Next Wednesday we will celebrate one of the Academy’s most precious days—the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.
In anticipation of this special day, I’d like to mention two aspects of Philippine’s life, both of which we try to emulate in our education and both of which are reflected in our Goals.
Philippine’s Prayer Life
We know Philippine as “The Woman Who Prays Always.” There are many stories of children placing leaves or sticks on her habit to see if Philippine moved during prayer, only to discover that she was often ‘lost in God’ for hours on end. To that end, she chose to sleep in a closet near the chapel so she could get up in the middle of the night to pray.
Philippine’s Life of Loving Service
We know that Philippine spent her life “doing for others.” As a child, she gave money to the poor. As a young woman, she visited the imprisoned during the French Revolution. As a nun, she courageously traveled to the ends of the earth in her desire to bring God’s Love to those most removed from it. As superior, she stayed up late, doing small (and large) tasks for others. And, as an old woman, she brought her heart and love to live with, pray with, and love the native peoples of the Potawatomi Tribe.
These two sides of Philippine are both equally important and curiously connected. They are two sides of the same coin:
- Some of us begin with prayer, know ourselves to be loved—and that deep knowing flows into generous service with others.
- Others begin with service to those around us—and that draws us to deepen our relationship with God in prayer.
We are blessed beyond measure to have such a foundress! May we continue her legacy by leading lives that emulate these two important aspects of Philippine’s life.
Happy Feast, everyone!
Sister Glavin
