Léonie struggled with poor health her whole life, and it even kept her from remaining as a Visitandine Sister. However, after 12 years of struggles she finally entered and remained in the monastery until death. What can she teach us about perseverance in faith? Léonie once wrote in a letter, “I want to grow and stay small at the same time.” How do we find the balance of being humble and yet achieving great things Léonie was overshadowed by the sanctity of Saint Thérèse. How can this act of smallness complement with Thérèse’s spirituality?Above we read, “Sanctity conists in loving and accepting the will of God.” No matter how difficult a life circumstance may be or how heavy our cross is, how can we joyfully embrace what God has allowed in our lives?Léonie died in 1941, which was relatively recent.
We often think of Saints of great figures of the past. God today calls all of us to be Saints. How can we support the cause of Léonie and even more modern-day Saints?
Kathy Ford: Sr. Susan Marie, Léonie surely sounds like someone I can learn from. I always thought that I had a lot in common with Celine. Maybe however I have more in common with Léonie. I sure hope to be a part of the discussion.
M
VisitationSiste: yes she is such a model for us and so real
Jul 12 2015, 7:13 PM
Judy K: I hope to learn some things about Leonie tonight.
VisitationSiste: The more we experience the atmosphere of goodness and holiness the more strength we will have
4 online
:17 PM
VisitationSiste: But even if we have the troubles thAT Leonie had we can move beyond them-not withut each other tho’
VisitationSiste: As far as Leonie, all of her letters are now in English on the Carmelite website
VisitationSiste: http://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/soeur-francoise-therese-leonie
Kathy Ford: Has anyone read My Sister St. Therese?
Jul 12 2015, 7:24 PM
Dawn L: thank you for the link!
Jul 12 2015, 7:24 PM
VisitationSiste: No
Jul 12 2015, 7:24 PM
Judy K: Neither have I.
Jul 12 2015, 7:24 PM
Dawn L: no
Jul 12 2015, 7:24 PM
Kathy Ford: It’s not written by Leonie, it’s by Celine.
Jul 12 2015, 7:25 PM
VisitationSiste: Where did you find it?
Jul 12 2015, 7:25 PM
Kathy Ford: I read it years ago.
15, 7:25 PM
Kathy Ford: There’s a nice Catholic bookstore here in Pittsburgh that I was a favorite haunt when I was working. I got it there. 7:27 PM
Kathy Ford: Yes it is. It’s a very enjoyable book and you really get a feel for what it was like to be St. Therese’s sister. 28 PM
Judy K: The film “Therese” produced by Leonardo deFilippis who plays Louis Martin, shows the very close relationship between Therese and Celine. I really admire Celine for being willing to stay home with Papa to allow Therese to enter Carmel. Since Celine was older, she probably should have entered before Therese. 8 PM
Lisa C: I thought Leone stayed home with him
Jul 12 2015, 7:28 PM
Kathy Ford: Therese is one of my favorite movies. I just wish I had been able to see it in the theater.
Jul 12 2015, 7:29 PM
Lisa C: Leonie
Jul 12 2015, 7:29 PM
VisitationSiste: And Leonie- trying so manty times before suceeding – her perseverence was outstanding
5, 7:29 PM
Lisa C: Maybe Leonie was held back from the monastery for a while, because someone needed to be there to take care of her sick father. Maybe since she took care of him and did God’s will, God eventually gave her what she wanted (to be a nun) which was also His will, but in His own time.
Jul 12 2015, 7:29 PM
VisitationSiste: I think she did when she left the convent one of the times
Lisa C: Mother, it does make it easier while we are in such an environment.
Kathy Ford: I think it must have been a combination of Leonie and Celine.
Jul 12 2015, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s athought Lisa- how Gid uses all for the good, even our weaknesses
Jul 12 2015, 7:30 PM
Lisa C: I think when he had a stroke she was there
VisitationSiste: Yes Leonie did not really enter for good until 1899 I think after the death of Therese
Jul 12 2015, 7:31 PM
Ruth (guest): Just “cathching up”. Hi Dawn. Hi Visitation Sister. Your name?
Jul 12 2015, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: She must have gotten discouraged but perserved, with no doubt the help of prayer from Therese
Jul 12 2015, 7:31 PM
Kathy Ford: Do I have this right, first she was a Poor Claire, then she became a Visitation?
