When have you experienced God’s
“sweet mercies,” as Saint Francis talks about?
How can punishments be “aromatized with the Divine sweetness?” Is
this masochistic?
Which saints come to mind who have embraced the pain necessarily associated
with Divine Will of Good-Pleasure?
Why do afflictions and pains “have to be borne by us” as the saint
mentions in the last paragraph​?
Feb 9, 10:04 AM
VisitationSiste: Sun chat above Feb 10 at 730pm est
Feb 10, 7:25 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome viewers
Feb 10, 7:26 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi Sr. Susan Marie-
Feb 10, 7:26 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Carroll
Feb 10, 7:28 PM
Carroll (Guest): Quick question: Are you still referring retreatants to Georgetown at this time? Do you have any idea if you will be open to retreatants in early summer?
Feb 10, 7:29 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Carroll, Hi Sr Susan Marie
Feb 10, 7:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome back Carol Ann
Feb 10, 7:29 PM
Carol Ann: Thanks! We were watching the super bowl last week
Feb 10, 7:30 PM
Carroll (Guest): Ok. Thank you-
Feb 10, 7:30 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi Carol Ann!
Feb 10, 7:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome back Kristi !
Feb 10, 7:31 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Kristi!
Feb 10, 7:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Sr Susan, Carol Ann, Carroll, and Kristi!
Feb 10, 7:32 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Dawn!
Feb 10, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: Re: sweet mercies
Feb 10, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: a review:
Feb 10, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: the effects of his justice being sharp and full of bitterness to us, he always sweetens them with the mingling of his mercies, preserving the green olive amidst the waters of the deluge of his just indignation, and giving power to the devout soul, as to a chaste dove, to find it at last, provided always that after the fashion of doves she very lovingly ruminate in her mind.
Feb 10, 7:33 PM
Kristi (Guest): Hi, Sister, and everyone! Thanks for the welcome
Feb 10, 7:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): that is beautiful, almost poetic
Feb 10, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s St Francis de Sales!
Feb 10, 7:35 PM
VisitationSiste: I guess its like correction issued with love
Feb 10, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: When have you experienced God’s “sweet mercies,” as Saint Francis talks about?
Feb 10, 7:36 PM
Carol Ann: I.can tell when it’s Him correcting me because it does not hurt. I always seem to react something like oh, thank you! And change what i am doing
Feb 10, 7:37 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s a good relationship!
Feb 10, 7:38 PM
Carol Ann: I’m not usually that good with people….
Feb 10, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: But He is Perfect so He understands
Feb 10, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: I had an experience recently where He used another person to bring me forward and at first I found it difficult but later I saw how this helped the whole community make some changes
Feb 10, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: So it was sweetened by the results!
Feb 10, 7:41 PM
Dawn (Guest): both of these are good examples, of what I am trying to see
Feb 10, 7:42 PM
Carol Ann: I think He uses other people more, but it can be confusing because the lesson is not always the one the other person thinks they’re teaching
Feb 10, 7:42 PM
Kristi (Guest): I received a lesson in Charity, yesterday. It seems to be an awaking moment when I realize it.
Feb 10, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: Interpreted differently you mean?
Feb 10, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: Kristi, awaking moment- that’s a great grace I think
Feb 10, 7:43 PM
Kristi (Guest): I think so too, Sister.
Feb 10, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Ruth
Feb 10, 7:45 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth!
Feb 10, 7:46 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hello everyone. Welcome back Kristi.
Feb 10, 7:46 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Ruth!
Feb 10, 7:46 PM
Kristi (Guest): Hi, Ruth. Thank you!
Feb 10, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: How can punishments be “aromatized with the Divine sweetness?” Is this masochistic?
Feb 10, 7:50 PM
VisitationSiste: Tough concept- similar to above- not masochistic but definitely something not all realize they experience
Feb 10, 7:52 PM
VisitationSiste: I guess we have to look at the saints for balance
Feb 10, 7:53 PM
Carol Ann: Like St Francis of Assisi
Feb 10, 7:54 PM
Carroll (Guest): No! … The “bitterest bitterness” being turned into “the sweetness of a most abundant peace” comes from Jesus drawing us more closely to Himself in the midst of pain… the focus is on our growing more towards union with Him out of love for Him and others… Masochism is (for some) a false pleasure which is entirely focused on self.
