One half of that love story is Philippine’s deep awareness of God’s great love for her.
We know about this half of the love story when we
read about Philippine’s passion for prayer and her desires for spending
time with God in prayer. You’ve heard the tales of how the children in
France put little papers on her habit to see how long Mother Duchesne
would kneel motionless in the chapel. Or perhaps you’ve read about how
the Native Americans or little pioneer children would put leaves on her
habit for the same reason. Or, maybe you recall how the Potawatomi
people would reverently come to the rustic log chapel on the Kansas
prairie and kiss the hem of her habit during the hours this holy old
woman was ‘lost’ in God. At the center of all these remembrances is
Philippine’s capacity for prayer. What is at the heart of this capacity
was the simple JOY of being with her Beloved. She was opening her heart
to God and
allowing the One Who loves her to fill her heart to overflowing. In the
process, Philippine was being sustained and suffused with knowing
herself to be loved by Love’s Very Self.
The other half of this love story is Philippine’s life poured out in love.
Her whole life can be seen as returning love with love. She wanted to
reveal God’s Love to others. Her love for God was the impetus for her
passion and the energy behind her famous zeal. We can imagine Philippine
up early in the morning and we can picture her going to bed late at
night, busy about many things. What is important to remember is that she
was a woman whose very life was poured out AS love for the one whom she
knew loved her first!
So, let us celebrate Philippine’s Feast by opening our Hearts to that
same Love. Let us allow God in, let us let God love us. Let us take time
to sit with and in that Love. And then, like Philippine, let us allow
our lives to be a witness to that Love through all that we do!
Happy Feast!
Maureen Glavin, rscj
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