Jul 12 2015, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Sr /Mother Susan- new sign in!
Jul 12 2015, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes she did attempt the Poor Clares first, then Visitation 2 x before staying on the third
7:32 PM
Kathy Ford: That’s why I relate so much to her. I feel like I’ll never fit anywhere.
Jul 12 2015, 7:32 PM
Lisa C: Ruth
Jul 12 2015, 7:32 PM
Judy K: And speaking of persevering, there is the question of persevering in faith. Persevering in faith can lead to the attainment of a desired goal which seems difficult or impossible to achieve. But perseverance must have the focus on accomplishing the will of God, rather than of having one’s own way. Hi Ruth!
Jul 12 2015, 7:32 PM
Ruth (guest): Sorry I missed last week. Was busy helping an elderly friend clean up after a picnic.
Jul 12 2015, 7:32 PM
Lisa C: Kathy you fit with God
Judy K: 3689, is that you Brian?
Jul 12 2015, 7:34 PM
Kathy Ford: I was born with Spina Bifida. So that’s one problem right from the beginning.
Jul 12 2015, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: We only get to know God;s Will, sometimes, in darkness
7:34 PM
Judy K: Kathy,that it is truly a challenge.
Jul 12 2015, 7:34 PM
Dawn L: yes Sister…perhaps sometimes through a very painful event
Jul 12 2015, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes and here you are with us
:35 PM
Kathy Ford: Well at least I can walk and don’t have many of the problems associated with it.
Jul 12 2015, 7:35 PM
Dawn L: I do thank God for all of you here, each week
Kathy Ford: I kept meaning to log on before last week. I’m glad I’m finally stepping out in faith and trying this.
Jul 12 2015, 7:36 PM
Dawn L: Hi Brian
Jul 12 2015, 7:36 PM
Carol Ann: Hi everyone!
Jul 12 2015, 7:36 PM
Kathy Ford: Hi Guest 3689.
Jul 12 2015, 7:36 PM
Judy K: I think that all of us have been periods of darkness and the fact that we are here in this chat room is proof of our perseverance. God be praised. It is so wonderful to have all of you with who to share this marvelous faith of ours.
Jul 12 2015, 7:37 PM
Kathy Ford: Hi Carol.
Jul 12 2015, 7:37 PM
Dawn L: so, what if the things we perceive as difficulties are really a gift to us from God?
7 PM
Carol Ann: Difficulties can be given to give a lesson or strenghten virtue
Jul 12 2015, 7:38 PM
Kathy Ford: I didn’t see any typos Dawn, just a nice message and something to think about.
Jul 12 2015, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes they probably are gifts that are wrapped as a difficulty- the process of unwrapping takes time and faith
Lisa C: Leonie struggled with an emotional cross. St. Terese, although she had an agreeable disposition, struggled with the cross of physical pain and poor health. Both were willing to carry the burden that was sent to them. They both used these crosses to become holy
VisitationSiste: Like Leonie’s! A difficult childhood- physical ailments
Jul 12 2015, 7:38 PM
Dawn L: that is expressed so clearly Sister….it is a unwrapping
Jul 12 2015, 7:38 PM
Judy K: Dawn, they may be just that, gifts from God. He can use them to strengthen us, to teach a lesson, to move us beyond our comfort zone.
Jul 12 2015, 7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Lisa!!
:39 PM
Judy K: And to cause to exercise more trust in Him. M
VisitationSiste: Yes Lisa!!
Kathy Ford: What other orders did Leonie try and enter?
Jul 12 2015, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: and even after we think we have opened the difficulty up to find a new life or way, the fuller meaning may only be evident when even more time passes
Jul 12 2015, 7:40 PM
Dawn L: yes, for what else is there to do but to cling to Him
Jul 12 2015, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: Just Poor Clares and then Visitation several times
Jul 12 2015, 7:40 PM
Ruth (guest): Judy, I think you have an important point. TRUST in Him.
, 7:41 PM
Kathy Ford: Jesus I trust in You, like on the image of Divine Mercy. :42 PM
Judy K: I don’t know what lies ahead for me. MS can be very unpredictable. But what have learned from the Lord in the past, moves me to trust Him now and into the future.
Jul 12 2015, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: Leonie seemed to accept herself as she was and loved her sisters so much- never seemed jealous.
