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How are we supposed to arrive at the hope and peace that St. Francis described at accepting his mother’s death? On her deathbed, St. Francis’s mother said to him: ‘He is my son and my father.’ Discuss this dynamic of a son become a priest, wherein he becomes your father. How might that change/transform a relationship St. Francis described his mother’s last moments, and there he gave her extreme unction (anointing of the sick) and gave her a kiss of peace. This moment really shows the preciousness
of life and how death leaves an impact on us. How is it that others can find life so disposable in our day in age, in contrast to the gentle kiss offered to his dying mother? What is the “right” way to pray?
What is the best way to accompany someone at the point of death? Can you think of any personal experiences of this?
How can we imitate St. Francis’s humility and especially the utter care he gave to whomever was his focus at the moment?
Mar 12, 9:49 AM
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Mar 12, 9:49 AM
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Mar 13, 2:47 PM
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q How are we supposed to arrive at the hope and peace that St. Francis described at accepting his mother’s death?
Mar 13, 7:32 PM
Ruth (Guest): I’ve missed a few sessions.
Mar 13, 7:33 PM
Ruth (Guest): apologize for not having bilocation?
:35 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: as for q1: I think if you have a healthy detachment to the world – in the presence of the real hope of heaven – then the good bye is sad – but not crushing – 6 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Also – it seems that his mother had a real good ending of her life – she put a “spiritual bow” on the end on her life in her last days – that must have felt so right then – to let her go
Mar 13, 7:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes and it is the grace we receive that helps makes us more peaceful
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SchoolOfHoliness: yes definitely – grace upon grace – I will need that one day – with my Father too
Mar 13, 7:37 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yup. I had both sites op en for a little while — no! Actually three! But the fact is even with praise songs, reading Catholic Answers, and signing in here I was not doing any of them attentively.
Mar 13, 7:37 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: multi tasking is the curse that comes with technology
:38 PM
SrSusan (Guest): On her deathbed, St. Francis’s mother said to him: ‘He is my son and my father.’ Discuss this dynamic of a son become a priest, wherein he becomes your father. How might that change/transform a relationship? PM
SchoolOfHoliness: ha. good one.. try “He is my husband and my father”
Mar 13, 7:40 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I think, that a son -will always be your son – no matter of the priesthood –
Mar 13, 7:40 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Definitely you can identify!
Mar 13, 7:40 PM
Ruth (Guest): I suspect that it. Is quite different from what psychologist call parentified children.
, 7:40 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: no – I would not go in that direction at all Ruth. But interesting connection you made 7:40 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: maybe the sons actually do feel like this – :41 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: the more I think about it – the more I can see the connection
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1 PM
SrSusan (Guest): There must be some new kind of awe in the relationship
Mar 13, 7:41 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I think that priests are often too idolized. I do have respect for their annointing – but I also know that they are only human – trying to do their best to follow their calling.
7:42 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I felt the awe actually more before Peter’s ordination
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7:43 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: One of my new directees – is the mother of a soon to be priest – and she is lightly struggling.
Mar 13, 7:43 PM
SrSusan (Guest): That makes sense because the reality of day to day might have been set aside spiritually so you could understand what was happening in the mystical realm
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Ruth (Guest): Connection, but not identical. Apparently SFdS’s mother was a good mother, not one who, because of her own issues, forces her kid to take care of her. It is more likely that
Mar 13, 7:44 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I understand – and again – deeply bow to the anointing – but you also live with a real person – and the priesthood is really mostly mystical at the altar –
Mar 13, 7:44 PM
SrSusan (Guest): That is so even with priest friends I see that
:45 PM
Ruth (Guest): Because we call a priest “Father” and St. Francis was such a good teacher — for everyone — she learned from him.
Mar 13, 7:46 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: What the mother of the soon to be priest – and I talked – what is hard for us – for her as a mother of a priest – for me – as a wife – it is that we know deep down, that we do not have “a right” on our beloved anymore. It might not always come out in daily life- but deep down we know – we had to give them up – like Hannah gave her son to the temple
7:46 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I can see that a son – like Francis de Sales – could easily become a spiritual father for his own mother
Mar 13, 7:46 PM
SrSusan (Guest): heroic sacrifice
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SchoolOfHoliness: Well – we were both – ushered into it – we have not chosen it really to be honest 7 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It is still amazing path
Mar 13, 7:47 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I think, my husband Peter – has long before he became a priest – been my spiritual father – in spiritual matters.
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SrSusan (Guest): So the relationship is transformed or perhaps deepened in some ways even as there is an element of letting go
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SchoolOfHoliness: our relationship was definitely transformed because of Peter’s priesthood. Definetely
Mar 13, 7:49 PM
Ruth (Guest): Simone, I’m not sure that anyone really has a “right” on anyone else: parent, child, spouse. Maybe reasonable expectations.
Mar 13, 7:50 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I know what you mean Ruth. and as I was writing it – I was wondering – if that could be misunderstood
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Ruth (Guest): How did that come about, Simone. Austria is not India, where parents choose partners for their children.
