Juggling “the World” – With My Desire for Growth in Holiness

Step into a profound dialogue that traverses the delicate balance between worldly existence and spiritual growth. In our latest chat, we explore the art of bidding adieu to worldly attachments with grace, reflecting on the value of solitude, mortality, and the pursuit of holiness in the midst of everyday life.

Journey through discussions inspired by St. Francis de Sales' teachings, anecdotes that illuminate the depth of human attachments, and reflections on navigating spiritual paths while embracing the complexities of the world. Join this thought-provoking exchange that explores the essence of detachment, spiritual practices, and the pursuit of inner sanctity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life.

If you would like to chat with Catholics like yourself about this topic, why not check out our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. ET each Sunday! We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing!

Bid the World Adieu

Discuss this line: “We must bid the world a calm and deliberate farewell and withdraw our affections from created things little by little.”

Rebecca: I love living in this ramshackle house not because it is ramshackle but because it is quiet for the most part, and I do not have “stupid” expectations placed upon me, e.g., To be sociable by playing bingo regularly, like would be at the senior residence.

Sherry: A holy soul loves solitude and silence. Not just loves it but also needs it.

Denise: Sherry, I like what you pointed out. The world….is forcing us to love God more intentionally. I think this is true. Alienation can force us to draw closer to God. When really what else is there to do? There are many graces that come from Solitude. And after a while, I resisted being around much noise. So, solitude is beautiful, and the place God can reach you.

Sherry: I never had a doubt, Denise, that you possess a holy soul.

Memento Mori: Remember Your Death

Question: What is the value of thinking about our deaths?

Sherry: So, the next question is now mostly for you, Denise. Since God obviously has placed that already in you (referring to your purchase of a skull).

Sherry: So… the value of thinking about our death… what do we say to this?

Denise: This is what I imagine is good about a director. Being alone much it’s quite possible to plummet yourself in hell. Spiritual reading is important here too.

Sherry: Good point, Denise. The enemy wants to take our foresight and wisdom as we prepare for our death, and twists it with anxiety and all sorts of thoughts. That’s when it is good to have a spiritual director too.

Sherry: I think so many decisions look differently when we look at them from the point of our death bed, or beyond. Thinking about our own death – not done in a morbid way though – can be a good guide in life.

Denise: A good spiritual practice. Even some children are on this path. I believe God gives graces and a young child will talk about or just begin preparing.

Sherry: I think you said it in the beginning, Denise – it is good to be prepared – it can happen any time.

Denise: Yes.

Sherry: I am curious, Denise, when you look at the skull during the day. How does that inspire you?

Denise: I haven’t received it yet, I just ordered it. But I will comment when it arrives. I love those old paintings of Teresa of Avila, writing at a desk with a skull…it inspired me to get one.

Sherry: I think it is a great idea – as a spiritual exercise.

In the World, Not of the World

Sherry: Is this reflection an example of why it is better for people to become celibate and live a cloistered life away from the world? And if it is better, shouldn’t we all simply make that decision?

Rebecca: I’m still several questions back. Arterial things attachments, once I was visiting friends in the DC area. They had two young adult daughters just home from school. The girls were excited about a beautiful cup or dish in a display case, something that had a lot of good memories attached to it. Somehow that struck me as a very positive, wholesome thing. The attachment to that object. Maybe because it was somehow symbolic of “family ties.” And family ties are indeed important — or only to the people.

Sherry: That is a good example, Rebecca. I do not see any problem with the joy of the young women by having this beautiful cup – as long as they know that they are not breaking down when it is taken away from them.

Denise: Yes, family relationships and new babies are a very good thing. It’s a beautiful design. For some, entering a cloister or even an active convent this also is wonderful.

Denise: But it is quite human to feel sorrowful leaving those we love. Jesus did.

Denise: He also experienced what it was like when people disappointed him. Could you not pray with me for one hour?

A Wise Teacher

Sherry: I have longed for so many years to be allowed to live a life – separated from the daily life in the world. It is not too long now that I have accepted that my place is as a laity – serving in the world. I find it sometimes so hard – to juggle the presence of “the world” – with my desire for growth in holiness. But if there was anyone who really helped me – it was actually St. Francis de Sales. His writings were the biggest encouragement for me. Also – his teaching on how to structure a day – so we are guarded and guided by GOD during the day – without falling into the world.

Denise: He is an amazing teacher. What is your favorite book by him?

Sherry: So. All that said. St. Francis is our biggest advocate that holiness can be lived outside of a cloister. Besides, the world does not necessarily stop at the door of a cloister – the world has its root in hearts, and I am sure that nuns have to deal with that too.

Sherry: Denise. Were you asking which is my favorite book of St. Francis de Sales?

Rebecca: I had a nice fuzzy blanket stolen from the back of my truck right after laundering it. The other night I was having chills in bed with two quilts and a blanket on. When it was taken, I thought, “I hope whoever stole it really needed it more than I do. I have lots of quilts and blankets.

Denise: Rebecca, I hope they really needed it also. And I’m glad you have more blankets! Favorite book by De Sales. I would like to read more of his writings.

Sherry: Well. As for books, I love the Treatise on the Love of God – specially Chapter 6 and following. I love to read his letters and sermons. But I really also love the directory. That’s where my eyes were opened about the structure of the day.

Denise: The directory, is this title?

Sherry: For some of his writings, I find it important which translation you get. Some are better than others. The directory — I only read as “secondhand literature” from someone. But Fr. Daley wrote a book “Living Life Well” that deals with it in a very readable way. Denise, I am assuming you read the Introduction to the Devout Life. If you send me your address via email. I have a second copy of the Sermons of St. Francis de Sales on our Lady. Would you like that?

Denise: Thank you. Yes. When I first joined this chat, we were going through Devout Life. I took many notes and copied Sister’s questions. It was very good!

Sherry: I am sure it was.

Carrying Her Through the River

Sherry: I want to write a quick little story for you, Rebecca, here. In regard to attachment. There were three monks. Who were traveling together. As they reached a river. They saw a beautiful young woman standing there in a white dress. She was a woman from another village and needed to cross the river, but was afraid.

Two of the monks ignored her – since their order has a strict vow of celibacy and does not allow any contact with women. The third monk took the woman and carried her safely though the river.

As the monks were having supper later on, the two monks started saying how wrong it was to carry this woman through the river. Especially such a beautiful young woman.

Sherry: The third monk listened. Then he said, “Yes, I carried this woman through the river. But you two are still carrying her.”

Denise: Ah!

Rebecca: Good story!

Denise: We can carry things that maybe we never even picked up, by a suggestion only. Good lesson.

Anne: I never forgot that story either. It opened my eyes, how deep-seated attachments can be.

Denise: Thank you. I’m glad you both came. God bless you and goodnight, all.

Sherry: It was lovely being with you two tonight. Sorry that we did not make it through all the questions. But we had good discussions and “online fellowship.” Have a blessed week.

If you enjoyed this article, why not join us at our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. ET each Sunday! We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing!