Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Saint Francis de Sales

Today is the feast of Saint Francis de Sales. For many years, I attended Mass and Eucharistic devotions at the Visitation Monastery in Frederick, Maryland. I taught at the Visitation Academy and was married in the nuns' chapel, with Saint Francis looking benevolently down from the stained-glass window. He is a saint very close to my heart.

Here is one of my favorite of his quotations:
Do not look forward to the mishaps of this life with anxiety, but await them with perfect confidence so that when they do occur, God, to whom you belong, will deliver you from them. He has kept you up to the present; remain securely in the hand of his providence, and he will help you in all situations. When you cannot walk, he will carry you. Do not think about what will happen tomorrow, for the same eternal Father who takes care of you today will look out for you tomorrow and always. Either he will keep you from evil or he will give you invincible courage to endure it. Remain in peace; rid your imagination of whatever troubles you.
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3 comments:

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks, georgette! I will post a photo of that chapel one of these days, the way it looked before the Cardinal's minions stripped it. Maybe I can find one online.

Anonymous said...

When I was in high school, I took participated in a day long youth retreat held at St. John the Evangelist. Towards the end of the day we went over to the Visitation chapel for prayers. It was my only time there but I do remember it was quite beautiful.

While the boarding school has closed because of enrollment decline, Visitation still maintains its day school.

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks, Elisa, That is good to know.