Mar 13, 7:51 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: but – you know – in a marriage – I could say – I have a right – as a wife – to ask my husband – to do this or that – so we have more time for each other – for example. It is the Bishop who makes big life decisions with Peter- not me. For example – where we will live in the future, etc…
, 7:51 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: The church has to be Peter’s first love. And I actually have grace to accept this. , 7:52 PM
SrSusan (Guest): That is huge grace
Mar 13, 7:52 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: It is. And I Thank God for it.
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St. Francis described his mother’s last moments, and there he gave her extreme unction (anointing of the sick) and gave her a kiss of peace. This moment really shows the preciousness
of life and how death leaves an impact on us. How is it that others can find life so disposable in our day in age, in contrast to the gentle kiss offered to his dying mother? PM
Ruth (Guest): I think I understand. In some families it is the boss or the demands of a career that make the next move almost a given. PM
Ruth (Guest): Life is definitely NOT disposable. But sometimes some people think that new life may get in the way of their own life, or lifestyle, so chose to kill even their unborn children.
Mar 13, 7:57 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Next week is my birthday I am going to vocation trip to town downtown and we shop and eat and live in the nice hotel with my relitives
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SrSusan (Guest): I think too many scenes of carnage can harden a person8 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: In the last months, I got an even greater awareness – HOW precious LIFE is. Sometimes it takes my breath – when I get one of these deeper glimpses.. how God loves our LIVES.. 7:59 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Life is precious but if someone is not feeling well the pain overwhelms the positive view59 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I wrote her a letter – entrusting her officially into the hands of GOD – as an adult now. was not easy
Mar 13, 8:00 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: oh Sister Susan, I hear you about the pain. I hear you
Mar 13, 8:00 PM
Bettychao (Guest): No matter we offered thanks to God for good and bad
:00 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: When my mother was screaming in pain – uff.. that was hard
Mar 13, 8:01 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Ask Jesus to help you mom
Mar 13, 8:01 PM
Ruth (Guest): God will always offer a person the graces they need to deal with, grow through, become holier by means of even the really hard things that sometimes challenge our Faith, and Hope and relationships.
Mar 13, 8:01 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Thank you Betty. She passed away already many years ago – I was just remembering
Mar 13, 8:02 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Pray for her soul so she can Rest In Peace in risen lord
Mar 13, 8:02 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: You are so right Ruth. It is just so hard to see that in the moment. Again – it can be such a graced time though – in the midst of all the pain – like it happened with St. Francis mother
:03 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Disposable like all those in Ukraine, Syria etc How do people get to be like that in the military
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8:03 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yet even St Francis knew soldiers:04 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I have no idea to be honest. I think, they are so pumped with motivation – they are mostly convinced they are doing a good thing by killing others
Mar 13, 8:04 PM
Ruth (Guest): Not on
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Bettychao (Guest): We have to learn from St. Peter and St. Paul to love Jesus more and serve Jesus and preach gaspel and let the world know about real truth and real love
8:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q What is the “right” way to pray? 3, 8:07 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Oh.. I found that part of the letter so so interesting 08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Was it enlightening in any way? 8 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Jesus give his saints to guide us to serve him
Mar 13, 8:08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): definitely
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SchoolOfHoliness: Well, I always sensed – when I read about St. Jane and her prayer life – that she sounded so “Carmelite”. I find it so interesting, that St. Francis speaks about his prayer experience – ( almost sounds like infused contemplation) – and that they are talking about their prayer life –
Mar 13, 8:09 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: May I ask Sister Susan – how the Sisters in your order are guided to pray?
Mar 13, 8:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): My health care proxy, Fr.Mark, was a marine, and then called up just when he was about to retire. But he is such a gentle soul. And the fellow who was TRYING to help me here after the flood could not keep from being disruptive and destructive. . . Even manipulative, thinking he was doing the right thing and he and Fr. Mark had met when they were in Iraq on active duty.
Mar 13, 8:10 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan how they become a nun and sister in christ?
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SchoolOfHoliness: Well, I always sensed – when I read about St. Jane and her prayer life – that she sounded so “Carmelite”. I find it so interesting, that St. Francis speaks about his prayer experience – ( almost sounds like infused contemplation) – and that they are talking about their prayer life –
Mar 13, 8:09 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: May I ask Sister Susan – how the Sisters in your order are guided to pray?
Mar 13, 8:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): My health care proxy, Fr.Mark, was a marine, and then called up just when he was about to retire. But he is such a gentle soul. And the fellow who was TRYING to help me here after the flood could not keep from being disruptive and destructive. . . Even manipulative, thinking he was doing the right thing and he and Fr. Mark had met when they were in Iraq on active duty.
Mar 13, 8:10 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan how they become a nun and sister in christ?
Mar 13, 8:12 PM
SrSusan (Guest): In the old days all Sisters meditated together in choir, they were given point by oint to think and reflect upon By the time I came, it was sort of up to you and your spiritual director to help you
Mar 13, 8:12 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Did you monastery retreat only accept nuns or other public catholic people can join the retreat?
