How can devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus affect others? Do we always see the results of our devotions?
Sister Jeanne was not particularly learned, but she was obedient. What can we learn from this?
Sister Margaret Mary references Jesus’ reign of love in her writings. Why is Satan so opposed to love, and why are people hesitant to accept it?
V: St.Benedict talks about the cave of the heart being the place where you find God
l: Oh that’s lovely!
V: I thought so!
SrSusan (guest): How do you withdraw into the cave
Oct 13 2013, 7:22 PM
V: contemplation, Sister Susan Marie
l: Prayer and contemplation as well as a healthy dose of silence
SrSusan (guest): Interesting phrase for contemplation
I used the phrase heart-room with the children
V: we read a wonderful poem that talked about how we need to recognize that there are fields that will be tilled, but by God, not by us.
Oct 13 2013, 7:24 PM
A: heart-room is nice
V: tonight’s topic has been in my heart all week, but especially today
SrSusan (guest): How has it spoken to you?
K (guest): Our devotion must influence others or I don’t think it is authentic.
l: I agree K; it is not for our sake alone
V: listening with the hear of the heart to be with God at the cave of our heart:
l: Oh I do like that!
SrSusan (guest): Good point!
A: I would think devotion to the Sacred Heart would change oneself
Oct 13 2013, 7:37 PM
SrSusan (guest): What struck me was St Margaret Mary was the chosen one by Jesus to receive the revelation and by her sharing her enthusiasm and devotion, it was a Sr in another Monastery that physically did alot of writing to spread it even further.
l: It seemed to be a ripple effect for God!
Oct 13 2013, 7:38 PM
SrSusan (guest): To influence another to the point that they take action is really a strong witness
Oct 13 2013, 7:38 PM
K (guest): Each one doing their part so that the whole Body of Christ accomplishes the will of our Father.
Oct 13 2013, 7:38 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes a ripple effect- great
SrSusan (guest): It would be phenomenal if by chatting these weeks we had a ripple effect on people
Oct 13 2013, 7:39 PM
V: we each catch fire with His love and spread it through our sharing
Oct 13 2013, 7:39 PM
l: Oh I so pray that will be so!
Oct 13 2013, 7:39 PM
V: I think we are, SSM
Oct 13 2013, 7:39 PM
A: just the fact that we attend church and are a witness influences people
Oct 13 2013, 7:39 PM
V: The things I shared in my meeting earlier today were a direct response to the things we have shared here
Oct 13 2013, 7:40 PM
SrSusan (guest): That’s beautiful
K (guest): Devotion to His Sacred Heart includes a deep desire to share it with others (love for Him and for others) 7:40 PM
A: true!
SrSusan (guest): Yes love ignites more love
SrSusan (guest): Fires always spread until contained- the fire of the Love of His Sacred Heart!
l: Absolutely !
Oct 13 2013, 7:41 PM
K (guest): It should change us so that others want what we have.
V: I think we need to nurse each other through the kiln of love that is God present among us
A: how do we become more devoted?
Oct 13 2013, 7:43 PM
l: Really? I love that! A truly spiritual person can be found anywhere and not just in monasteries!
Oct 13 2013, 7:43 PM
K (guest): yes, I was thinking this week about how one needs the atmosphere to grow most deeply in the devotion.
M
V: God’s love
Oct 13 2013, 7:44 PM
SrSusan (guest): Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales, Alice, can give examples of growing in devotion.
Oct 13 2013, 7:44 PM
A: I will be thinking that at work monday…I am a spark!
l: I love that idea too Alice!
A: Thank you Sister. I have that book and will read it again
l: How should we use the dry times Sister?
SrSusan (guest): Dry times are times of raw faith
V: “Dry times are times of raw faith” has so many different levels, SSM.
Oct 13 2013, 7:48 PM
l: Raw faith; I like that! That’s what it feels like; raw!
