How can we find more hope in the loss of a loved one? What about for someone who did not die in the faith? How can we be more supportive (and encouraging) of those who choose a vocation that requires them to leave us? St. Francis wrote this: ” it has pleased divine Providence that he should leave this other new world to go to the oldest and most desirable of all worlds, to which we must all go, all of us in due season.” Was he presenting that nobody goes to hell? How can we entrust ourselves mo
May 22, 6:44 PM
VisitationSiste: How can we entrust ourselves more to Divine Providence?
Reflect upon and discuss this advice: “And instead of writing to him sometimes, speak to God for him, and he will at once know all you would like him to know and will receive all the help you will give him by your wishes and prayers the moment you have made and delivered them into his divine Majesty’s hands.”
Why would God will the death of a young person who is of such great character, who could do much more good had he lived?
May 22, 6:44 PM
VisitationSiste: Sun chat May 22 at 730pm est
May 22, 6:45 PM
VisitationSiste: newsletter for chat: http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1029793&f=1988&s=2046&m=636692&t=44f0d18c19339967b1be43b205c1596fa07d3b2574e5f4560987969cb886fdda
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:39 PM
SrSusan (Guest): We have not started with questions yet
May 22, 7:39 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q1 How can we find more hope in the loss of a loved one?
May 22, 7:39 PM
Carol (Guest): Mine gets me all the time
:40 PM
Simone (Guest): too bad I cannot upload pictures here. I went to the Salesian Church in Vienna yesterday.. Wowza.. almost needed shades – so much gold in this church
May 22, 7:40 PM
Carol (Guest): The promise of Christ that He goes to prepare a place for us
:40 PM
Elena (Guest): Amen, Carol!
May 22, 7:41 PM
Carol (Guest): I bet its a beautiful Church
41 PM
Carol (Guest): Yet I keep thinking of my coworkers family, with their double loss :41 PM
Elena (Guest): My Mom, Dad and brother are all gone home now. I hope to see them in Paradise with Jesus.
May 22, 7:42 PM
SrSusan (Guest): as we were writing here a Sr came in to ask foor prayer for a young man called Alex in hospital
2 PM
Elena (Guest): Praying for Alex.
May 22, 7:42 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thank you
:43 PM
Simone (Guest): Oh Elena.. being an adult orphan is always difficult. I am so sorry that you also have lost your brother already. Is there someone else who holds with you childhood memories? An Aunt maybe? PM
Carol (Guest): Its hard when your family is small PM
Simone (Guest): Yes, I am an only child.. and just saw how fragile my Dad is – when I was in Austria. Knowing that I will loose him sooner or later now – and also knowing that he is not spiritually there where I had hoped he would be at that age – does drive me into prayer sometimes I must say :46 PM
Simone (Guest): I was also thinking about Sr. Susan’s community – after the passing of Sr. Rosemarie.
May 22, 7:46 PM
SrSusan (Guest): ok good weekend
May 22, 7:46 PM
Simone (Guest): Oh.. thank you so much Elena.. His name is Erwin
May 22, 7:46 PM
Elena (Guest): Oh thank you for sharing his name.
May 22, 7:47 PM
Dawn (Guest): It seems this is a good topic for tonight
May 22, 7:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I have lost 26 Sisters since I entered the Monastery
May 22, 7:47 PM
Simone (Guest): Wow. 26. is a lot
May 22, 7:47 PM
Elena (Guest): Oh my goodness, Sister!
May 22, 7:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I entered 33 years ago
May 22, 7:47 PM
Carol (Guest): Oh Sister!
May 22, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): So almost all the community I entered with is in heaven
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M
Elena (Guest): Oh thank you for sharing his name.
May 22, 7:47 PM
Dawn (Guest): It seems this is a good topic for tonight
May 22, 7:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I have lost 26 Sisters since I entered the Monastery
May 22, 7:47 PM
Simone (Guest): Wow. 26. is a lot
May 22, 7:47 PM
Elena (Guest): Oh my goodness, Sister!
May 22, 7:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I entered 33 years ago
May 22, 7:47 PM
Carol (Guest): Oh Sister!
May 22, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): So almost all the community I entered with is in heaven
May 22, 7:48 PM
Dawn (Guest): that is wonderful, 33 yrs. a blessing for all of us and esp you
May 22, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It was an older community and I was younger then
May 22, 7:48 PM
Elena (Guest): Wow, that’s amazing. They are all praying for all of you there now, too. That is a comfort, isn’t it?
May 22, 7:48 PM
Simone (Guest): You are the anchor here on earth still Sr. Susan
May 22, 7:48 PM
Carol (Guest): We are so glad you stayed! How hard it must be now
May 22, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes it is!
