This reflection calls to mind this quote from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of it’s scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.” How can we embrace the unique way that God has created us? How can we become who we tru
How can we become who we truly are meant to be?
The main point Saint Francis de Sales is trying to make can be summed up in this quote from Hebrews 13:7-8: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” Nothing we can say about Jesus is every really “new.” However, the way in which that truth is conveyed can change, just as each believer is a unique expression of
God’s creative power, yet it is the same God who creates everyone. What can this teach us about adapting the ways we preach the Gospel to different types of people and different cultures and languages?
How can Jesus, though unchanging, be always new?
How does the command to love remain unchanging yet always fresh?
Judy K: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. And still St. Augustine calls Him beauty ever ancient and ever new. Far be it from me to question the likes of Augustine.
May 31 2015, 7:16 PM
Judy K: Hi Mother! I have to confess to loving thunder storms. The wilder, the better, as long as not dangerous.
7:17 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Hi Lisa and Judy! Our priest today said St Augustie was the one who first called the Trinity the Trinity9 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Each of us is unique and it comes thru even in chat, don’t you find it so?
May 31 2015, 7:19 PM
Lisa C: Yes, Mother
MSusanMarie (guest): BTW, Sr M Roberta can’t be here because of an EWTN special on the Sacred Heart and next week I can’t because of the Sacred Heart Novena Mass at 730PM
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Judy K: Has anyone ever watched “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN? It is geared for men, but I really get a lot out of it. Tonight, the men were speaking of the importance of being part of a group. I thought of all of you and am grateful for the faith sharing that goes on among us.
May 31 2015, 7:20 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Never saw it- but yes, we are unifying as a group
Judy K: Yes, Mother, our uniqueness does come through. Good leadin to the first question. How do we embrace our uniqueness? How can we become who we are really meant to bePM
Lisa C: By following the will of God….not always easy to discern
May 31 2015, 7:24 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Young folk try to blend in with one another- at least back in the days of my youth that seemed to be the case but as life moves on, we grow into ur unique selves by choices we make and how we follow God’s Will
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Judy K: In a spirit of gratitude and humility and in brutal honesty, we should conduct an examination of all the gifts (spiritual and natural) with which we have been blessed. Consider the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. Check 1 Cor. 12:4-10, 18. And your talents–music, art, writing, speaking, singing. It is good to acknowledge these gifts and give thanks for them. 15, 7:25 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Even if 2 have a similar talent, say drawing, they will express that gift differently
May 31 2015, 7:26 PM
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Judy K: And then we can become who we are meant to be by nurturing and growing the gifts and talents we have received. And we must engage in prayer that we might produce good fruit with our gifts.
May 31 2015, 7:26 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Growth is in becoming comfortable with who you are, comfortable in youer own skin, as they say
May 31 2015, 7:26 PM
Judy K: Hi Dawh!
May 31 2015, 7:26 PM
Judy K: DAwn
5, 7:28 PM
Dawn L: mentioning art, I saw you had visitor there with her art exhibit. very beautiful
May 31 2015, 7:28 PM
Lisa C: Hopefully we would not become too complacent with who we are, or else how would we become more holy
Judy K: Sometimes it is possible for us not to recognize the gifts we receive. That is why I suggest doing an examination of those we have received.
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MSusanMarie (guest): Well if I had to list some gifts, they mite be somewhat different at different points of my life; for ex I always liked to write but in youth it would have been stories and now letters or essays
May 31 2015, 7:31 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): So we need to go on embracing gifts as they develop
May 31 2015, 7:31 PM
Judy K: When I was younger, I did a bit of writing, especially poetry. Now I do little writing but am more into speaking.
7:33 PM
Dawn L: Ah! that is it, right there. step into the gift use for the Lord. PM
Lisa C: I guess as a scientist I have developed the gift of analytical thinking/critical thinking which can sometimes upset people
LauraAnnnnnnn: interesting topic. i spent lots of time developing three talents and always held the thought that they were gifts and could be used as prayer…then, circumstances changed and putting them on the back burner needed yo happen. it can through you for a loop if you consider that you were always using therefor aour lord.
May 31 2015, 7:35 PM
Judy K: Writing articles for the parish magazine and for the Salesian Bulletin were a way using these gifts for the Lord. All of my speaking has been in a faith setting for the growth of those present.
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Debbie (guest): Lisa I can understand that. Learning how to communicate information can be a challenge sometimes, but I think using whatever talent we have always includes how we use and share that talent so it has the most positive impact we can convey.
