Fr. Benedict Groeschel's Angel Comes to the Aid

Our invisible friends and aides from God, our Guardian Angels, are ever-present, ready to support us in this walk of faith. Find out in this chat how one sister discovered that she could get her angel to solicit the aid of Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s guardian angel.

Aside from this anecdote, there are other great topics discussed, but the main theme to highlight is the saintliness and humility of St. Francis and how that was made evident through his writings. Discover the man at the heart of this saint, and discover the saint at the heart of this man.

If you like the chat below, check out the Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. ET each Sunday! We read a passage or letter from St. Francis de Sales and gather great insights and sharing!

Visitation Sister: Lent is upon us. Ash Wed will be different this year. We understand ashes will be put on the top of our heads.

Caroline: Very. This year we are celebrating outside still as the parish has not had time to work out the logistics of 25% capacity. That means Mass is outdoors during the day when people are working.

Coming to Know St. Francis

Visitation Sister: Well as to the letter for tonight, these are the first questions: Does anything stand out to you that gives us insight into St. Francis? Were there any key virtues that shine through in this letter? Maybe I can summarize the letter or pick out more general questions?

Katheryn: Yes, thank you!

Visitation Sister: St Francis is writing to another Bishop about how the book Introduction to the Devout Life came about — thru his spiritual advice to a woman. Here is the link to the letter so you can peruse or glance over it.

Katheryn: Sounds wonderful!

Visitation Sister: Are you able to access that?

Katheryn: I opened it!

Caroline: Yes, I have it.

Visitation Sister: When St Francis writes it is from the heart and he seems pretty open here about the process, his intentions, and his situation.

Caroline: He does. He also sounds a little surprised the Bishop heard about his writing.

Katheryn: St. Francis is very much a person unafraid to be open and express emotions.

Visitation Sister: Yes, he does seem that way. I sense humility, regarding his “little book” that turned out to be a best seller for 400 years!

Katheryn: I have another book from Sophia Press that is a collection of his letters to people asking his advice.

Visitation Sister: Or perhaps he was referring to the Treatise on the Love of God, which was not a best seller in the way Introduction to the Devout Life is.

Caroline: I am so grateful letters like his have survived.

Visitation Sister: Yes, there are several collections of letters.

Katheryn: Yes, well, in his letters he is very expressive.

Visitation Sister: I agree. He had lots of plans but not all came to fruition.

Katheryn: Given the length of his letters and their abundance, and the energy he seems to have in them, he likely had many plans!

Visitation Sister: I think it is hard to imitate another’s virtues, but we can be attentive to the Holy Spirit in ourselves.

Visitation Sister: Several of the books he wanted to write he never had time for, and he died at 55.

Caroline: And learn from others how they found the path.

Katheryn: A young man….

Visitation Sister: That’s an interesting point. His own path to being an author began because someone else suggested his letters be made into a book. It is good to listen to other’s inspirations! A few years ago we did the chat on the whole book of the Introduction to the Devout Life. Those chat topics are in the archives on this site someplace! Did you all ever read this book?

Katheryn: I began it but have not read it through. On my bucket list!

Caroline: Yes, I got to read it here.

Visitation Sister: That’s right!

Carey: Yes, I did. Then I found a book that compiled many of his sayings about the Virgin Mary!

Visitation Sister: What one is that? I have to look for it; I am not sure I have it. I am still working on these books myself.

Carey: The Mariology of St. Francis De Sales.

Visitation Sister: Ok. Yes, I have heard of it I think we do have it here in the library.

Caroline: It sounds wonderful!

Visitation Sister: Early on it talks about the way St Francis taught those in his household to say the Rosary, I think.

Katheryn: He is so verbose and bubbling over in everything he writes in this and other letters. He was isolated, according to this letter, and I wonder if he was a naturally gregarious person–chatty!

Visitation Sister: I don’t know, but you are correct, and his sentences sometimes seem like they will never come to an end.

Katheryn: Very Pauline….

Visitation Sister: He had so much to say.

Introducing the Devout Life

Visitation Sister: The next question is about the Introduction to the Devout Life. How can this letter give us a new appreciation for the book, knowing this little back story?

Carey: I like with the first three Hail Marys how he also says: Mary, the child of God the Father, Mother of God the Son….

Visitation Sister: Yes, I forgot what he said, but it was different.

Caroline: We know that he did not set out to write a “great work.” It is great because it is written for the reader, not as an academic study.

Katheryn: He also says he does not have time for lengthier works.

