rosalie’s guidance combined with the dedication of the students of the History Conference formed by Bl. Frederic Ozanam that led to the creation of the Conference of Charity, which eventually became the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

This guidance included her gathering the students together after their visits and discuss with her their immediate experiences, motivations and insights; always open to her advice. She would ask them to think and pray about the following questions:

How did I speak with/listen to this family? 

Did I help with an attitude of respect, without being patronising? 

How did my actions and attitudes reflect those of the Gospel? 

Where was God in this experience? For me? For the persons I visited? 

What were my reasons for becoming involved in the first place? 

What connections or otherwise reflected the life of St. Vincent de Paul?

She counselled patience, attentive listening and politeness as values which the young students should honour. 

These meetings contributed to the formation of a solid foundation for the Conferences in practice and in Faith. Rosalie welcomed these enthusiastic young men, and often would say to her Sisters: “How good these young people are. Oh, how good they are.” (Sullivan L. P. 209) 

(Taken from “Our Story, Our Mission: Blessed Frederic Ozanam and Blessed Rosalie Rendu” Prepared by Sr. Margaret Armstrong, Vincentian Leadership Program, Orientation, June 15th, 2015)

As we celebrate Bl. Sr. Rosalie Rendu’s feast, let us also reflect on these questions each time we are out on calls, or even take one question each day when we are praying to our Lord so as to draw closer to the Source, who is Love and who gives us the grace to do the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

 Blessed Rosalie Rendu, pray for us. 

May she say of us, “How good these young people are! Oh, how good they are.” To all you “young people”!!!!

- Deacon Steve Pitre, Conference Spiritual Advisor