MSusanMarie (guest): Even when using one’s gifts for other people this can be offered to God; the spiritual directory makes a point of helping us bring all the day before the Lord,
7:37 PM
LauraAnnnnnnn: positive impact..great to keep in mind/ PM
Dawn L: offered to God. even little things.
May 31 2015, 7:38 PM
Dawn L: everything.
May 31 2015, 7:38 PM
Debbie (guest): yes. We can have the greatest gifts and talents but if they are communicated in a way that makes anyone uncomfortable it can have the opposite effect we intended.
May 31 2015, 7:38 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Lisa, this question implies an adjustment of our gifts to others: What can this teach us about adapting the ways we preach the Gospel to different types of people and different cultures and languages?
May 31 2015, 7:38 PM
Judy K: Just as Jesus used things familiar to the people to explain the truths of the faith (mustard seeds, sowers, fishing nets). We need to do the same. What is part of a particular culture that could be used to evangelize and catechise.
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LauraAnnnnnnn: music.art.vocabulary..
May 31 2015, 7:39 PM
Lisa C: Logic and reason seek truth some people prefer relativism these days
May 31 2015, 7:39 PM
Judy K: Hello 4671 and viewer.
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Lisa C: How do we deal with people who think truth is different for different people
LauraAnnnnnnn: one thing is to get them to see that your truth sees differently.
May 31 2015, 7:41 PM
LauraAnnnnnnn: thats a mini start.
May 31 2015, 7:42 PM
Lisa C: Preaching the Gospel by showing love….Acts of love (i.e. charity=caritatem/dilectio/agape) are the same in every culture. Even if people do yet known Jesus’ name, they recognize love without having to have it explained to them. By loving we show Jesus to people. Once we demonstrate His love they understand Him and know Him. John 13:15 –“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”1 John 3:24 –“The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know
May 31 2015, 7:42 PM
Lisa C: Him. John 13:15 –“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”1 John 3:24 –“The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”1 John 4:17 –“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.”Love never changes and is constant and eternal. Ways in which we can love vary based upon whom we love and upon what 2015, 7:43 PM
Lisa C: they need from us. This is why we never have to do anything other than what Jesus would do. He would love everyone in the way that they need to be loved. Needs are different for everyone, but love is the same for all. 1 Cor 13:4-7 –“Charity is patient and kind, charity is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Charity does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Charity bears all things, believes all things, hopes , 7:43 PM
Judy K: That is probably the primary problem we face in this age. Moral relativism seems to have taken over. People need to be helped to see that there is objective truth. For example, black and white cannot be confused. Black cannot be white and white cannot be black. I am trying to think of something more important, but nothing is coming to mind.
Lisa C: all things, endures all things.”
These are not just words if we “Live + Jesus” we only need to listen to what people nee 7:44 PM
Lisa C: I hope I pasted coherently
May 31 2015, 7:44 PM
LauraAnnnnnnn: referring back to Judy K.. you do benefit from going through another culture..even some ways of showing love benefit from cultural adaptation.
5, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: Mother that question made me think about not having an instruction book for difficult jobs….
May 31 2015, 7:46 PM
Guest7147 (guest): Hi ! It’s Brian ! Had trouble signing in . Hi Judy !
May 31 2015, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: I do think that doing what Jesus would do really would work
May 31 2015, 7:46 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: One of our OFSF chaplains always ends his Masses with: “Go forth to serve the Lord by how you choose to live your life.” That’s the best witness to His love, I think.
Mary Roberta Viano: As St. Paul says (Galatians 2:20): “The life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me.”
May 31 2015, 7:48 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): What about this question-How can Jesus, though unchanging, be always new?
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LauraAnnnnnnn: every moment is new..
May 31 2015, 7:49 PM
Lisa C: Mother I think that Jesus is new in how we love each individual
May 31 2015, 7:49 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: new in each of our ways of reaching out to serve others through Him
May 31 2015, 7:49 PM
Lisa C: Yet love is constant for all
LauraAnnnnnnn: our maturity..change of venue..passive of time adds to Christs newness.
May 31 2015, 7:49 PM
Judy K: Yes, love is an unchanging but can be expressed in different depending on the personality of the lover and the beloved. Taking someone for an ice cream soda can be a sure way of showing love, if the person loves ice cream sodas. For others, bigger or more expensive signs might be needed. For still others, things like giving a back rub, cleaning up the kitchen. or doing the vacuuming is an indication of love. For some, just sitting with arms around each other is ideal. Sitting on Mommie’s lap also.
