Today is the feast of St. Jane Frances de Chantal. I must confess that I do not know that much about her, nor do I have any particular devotion to her. However, I do know that for her feast we use the Common of Holy Women, the intentions from Evening Prayer II of which I really like. I think they beautifully summarize the variety of vocations to which women (and, with minor variation, men) are called.
Through the intercession of holy women let us pray for the Church in these words:
Through all the women martyrs who conquered bodily death by their courage,
-strengthen Your Church in the hour of trial.
Through married women who have advanced in grace by holy matrimony,
-make the apostolic mission of Your Church fruitful.
Through widows who eased their loneliness and sanctified it by prayer and hospitality,
-help Your Church reveal the mystery of Your love in the world.
Through mothers who have borne children for the kingdom of God and the human community,
-help Your Church bring all men and women to a rebirth in life and salvation.
Through all Your holy women who have been worthy to contemplate the light of Your countenance,
-let the deceased members of Your Church exult in that same vision forever
St. Jane Frances de Chantal and all you holy women, pray for us!
1 comment:
But Aaron, this is so old-fashioned--it has nothing about women in the workplace.
Given your last post on "smart phones," am I still free to use emoticons? Even if you do give me permission, I'm not sure how to represent a tongue in a cheek.
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