Endurance, also called long-suffering, is patience put to the test by circumstances and other people in our life. Just as God is patient when we sin and forgives us every time we return to Him in penance, we must be patient with those who cause us difficulties in our lives, whether it is our spouse, our children, parents or other relatives, coworkers and bosses, or neighbors. Those who are long-suffering put in action the words of the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lived in New York in the late 18th-early 19th century. She was happily married to William Magee Seton and they had five children. During her marriage, Elizabeth cared for the sick and needy in the community while also caring for her own young children. After William’s death from tuberculosis, Elizabeth converted to the Catholic Faith. Family and friends turned away from her because of her conversion. She also suffered from financial troubles. Her attempts to open schools and a boarding house in order to support herself and her children were met with opposition and failure. Her faith and trust in God was rewarded when Fr. Louis Dubourg invited her to Baltimore, where she became the director of the educational program for the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph’s. She took vows of chastity and obedience and became known as Moter Seton. She and her Sisters of Charity cared for the poor and opened Catholic schools. (https://www.womenhistoryblog.
For Mother Seton, daily reading of Scripture was a way of life. She always made time for it. “[I] recall the word – my Bible, commentaries, [Thomas a] Kempis – visible and in continual enjoyment. When I cannot get hours I take minutes . . . Sometimes I feel so assured that the guardian Angel is immediately present that I look from my book and can hardly be persuaded I was not touched.” (https://setonshrine.org/
Dear Holy Spirit, through the intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, please grant to (names) an increase in the virtues of endurance and forgiveness. Help them to follow the example of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in their daily lives, persisting in prayer, devotion to Scripture, and good works despite opposition and hardship. Help them to grow in virtue until their love is as close as humanly possible to Your love for them. Let this love for each other expand to include all those around them, especially those in their care. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thank you for praying with us!
0 comments:
Post a Comment