| Commend Me To Your Guardian Angel |
,At our Living Jesus Chat Room this Sunday we will be talking about some very brief letters from Saint Francis de Sales. One was a brief note after his first encounter with Saint Jane de Chantal, and the other is the surviving portion of a letter he wrote to his biological brother, who was also a bishop. Here we will find depth in such few words.To prepare for our chat, please read the article, which is reproduced below, and review the questions at the end.Click for Living Jesus Chatroom  Photo by Digital Content Writers India on UnsplashTo Saint Jane de Chantal, written 26 April 1604. [This note was written during the first stop St. Francis made on his homeward journey after preaching the Lenten sermons at Dijon where he first met Madame de Chantal.]I think that God gave me to you; every hour makes me more sure of it. I can say no more; commend me to your guardian angel.— To Monseigneur Jean-Francois de Sales, Bishop of Chalcedoine, his Brother, written from Turin, July-August 1622. [In a conversation at court it had been put to him that he should aim at being made cardinal, an idea which he completely rejected. He wrote to tell this to his brother who was also his successor, and this is the only part of the letter which has been preserved.]O how happy I should be if in one- or two-years’ time from now we could share my burden of office in such a way that I could have the part of Mary Magdalen and you that of Martha! Not indeed that I prefer Mary Magdalen’s part because it is better, but because if I could rest a little at Our Lord’s feet, I think I could learn certain things which I could very profitably leave to posterity in writing, as so many excellent people have exhorted me to do. But after saying this, I protest that I want nothing at all except to live and die in God’s grace and according to his will. Reflections: What does it mean that God gives us to someone? Isn’t this only something married people should say?Why do you think Saint Francis was so struck by his encounter with Saint Jane, such that he believed God gave her to him? Does that seem to have “come true” after this encounter?Would you agree that it is important for us to meet the right people in our lives to accomplish certain ends? This could be true of a marriage partner, a teacher, job, or apostolic work. How do we “tune in” to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in this area? How do we search for such people, and discern whether we will work well together? What does this mean in our encounter with each person we meet?Why is it important for clergy to not pursue the bishopric or becoming cardinal as an aspiration or “career goal”? Why was it so important that Saint Francis was hesitant about the idea of becoming cardinal?Sometimes a parish priest or a bishop might seem like they have so much time to spend in prayer and silence, but in reality, their lives are just as busy as the laity (even if it looks different). How can we support them better to ensure this part of their lives isn’t diminished?When is it OK to resist or doubt a call, as long as we ultimately decide to surrender? Does this make the choice more free? Sign up for our Living Jesus Chat Room:Come to our Living Jesus Chat Room, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern Time U.S. |