Oct 13 2013, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (guest): I always think faith brings us closer to God because God is spirit and faith is like spirit too
Oct 13 2013, 7:48 PM
A: What about prayer and novenas that seem to have no answer. would that be a dry time?
Oct 13 2013, 7:49 PM
K (guest): It is because of a persons faith that Jesus worked many miracles.
Oct 13 2013, 7:49 PM
SrSusan (guest): L what did you mean by dry times- non-experiential or times you don’t see prayers answered
Oct 13 2013, 7:50 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes K Jesus always acknowledged faith in that way!
0 PM
l: The times when I don’t “feel” anything and God seems so far away!
Oct 13 2013, 7:50 PM
K (guest): I think of dry times as times that I don’t feel like I love God.
Oct 13 2013, 7:50 PM
V: St. Jane de Chantal knew the dark night of the soul
l: My soul feels adrift
Oct 13 2013, 7:51 PM
SrSusan (guest): She lived on “temptations and dryness for 40 years
V: I would read her, St. Jane de Chantal, for inspiration through darkness
Oct 13 2013, 7:51 PM
A: I imagine most Catholics have had a dark night. But 40 years…
Oct 13 2013, 7:51 PM
l: I am not sure I would have the strength for 40 years of that
V: It is why I love her so much
Oct 13 2013, 7:52 PM
SrSusan (guest): I think V is right tho St Jane is a good example and model
K (guest): That is where ones blind faith carries them through
A: That would be interesting reading
K (guest): Hello J. I have thought in the past when I have had such sweet experiences that the time will come when it is not there and I must let the memory of those time carry me through.
Oct 13 2013, 7:53 PM
7:54 PM
l: Oh K that is such a good way to think of it!
Oct 13 2013, 7:53 PM
V: there’s one in particular, about St. Jane de Chantal by Elizabeth Stopp
Oct 13 2013, 7:54 PM
SrSusan (guest): That’s a good one.
SrSusan (guest): Ravier’s is simpler
Oct 13 2013, 7:55 PM
l: Thank you V; I will look for that one!
V: It was in Elizabeth Stopps book that I first read about St. Jane talking with her novices about the martyrdom of the heart
Oct 13 2013, 7:56 PM
SrSusan (guest): Visitandines are called to that kind of martyrdom
Oct 13 2013, 7:56 PM
A: what does that mean?
Oct 13 2013, 7:56 PM
V: you just gave me goosbumps,SSM
V: I want that kind of martyrdom.
Oct 13 2013, 7:57 PM
SrSusan (guest): St Jane refers to it as being torn away from yourself in the very marrow of your bones
Oct 13 2013, 7:57 PM
SrSusan (guest): It is an interior experience
Oct 13 2013, 7:58 PM
SrSusan (guest): Love of God truly surpasses all other loves; not just in word or theology or philosophy but within your very self
Oct 13 2013, 7:58 PM
V: Salesian spirituality is gentle but fierce
SrSusan (guest): Love of God truly surpasses all other loves; not just in word or theology or philosophy but within your very self
SrSusan (guest): It’s the love/ suffering partnership we spoke of before in another day’s chat
Oct 13 2013, 7:58 PM
K (guest): “Divine love takes its sword to the hidden recesses of our inmost soul and divides us from ourselves.”
Oct 13 2013, 7:59 PM
SrSusan (guest): Exact quote Kim!
Oct 13 2013, 7:59 PM
l: What is that from Kim?
J: love that quote
Oct 13 2013, 7:59 PM
V: yes, where, please
Oct 13 2013, 7:59 PM
K (guest): office of readings for St. Jane de Chantal
V: lol, amen I love that
l: I am looking that up; that so speaks to me! I want that!
Oct 13 2013, 8:00 PM
SrSusan (guest): Divine Love proceeds from His Heart!
