St. Jane de Chantal, the Foundress of the Visitation Order, guided her Sisters through various “Chapters” or community meetings, held throughout the year. We will be sharing her encouraging Lenten thoughts for the next few weeks.
St. Jane de Chantal: “ I have but two words to say to you, which are the words of Jesus Christ Himself:”Watch , and pray, that you enter not into temptation.”
Let us watch over ourselves, over 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, and to keep it in submission and good order; let us watch over all that is within us, so that nothing may be out of rule, that our thoughts may be of God and our words edifying for our neighbor.
When we have watched well, let us pray that God may quicken our faith and show that we look for all our help from His goodness, that we have placed all our hope in Him, and that we expect no good but from Him alone. We must take delight especially in holy recollection and in prayer.
Source: Exhortation for the First Saturday of Lent