V+J

Ash Wednesday/Week 1

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADuring Lent we will post thoughts, writings and sayings appropriate for Lent from various Visitandine Nuns, beginning with our Foundress, St. Jane de Chantal.

She exhorted the Sisters, ” “My dear Sisters, I have but two words to say to you, which are the words of Jesus Christ Himself,Watch ye and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.'”

Let us watch over ourselves, our actions, words and thoughts; over our mind to the end it may be occupied with God only, in God and for God.

Let us watch over our soul, to preserve it pure and faithful; let us watch over all that is within us that our thoughts may be of God and our words edifying our neighbor.”

Source: Exhortation IX, On Vigilance and Prayer

REFLECTION: The Holy Father Pope Francis, in his lenten letter for 2015, asks us to pay attention to the formation of our hearts this season. St. Jane also begins her suggestions with a focus on interiority.

Many people tend to make sacrifices of an external nature during Lent. How can you make a transition to a more interior watchfulness, if this has been your custom?