1 PM
V: “Divine love takes its sword to the hidden recesses of our inmost soul and divides us from ourselves.” just because it’s so beautiful, I’m quoting again
Oct 13 2013, 8:01 PM
V: amen, SSM
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SrSusan (guest): Self- love is destroyed so to speak so we are filled with Him
Oct 13 2013, 8:02 PM
SrSusan (guest): St Jane does say this is for strong souls;
Oct 13 2013, 8:02 PM
l: Yes, I can imagine so! I want a strong soul!
Oct 13 2013, 8:03 PM
K (guest): for one who is called to it, God equips.
Oct 13 2013, 8:03 PM
J: all the vanities just being melt away
Oct 13 2013, 8:03 PM
SrSusan (guest): Exactly J
Oct 13 2013, 8:03 PM
K (guest): if one cooperates with His grace.
A: I want a strong soul too Lois
Oct 13 2013, 8:04 PM
V: trust when you jump off the cliff of love
Oct 13 2013, 8:04 PM
SrSusan (guest): Practically how do you think this martyrdom happens?
J: gives me a wonderful image of that divine sword touching our soul and opening up a portal to the eternal love of God..where we get those glimpses of heaven
Oct 13 2013, 8:04 PM
A: obedience and giving up self will
Oct 13 2013, 8:05 PM
K (guest): beautiful J
8:05 PM
V: with pain and broken heartedness. dryness. Peace
:05 PM
K (guest): Yes, I believe it is only through suffering.
Oct 13 2013, 8:05 PM
SrSusan (guest): Remember St Jane suffered many losses; most of her children, for one
V: that’s right. St. Jane lost so much, including children, a husband she loved
Oct 13 2013, 8:06 PM
SrSusan (guest): Even her spiritual friendship with St Francis underwnt a change around 1616
l: What kind of a change?
Oct 13 2013, 8:06 PM
V: that was painful for her
Oct 13 2013, 8:07 PM
SrSusan (guest): She was in retreat but he was sick and it distracted her.
Oct 13 2013, 8:07 PM
V: but she accepted martyrdom of the heart
Oct 13 2013, 8:07 PM
SrSusan (guest): They realized God wanted even more of her inner attention thru this incident
Oct 13 2013, 8:08 PM
A: God wants all and that is kind of scary to me
Oct 13 2013, 8:08 PM
V: it’s a tearing apart to get down to the heart of the heart
Oct 13 2013, 8:08 PM
l: So this pain of dryness in prayer for clarity is a good thing in a way?
Oct 13 2013, 8:08 PM
SrSusan (guest): That’s it!
PM
K (guest): yeah!
Oct 13 2013, 8:09 PM
l: I need to trust?!
Oct 13 2013, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (guest): The bubbly consolations need to burst
K (guest): I sometimes think of how much I hurt our Lord when I don’t trust.
Oct 13 2013, 8:10 PM
l: I think God is speaking to me through all of you tonight!
V: (((hugs))) L!
Guest326 (guest): I really loved this writing by Padre pio in last months Magnificat. I think it pertains to both the dryness and the Divine Love we all want “Therefore be consoled in the affliction, and let your great sadness be in peace. You can be sure that I am neither misled nor mistaken. The light increases and soon it is midday, when the soul is dilated in the sun. But when the sun goes down and darkness follows, one no longer remembers the light and the Lord withdraws even the memory of the consolation enjoyed,so13 PM
Guest326 (guest): that the shadows may be complete. You are merely one of the chosen ones who are tried like gold in the furnace4 PM
Guest326 (guest): What is this painful searching for God…which occupies your heart so incessantly? It is the effect of the love which draws you and the love which impels you. and why does love take to flight?
Oct 13 2013, 8:14 PM
SrSusan (guest): But you are “chosen”!
Oct 13 2013, 8:14 PM
Guest326 (guest): Because of love and to stimulate love.
Oct 13 2013, 8:14 PM
K (guest): maybe it can help you to have faith though
Oct 13 2013, 8:14 PM
Guest326 (guest): Because of love and to stimulate love.
