Thursday, December 14, 2006

St. Jane de Chantal on the Martyrdom of Love

This is a great TOB insight that I make sure to expound upon later, but for right now, here's the thought (a little late since her feast was two days ago).

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From The Memoirs by the secretary of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal:

"'My dear daughters, many of our holy fathers in the faith, men who were pillars of the Church, did not die martrys. Why do you think that was?' Each one present offered an answer; then their mother continued. 'Well, I myself think it was because their is another martyrdom: the martyrdom of love. Here God keeps his servants and handmaids in this present life so that they may labor for him, and he makes of them both martyrs and confessors.'...

One sister asked what form this martyrdom took. The saint answered: 'Yield yourself fully to God, and you will find out! Divine love takes its sword to the hidden recesses of our inmost soul and divides us from ourselves.'...

Finally ,the saint was asked whether this martyrdom of love could be put on the same level as martyrdom of the body. She answered: 'We should not worry about equality. I do think, however, that the martyrdom of love cannot be relegated to a second place, for love is as strong as death. For the martyrs of love suffer infinitely more in remaining in this life so as to serve God, than if they died a thousand times over in testimony to their faith and love and fidelity.'"

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