- Why does St. Francis describe the way of following God not extraordinarily? Wouldn’t this be the most extraordinary thing someone can do in this life?
- What is so special about gentleness, peace, and humility?
- If there are special “places” in heaven, why are we instructed to not worry about it? And, has God essentially created a kind of caste system in heaven?
- How do we find joy and cheerfulness amid lowliness and self-annihilation?
- What would cause someone to be afraid of going to Communion? Has our attitude about Communion changed since then?
- How could complaints turn into blessings, as St. Francis mentioned?
- 26 PM
- Simone (Guest): You know where I was last week at that time?
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- Dawn (Guest): Hi Sr Susan and Simone!
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): No where
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- Simone (Guest): I met with Elena in Rochester
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): wow!
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): That is great
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- Simone (Guest): and the next day we met Ruth in Saranac Lake
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): even greater
- Jun 26, 7:27 PM
- Dawn (Guest): wonderful
- Jun 26, 7:28 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): how beautiful
- :28 PM
- Simone (Guest): My husband and I did a little pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine in Quebec – and instead of going through Canada – we chose to go on the US – side – which lede us straight to Elena and Ruth
- Jun 26, 7:28 PM
- Simone (Guest): we also went to the Abbey of Genesee – loved it there too
- Jun 26, 7:28 PM
- Simone (Guest): Dawn – you have to fly our way one day
- Jun 26, 7:28 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): must have been blessed all around
- 7:29 PM
- Simone (Guest): It was a peaceful trip and GOD has answered some open question of our hearts
- Jun 26, 7:29 PM
- Simone (Guest): Hi Carol!
- 9 PM
- Carol (Guest): Hi Everyone!
- Jun 26, 7:29 PM
- SrSusan (Guest): Did you have a visit or a mini retreat
- Jun 26, 7:29 PM
- Simone (Guest): oh.. we have a new guest. Hi Joan!
- Jun 26, 7:29 PM
- Dawn (Guest): Thank you Simone!
- PM
- Simone (Guest): No retreat – just a prayer pilgrimage – and short – very short visits. But better than nothing, right?
- Jun 26, 7:30 PM
- Dawn (Guest): You went to the Abbey? were you able to go to Mass there?
- 7:30 PM
Simone (Guest): Dawn, we prayed the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks0 PM
Simone (Guest): No mass – when we were there – but God was present
Jun 26, 7:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): ohh!
Jun 26, 7:31 PM
Carol (Guest): Now that’s fun!
1 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes – Carol – and like Dawn — next time we would love you two here on our side too.
Jun 26, 7:31 PM
SrSusan (Guest): What do you think of q 1 1. Why does St. Francis describe the way of following God not extraordinarily? Wouldn’t this be the most extraordinary thing someone can do in this life?
Jun 26, 7:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Carol we could think of it. how wonderful
:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Carol we could think of it. how wonderful
Jun 26, 7:32 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes, please dawn and Carol – pray into it. It would be wonderful to be united in person too.. and now.. I am all yours Sister .
Jun 26, 7:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): Q1) I thought it must have something to do with pride?
Jun 26, 7:32 PM
Carol (Guest): We could. We could meet here on the west coast somewhere between us
, 7:33 PM
Simone (Guest): Q1) I thought that we often overestimate the “glorious” ways to holiness. It is often quite “silent” or not remarkable.. 6, 7:33 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Perhaps he means it is natural way to be 4 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Joan!
Jun 26, 7:34 PM
Simone (Guest): but it ties into with pride Dawn – because I think – we want the road to be extraordinary – because deep down we think we might deserve the “extra” maybe
6, 7:34 PM
Carol (Guest): Like St Therese and the little way :34 PM
Simone (Guest): yes Joan, that’s a good way to put it I think
Jun 26, 7:34 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Hi. Hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday!
Jun 26, 7:34 PM
SrSusan (Guest): like God wanted in the Garden of Eden?
5 PM
Simone (Guest): Sr. Susan.. I do not understand what you mean
Jun 26, 7:35 PM
Dawn (Guest): St Therese has a quote I will try. It was Something about our path being rocky because the flowers may hold us back
Jun 26, 7:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): The natural way we were supposed to be, following God the way He had planned it
:35 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): I am at the convent of Saint Birgitta as a guest today.
Jun 26, 7:36 PM
Carol (Guest): Where is that Joan?