Feb 10, 7:54 PM
VisitationSiste: Great clarification!
Feb 10, 7:55 PM
Kristi (Guest): That is wonderful, Carroll. I can see examples in my own life.
Feb 10, 7:58 PM
Dawn (Guest): the Holy Spirit
Feb 10, 7:58 PM
VisitationSiste: I have been reflecting on this because of a Visitandine postulant in France who is wheelchair bound in great pain yet has the most beautiful attitude.
Feb 10, 7:58 PM
Carroll (Guest): It is only by God’s grace that I have come to understand that.
Feb 10, 7:59 PM
VisitationSiste: https://visitationspirit.org/2019/02/nantes-visitation-postulant-releases-new-book/
Feb 10, 8:00 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you Carroll.
Feb 10, 8:01 PM
Carol Ann: I will have to find this book!
Feb 10, 8:01 PM
VisitationSiste: it is in French!
Feb 10, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: Another Visitandine who comes to mind is Servant of God Madre Angelica Alvarez Icaza from Mexico- she suffered and loved so much
Feb 10, 8:02 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you, Sister Susan Marie.
Feb 10, 8:02 PM
Carol Ann: And a good translator then!
Feb 10, 8:03 PM
Ruth (Guest): Bayard — under her picture. What does that mean?
Feb 10, 8:05 PM
VisitationSiste: Publisher I think is Bayard
Feb 10, 8:06 PM
Ruth (Guest): Isn’t that your translation, and on Visitation website?
Feb 10, 8:06 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes
Feb 10, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: The young woman apparently has great insights on suffering and feels it is a blessing.
Feb 10, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s pretty positive
Feb 10, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: And the community accepted her with her needs
Feb 10, 8:08 PM
Ruth (Guest): I’m glad somebody is able to see it as a blessing; I had trouble with SFdS’s calling suffering a “punishment.”
Feb 10, 8:08 PM
Ruth (Guest): MAYBE sometimes it is. But I do not think it USUALLY is.
Feb 10, 8:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): At least not physical suffering. And mental/emotional suffering is, at least in some ways, like being punished for other people’s sins . . .
Feb 10, 8:10 PM
Carol Ann: This reminds me of the man born blind–The disciples asked Him who sinned-his parents or the man-that Hecwas born blind and Jesus said neither
Feb 10, 8:11 PM
Ruth (Guest): Jesus was “punished” for our sins, so if we unite our sufferings to HIS we can participate in His redemptive work.
Feb 10, 8:12 PM
VisitationSiste: We are His Body and need to go through what He did in whatever form He sends
Feb 10, 8:13 PM
Dawn (Guest): there is a suffering that comes from the consequences of our own sin, when we receive the grace to see them, and usually for me involves others I have hurt, and Him. temporal punishment? but I do not believe God is punishing me. I believe he loves me and part of my journey towards him was receiving the grace and “seeing” and this is love
Feb 10, 8:13 PM
Kristi (Guest): Suffering and realizing I’m given a cross to carry, is sweetness.
Feb 10, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): Mother Angelica said suffering in itself does not make us holy. It is only when we unite it, out of love, to the suffering of Christ that it has meaning. Suffering without love is wasted pain.
Feb 10, 8:17 PM
Dawn (Guest): It seems she understands this very well
Feb 10, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes very true
Feb 10, 8:20 PM
VisitationSiste: Any other saints come tomind as examples for us
Feb 10, 8:20 PM
Ruth (Guest): “and we shall be
unable to contain ourselves from singing, with a joy . . .” resonated with
me, but I had trouble putting it together with the long part of the sentence
before that ”
behold men and angels and all the variety of nature . . . ”
Feb 10, 8:20 PM
Carol Ann: Leonie, Therese of Lisieuxs sister
Feb 10, 8:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): St Bakhita
Feb 10, 8:21 PM
Kristi (Guest): St. Faustina
Feb 10, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Oh yes- all of these wonderful saints!
Feb 10, 8:22 PM
Ruth (Guest): Jeannine Nichols. Not canonized, but surely a saint. . .
Feb 10, 8:22 PM
VisitationSiste: Each one has a connection to the Visitation Order!
Feb 10, 8:22 PM
VisitationSiste: Not sure about Jeannine!
Feb 10, 8:22 PM
Ruth (Guest): Neither am I.