7:50 PM
Guest7147 (guest): Overtime as we get closer to God even when He asks us to make difficult decisions we see the result of following Gods will is that many many people are being reached by God it is not important our personal comfort but what becomes more important is others getting close to God !
Mary Roberta Viano: I think gentle touches are always good expressions of Christ’s love.
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Mary Roberta Viano: and glances full of His love, directed to the people around us PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m so glad the Visitation charism is a combination of gentleness and humility. , 7:53 PM
Dawn L: Hi Sr Mary , that is lovely 7:54 PM
Judy K: Jesus, unchanging, is always new because He works differently in each person’s life, suing differetn means to attract or to instruct. As an example, a few weeks after my mom went home to the Lord, the celebrant at the Sunday Mass ( who had celebrated Mom’s funeral Mass) told a story about a little boy who went to Mass weekly with his mother. He was usually very good, but one week, he was all over the place–under the pews, in the confessionals, etc. After Mass, his mom asked him what he was doing. PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Was he looking for something?
May 31 2015, 7:55 PM
Lisa C: Looking for God?
May 31 2015, 7:55 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SJdC described SFdS this way: “His eyes, his very features, his words and all his actions breathed nothing but sweetness and gentleness.”
Welcome to our Living Jesus Chat Ro
Holy Mother continues: “It radiated from him (SFdS) and, as it were, overflowed into the hearts of those who saw him. He used to say that gentleness was the very essence of a Christian spirit.”
May 31 2015, 7:57 PM
Judy K: He replied that he was looking for Jesus. The next week, his mom received Communion and came back to the pew and was engrossed in her thanksgiving. The little one poked her and asked her what she was doing. She told him that she was talking to Jesus. Little one asked, where is He. Mom answered, right here, pointing to where her heart is. The little one quieted right down and cuddled up to his mom. Fr. commented, “What could be better! Jesus and Mom in the same place.”
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Judy K: With my mom’s recent death, I felt that Jesus was telling me that Mom was with Him. He was fulfilling a specific need of mine.
May 31 2015, 7:58 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Good story, Judy, and so true1
May 31 2015, 7:58 PM
Guest7147 (guest): Last night Janet and I were at a wedding and it was so nice to sit and listen to the people we were at table together who everyone had been through or were going through extroidinary suffering you could see their tension ease and joy begin to emerge after they were able to share ! Praise God ! And we went out and danced with the young people ! Praise God !
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Lisa C: Of all Christians, I think Vis are the most gentle
May 31 2015, 7:59 PM
Debbie (guest): I bet Judy. It effects how you hear things and what really effects us when we are grieving.
Judy K: And Jesus knows exactly what we need at any given time, and He responds to those needs in the way that will most reach us.
May 31 2015, 8:00 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s where focus on Christ’s Sacred Heart is so important – His burning love for each of us!
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Mary Roberta Viano: I’m off to watch the Sacred Heart program on EWTN. I’ll let you know how it was next week. Blessing and prayers this week!
May 31 2015, 8:01 PM
Judy K: Enjoy!
LauraAnnnnnnn: there are different ways of expressing gentleness. i see gentleness everywhere.
Debbie (guest): contemplating the Blessed Mother helps me in developing gentleness.
5, 8:03 PM
LauraAnnnnnnn: yes, Debbie.how beautiful and true for me, also.
Debbie (guest): I agree. We live in a very gruff and narcissistic and IMPATIENT world. I have to work at gentleness all the time.
May 31 2015, 8:06 PM
Judy K: Ah, the Sacred Heart! What can we say about the Sacred Heart! Just thinking of Him makes me feel so warm, and excited. His love is so great as to be overwhelming at times. I always remember His words to St. Margaret Mary,”Behold this Heart Which has so loved man and is so little loved by him in return.” How He longs for our love! Because He is love, He longs to be loved in return. I believe that He is truly wounded by our sins, and experiences a type of pain. However, He is not defeated in His pain as we ca
May 31 2015, 8:06 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Gentleness helps us to love
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Judy K: we can be. He continues to pour Himself out for us in love 2015, 8:06 PM
Debbie (guest): How true.
May 31 2015, 8:06 PM
Dawn L: I have been thinking about what Sr Mary quoted
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Guest7147 (guest): Gentleness really helps others to feel comfortable to share what is really
May 31 2015, 8:07 PM
LauraAnnnnnnn: please remind me..trouble scrolling today.