Jun 26, 7:36 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Darien, Ct
Jun 26, 7:36 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks for explaining Sr Susan
Jun 26, 7:36 PM
Dawn (Guest): is this what he means Sr Susan by extrodianry?
Jun 26, 7:36 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Ruth is here too! Hi Ruth!
:37 PM
Carol (Guest): My brother and sister in law live outside of Hartford PM
39 PM
Simone (Guest): the letter says ” the way she is to follow that vocation” –
Jun 26, 7:40 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): (We can follow Jesus extraordinarily in the Extraordinary Mass! 😀 The TLM is extraordinarily beautiful 💙)
Jun 26, 7:40 PM
Simone (Guest): so I interpreted it – that she thought – if she is called to a religious life – it has to be extraordinary
Jun 26, 7:40 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Connecting to the former question, those virtues are the ones Jesus lived so fully and described His Heart as having
Jun 26, 7:40 PM
Dawn (Guest): ah! thank you Joan!
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Simone (Guest): I did not see a connection.. but hey.. that does not mean it is not there, right?
Jun 26, 7:42 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Peaceful gentle heart
Jun 26, 7:42 PM
Carol (Guest): Gentleness is mistaken for weakness often
Jun 26, 7:43 PM
Simone (Guest): all of them only can be truly lived with God’s love merging with our love
Jun 26, 7:43 PM
Simone (Guest): or with our heart better said
Jun 26, 7:43 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): The Litany of Humility is a good one to pray
Jun 26, 7:43 PM
Simone (Guest): none of these virtues I can live alone out of my fallen nature and my sheer willpower
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Carol (Guest): In the garden, we would follow God the right way, naturally, as we would have no inclination not to?
Jun 26, 7:38 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes until of course they ate the fruit
Jun 26, 7:38 PM
Simone (Guest): hmm.. but we have a fallen nature now – so we cannot “naturally” follow God in that way anymore
Jun 26, 7:39 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 2 2. What is so special about gentleness, peace, and humility?
Jun 26, 7:39 PM
SrSusan (Guest): True Simone PM
Simone (Guest): none of these virtues I can live alone out of my fallen nature and my sheer willpower
Jun 26, 7:44 PM
Simone (Guest): I love the litany of humility – I think we posted it twice here in the last year
Jun 26, 7:44 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes, Joan. I use it with the Litany of Trust
Jun 26, 7:44 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Great!
Jun 26, 7:44 PM
Simone (Guest): Hey Ruth.. You still there?
Jun 26, 7:45 PM
Ruth (Guest): yes. Just having trouble keeping up.
Jun 26, 7:45 PM
Simone (Guest): we are a wild typing bunch here.. right? 3 3. If there are special “places” in heaven, why are we instructed to not worry about it?
Jun 26, 7:47 PM
Carol (Guest): Oh, slow signal
Jun 26, 7:47 PM
Simone (Guest): I understand Ruth. there can be quite a delay sometimes.
Jun 26, 7:47 PM
Dawn (Guest): I recalled during our chats when studying Intro To Devout Life we had deep talks about humility. Yes in the third part
, 7:49 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): God forbids us to worry and to always Trust in Him. So whatever He wants is best
Jun 26, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): When st. Francis writes this “that she is not under any circumstances to speculate about whether she will have a high or a low place among souls, “.. in his letter.. it reminded me of the two disciples who were fighting who is sitting closest to GOD in heaven. Jesus did not really encourage these thoughts either
49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): and anxiety is not of God though most of us experience it
Jun 26, 7:50 PM
Simone (Guest): these thoughts have the power to catapult us out of humility and distract us from the real goal – namely Him
PM
Dawn (Guest): One of your questions was 2) How do we receive honor with a pure heart? Im still on the q now and term extrordinary
Jun 26, 7:50 PM
Carol (Guest): We will each be with Him as though we were alone together but somehow we know others
:50 PM
Simone (Guest): anxiety as a physical reaction – can be natural – but anxiety that is based on mistrust to God’s goodness is never good M
Ruth (Guest): When St. Thomas Aquinas was asked by his sister what she had to do to get to heaven. He said, “Just will it.”. That seems kind of simple.
