The concept of the cloistered heart
can be said to have several "patrons," but one saint in particular
serves as a primary role model. Why? Perhaps the following will
help, at least a little, to answer that question....
St. Jane de Chantal was Francis de
Sales' co-founder of the Visitation of Holy Mary. Before becoming a nun,
however, Jane was a young widow consulting St. Francis for spiritual
direction. At that time, she was a busy laywoman with four children to
raise.
Recognizing the desires of her heart, Francis de Sales directed
Jane "in her growing intimacy and conformity to the signified will of
God. He even confirmed her in the practice of imaging her own spiritual
world with monastic imagery. For example, she took the Virgin Mary as the
Abbess of the cloister of her own heart."
(Wendy Wright,
Joseph Power OSFS and Peronne Marie Thibert VHM, Francis de Sales, Jane de
Chantal, Letters of Spiritual Direction, Paulist, 1988, p. 41)
"The spirit of God does not
depend on retirement. Rather it is a spirit that strengthens and perfects
all occupations." - St. Jane de Chantal
"Ah, what a happiness to live thus in the world without sharing in its
miserable affections and aims!" - St. Jane de Chantal
"You must adhere to this
practice of looking at God within you and it will absorb all
others." - St. Jane de Chantal
"Our Lord, in no place of
Scripture, says... give Me thy head, thine arms, thy life, but only: My
child, give Me thy heart. Whoso has a person's heart, has the entire person.
The heart is the seat of love. When I shall have thy heart, I shall set
My love upon it. I will make My love dwell therein and then all the rest
will follow as a consequence." - St. Jane de Chantal
This is a repost from the archives of 5/24/13.
