Where do we find peace in our lives—and where do our families find it?
If you’ve ever wrestled with that question individually or as a family, today’s saint, Jane Frances de Chantal offers us great hope.
Most of us think of the saints as superhuman, but in fact they are real people, as regular as you and me…what brought them to sainthood--to heroic virtue and sanctity of life was how they handled the ups and downs of life by turning to God.
Turning to God
For example, Jane Frances Fremyot married and had six children. Upon the death of her husband, struggling with grief she turned to God.
She was blessed to have Francis de Sales, also a future saint, as her spiritual director, with whom she founded the Congregation for the Visitation of Women.
In all, Saint Frances as she mourned the loss of her previous life with her husband, went on to found eighty-five convents--with the charism of caring for the sick and the poor.
Cherishing Our Family
Today’s first reading from Proverbs reminds us of the gift of a good and faith-filled wife who cares for her family and reaches out to help others in need.
It is both aspirational for women but also a reminder to husbands and children to cherish their wives or mothers.
For all of us, including those whose mothers, fathers, husbands and wives or even children have gone home to God, or perhaps those who we are estranged from, today’s gospel is also an encouragement and reminder of our membership in God’s family…when Jesus says, “Here is my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and my sister and mother.”
The Family That Prays Together...
Saint Frances, though she had faith before her husband’s going home to God, deepened it, especially with this invitation from our Lord.
My brothers and sisters, we are all looking for peace in our lives, on some days more than others. All families want to live in peace. Start by simply praying, “In you Lord, I have found my peace.” And remember a time when you and your family have found the peace of Christ in your life.
Venerable Patrick Peyton believed and often said, “A World at Prayer is a World at Peace.”
Today, gather your family, turn to Our Lord and Blessed Mother and pray that simple prayer, “In you Lord, we have found our peace.” Start there and then if you can, pray the Rosary for peace in your family, community, and the world…and like Saint Frances you will the find peace we are all looking for…
- Today’s Readings
Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday–Friday. Consider inviting others to join, too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