Jun 26, 7:51 PM
Carol (Guest): And profoundly difficult
Jun 26, 7:51 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): We must always rest in His Sacred Heart
2 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Ruth.. that is a peculiar answer from St. Thomas. My first reaction was “WHAT?” .. but as I start thinking about it – the will leads all the faculties of our soul – so I guess – where the will goes – there the rest goes
Jun 26, 7:53 PM
Ruth (Guest): One of the songs we sang todays
Jun 26, 7:53 PM
Simone (Guest): Dawn.. I cannot find the Q2 – you have mentioned above. Sorry
Jun 26, 7:53 PM
Carol (Guest): And we go with determination to practice the virtues
Jun 26, 7:54 PM
Dawn (Guest): sorry I was looking at the notes I made when we read Intro. I will stay with you all here, now
:54 PM
Simone (Guest): no worries.. I was thinking it was from the letter.. :55 PM
Simone (Guest): what do you ladies think about Q3b – the potential “caste system” in heaven? 6 PM
Dawn (Guest): I first thought about the mansions Jesus mentions and then St Teresas mansions
Jun 26, 7:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): at todays Mass had a refrain or verse that repeated that idea. i hung on it. BUT NOW I CANNOT EVEN REMEMBER the title of the song. The idea is, I think, that when we do that little bit of desiring eternal life with Him, He does the rest.
Jun 26, 7:56 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Ruth
Jun 26, 7:56 PM
Simone (Guest): yes Ruth, I agree –
PM
Simone (Guest): yes Ruth, I agree –
Jun 26, 7:57 PM
Simone (Guest): but our desire will also lead us naturally to more and more leaning in – into a life with him and for him
Jun 26, 7:57 PM
Carol (Guest): He did say He was going ahead to prepare a place for us, and that in His Fathers house there are many mansions
Jun 26, 7:57 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine
Jun 26, 7:57 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes
Jun 26, 7:57 PM
SrSusan (Guest): cste sounds negative to me. though there may be levels of glory I don’t think we would experience them as caste
:57 PM
Simone (Guest): YES, Sr. That;s exactly what I thought too
Jun 26, 7:58 PM
Carol (Guest): In don’t remember Him saying what they,look like or that,they,are all the same
Jun 26, 7:58 PM
Simone (Guest): love it how you worded it.. “levels of glory”
, 7:58 PM
Simone (Guest): I once heard that the mansions – Jesus promises – will be our new bodies in heaven 8 PM
SrSusan (Guest): never heard that!
Jun 26, 7:59 PM
Simone (Guest): a caste – is a system of comparison. – horizontally – whereas different levels of glory only relate vertically – to HIS glory itself
Jun 26, 7:59 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Our Priest said that today! O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus that I may live in You and for You.
8:00 PM
Simone (Guest): AMEN to that prayer
:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 4. How do we find joy and cheerfulness amid lowliness and self-annihilation? 26, 8:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 4. How do we find joy and cheerfulness amid lowliness and self-annihilation?
Jun 26, 8:02 PM
Simone (Guest): purification is joyful. when we come to see it as the way to His heart
Jun 26, 8:03 PM
Carol (Guest): Every little bit of purification lifts the burden of sin
Jun 26, 8:03 PM
Simone (Guest): well said Carol
8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): for us, yet also for the world? 8:04 PM
Simone (Guest): can you explore a bit please Dawn? PM
Dawn (Guest): Thinking of the sin of the world and what we can do to make reparations?
Jun 26, 8:05 PM
Simone (Guest): do you mean.. that our purification contributes to the redemption of the world?
Jun 26, 8:05 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes
:05 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Ok.. thanks for clarifying
Jun 26, 8:05 PM
Dawn (Guest): Just a thought
Jun 26, 8:05 PM
Simone (Guest): interesting thought
Jun 26, 8:06 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): We’re you at my Mass today! This was the homily!! 🤣
Jun 26, 8:06 PM
Simone (Guest): every suffering can be redemptive as we know.. lowliness and self- annihilation is definitely a form of suffering . so the connection is right there I think
Jun 26, 8:06 PM
Carol (Guest): It makes sense though. Mary often says our prayers are what’s keeping the world going
Jun 26, 8:06 PM
Dawn (Guest): The priest spoke of this?
Jun 26, 8:06 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Yes
07 PM
Dawn (Guest): or for others conversions
Jun 26, 8:07 PM
Simone (Guest): was it about following Jesus – through suffering Joan?
:08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): The Holy Spirit is one of unity and so inspires people uniformly with the truth 8:09 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Amen.
Jun 26, 8:09 PM
Dawn (Guest): Amen
Jun 26, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): ohh. I think we lost Ruth
Jun 26, 8:11 PM
Dawn (Guest): this may be how our suffering and offering it up is working, the Holy Spirit inspires those souls who can receive
Jun 26, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): too sad..
