Today we continue what the week started in celebrating the lives of the saints.
Monday we gazed at the Deacon of the early church, Lawrence and reflected on martyrdom.
Tuesday we gazed at Clare, the contemporary of St. Francis, who entered a cloister and dedicated her life to prayer and poverty.
Today we gaze at Jane Frances de Chantal. She was married at the age of 20 and gave birth to several children. At the age of 28, her husband went deer hunting and was shot accidentally. He died a week later.
She was left a widow and mother at a very early age. She was grief stricken but never lost sight of faith.
Many today in the midst of tragedy throw their hands up in the air and lose faith and blame God. But St. Jane de Chantal continued to be faithful.
She invites us to ponder two questions of faith: "Lord why did this happen" and "Now that this has happened will you not see us through."
Pope Benedict reminds us that "Faith is once more becoming salt that wounds and heals, a summons that challenges us to take a position."
The position we are invited to stand in is that of never surrendering to the mystery of life but allowing our faith to season our experience.
St. Jane de Chantal in going through her tragedy recognized an opportunity. She dedicated her life to service of the poor and founded 86 monasteries before her death.
She sought out assistance from two holy men, St Francis de Sales and St. Vincent De Paul, under their wisdom and direction she was able to allow her tragedy to become fruitful and faith filled.
Her faith was truly a salt that seasoned life.
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