Visitation Sister: He refers to his letters as a collection of notes, can’t imagine getting book quality notes from someone in spiritual direction, though that would be great!

Making the Most of Little

Visitation Sister: As much as we know St. Francis for being a scholar, what must it have been like to be assigned to an area where there was little access to books?

Caroline: Oh, it must have been so hard!

Katheryn: This other book, the collection of advice letters, one can see how St. Francis could write such quality notes!

Carey: Frustrating, especially pre-internet! Didn’t some of the people he talk to write some of the notes for him?

Visitation Sister: Probably pre-library too! At least in that vicinity.

Katheryn: I wonder if his natural verbosity and excitement paired with his great knowledge and reverence allowed him to pen such lengthy and helpful spiritual direction letters.

Visitation Sister: Yes, the Spiritual Conferences to the nuns were collected that way.

Katheryn: It seems, though, the content didn’t really require other books??? Not having read the whole work….

Visitation Sister: Probably, Katheryn, but to tell you something I am in a way shocked, he had all that he wrote basically stored up in his mind? Do you know how many examples he uses, no library?? Wow!

Caroline: How did St Francis continue to grow knowledge without access to books?

Visitation Sister: That is what I want to know. Maybe from his schooling, maybe a photogenic mind? Here is a new avenue to explore.

Katheryn: That’s why he’s a saint and doctor of the Church. Lol!

Visitation Sister: Yes!!

Katheryn: I will pay particular attention to his examples when I pick the work up again!

Carey: Me too!

Visitation Sister: And especially in the Treatise of the Love of God. Maybe he had books by then?

Caroline: It will take many re-readings to grasp it all.

Katheryn: I am curious if he discusses things without specific reference? For example, writing about something from scripture but not quoting nor stating where in scripture it was located?

Visitation Sister: He does do that. Good observation!

Carey: I heard that he would take money from some of the children, and then when they showed up at Mass he would give it back. So he had a sense of humor too.

Visitation Sister: I never heard that, another little story to remember.

Practice What You Preach

Visitation Sister: How does his attitude show us that he “practices what he preaches”?

Katheryn: Based on the tone of his letters, I imagine he did have a good sense of humor and was likely a great conversationalist. Maybe even one you would have to slow down at times.

Caroline: It would make it easier to take his advice–he is not too serious.

Katheryn: Here he says, “That is why, leaving great plans to great workmen, I have conceived the idea of certain small works less hard to write and nevertheless quite suited to the conditions of my life, a life which is dedicated and even consecrated to the service of my neighbor for the glory of God.” Humility, prudence, self-knowledge and yet doing good works.

Carey: He would have to practice it to come up with so many great ideas. Like the one about angels: something like if you can’t deal with your neighbor, pray to your neighbor’s angel.

Katheryn: Carey — lol! That’s great!

Visitation Sister: It’s funny, somebody in our community was just talking about that the other day!

Katheryn: The Holy Spirit at work….

Visitation Sister: We had not been conscious of this advice for a long time and were just reminded, and here you state it again.

Visitation Sister: Yes, the Holy Spirit.

Carey: I like talking to people’s angels. It helps keep me calm.

Caroline: It can be very effective to ask the angels to do the talking.

Katheryn: It seems like a great strategy. I will try that myself!

Carey: I imagine with blended families, that there is a whole conference of angels who get together and sort things out!

Visitation Sister: If only they knew!

Caroline: It can be helpful when human communication breaks down.

Carey: Yes, indeed.

Caroline: I wonder how much of our inspirations come from our guardians.

Katheryn: My poor angel has its work cut out for it. Praise God he gave me one with much strength and patience!

Fr. Benedict’s Angel

Visitation Sister: I do remember one time I did this: I was desperate to get in touch with Fr Groeschel about a serious problem in the Monastery. I sent my angel to his, mentally, and on Holy Thursday not too long afterward, Father called me! It was about another issue he had in his mind, but we were able to deal with both.

Visitation Sister: Probably more than we know, Caroline.

Katheryn: Sister, that is a wonderful story!

Carey: That’s wonderful!

Caroline: Katheryn, that sounds like me too!

Katheryn: Like the leper in today’s Gospel, I should be more thankful for that tireless spiritual guardian God has gifted me.

Caroline: So many stories I could tell. I bet we all could.

Visitation Sister: Yes, I believe we could! Maybe we will.

Katheryn: I don’t think I have thought quite so much about my guardian angel. So this is a good conversation for contemplation.