Jul 12 2015, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: Judy you have lots of courage!
Jul 12 2015, 7:42 PM
Ruth (guest): He’s teaching me in new ways to TRUST HIM.
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Carol Ann: It must have been very hard for Leonie to be the “different” one
Jul 12 2015, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: It had to be yet to me her love of the others helped her at least as she grew older
Jul 12 2015, 7:43 PM
Judy K: There are times when I become scared of what might be ahead of me, but I am learning to cast off the fears and lean on Him.
3 PM
Judy K: Hi Carol Ann!
Jul 12 2015, 7:43 PM
Kathy Ford: I always feel so much like the “different” one in my family. Then again, maybe that’s just my lack of faith talking.
4 PM
Carol Ann: I think “different” people are asked to carry a different kind of cross.
Jul 12 2015, 7:45 PM
Dawn L: Mother
Jul 12 2015, 7:45 PM
Lisa C: We are all who God made us to be
Jul 12 2015, 7:45 PM
Kathy Ford: Amen to that Lisa.
Jul 12 2015, 7:45 PM
Lisa C: St. Francis de Sales says, “Be who you are and be it well.” We can give up expectations of our own and follow Him wherever he leads us. This does not mean that we should not do anything and wait for God, but we should first find out who we are in the eyes of God, not our own eyes. Then do our best to be that person requesting God’s grace to lead us.
Jul 12 2015, 7:45 PM
Dawn L: yes, Carol and Lisa
Jul 12 2015, 7:45 PM
Judy K: Yes, I think that it was St. Francis de Sales who said that the Almighty fashions a cross for us which is exactly what we are capable of carrying.
Jul 12 2015, 7:46 PM
Guest3689 (guest): Difficulties help us to grow and to shine to others !
:46 PM
Kathy Ford: Another person who must have felt that way is St. Kateri.
Ruth (guest): There’s a local woman I often see walking about town. Something chastly, simply beautiful about her. Later I saw her working — cleaning — in a mental health facility. We chatted briefly. I learned her name, but since have forgotten it, mea culpa. I’ve started seeing her at morning Mass. I suspect that she is retired now. Something about her reminds me of the simplicity of Leona. A holy woman.
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Carol Ann: The tribe of ‘different” keeps growing larger as we identify people who might understand us
Jul 12 2015, 7:47 PM
Dawn L: Jesus says multiple times whoever does not carry their cross and follow me can not be my disciple.
7:47 PM
Judy K: Difficulties can be stepping stones to holiness. They pop on the path in front of us when we least expect them. We can either try to avoid them, or step on them to get to the next point in our journey.
Kathy Ford: That’s lovely Judy.
Jul 12 2015, 7:48 PM
Judy K: Thank you, kathy.
Jul 12 2015, 7:48 PM
VisitationSiste: Speaking of St Kateri on Tues a Snellville Visitation Sister will make Profession and she is related 8 generations back to Pocohantas
Jul 12 2015, 7:48 PM
Kathy Ford: You’re welcome.
Jul 12 2015, 7:48 PM
Judy K: Kathy
Jul 12 2015, 7:48 PM
Ruth (guest): Step on them. Difficulties as stepping stones. Interestin
:49 PM
Dawn L: Judy, yes! that would be embracing our crosses 7:49 PM
Judy K: And using them for a practical purpose, rather than just carrying them around.
Jul 12 2015, 7:49 PM
Carol Ann: or stepping over difficulties,
Jul 12 2015, 7:50 PM
VisitationSiste: I find this fascinating, QUOTE “Léonie once wrote in a letter, “I want to grow and stay small at the same time.
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Kathy Ford: It sounds like she learned that from St. Therese.
Jul 12 2015, 7:50 PM
Dawn L: oh yes, great insight Judy!
Jul 12 2015, 7:50 PM
Lisa C: Blessed Mother was the model of humility, and yet she is the Queen of Heaven. Being truly humble and aligning our wishes with the will of God allows us to do God’s work which is to do great things
Jul 12 2015, 7:51 PM
Lisa C: Maybe that is what Leonie meant
Jul 12 2015, 7:51 PM
Lisa C: Humility
Jul 12 2015, 7:51 PM
Judy K: Achieving great things can be balanced with humility by recalling that all is grace, and what is accomplished by His grace. We do nothing on our own. We need Him at all times.
