Charles de Glandelet, Marguerite Bourgeoys’s spiritual advisor and biographer, wrote about her, “When someone on whom she relied asked her to give an account of her prayer, she said that she could not pray discursively (…). A single word or a single truth occupied her mind for long periods of time.” In what ways did the truths she contemplated keep her so long in prayer, absorbed and in the presence of the God she loved?
In the early 17th century, the “French School of Spirituality” was emerging. Marguerite was undoubtedly immersed in it and prayed in the manner of this School.
This spirituality was centered on the Word Incarnate – the Son of God made man, true worshiper of the Father. For her spiritual advisors, the Bible was their book of prayer. They strongly encouraged a prayerful reading of Scriptures. These two sources, the Word Incarnate and the Gospel, inspired a three-point method of praying: “Jesus before your eyes, Jesus in your heart, and Jesus in your hands.”
On December 23, 1964, Sisters Mary MacIsaac, Rita Rompre, Louise Driscoll, and Celine Caufield began the mission in Guatemala. This December Mary Mac and Rita will return to celebrate the 50th jubilee in Olintepeque. Also attending from the United States will be: Srs. Bea Baker, Patricia McCarthy, Patricia Flattery, Margaret Egan, and Dolores McKinney. Together we thank God.
On Saturday, November 8, in Saint John, NB, D&P members from Fredericton, Miramichi and Saint John regions gathered in Saint John for a Fall meeting. After a warm welcome and an opening prayer led by Sandra Barrett, scic, we were greeted by Donna LeBlanc, regional chairperson of D&P. Our agenda included an explanation of the Fall Campaign, Sow Much Love, presented by Tara Hurford, the Youth Coordinator for this area. (See www.devp.org/en).