Friday 4 February 2022

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

Tuesday 1 February 2022

Two Feet of Love in Action

 

Click on each picture to enlarge it for easier reading. 
Give yourself time - 15 or 30 minutes - to read, ponder, reflect, pray.

Image credit: US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Image credit: US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Friday 14 January 2022

The Wedding at Cana – From a Sermon by Faustus of Riez, bishop

 

Stone water jars. Image credit: Jerusalem Perspective

“To those who only see with the outward eye, all these events at Cana are strange and wonderful; to those who understand, they are also signs. For, if we look closely, the very water tells us of our rebirth in Baptism. One thing is turned into another from within, and in a hidden way a lesser creature is changed into a greater. All this points to a hidden reality of our second birth. There water was suddenly changed; later it will cause a change in all people.”

The water in the jars is not less than it was before, but now begins to be what it had not been; so too the law is not destroyed by Christ’s coming, but is made better than it was.

When the wine fails, new wine is served: The wine of the old covenant was good, but the wine of the new is better.”

From a Sermon by Faustus of Riez, bishop - from the Office of Readings for Saturday before the Baptism of the Lord. Selected by Deacon Steve