May 22, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): Had the same thought Elena
May 22, 7:49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Smaller for sure
6 online
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Elena
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2 viewers
Carol (Guest): We are so glad you stayed! How hard it must be now
May 22, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes it is!
May 22, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): Had the same thought Elena
May 22, 7:49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Smaller for sure
May 22, 7:49 PM
Dawn (Guest): How many sisters are there now?
May 22, 7:50 PM
Elena (Guest): It comforts me to know my loved ones are praying for me in heaven. I know the saints are, too, but I sometimes have a hard time feeling super connected to the saints all the time. Except for one or two I guess. Knowing my family is praying for me is a great comfort.
May 22, 7:50 PM
SrSusan (Guest): we have 10 in the Monastery, one outside in facility and one in Canada waiting to get back in to usa
May 22, 7:50 PM
Simone (Guest): that truly must be a comfort Elena. Sadly, I do not have this feeling with my relatives who passed away
May 22, 7:50 PM
Carol (Guest): I like to think of my parents there too
0 PM
Carol (Guest): I like to think of my parents there too
May 22, 7:51 PM
May 22, 7:51 PM
Carol (Guest): My Mom especially seems to be watching me quilt
May 22, 7:51 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Toronto Simone
May 22, 7:52 PM
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PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 2? What about for someone who did not die in the faith?
May 22, 7:54 PM
Carol (Guest): I pray for their moment of death because Jesus is there
May 22, 7:54 PM
Simone (Guest): My Mom entered the Catholic Church three days before she died. – it is a good sign . still.. I often wonder where she was spiritually at the moment of her death
May 22, 7:55 PM
Dawn (Guest): I tell myself I must not be presumptuous either about myself or another. we do not know what happens at moment of death for anyone
5 PM
Elena (Guest): I agree, Carol. I always think we don’t know precisely what is happening to the soul in those final moments, and what final opportunity to accept Jesus there might be in those last breaths hanging between life and death. I feel very called to pray for the dying for this reason. 2, 7:55 PM
Carol (Guest): No, we don’t. But Jesus is in every moment that ever was, ever will be, all at the same time
May 22, 7:56 PM
Dawn (Guest): Mother Mary, I ask her to pray
56 PM
Simone (Guest): I hear you Dawn. I just was so hoping that at one point – I would feel the “spiritual connectedness with my Mom” – on her death bed.. but I never sensed that
May 22, 7:56 PM
Carol (Guest): And St Michael
PM
SrSusan (Guest): St Faustina gave us hope thru the revelations from Jesus about the last hours and minutes
May 22, 7:57 PM
Dawn (Guest): Im sorry. not receiving consolations is not a sign
7 PM
Simone (Guest): thank you Dawn
May 22, 7:58 PM
Carol (Guest): Its not a sign, its just that its not ours to know
May 22, 7:58 PM
Elena (Guest): So, I believe, did Julian of Norwich.
7:58 PM
Simone (Guest): what about Julian of Norwich Elena
May 22, 7:58 PM
Simone (Guest): ?
May 22, 7:58 PM
Elena (Guest): She wrote about God’s mercy at the time of death.
May 22, 7:58 PM
Dawn (Guest): my Mother died very early, 46 yrs old. I had run away from home and she died.
May 22, 7:59 PM
Carol (Guest): Oh Dawn
May 22, 7:59 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Dawn, I am so sorry
May 22, 7:59 PM
Elena (Guest): A great medieval mystic she was, in England. She had received visions. Her book is The Revelation of Divine Love in Sixteen Showings.
May 22, 7:59 PM
Elena (Guest): Dawn, that’s so hard. I’m so sorry
May 22, 8:00 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you. She crossed my mind in our conversation
May 22, 8:00 PM
SrSusan (Guest): One lives forever in the next world so that is a comfort to me
May 22, 8:00 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q3 How can we be more supportive (and encouraging) of those who choose a vocation that requires them to leave us?
8:01 PM
Elena (Guest): Oh boyeee…..
May 22, 8:01 PM
Dawn (Guest): Difficult…
8:01 PM
Carol (Guest): I think we need to remember that they are not abandoning ys 8:01 PM
Simone (Guest): my spiritual director told me in my last meeting, that he had prayed specifically for one of his uncles that he would NOT die a sudden death. And then he did die a sudden death. He said ” God overruled my prayer – because He knew that my uncle was on the top of his closeness to GOD -” there is more to the story, but it fell into my heart a (Guest): That’s amazing, Simone.
May 22, 8:02 PM
Dawn (Guest): wow
8:02 PM
Elena (Guest): Carol, that is insightful. People are following God’s call when they enter a monastery or become a missionary.
May 22, 8:02 PM
Carol (Guest): God took Him home when he was most ready
May 22, 8:03 PM
Elena (Guest): They aren’t abandoning anyone… I am of course thinking of St. Jane de Chantal leaving her family. Her resolve was absolute because she knew there was a larger picture that God was painting with her.