Mar 13, 8:12 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Becoming a nun is a process and the first step is to have a spiritual director who hopefully will guide you well to where God is calling you
:13 PM
Ruth (Guest): I don’t think there is any one right way to pray. . . But I hear, just now what sounds like crying Ike better go investigate. Be back shortly
Mar 13, 8:13 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Is the “prayer of heart” this time of meditation?
Mar 13, 8:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Catholic people can come on retreat, lay people
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Ruth (Guest): I don’t think there is any one right way to pray. . . But I hear, just now what sounds like crying Ike better go investigate. Be back shortly
Mar 13, 8:13 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Is the “prayer of heart” this time of meditation?
Mar 13, 8:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Catholic people can come on retreat, lay people
Mar 13, 8:14 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I don’t think there is THE right way to pray – but I know that I have a really hard time with vocal prayer often – I find, it is almost rude – like – talking- when someone else actually wants to talk
Mar 13, 8:14 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Can nuns sister guide the people in retreat ?
Mar 13, 8:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): no one is trained for that but we can speak with the retreatant
Mar 13, 8:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Prayer of the heart can be this time of meditation
Mar 13, 8:15 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Ok. thanks for clarifying
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SchoolOfHoliness: Prayer of the heart – is my favourite kind of prayer PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I found it so sweet – how humble St. Francis is – and so open to keep learning-
Mar 13, 8:16 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: wonderful
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SchoolOfHoliness: I sometimes find this attitude in some priests too. Not always – but sometimes. And it is usually priests who are really interested to grow more and more – closer and closer to GOD’s own heart
Mar 13, 8:17 PM
Bettychao (Guest): When I join sister Teresa forcades osb class in the zoom from the sinceletica monastery Montserrat school she talk about bible sermon the gaspel of John I treated that class is my retreat and she guide me in to her bible studied
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SrSusan (Guest): Simple gaze on God is what St Jane said Visitandines would grow into 8:18 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: oh Sr. Susan … how I love these times of gazes M
SchoolOfHoliness: And to sit under the gaze of His holy face… so so precious
Mar 13, 8:19 PM
Ruth (Guest): Simone, that makes a lot of sense to me. Prayer is at least in part — a big part — listening.
Mar 13, 8:20 PM
Ruth (Guest): Have you ever tried to write down your pr Ayer of the heart — like a heart to heart conversation?
Mar 13, 8:20 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: That’s how I experience it. I love to meet “the lover of my soul” when I pray – and if I come with all these words – well.. I have the feeling I miss him – right there
Mar 13, 8:21 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan is that you monastery open for public now when they want to see the sisters?
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SchoolOfHoliness: I love to journal prayers – but they are different then my “prayers of the heart” – the prayer of the heart for me is – to sit – and simply enjoy – there is often a light excitement – about this – I often have a smile on my face – when I am allowed to gaze on GOD – it is wordless – and still – I find afterwards- I had a lovely time with GOD where we spoke to each other 8:22 PM
SrSusan (Guest): So intimate, this kind of prayer 23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): How can we imitate St. Francis’s humility and especially the utter care he gave to whomever was his focus at the moment?
Mar 13, 8:23 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: It is, and I would not want to miss it for anything in the world.
Mar 13, 8:23 PM
Ruth (Guest): Beautiful! Writing slows me down enough to be more truly PRESENT. For years live devised the page and written down what I think he is saying to me, too.
:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Divided not devised. 24 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: that is lovely Ruth. 24 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Do you sometimes go back and read your prayers? 3, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): One column for JC, one for me.
Mar 13, 8:24 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: This is so cool
Mar 13, 8:25 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: Love this idea.
Mar 13, 8:25 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes that is awonderful way- never thought of that
:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes. And I’ve shared them with a spiritual director in the past. :25 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Mercy and love is more greater then anything PM
SchoolOfHoliness: You should bind your journals. The book of your life
Mar 13, 8:26 PM
Ruth (Guest): Or maybe burn them?
Mar 13, 8:26 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: no no no.. Don’t be a Jane de Chantal in this way
Mar 13, 8:27 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think I ware people out with too many words, at least some of the time.
Mar 13, 8:27 PM
SchoolOfHoliness: I still wish – she would not have burnt all these letters from St. Francis
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SchoolOfHoliness: I agree Ruth – but I think – what Jesus has taught you – and shared with you in silence – is worth keeping – whereas so many fictional books out there are not worth the paper ant you to do in you life and how to serve him in the right way
Mar 13, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes that is a loss and it would be for you too Ruth unless God is telling you to do so
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SchoolOfHoliness: I have to leave on time today. It was lovely being with all of you. Hope to see you next Sunday again. Thanks Sr. Susan for leading.
Mar 13, 8:30 PM
Ruth (Guest): Oh, not her own. I notice as we read St. Francis’s letters that we have to often guess what his correspondent is saying or asking, what is going on in the lives of the people he is writing to.
Mar 13, 8:31 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I hAve to leave too God bless all of you and each one individually!
Mar 13, 8:31 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Thanks sr Susan for leading us in to this chat we all pray for you God bless you all
Mar 13, 8:31 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Bye
Mar 13, 8:31 PM
SrSusan (Guest): You are welcome
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