Do you believe that? You have been a saint! When? At the time of your baptism! and perhaps, momentarily at other times, for example, your religious Profession.
According to the late Father John Conmy, OSFS, in his retreat to the Visitation Sisters of New York, he stated that sanctity is within the reach of everyone- as it is a matter of prolonging and making permanent those other saintly moments.
As he prepared the Sisters for their Renovation of Vows, he spoke about Faith- and Obedience.
“Faith teaches us about the spiritual life that the just person lives by faith; as St Francis de Sales tells us, the day will come when we will have nothing else to hold on to but faith.”
Pro Orantibus Day is approaching- November 21st, when the Church celebrates cloistered life, and the Visitation Sisters renew their holy vows.
Fr. Conmy prepared the Visitandines of NY for their vows as he continued, “ How it is our great privilege as religious to have within our grasp a great means of making progress in faith, a means others do not have..That special help and means is my vow of obedience.
Obedience must rest on faith to be activated and motivated by charity. But the justification of obedience is faith. If it does not rest on faith, my obedience is a foolish thing, senseless. But if it rests on faith it is honorable, ennobling, sanctifying, wonderful. It is faith that leads me to see my superior an instrument in the hands of God. Such is the vision of faith.”
Source: Retreat Conference V, Rev John Conmy OSFS,Monastery of the Visitation, Riverdale NY 1952