Jul 12 2015, 7:51 PM
Dawn L: perhaps those great things are measured by Gods sight and not the worlds? just thinking
Jul 12 2015, 7:52 PM
Carol Ann: I think you are right, Dawn
:52 PM
Lisa C: St. Terese was ordered to write her biography. She did not seek to be famous. She actually died before she was. She kept doing little things as small sacrifices out of love “to win Him by caresses”. She was small and did great things inadvertently by just doing God’s will.
Jul 12 2015, 7:53 PM
Ruth (guest): I’m having to be a pro se lately — despite multiple handicaps. I think the lawyer figured there was not enough money in it for him and the court allowed him to back out. I feel totally our of my area of competency. But last night, thanks be to God, I felt so at peace — like it did not really matter one way or the other whether I won or lost, ONLY that somehow God would be glorified, and he seemed to be letting me know that there would be opportunities.
Jul 12 2015, 7:54 PM
Judy K: Ruth, that’s letting go, and letting God.
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Carol Ann: If we can pray for God’s glory to be shown, and then let Him use us, with no thought of how it will affect us, or what others will think of us!
Jul 12 2015, 7:55 PM
Kathy Ford: So true Carol Ann.
Jul 12 2015, 7:55 PM
Dawn L: yes, Carol, that would be true freedom and liberty
Jul 12 2015, 7:55 PM
Kathy Ford: St. Therese didn’t even want to write her biography at all.
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Carol Ann: Especially when it causes others to think poorly of us in a human way
Jul 12 2015, 7:56 PM
Judy K: But she was obedient and we are the beneficiaries of that obedience.
VisitationSiste: Obedience can lead us to our true vocation too
5, 7:57 PM
Ruth (guest): That seemed a huge obstacle. But somehow, I think HE will shine through.
Jul 12 2015, 7:58 PM
Carol Ann: Yes Ruth, it will, because He already knows what should be said, even if you are writing it now, and not saying it in the future
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Kathy Ford: But there are also times when it seems like something just seems to fall right into your lap, just as you want it. Then you know that God is truly working in your life.
Jul 12 2015, 8:00 PM
Ruth (guest): Yes, obedience. And combining humility with doing a job well. StFdS has a chapeter or a section on that. Was reading it a few days ago. Maybe that’s what helped me. Though I cannot even remember exactly what I read. And one of the problems with reading on the Kindle: it is hard to find your place in larger texts where you move around.
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Lisa C: Ruth Kindle lets you use bookmarks PM
Judy K: Leonie was overshadowed by Therese’s sanctity. Therese’s spirituality was based on spiritual childhood, on being very little. Leonie’s being overshadowed by Therese’s sanctity was her littleness. Both were “little,” Therese by choice, if you will, and Leonie naturally.
Jul 12 2015, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: It’s that joyful embracing of whatever God allows that helps us to reach peace about our circumstances whatever they are
Jul 12 2015, 8:03 PM
Guest3689 (guest): As we walk through difficulties we lead others to Jesus!
Jul 12 2015, 8:03 PM
Ruth (guest): I know, but it still takes me longer, e.g. to turn to book, chapter, verse in NAB than if I just open my paper Bible. Same in books where you are not necessarily PLANNING to go back to a bookmark.
Jul 12 2015, 8:03 PM
Lisa C: Sometimes you can also find quotes from a kindle book with google
Jul 12 2015, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s very true Judy- and in that the sisters were very alike
4 PM
Kathy Ford: Speaking of the Bible, I’ve read it for years. But I still need a good simple way of reading it day by day. What’s a good uncomplicated way to do it?
Jul 12 2015, 8:04 PM
VisitationSiste: I thin Therese’s sanctity and little way provided a “road map” for Leonie- it is said she was the first disciple of Therese’ version of the little way
, 8:05 PM
Carol Ann: Kathy, there are many lovely devotional books that will take you on that journey
Jul 12 2015, 8:05 PM
VisitationSiste: The daily Mass readings are one way to be in the spirit of the Church and Scripture
05 PM
Dawn L: and perhaps for Therese, seeing her sisters difficulties and how she went through them , helped her. ( this is a speculation)
Jul 12 2015, 8:05 PM
Judy K: Didn’t Therese say something about being a little toy in the Child Jesus’ hands and He can throw her into a corner if He wishes? Leonie must have felt that she was being thrown into a corner with her varied attempts at becoming a Religious.
