While devotion to God was always Jane’s and Francis’ primary goal, they also recognized the necessity of working in the real world with real and fallible people. Therefore, they continually advised that devotion to God should look pleasant and appealing to others. They had little patience with a harsh asceticism that only served to put people off.
The spirit of the Visitation Order is one of joyful devotion in the service of others. Mary went in haste–often interpreted as going joyfully–into the hill country to minister to her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s child leaped with joy when he heard the sound of Mary’s greeting. In her direction of the Sisters of the Visitation, Jane followed the lead of Francis who at all times told her to make devotion lovable. It was his special gift and the following letter to a married woman outlines his teachings on the subject:
You should not only be devout and love devotion, but you should make it pleasing to others. And you will make it pleasing if you make it useful and acceptable. The sick will like your devotion if it enables them to be consoled; your family, if they find you are more attentive to their own particular needs, more sympathetic towards events that take place, less reproving, and so on; your husband, if he sees that as your devotion increases you become more kindly with him and sweeter in the affection you bear him. In short, you must make devotion as attractive as possible.
Reflection questions:
- What are some of the ways that we can put people off with our devotional or religious practices?
- How can we make our devotional practices attractive and pleasing to others?
- How could this ideal be put into practice in our homes?
APPLICATION
Scripture
Those who counsel peace have joy. (Proverbs 12:20)
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)
And Mary said,”My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46)
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:8)
Jane’s Words
This sister has to be led slowly and tenderly. You see, my dear, we have to cultivate in these young, delicate souls lots of vigor, cheerfulness, and joy, and thus bring them to want those things they would fear or dread if they were led in any other manner.
Keep minds expansive, joyous and generous. Make them feel confident of your good will; and though all may not advance with the alacrity you would like to see at this beginning, for the love of God, my dearest daughter, do not let any dissatisfaction or ennui be seen on your part that would dampen their courage, whereas to show content will raise it.
May God be blessed for the graces he confers upon you, which I see arc great. You ought to correspond with them faithfully by following with a careful, loving attention your inward attraction, for this is the characteristic and special spirit of the daughters of the Visitation. Return then, my dear daughter, with humility and sweetness to this joyful state and remain there steadfastly and constantly, without ever allowing yourself to be diverted from it. For the spirit of God is tender and loving.