Beloved, happy child of Jesus

For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me. ~Psalm 23:4

Beloved child of Jesus, you shall have the victory, and he the glory. To him be glory forever who has called you to so glorious a combat and so tenderly supports you through it. You will triumph, for it is Jesus who fights – not you my dear one – oh no. Young and timid, weak, and irresolute, the lamb could not stem a torrent, nor stand the beating storm. But the tender Shepherd takes it on his shoulder, casts his cloak about it, and the happy trembler finds itself at home before it knew its journey was half finished. And so, my dear one, it will be with you. He will not leave you one moment, nor suffer the least harm to approach you. Not one tear shall fall to the ground nor one sigh of love be lost, happy, happy child. And if you are not removed to the sheltering fold that awaits you, he will make you one in his own bosom until your task is done. Happy, happy child, how sweet must be your converse with that divine Spirit which puts in your heart, yet so inexperienced, so untutored, the science of the saints. How must those blessed beings rejoice over you while walking so steadfastly in their paths and their sufferings.

~written by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton to her sister-in-law Cecilia, who converted to Catholicism at the age of 15

Thank you, dear Jesus, for being my good Shepherd.  May I always find a home in your loving arms. Amen.

Today's Feast: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

“The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.” ~St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Ave Maria! Today's saint is most dear to my heart. An excellent biography about her can be found here and a Google search will lead to many others. If I were still living in Washington, DC, I'd be making a pilgrimage this week to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It's a beautiful place to visit, even in the deep mid-winter. St. Elizabeth Ann's presence permeates the entire place. Whenever I would go there, she would always fill my heart with the courage that lead her to make her daring leap of faith when she came into the Catholic church and was ostracized by her family as a result. Her utter love for our Lord in His Holy Word and in the Blessed Eucharist was a deep and solid one that nurtures my own. And her serene perseverance in establishing the Sisters of Charity amidst great hardships and abject poverty strengthens my faint-heartedness.

Did I say that I love this wise and holy woman? I do, I do! So today I'll make an interior pilgrimage to Emmitsburg, savoring her fruitful heritage and asking her to help me to do the will of God with the sort of joy and love that overflowed from her heart so captivated by Him.

Prayer of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Lord Jesus,

Who was born for us in a stable,
lived for us a life of pain and sorrow,
and died for us upon a cross;
say for us in the hour of death,
Father, forgive,
and to Your Mother,

Behold your child.
Say to us, This day you shall be with Me in paradise.
Dear Savior, leave us not, forsake us not.
We thirst for You, Fountain of Living Water.
Our days pass quickly along,
soon all will be consummated for us.
To Your hands we commend our spirits,
now and forever.
Amen.

Today's Feast: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

O Father, the first rule of Our dear Savior's life was to do Your Will. Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment. Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish we will be pleasing to You. Amen. ~St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us to be devoted to God's will in the present moment as fully and lovingly as you were. Amen!