Jul 12 2015, 8:05 PM
Ruth (guest): Thanks Lisa. I do that, too. Especially for remembered Bible quotations that I’ve forgotten the exact source of.
, 8:06 PM
Kathy Ford: I know Carol Ann. I’ve tried several. I just want one I can keep up with day by day. Also, I do try and read the daily readings when I can. , 8:06 PM
Kathy Ford: Judy, Therese actually compared herself to a little ball.
Jul 12 2015, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Judy I think she did refer to herself as a plaything or toy.
7 online
5, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: In some ways sanctity is simpler than we think if we use the ordinary events of the day to grow from But our emotions and passions etc are obstacles sometimes
Jul 12 2015, 8:08 PM
Ruth (guest): I have a short term subscription to Magnificat. I like it. But, mea culpta — or TBI — I lose it for days at a time.
VisitationSiste: We can know in our heads how to respond for ex but still find it emotionally difficult. Leonie went thru that in her own way
Jul 12 2015, 8:09 PM
Judy K: Therese trusted in, and loved, Jesus in such a way that she was willing to be His little toy, cuddled or thrown aside at His pleasure.
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Mary Roberta Viano: I still remember visiting Sr. Leonie’s grave in the crypt at Caen in France.
Jul 12 2015, 8:11 PM
Dawn L: Imagine this was amazing to be there
Jul 12 2015, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: The sisters there told us that lots of parents with difficult kids came there to pray for Sister’s intercession and leave flowers.
Jul 12 2015, 8:11 PM
Kathy Ford: Now that would be a terrific pilgrimage. You could
1 PM
Kathy Ford: visit all the graves of all the Martin family.
Jul 12 2015, 8:12 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We were there with Mother Susan Marie and others in 2009 in anticipation of our 400th anniversary in 2010.
Welcome to our Living Jesus Chat Room. Just sign in, using any of the methods below.
Jul 12 2015, 8:12 PM
VisitationSiste: We left to go to Caen, about an hour away, to our Viistation Monastery there and where St Therese’s sister, Leonie, was a Visitandine, Sr Francoise Therese. Four older Sisters, including the Superior, greeted us. We were led to the tomb of Leonie, an underground room, simply furnished with a crucifix, altar and chairs. The tomb in the floor was marked and surrounded by flowers and candles and in the upper right a photo of a gentle looking Leonie, with piles of envelopes placed before the photo.
Jul 12 2015, 8:12 PM
Ruth (guest): Nice way to celebrate.
Jul 12 2015, 8:12 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, we saw the Martin house and yard, where the girls all played.
Jul 12 2015, 8:12 PM
Carol Ann: That would be a great pilgrimage. What about the other two sisters who were Carmelites? Is there any word on whether they might become blessed?
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Lisa C: I would love to visit St. MM’s relics
Jul 12 2015, 8:13 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Haven’t heard. I don’t think they had the struggles Sr. Leonie and St. Therese had.
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VisitationSiste: We were there too Lisa
Jul 12 2015, 8:14 PM
Lisa C: Mother, that was the altar where the Sacred Heart appeared?
Jul 12 2015, 8:14 PM
Kathy Ford: If you read My Sister St. Therese though I wouldn’t be surprised if Celine is is next.
Jul 12 2015, 8:14 PM
Judy K: I am picturing all of us as little toys, playing before the Lord in a beautiful garden, frolicking and having a grand time. What a delight! To play before the Lord! Perhaps if we looked at ourselves more as children and just allowed ourselves to play, not just before Him, but with Him, we might be freer, easier, more flexible in our spiritual lives. Just little children playing.
Jul 12 2015, 8:14 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, we were in Paray, too, and saw where St. MM prayed, kneeling outside the chapel wall, and we all knelt there, too.
Welcome to our Living Jesus Chat Room. Just sign in, using any of the methods below.
Jul 12 2015, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes
Jul 12 2015, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: At St Margaret Mary’s home, we saw the living quarters and a DVD on her life and also went to the room in which she was born, now a chapel, where we wrote prayer intentions in a book. Our next stop was the Chapel at Paray le Monial where we attended 6PM Mass and then reverenced the relics of St Margaret Mary, whether wax or incorrupt I’m unsure, but very powerful. There’s a joyful spirit at Paray yet also deep seriousness. They have 4 in formation and a delightful Irish born nun gave us the tour of the grou
Jul 12 2015, 8:15 PM
Guest3689 (guest): Amen Judy !