May 31 2015, 8:07 PM
Lisa C: Gentleness is also an attractive quality and draws people
May 31 2015, 8:07 PM
Dawn L: SJdC described SFdS this way: “His eyes, his very features, his words and all his actions breathed nothing but sweetness and gentleness.” first reading this I felt it was Jesus being described.
May 31 2015, 8:07 PM
LauraAnnnnnnn: beautiful
MSusanMarie (guest): It radiated from him (SFdS) and, as it were, overflowed into the hearts of those who saw him. He used to say that gentleness was the very essence of a Christian spirit.
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Debbie (guest): How true that is…gentelness, patience, self control. So much is manifested through that one trait.
May 31 2015, 8:09 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): They say St Francis de Sales was the most like Jesus in his era
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MSusanMarie (guest): They say St Francis de Sales was the most like Jesus in his era
May 31 2015, 8:09 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): He had strong emotions even anger but he overcame all with gentleness
15, 8:09 PM
Guest7147 (guest): Sorry ! Gentleness helps others to share what’s really bothering them !
May 31 2015, 8:09 PM
Dawn L: he….died to self
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Debbie (guest): Sister..didn’t they say that he could tell someone contrary to what they wanted to hear and they still went away feeling good about it because of the way he could communicate it. And I’m sure, they felt his sincere love. ,
Judy K: Did anyone watch the life of Pope John Paul I on EWTN last night? Now there was an example of gentleness. I never knew how this poor Pope was suffering because of his election to the Papacy. But he spoke with great gentleness to those with whom he disagreed. He had a very obvious tenderness of spirit.
May 31 2015, 8:10 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes, something like that!
8:11 PM
Debbie (guest): I watched it. It was a wonderful program and I learned so much. I never knew much about JPI
Debbie (guest): He certainly used his gift of gentleness for all those he touched.
May 31 2015, 8:12 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Did not see it but anyone who models gentleness is a wonderful example for our times
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MSusanMarie (guest): It takes alot of strength to be gentle especially when one is up against contrariness PM
Dawn L: can we model gentleness at first until it grows deeper in us?
May 31 2015, 8:14 PM
Judy K: Same here Debbie. What a gentle, loving soul. I wonder what he could have accomplished had he lived longer. He seemed to see that the Church could be a less complicated institution and needed restructuring. Kind of like President Bush I “Kinder, Gentler Nation.” And Pope Francis seems to be picking up where he left off.
May 31 2015, 8:14 PM
Debbie (guest): oh my doesn’t it. I really have to work on that.
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Judy K: That is where John Paul I left off.
May 31 2015, 8:15 PM
Debbie (guest): I was struck by his attraction to the future JPII and admired him and felt connected with him. I’m sure he would have been much like JPII in his reaching out and being with people had his health allowed it.
May 31 2015, 8:16 PM
Debbie (guest): I think we can Dawn.
May 31 2015, 8:16 PM
Debbie (guest): Paying for gentleness and patience, and recognizing times that allow us to “grow” in those areas and taking the best advantage of them.
May 31 2015, 8:16 PM
Judy K: Dawn, we have to start somewhere, so modeling would seem to be appropriate. Practice of this virtue over a period of time will lead us to growth in t.
8:17 PM
Debbie (guest): Yes Judy, modeling is important. 5, 8:18 PM
Judy K: And it doesn’t just mean modeling it for others, but even modeling it for ourselves. We might be surprised at how it comes in us.
May 31 2015, 8:18 PM
Lisa C: Mother does Monastery life promote gentleness?
May 31 2015, 8:19 PM
Debbie (guest): I know there are people who just seem to have a more gentle and patient nature and I like to watch them
May 31 2015, 8:19 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Another good question. It should!
May 31 2015, 8:19 PM
Lisa C: Is it easier with the dicipline
May 31 2015, 8:19 PM
Guest7147 (guest): Please pray for Gina she has been our hairdresser for 25 years she has been peacemaker in her family and taking care of her 89 year old Father along with her family ! She said today she just learned she has serious heart condition that has been causing fatigue . Het doctor told her she could have died instantly ! They are preparing her for upcoming surgury and dissolving clot around her Heart ! Please heal Gina Lord Jesus ! Thank
, 8:21 PM
Judy K: Isn’t a monastery a naturally more gentle setting? The silence and prayer create an atmosphere in which gentleness can grow. There is also encouragement from superiors. Daily reception of the Sacraments are aids also. 5, 8:22 PM
Guest7147 (guest): Gentleness spreads even in the toughest situations !
