February 4th - St. Joan of France (Valois)
Joan was born at Paris, France in the year 1464. She was the daughter of
King
Louis XI of France and his wife Charlotte of Savoy. She had a very small
build
and was deformed which greatly bothered her father. In order to get rid of
her,
he betrothed her to his cousin Louis, the Duke of Orleans, and at age five
she
was sent to the Duke's home to be trained in the proper etiquette for
court
ladies. Joan had always been a very devout child and had a deep prayer
life for
one so young.
In 1476, at the age of twelve she was married to the Duke. She would
subsequently save his life by interceding for him with her brother Charles
VIII.
In spite of this the Duke treated her cruelly, but she was able to grow in
patience and holiness by prayer and charitable deeds. When her husband
ascended
to the throne he wanted to be rid of her so he could make a more
advantageous
marriage with Anne of Brittany, a widow.
Her husband was able to obtain an annulment on the grounds that King Louis
XI
had forced the marriage upon him. The marriage was annulled and because
Joan had
not opposed her husband's wishes she was given a good deal of property.
This
enabled her to continue her care for the poor and needy. She was invited
by her
confessor to found a community of Poor Clares. Joan however wanted to
found a
community devoted to charitable endeavors and in 1501 the first rule of
the
Annunciades was approved.
Joan later founded a second monastery at Bourges. The focus of the
community was
a deep life of prayer and care for the sick. Joan was professed as Sr.
Gabriella
Marie. She only lived about a year after profession and died at Bourges on
February 4, 1505. She was canonized in 1950. The community still exists
today
under the direction of the Friars Minor.
Today's saint is a model of patience and dedication to living the life of
Christ. She could have become embittered with God and with her family
because of
her deformity and the pain it would cause her through the years. Instead
she
chose to accept her life and to give all she could of herself and her
possession, to alleviate the sufferings of others. Rather than oppose her
husband and the church, she accepted their decisions and used the life
remaining
to her to bring joy and healing to others.
Reflection. During the lifetime of Saint Jane, the Angelus was established
in
France. The sound of the Ave thrice each day gave her hope in her sorrow,
and
fostered in her the desire to honor, yet more, the Incarnation. How often
might
we derive grace from the same beautiful devotion, so enriched by the
Church, yet
neglected by so many Christians!
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Whoever humbleth himself shall be exalted. -Lk. 14:11
"Humility is the mother of many virtues. From it spring obedience, holy
fear,
reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace; for, whoever is humble
easily
obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself
affable
to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any, and does
not
feel the insults which may be inflicted upon him. He lives happy and
contented,
and in great peace"
-St. Thomas of Villanova
Here we see the reason why St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Vincent de
Paul and
so many others became remarkable for all the virtues above mentioned. It
is
because they were remarkable for humility.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal had conceived so much affection for this
virtue,
that she watched over herself with the greatest attention, in order that
she
might not allow even the smallest occasion of practicing it to escape. And
she
once said to St. Francis de Sales, "My dearest Father, I beg you, for the
love
of God, help me to humble myself."
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February - Humility)
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Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead
St. Ambrose tells us: "All that we give through charity to the Souls
in
Purgatory is changed into grace for us, and after our death we will find
the
merit of it increased a hundredfold."
Pray: One Our Father, Three Hail Mary's, one Gloria and De Profundis
(Psalm 129)
THIRTEENTH DAY
De Profundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word;
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light ****ne upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, grant to the souls of the faithful departed, the full
remission of their sins. Be mindful, most merciful Savior, of that Soul in
Purgatory who was most devoted to Thee in the Holy Eucharist. Shorten the
moment
of his deliverance, that he may glorify Thee, and aid me in my journey
toward
Eternity.
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