5 PM
Ruth (guest): Outside?
Jul 12 2015, 8:16 PM
Ruth (guest): Was the chapel locked?
Jul 12 2015, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: Therer were apparitionsd outside too of angels
Jul 12 2015, 8:16 PM
Lisa C: I am not sure, but I seem to remember that her heart is perfect, but there is wax over her
Jul 12 2015, 8:16 PM
Dawn L: sounds like a wonderful visit
Jul 12 2015, 8:16 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes I think its wax
Jul 12 2015, 8:16 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, because she was supposed to be in charge of watching the goats, was it? But she still wanted to continue praying to Our Lord in the chapel Tabernacle.
Jul 12 2015, 8:17 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It was a marvelous, prayerful trip, but I wish we could have spent more than just 2 days in Annecy.
Jul 12 2015, 8:18 PM
Ruth (guest): Yes,Judy. I like that “moving picture” too — with us in it.
Jul 12 2015, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: The beginning of this video shows her: http://visitationspirit.org/2013/06/our-new-video-of-the-visitation-museum-sacred-heart-exhibit/
Our New Video of the Visitation Museum Sacred Heart Exhibit | Visitation Spirit
Jul 12 2015, 8:18 PM
Kathy Ford: When I was working, at one point I was in the Logistics Office. One day, I think Jesus was trying to get through to me. There just happened to be this ball of the world in the stock room. After that, that ball became a reminder of St. Therese’s image of a little ball.
Jul 12 2015, 8:18 PM
Judy K: The Sacred Heart has been my foremost devotion. I can just see myself in the chapel in which He appeared to St. Margaret Mary, and trembling from sheer joy at being there.
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Kathy Ford: At the moment, Divine Mercy is my primary devotion. I just need to become more faithful to praying the novena along with the chaplet.
Jul 12 2015, 8:19 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: So, true, Judy! Our saints call us to a deeper union with Christ.
Jul 12 2015, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: I was priveledged to return the following year on our 400th anniversay date and on the Feast of the Sac
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Dawn L: Tried to find quickly the art you posted on this website, the Bishop who opens the decree for Leoine. it says on there now is the moment to pray and ask Leione for favors….is this what is meant by how we can support her cause?
Jul 12 2015, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: tHThe Divine Mercy and Sacred Heart devotions are very related
Jul 12 2015, 8:21 PM
Carol Ann: i love Divine Mercy too!
Jul 12 2015, 8:21 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: As SFdS wrote to SJdC: “My daughter, truly our little Congregation is a work of the heart of Jesus and of Mary. The dying Savior gave birth to us through the wound of His Sacred Heart.”
Jul 12 2015, 8:22 PM
Judy K: I have to say that being at the Shrine at Lourdes was a similar experience. The presence of the Lord is nearly palpable. The silence and prayerfulness are inspiring, and moving. You can really feel Him there. And His Holy Mother is there too. It is like no other place in the world. I felt so close to Jesus when I was there.
Jul 12 2015, 8:22 PM
VisitationSiste: I think so Dawn
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Kathy Ford: Yes they are Sister and Therese and Faustina are related as well.
Jul 12 2015, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: they are?
Jul 12 2015, 8:23 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s what each of our houses aspires to be, Judy: places of silence and prayerfulness, where Our Lord’s presence is palpable.
Jul 12 2015, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: The most emotionally moving part of the day was an incredible procession of lay people through the Paray Monastery’s gardens, with a contingent of priests bearing the Blessed Sacrament; a procession into which all of the Vistandines entered. The French hymns resounded throughout the garden enclosure as they walked, or were pushed in wheelchairs akin to Lourdes, 600 to a 1000 people in heartfelt prayer on their way to the Shrine chapel.Who said there is no faith in France?Everywhere we went the churches were filled.
Jul 12 2015, 8:23 PM
Kathy Ford: Your so right Ruth. I began by praying the Chaplet before I ever really prayed the rosary. Then it lead me to pray the rosary too.