3 PM
Dawn (Guest): I like when he says if people murmer against you, take it humbly and lovingly; complaints will turn into blessings
Jun 26, 8:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 5. What would cause someone to be afraid of going to Communion? Has our attitude about Communion changed since then?
Jun 26, 8:14 PM
Simone (Guest): oh,… are we at the last question already? I am missing so much today
Jun 26, 8:14 PM
Dawn (Guest): sorry I went ahead
Jun 26, 8:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): not last one
Jun 26, 8:14 PM
Simone (Guest): oh,.Ok.. I see Q5. now PM
Carol (Guest): Because God knows the truth of what they are saying. If they are not correct, He will take care of it
Jun 26, 8:15 PM
Carol (Guest): And if they are correct, He will take care of that too
Jun 26, 8:15 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Sr. That is a BIG question.
Jun 26, 8:14 PM
Carol (Guest): Because God knows the truth of what they are saying. If they are not correct, He will take care of it
r
6, 8:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): being in a state of sin? 16 PM
Simone (Guest): I think in former days – people were more prone to fall on the side of scrupulosity. – and often thought they were not worthy enough to receive Communion – but nowadays.. oh my – I find there is not a lot of discernment and preparation before Communion. This is also not really taught I find. PM
Carol (Guest): I am sometimes because of the warnings about not going unless you are in a state of grace or something bad will happen
Jun 26, 8:17 PM
SrSusan (Guest): we were taught as kids to always go to confession before communion
Jun 26, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): wow Sr… that is good
17 PM
Dawn (Guest): this would be a good practice to return to
Jun 26, 8:17 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes, and to not receive unworthily. But what if we do and don’t know it?
Jun 26, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): I am not someone who wants to make it an “exclusive club” – and we do have a God of Mercy – but I think sometimes it is taken a little bit too leisurely maybe.
Jun 26, 8:18 PM
Simone (Guest): Carol – the little bit I know of you – I am pretty sure- that you approach Communion rightly.
Jun 26, 8:18 PM
Carol (Guest): I hope so, because those hidden faults will get you
Jun 26, 8:19 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes – but we have also a just GOD – he is not judging you on things you are not aware
Jun 26, 8:19 PM
Dawn (Guest): we can look at confession lines to know this. I believe in the TLM there is more awareness. they usually have multiple times listed
:19 PM
Simone (Guest): people who usually attend TLM – have a higher regard for the Sacraments. That brings them to the TLM usually 0 PM
Dawn (Guest): I was raised in TLM but there is none where I live. I would go if there were
Jun 26, 8:20 PM
Simone (Guest): Hey.. our friend Ruth is back
Jun 26, 8:21 PM
Carol (Guest): We were talking after Mass today and there is a parish about thirty miles away that does a youth event couple with confession that whole families go to. ;there are two lines for confession and they are there ling after the event is iver
Jun 26, 8:21 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Have you all watched this documentary The Perfect Storm?
Jun 26, 8:21 PM
Simone (Guest): what is this about Joan?
Jun 26, 8:21 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): https://youtu.be/1XctfSR7SS4
Jun 26, 8:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): thats wonderful Carol
2 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks for the link.. I quickly started looking at it.. no- have not seen this before PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Joan!
Jun 26, 8:22 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): Very interesting. About how the new mass came about
Drexel M
Joan Drexel (Guest): Everyone have a blessed week ahead!
Jun 26, 8:23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): 6. How could complaints turn into blessings, as St. Francis mentioned?
Jun 26, 8:24 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thank you
6, 8:24 PM
Carol (Guest): I dont think that parish is TLM though so maybe there’s hope :25 PM
Carol (Guest): If we accept them with patience?
Jun 26, 8:25 PM
Carol (Guest): Before we go, in case any of you know someone who might be interested. https://bscmonastic.org/events
Jun 26, 8:26 PM
Joan Drexel (Guest): To learn where we might need to grow in virtues?
Jun 26, 8:26 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Carol
6, 8:27 PM
Ruth (Guest): TLM?
Jun 26, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thank you both for sharing!
Jun 26, 8:27 PM
Simone (Guest): TLM = Traditional Latin Mass
Jun 26, 8:27 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thanks Joan.
Jun 26, 8:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Let’s keep each other in prayer this week!
:27 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes! I know I sure need them 8:28 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes Sr thank you \
Jun 26, 8:28 PM
Ruth (Guest): Ditto.