Carey: I think you have to be somewhat peaceful to get inspiration from the Godly spiritual realm. When we’re not peaceful, then the devil has an easier time infiltrating our mind.

Visitation Sister: Yes, and a new practice for Lent maybe: getting familiar with our angels.

Caroline: I rely on mine a lot.

Katheryn: Sister, yes!

Visitation Sister: You are blessed, Caroline!!

Caroline: Have you heard of the chaplet of St. Michael?

Visitation Sister: Yes.

Caroline: I am, it’s the truth!

Carey: Just the prayer, not the chaplet.

Visitation Sister: Have not prayed it in a while though, a long while.

Katheryn: I will have to search it out.

Carey: I like Mary, the Undoer of Knots.

Visitation Sister: We say the St. Michael prayer ever day after Mass but not the chaplet.

Caroline: I’ve picked it up again recently as part of my nightly routine.

Visitation Sister: Good idea, especially in these times.

Katheryn: Our bishop has asked the priests to say the prayer after all Masses as well.

Caroline: It is an Our Father and three Hail Marys in honor of the nine choirs and a plea for intercession.

Carey: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/chaplet-of-st-michael-the-archangel-386.

Visitation Sister: Thank you!

Caroline: Yes! That’s the one.

Katheryn: Oh, it’s of Carmelite origin!!!

Visitation Sister: That is powerful, Katheryn, that the Bishop made the request.

Katheryn: Yes, in the diocese next to yours, Worcester. Bishop McManus.

Caroline: Didn’t we used to always say it at the end of Mass? I wonder why we stopped.

Katheryn: He was your diocesan administrator for a brief time recently.

Visitation Sister: In Brooklyn?

Katheryn: Oh, I came to this site through Tyringham, MA.

Visitation Sister: I think they stopped after Vatican II.

Katheryn: I thought you were from there.

Visitation Sister: I know the Sisters in Tyringham and have been there, but no I am in Brooklyn NY.

The Conversion of Heretics

Visitation Sister: Last question if you want to continue or do so some other time- I have to leave now: He says he is writing a book for “the conversion of heretics,” a phrase that he mentions twice. How would we state this today? Why have we changed our terminology?

Who is Philothea?

Katheryn: The spiritual leader of my secular Carmelites is Fr. Sean O’Mannion, so I get the Guard of Honor emails.

Visitation Sister: I know him too as he has visited our Monastery re the Guard of Honor!

Katheryn: He has told us that wonderful story!

Visitation Sister: That was about 7 years ago though.

Visitation Sister: May each of you have a blessed Ash Wed and beginning of Lent!

Katheryn: Thank you, Sister. Great meeting you, Caroline and Carey!

Visitation Sister: Let’s pray foreach other. God bless!

Carey: You too, Sister, thank you!

Caroline: Blessed Ash Wednesday to all! So great to be here.

Katheryn: Yes, and the same for your community!

Carey: Regarding heresy: We had to change terminology so we could understand it better.

Caroline: And so that people would be less defensive.

Carey: Isn’t Philothea just a term for whoever is reading it?

Caroline: Oh, I don’t know. Could be?

Carey: I’m not sure what term to replace heretic with.

Caroline: Nonbeliever?

Carey: But a non-believer probably wouldn’t even pick up the book.

Caroline: True.

Carey: It seems like it was written for people who believe but want to be better.

Caroline: I think you are right.

Carey: To deepen our spirituality.

Carey: I doubt even my Christian friends would read it.

Caroline: Sometimes it’s because they have no experience with that type of reading and don’t know how to take it.

Carey: True. You have to just feed them one sentence.

Caroline: No one is really taught this anymore unless you’re lucky enough to be in a parish with a good education program.

Carey: That’s one thing I love about the Catholic Church is that our theology is so deep, and the doctors of the church all agree on the same underlying ideas.

Carey: The Daughter of St. Francis de Sales have a formation program. But you can read through things and still not get a whole lot out of it… depends on who your companion is, I guess.

Caroline: There are many such, thank goodness! They can be hard to find. Or if you have a companion.

Carey: The formation program is set up with a companion, to go through the material with you. I think we’re using that word in a different way. Lol.

Caroline: Yes, I’m thinking of general parish life.

Caroline: Not much companioning there, alas.

Carey: Well, have a blessed evening. I’m starving and the oven just beeped… you take care and have a blessed Lent.

Caroline: Happy Lent!

If you liked this chat, share it below with your friends. And join us at the Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters this week Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.