Lisa C: I do not know whether anyone else feels this way, but when I enter a protestant church it feels like a building, and when I enter a Catholic church it feels like a church, because it does not feel empty…I feel Jesus there
Jul 12 2015, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes a French priest said the 2 devotions are 2 sides of the same coin
Jul 12 2015, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: I felt that Lisa
Jul 12 2015, 8:24 PM
Kathy Ford: If you read Faustina’s diary, there’s a section where Faustina has a vision of Therese. She asked her if she was going to be a Saint like her.
Jul 12 2015, 8:24 PM
Judy K: I felt that too Lisa.
Jul 12 2015, 8:24 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Me, too, Lisa!
Jul 12 2015, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: This explains a bit Carol http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=2260
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Mary Roberta Viano: In TLG SFdS wrote: “Truly, God’s love is seated within the Savior’s heart as on a royal throne.” 6 PM
Carol Ann: thanks for the link–I will check it
Jul 12 2015, 8:26 PM
Lisa C: When I was driving around England Scotland and Wales I drove randomly and stopped at every church I saw…most of the old churches dated to before the reformation and the structure and the windows all looked like Catholic churches, but they felt empty without Jesus really there and it was so sad
Jul 12 2015, 8:27 PM
Judy K: We mentioned obedience a while back and there is a question tonight about joyfully accepting God’s will. We can do that be making our will one with His, that is by being in uniformity with His will. And then by realizing that God knows better than we do what is truly for our good.
Jul 12 2015, 8:27 PM
Ruth (guest): Lisa, it was you, wasn’t it, who told me about the prayerful feeling you had growing up attending the school at Visitation Monastery in Brooklyn — about the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit.
Jul 12 2015, 8:27 PM
Kathy Ford: So many of those churches were Catholic at some point in history.
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Mary Roberta Viano: and SFdS adds: “Arise, make haste, leave yourself, take flight to me, my dove, my most beautiful one, into this heavenly abode where all things are in joy and breathe forth only praise and benediction.”
Judy K: Wow, sounds like the Song of Songs.
Jul 12 2015, 8:28 PM
Lisa C: Ruth, I did go to school there
Jul 12 2015, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: The Tabernacle in the Brooklyn Visitation Chapel is close to the edge of the school building
Jul 12 2015, 8:28 PM
Kathy Ford: There certainly is something not quite the same about a Protestant church.
:29 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: The Brooklyn chapel/altar are beautiful – with the angels hovering over it.
Jul 12 2015, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: I was looking at all the windows last week at Vis and realized that every one of them had significance to the Order and the School
8:30 PM
Dawn L: Beautiful churches I believe help us to detach from the world …but it is the presence of the Lord, the Body and Blood in the Sacrament where we feel his presence.
Jul 12 2015, 8:31 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Let’s envision each other within the Sacred Heart this week, as we pray for one another!
Jul 12 2015, 8:31 PM
Kathy Ford: Oh Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus I trust in You!!!
1 PM
Lisa C: St. John the apostle who LOVED Jesus, St. FdS, St J dC, the Visitation over the organ, St. Agustine for the rule, St. Philomin and St Agnes as models for the girls, the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the upper windows 8:32 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m off to get tomorrow’s Lauds ready – to chant Our Lord’s praise on Monday morning! G’night!
Jul 12 2015, 8:32 PM
Dawn L: I attend Mass in a small room, not in a chapel. The presence of Jesus is very much there once Mass begins
Jul 12 2015, 8:32 PM
Judy K: We feel His presence because He is truly there. I wonder if we are fully aware of His presence within us after we receive Him in the Eucharist. We become His tabernacles. Oh joy!
Jul 12 2015, 8:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Wonderful Lisa!
Jul 12 2015, 8:32 PM
Ruth (guest): Good night, Sr. Mary Roberta.
Jul 12 2015, 8:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Good nite dear Sister!
Jul 12 2015, 8:32 PM
Lisa C: I may have forgotten some
Jul 12 2015, 8:33 PM
VisitationSiste: Blessings to each of you!!
Jul 12 2015, 8:33 PM
Judy K: Good night Sister!
:33 PM
Kathy Ford: The same to you Sister.
Jul 12 2015, 8:33 PM
Dawn L: Good night and peaceful sleep to all. thank you Sisters
Jul 12 2015, 8:33 PM
Carol Ann: blessings!