Oct 13 2013, 8:14 PM
A: I love Padre Pio as my mother did also
Oct 13 2013, 8:15 PM
SrSusan (guest): To stimulate love- when we are in darkness we keep searching for that light
Oct 13 2013, 8:15 PM
SrSusan (guest): Thank you Guest 326!!!
Oct 13 2013, 8:15 PM
SrSusan (guest): You have given us some deep ponderings here
K(guest): As a protestant I remember memorizing “what is true in the light is also true in the dark”
16 PM
Guest326 (guest): Always remember the consolations! They will return and be even greater.
Oct 13 2013, 8:16 PM
l: I remember that!
8:17 PM
K (guest): in the dark we are being purified and that is what it is all about – becming one heart with Him16 PM
SrSusan (guest): Yes , one heart. How I wish our country could become One Heart with Jesus.I pray that someday we will be consecrated to the Sacred Heart
J: this sounds a lot like what Saint John of the Cross teaches…dark night of the senses and dark night of the soul
K(guest): I think it has been reveled to several saints that it is through His Sacred Heart that His Kingdom will come. PM
l: We study St. John of the Cross this next year as part of our formation as Secular Carmelites!
K (guest): Sister Susan, is the picture drawn by Sister Jeanne Madeleine Joly a familiar one?
Oct 13 2013, 8:21 PM
SrSusan (guest): What a circle of spiritual connections tonight!
Oct 13 2013, 8:21 PM
SrSusan (guest): No not really that familiar.
Oct 13 2013, 8:21 PM
V: I’ve also been thinking a lot about Camoldolese spirituality lately. They also have a great love of the Sacred Heart and of silence
Oct 13 2013, 8:22 PM
J: shows how to recognize the steps along the way to union with God
J: also Saint Theresa of Avila…love her…Interior Castle is a great book on this topic also
J: Yes Sister Susan that is a book I can read a thousand times and still not get it all…but when those certain areas of it hit you…I feel myself floating
l: I don’t understand much of the Interior Castle!
Oct 13 2013, 8:28 PM
Guest326 (guest): I agree . Sometimes when reading spiritual books I canfeel each word beating in my heart
J: yes 326..I love books like that and Merton..when you get it you feel yourself floating to heaven..just thinking wow!!! I want that
Oct 13 2013, 8:29 PM
SrSusan (guest): When a book touches you like that it has become alive in you
K (guest): Yes, I say I pray the book, not read it.
Oct 13 2013, 8:30 PM
l: There is a multi DVD movie about her life which is wonderful!
Oct 13 2013, 8:30 PM
V: a real reason to love reading, SSM
Oct 13 2013, 8:30 PM
Guest326 (guest): Definitely! I love The Imitation of Christ!
Oct 13 2013, 8:30 PM
J: those lil moments of getting it are worth reading the whole book
3, 8:31 PM
l: I have to read these books very slowly and carefully to get the whole message
V: and to let them be a part of you. Slowly and carefully… gently
Oct 13 2013, 8:31 PM
J: You feel like you come alive
Oct 13 2013, 8:32 PM
SrSusan (guest): It also helps in those dry times
Oct 13 2013, 8:32 PM
SrSusan (guest): The Treatise is a difficult book but rewarding!
Oct 13 2013, 8:32 PM
l: Oh yes, thank you for reminding me!
3, 8:33 PM
l: I probably need to start with a simpler book.
Oct 13 2013, 8:33 PM
J: you are right though also L..I love SFDS works also. I love his common sense simplicity yet extremely deep
V: I’m hoping to learn about sisterly teamwork. within Visitation context
SrSusan (guest): The original reference was playing from the relationship between St Margaret Mary and Sr Jeanne Joly
SrSusan (guest): However if we extend that into our own situations and life it certainly becomes the model for a Visittaion team at the Monastery
SrSusan (guest): Or a religious/lay affiliation as well
V: I yearn to be part of a sisterhood sharing thoughts and prayers on these kind of things