Jane’s letters to those to whom she offered spiritual direction and to her own Visitation Sisters are replete with words of encouragement and exhortations to patience. She was convinced that we should do all things in God’s time and not in our own hurried and impetuous spirit.
Having had to work hard to overcome those particular flaws in her own nature, Jane often recommended patience and tranquility of soul to the sisters, especially in their dealings with others whether their concerns dealt with important matters or only the trivialities of daily life. Following Francis’ advice she would say they must have patience with everyone, but first of all with themselves.
Reflection questions:
- What does it mean to remain in tranquility?
- Why is there happiness in moderation and evenness of temper?
- What is your greatest problem where the practice of patience is concerned?
- Can you think of ways to integrate patience into your busy life?
APPLICATION
Scripture
But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. (Luke 8:15)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol. (Galatians 5:22)
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the patience of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. (James 5:7,8)
JANE’S WORDS
It is a great happiness for souls when they know how to remain in tranquility, not only when they are without troubles and things that worry them, but especially when they are in the midst of these; and it is also a great happiness to be able to do things without hurry, without disquietude, with evenness of mind, with moderation, with gentleness.
Have only a pure simple, peaceful longing to please God; as I have said before, this will lead you to act without such impetuosity and overeagerness, but with peace and gentleness. Your chief care ought to be to acquire this spirit; however, this care must be tender and loving, free of anxiety, even as you await results with unlimited patience and total dependence on the grace of God.
I have never heard of anyone who saw Francis de Sales lose his temper. One day I asked him to get just a little worked up about various setbacks we were having in connection with our Visitation monastery here, but all he said was: “Do you really want me to lose in a quarter of an hour the small bit of control I have acquired over the past twenty years?