May 22, 8:03 PM
Simone (Guest): as for supportive for leaving because of a vocation. I think that if we took all our energy to keep this person close to us – and not release them into their vocation – we also would not have them fully. They would not be – and become – fully them.
2, 8:03 PM
SrSusan (Guest): that’s apowerful statement too
May 22, 8:03 PM
Carol (Guest): And we all would lose
ay 22, 8:04 PM
Elena (Guest): Right, Carol. So true. 8:04 PM
SrSusan (Guest): it took my sister 10 years to get used to my being in monastery she told me :05 PM
Carol (Guest): Almost the same time as a grieving process
May 22, 8:05 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you for all the insightful posts
May 22, 8:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes you have a good point
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, 8:06 PM
Simone (Guest): Are you allowed to see family members Sr. Susan?
May 22, 8:06 PM
Elena (Guest): I suppose there would be a sort of grieving that goes with it, wouldn’t there?
May 22, 8:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes but now they moved far away. But my cousin was here this weekend
:07 PM
Elena (Guest): Such a human response. 07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q How can we entrust ourselves more to Divine Providence?
May 22, 8:07 PM
Simone (Guest): I definitely think there is a grieving. grieving – the “togetherness” in daily life for example.
May 22, 8:08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes Simone, and holidays
08 PM
Carol (Guest): It seems to me that all of life’s emotions are present in the monastery, but more intensely
May 22, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): interesting Carol . I have never thought about this
May 22, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): In the beginning, yes, but as time goes on, it varies, sometimes intense, sometimes not so
PM
Simone (Guest): I definitely think there is a grieving. grieving – the “togetherness” in daily life for example.
May 22, 8:08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes Simone, and holidays
May 22, 8:08 PM
Carol (Guest): It seems to me that all of life’s emotions are present in the monastery, but more intensely
May 22, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): interesting Carol . I have never thought about this
May 22, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): In the beginning, yes, but as time goes on, it varies, sometimes intense, sometimes not so
May 22, 8:09 PM
Elena (Guest): That’s a big question, Sr. Susan. It’s sort of THE question…
May 22, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): This is where Divine Providence also comes in I guess
May 22, 8:09 PM
Carol (Guest): A certain rhythm develops when people are together for a long time
May 22, 8:10 PM
SrSusan (Guest): which question Elena
May 22, 8:10 PM
Simone (Guest): agree Elena –
May 22, 8:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): learning to completely trust
May 22, 8:10 PM
SrSusan (Guest): ah yes
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:11 PM
Elena (Guest): For me, it’s been in noticing how present God is. He’s been making himself noticeable in ways big and small in my life. He’s here. I can trust him. I’m reading a book on practicing the Presence of God. Noticing Him is an important step in trusting.
May 22, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): the more I am allowed to see God’s unending love for me – the more I am able to step into the trust to Divine Providence. I am just convinced that everything can be so used for my good. But hey.. don’t be fooled – still sweated like crazy when I almost missed my flight today
May 22, 8:12 PM
Carol (Guest): The more you see, the more you will see
May 22, 8:12 PM
Simone (Guest): is the book from Brother Lawrence Elena?
May 22, 8:12 PM
Elena (Guest): Simone, no it’s.. hang on..
2 PM
Elena (Guest): “Awakening Your Soul to the Presence of God” by Fr. Kilian J. Healy, O.Carm
May 22, 8:12 PM
SrSusan (Guest): we retain our human emotions
May 22, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks Elena
12 PM
SrSusan (Guest): we retain our human emotions
May 22, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks Elena
May 22, 8:13 PM
Elena (Guest): It was first published in 1948 under the title “Walking with God”
May 22, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): right Sr. Susan – but my emotions actually did change quite a bit after my second conversion.
May 22, 8:13 PM
Elena (Guest): The Carmelite Vocation Directress gave it to me to read.
May 22, 8:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): sounds very interesting
May 22, 8:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Reflect upon and discuss this advice: “And instead of writing to him sometimes, speak to God for him, and he will at once know all you would like him to know and will receive all the help you will give him by your wishes and prayers the moment you have made and delivered them into his divine Majesty’s hands.”
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Reflect upon and discuss this advice: “And instead of writing to him sometimes, speak to God for him, and he will at once know all you would like him to know and will receive all the help you will give him by your wishes and prayers the moment you have made and delivered them into his divine Majesty’s hands.”
May 22, 8:14 PM
Elena (Guest): The Communion of Saints. God keeps us all connected in Himself.
May 22, 8:14 PM
Carol (Guest): This is hard to understand–is God speaking in the other person’s soul?
