As our final post in preparation for the Feast of St. Vincent De Paul on September 27th, we’d like to highlight the immense regard St. Vincent de Paul had for the Visitation Order, its rules and its founders and how he used them as an example for his own new congregations, in particular the Daughters of Charity.
As a good friend of Bishop Francis de Sales and a spiritual director of St. Jane de Chantal, Founders of the Visitation Monasteries, he remembered their work and referred to it as he taught his own members of his blossoming communities.
For example, the bond of unity among the Visitandines was set as an ideal for his Daughters of Charity.
“When the Blessed Bishop of Geneva instituted his Order, he gave instructions that this practice should be observed, and told Mme de Chantal that nuns in one city were to watch over those in another. And if anything happened that might be out of order, he directed them to let her know about it in Annecy. So, dear Sisters, I present you with a very efficacious means, which is that you look out for one another, for when Sisters in one parish are concerned in this way for those in another, this Rule will be well observed.”Someone may say, ‘Quoi! Do I have to be concerned about persons who profess to serve God! Quoi! Sisters who should have God always before their eyes!’ Most of them shouldn’t need this concern,Sisters, but you’ll take this care in order to help to preserve the Company in the purity of its spirit; for, I can’t imagine that the Daughters of Charity can preserve that purity if they don’t keep this Rule. Therefore, Sisters, give yourselves to God to be faithful to the observance of your Rules and to keep on increasing this fidelity-as by the mercy of God you’ve done until now-and, above all, to observe this Rule well.”
Source:
NOT INVITING OUTSIDERS TO MEALS WITHOUT PERMISSION(Common Rules, Art. 11)September 8, 1657
Even table manners was a matter of example and admonition!
“One day when I was with the Blessed Bishop of Geneva,’ he said to me, ‘M. Vincent, one time I asked our Mother if our Sisters practiced moderation at table; “Excellency.” she replied, “you have to see them.” , When he learned that this was possible, he placed himself in a position where he could easily note their behavior, and he saw those Sisters observing great reserve, like persons who were in the presence of God and His angels. How that consoled him!”Dear Sisters, take care that all the works you’ll do are accompanied by those three virtues so that, at the same time you do the exterior action, your mind may be occupied interiorly with God, which may be done as follows: When you go to visit the sick, say to yourselves,’Wretched creature that I am, how dare I go to this poor person,I who am, before God, sicker than he is! If so many holy souls could do this, they’d do it far better than I!’ Afterward, revive your courage with this thought: ‘I’m going there for the love of God.How fortunate I am to have been chosen for such a holy ministry!’
Source:THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY(Common Rules, Arts. 1-3 October 18.1655
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Finally he taught love of one’s own congregation:
“One day the Blessed Bishop of Geneva said to me, ‘Monsieur, I tell our Sisters that they should esteem other religious Orders more highly than their own and consider the Carmelites more perfect–than themselves; but, even though they’re supposed to look up to others, I want them to love their own Rules more than all the rest.’He also said to me, ‘I even want them to believe that their Rule is better and more perfect for them. I want them to think that the Dominican Nuns, and even all the Sisters in the world, are more perfectthan they are and that their lifestyle is better than theirs; nevertheless,I want them to love their own better.'”I say the same to you, dear Sisters; consider the Rules and practices of all other Orders better and more perfect than yours-for them but not for you. Hold fast to your own and that will bring about uniformity>
16•• UNIFORMITY(Common Rules, Art. 17)November 15, 1657
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