Since Monday September 7th is Labor Day, a holiday probably never envisioned 400 years ago by St. Jane de Chantal, we thought it might be interesting to reflect, nevertheless, on what St. Jane said about work in a Visitation Monastery, in her book of Answers.
St. Jane remarks, ” Let your works be done in common: that is we are only to work for the community, that is to say, do nothing but what has been given us, or ordered by her who has the charge thereof,and when the works are finished, give them back to the community.
But here is a point of importance: and do them with more care and cheerfulness, then if you did them for yourself only. Truly, these words deserve to be well weighed and observed: for, after all, this Blessed Saint (St Francis de Sales) teaches us everywhere, that we must prefer common to private charity. It follows then, that she who should do her work lazily, carelessly, and against the grain, would undoubtedly go against the Rule. And this is to be understood, not only of sewing and spinning, but generally of all which obedience may give us to do. Though it be only sweeping or other such things, which may seem light, they must nevertheless be done carefully, and cheerfully, as for God.” (page 37)