8:15 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It is advice to a mom whose son died :16 PM
Elena (Guest): Also — an invitation to entrust our wishes and hopes for the deceased to God’s heart. Focusing on God, rather than perseverating on the feelings of loss or talking directly to the soul of the person that could lead to unhealthy fixations.
May 22, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): would this be like having the feeling that someone is praying for you. I received this again the other day.
May 22, 8:16 PM
Simone (Guest): I guess, if someone is “in Christ” eternally – then we are all permeated with the Holy Spirit – who communicates and “translates” our “thoughts of love” as being the divine love
May 22, 8:16 PM
Carol (Guest): You get that too Dawn?
8:17 PM
Elena (Guest): I have a question related to this…
May 22, 8:17 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes. do you think this is what StF is speaking of?
17 PM
Elena (Guest): We are not supposed to try to commune with the dead. I’m perfectly okay with that!! But sometimes I might whisper to my Mom, and to Jesus at the same time. I feel her close by. Should I avoid that direct address to my mother?
May 22, 8:18 PM
Simone (Guest): I sometimes think about this – what I would do if my daughter would die… It comforts me to think, that God’s love in me would reach her directly – as she will also be fully in God’s love
PM
Simone (Guest): if your Mom had salvation – she is not dead
May 22, 8:18 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think if you are praying to mom it is ok
May 22, 8:18 PM
Carol (Guest): Is feeling someone nearby or praying for you from God?
May 22, 8:19 PM
Elena (Guest): Well yes I know that.. but we are not to conjure or try to commune with spirits.
, 8:19 PM
Simone (Guest): your Mom is not a spirit – your Mom is a living soul – connected to God’s eternal love 9 PM
SrSusan (Guest): good distinction
May 22, 8:20 PM
Simone (Guest): do you feel that you betray God. – by talking to your Mom directly?
8:20 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes I know… but there is a direct condemnation of trying to contact the souls of the dead… it is possible and has happened that demons will step in and essentially personify the soul of the dead person.
May 22, 8:21 PM
Elena (Guest): But sometimes when I’m doing something that my mother was good at, I’ll say something like “C’mon, Mom, help me to get this right.”
May 22, 8:21 PM
Simone (Guest): The condemnation of this is in the Old Testament. – at least that’s the only passage(s) I know. Jesus has not come yet – and scooped humanity up
1 PM
Simone (Guest): The condemnation of this is in the Old Testament. – at least that’s the only passage(s) I know. Jesus has not come yet – and scooped humanity up
May 22, 8:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): I think this is true Elena. When I think of my loved ones I say prayers for them. I do not ask them for anything
May 22, 8:21 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, it is OT. Still relevant. Just wondering where that “line” is.
May 22, 8:21 PM
SrSusan (Guest): intercession of the saints, praying to saints
PM
Elena (Guest): Good point, Sr. Susan. It’s one of those things I sometimes wonder about.
May 22, 8:22 PM
Simone (Guest): Ok, Elena.. it might need some discernment.
May 22, 8:22 PM
Elena (Guest): I’ll ask my spiritual director. Just wondering what you all thought about it.
May 22, 8:23 PM
Simone (Guest): and I totally agree that the OT is relevant – but some things did change since Jesus.
3 PM
Simone (Guest): and I totally agree that the OT is relevant – but some things did change since Jesus.
May 22, 8:24 PM
Carol (Guest): Is it what you are seeking? Saul was looking for knowledge of the future
25 PM
Simone (Guest): I had something similar on my mind Carol.
May 22, 8:25 PM
Elena (Guest): I’m never trying to seek the future … just the occasional passing direct reference (often making a joke).
26 PM
Elena (Guest): I don’t want to be scrupulous about it, but it’s also an area that I don’t want to mess with in the wrong way. Sorry to derail…
May 22, 8:26 PM
Simone (Guest): I don’t think that you want to know the future Elena .. would not have crossed my mind.
May 22, 8:26 PM
Carol (Guest): I think that gets passed through. We,are not expecting an answer
y 22, 8:26 PM
Simone (Guest): I found it very interesting Elena. thanks for bringing it up actually
May 22, 8:26 PM
Elena (Guest): I’d probably drop to my knees and pray like crazy if there was an answer LOL
26 PM
Carol (Guest): Me neither, thats just what Saul was doing when Samuel chastised him
May 22, 8:26 PM
Simone (Guest):
7 PM
Dawn (Guest): We must all pray for Divine discernment. The confusion and division are going to be dense. a note from Fr David Nix and hermit monk
May 22, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Time for me to go, please pray for Betty who could not be here today some health issues Blessings to all!
May 22, 8:27 PM
Elena (Guest): Thank you, Sr. Susan. God bless you! We’ll pray for Betty.
May 22, 8:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Fr David Nix- can you fill me in next time