May 31 2015, 8:22 PM
Debbie (guest): I would think so Judy.
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MSusanMarie (guest): Oh yes. I think the environment will promote gentleness and certainly the charism here is gentleness- but one has to open oneself to it
Guest7147 (guest): Those who have suffered greatly in this life have such a depth of gentleness and Love that cannot be described when combined witn
May 31 2015, 8:25 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): It takes some people a lot longer to grow than others and while grace is always coming, one has to receive it
May 31 2015, 8:26 PM
Lisa C: Guest, I agree, suffering leads to compassion
Debbie (guest): I’m sure that’s true Sister…and even just to recognize that you NEED to be open to it. I’m amazed sometimes at the things my eyes are opened up to sometimes that seem so obvious after I become aware.
May 31 2015, 8:27 PM
Judy K: May we become great vessels beneath the cross to be filled with all of the graces, blessings, traits, that the Lord wishes to give us.
May 31 2015, 8:27 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): A self-centered person entering over 55 years old- mite take them longer to grow into it than a compassionate soul
May 31 2015, 8:27 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): But the example of the others will help!
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Guest7147 (guest): A close walk with Jesus !i think that’s why God teaches us that a fruit of the Spirit is Longsuffering !
May 31 2015, 8:27 PM
Dawn L: mentioned here, I recently read A Difficult Life, about Sr Leonie Martin. she suffered much in her life
May 31 2015, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: Mother, it is hard to see how personalities manifest themselves within such rigid structure
May 31 2015, 8:28 PM
Debbie (guest): Yes. and I am fortunate to have some wonderful, gentle women who are great reminders and examples.
May 31 2015, 8:28 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Good example Dawn- she is now up for beatification but her journey was a difficult one
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Dawn L: that is wonderful!
May 31 2015, 8:29 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Sometimes even in silence someone will have a”bad day” and one will know it
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Debbie (guest): It was. What a wonderful example of perseverance. 0 PM
Debbie (guest): She never gave it up but kept searching until she found her calling.
May 31 2015, 8:30 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Leonie, or Sr Francoise Therese, is much sought after as an intercessor for difficult children
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Judy K: Therese herself suffered in Carmel. Her distinctive personality came through nonetheless. By the way, last night I Googled St. Therese of Lisieux Family photographs. I was treated to a wonderful collection of pictures, some taken by Celine after she entered Carmel. Great pictures. Give yourself a treat and take a look. 31 PM
Debbie (guest): really.
May 31 2015, 8:31 PM
Lisa C: I love the picture of St. T dressed as Joan of Arc
May 31 2015, 8:31 PM
Debbie (guest): Me too! That’s one of my favortites.
May 31 2015, 8:32 PM
Lisa C: So cute that they could still play in the Monastery
May 31 2015, 8:32 PM
Debbie (guest): and the one wither her hair piled high on her head to look older.
May 31 2015, 8:32 PM
Judy K: I particularly like the one of Therese as a novice at the foot of the cross in the cloister yard.
May 31 2015, 8:32 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yet, during the last fifty years, Léonie has emerged from obscurity. “The first letters we received asking for prayers in her name dated from 1960,” the Visitation nun continued. “Then the pilgrims started to flock in. Today, it’s almost every day that a mother, a couple, a group, come to meditate at her tomb.”
May 31 2015, 8:32 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): http://leoniemartin.org/the-hidden-life-of-lonie-martin-famile-chretienne-june-2013/
May 31 2015, 8:33 PM
Dawn L: thank you
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Judy K: Haven’t the causes of the other Martin sisters been introduced as well?
May 31 2015, 8:33 PM
Debbie (guest): wow…that’s incredible.
May 31 2015, 8:33 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): On the altar in the crypt, a book of intentions. One cannot leaf through it without moistening it with some tears, at the reading of supplications of parents in suffering, rendered powerless by the chaotic itineraries of certain of their children, or of young people in crisis who have trouble finding their way. “One of the first letters we received was mailed from the United States,” indicated Sister Thérèse-Marie. “It summed up what the pilgrims seem to expect from the intercession of Léonie: ‘It seem
May 31 2015, 8:34 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): ‘It seems to me that she is an inspiration for the young people of today who have difficulty adjusting to our world, and also for the parents who have difficulty adjusting to their children!’”