Feb 10, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: St John of the Cross
Feb 10, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Leonie was a Visitandine, St Bakhita had a sibling who was a Visitandine in Italy and St Faustina had the Original painting of Divine Mercy painted by an artist living on the Visitation Monastery property in Lithuania
Feb 10, 8:23 PM
Ruth (Guest): She was married, mother of four. Had a healing ministry. One look at the photo of her at a home Mass — while she needed to be on oxygen — says it all.
Feb 10, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: St John of the Cross- yes- but certainly not associated with the Visitation
Feb 10, 8:24 PM
Carroll (Guest): St. Pope John Paul II
Feb 10, 8:24 PM
Kristi (Guest): St. Margaret Mary
Feb 10, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes- all suffering saints with great hearts of love
Feb 10, 8:24 PM
Carol Ann: No, he wasn’t , but he did bear suffering joyfully
Feb 10, 8:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): Mother Theresa.
Feb 10, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: Each one has a suffering that is unique I think
Feb 10, 8:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): When we learned, after her death, of her spiritual sufferings . . .
Feb 10, 8:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): A wonderful gathering of Visitandine <3
Feb 10, 8:26 PM
Ruth (Guest): St. JP II is a favorite of mine because he is of our time, and wrote so much that we can “know” him better than we can know some of the others.
Feb 10, 8:27 PM
Dawn (Guest): we say in Mass….all the angels and saints !
Feb 10, 8:28 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes and so many Sacred Heart devotions originate in the Visitation community
Feb 10, 8:29 PM
Carroll (Guest): Holy Mother- I used to not think of her as a “suffering” saint, but she is such a wonderful example of accepting God’s Will… I think of all the years she took care of her father- in-laws
Feb 10, 8:29 PM
Dawn (Guest): St Pope John Paul II , he did write so much for us
Feb 10, 8:29 PM
Carroll (Guest): estate when she would have preferred something else and how she relinquished attachments!
Feb 10, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Holy Mother is St Jane de Chantal for those who don’t know that
Feb 10, 8:30 PM
Ruth (Guest): And JP II grew up without a mother — except the Blessed Mother.
Feb 10, 8:30 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you !
Feb 10, 8:30 PM
Carroll (Guest): oh- sorry
Feb 10, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s agood thing Carroll, a new learning for some!
Feb 10, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Well I hope you all have a blessed week and I am grateful for this group!
Feb 10, 8:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes, thank you Carroll!
Feb 10, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Have a good night!
Feb 10, 8:32 PM
Carroll (Guest): We are grateful for you! Thank you, Sr!
Feb 10, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: Thank you so much for everything, Sister!
Feb 10, 8:32 PM
Kristi (Guest): Thank you, Sister! I have much to think about and ponder. It is wonderful to be here.
Feb 10, 8:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): God bless you Sr Susan and thank you for gathering us here. Good night
Feb 10, 8:32 PM
Ruth (Guest): I am grateful for you, Sr. Susan, and for this group — and the “partner” you matched us up with a long time ago, in my case, Dawn.
Feb 10, 8:33 PM
Carol Ann: Good night Every one!
Feb 10, 8:33 PM
Kristi (Guest): Good night, Everyone. God Bless
Feb 10, 8:33 PM
Carroll (Guest): Ruth, Kristi, Dawn, Carol Ann- Thank you all for your fidelity to this gathering, It is such a blessing to have you all here!
Feb 10, 8:34 PM
Carroll (Guest): Good night!
Feb 10, 8:34 PM
Ruth (Guest): BTW let us not forget Judy, as she struggles to get by in spite of serious mobility problems.
Feb 10, 8:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): Grateful for your friendship Ruth! I am not thinking of St PJPII and what he could help us with today, things he experienced in Germany.
Feb 10, 8:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): now…not not
Feb 10, 8:35 PM
Carol Ann: Please greet Judy for me if you get the chance
Feb 10, 8:36 PM
Ruth (Guest): Good night all. I must sign off . . . May the peace and joy of God-WITH-us fill you hearts and homes. Ruth
Feb 10, 8:36 PM
Carol Ann: Amen!
Feb 10, 8:37 PM
Dawn (Guest): Amen. Gods love to you!
Feb 10, 8:37 PM
Dawn (Guest): Goodnight all