Day 4: Compassion

Compassion.

Compassion is more than a word

Compassion is more than something you just have

Compassion is something you should use every day

Compassion is caring for the poor and the sick

Helping them in their time of need

Doing anything you can to show them that you truly care

Philippine taught us how to be compassionate

She taught us that have compassion benefits so many people, including yourself

Compassion.

By Madolyn

Reflection

Today, we reflect on the quality of compassion in Philippine’s life. Compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is struggling. From a very young age, Philippine lived with great compassion for others.

As a young girl, Philippine was given an allowance by her wealthy parents. She would give away all of her allowance to beggars and homeless children in the crowded town square. When her mother asked her why she would give away her own money, she answered, “That’s what I want to do with it.” When Philippine was nine years old, her hometown of Grenoble experienced a severe flood. Many people became homeless and had to live on the streets. Philippine gave her money to the homeless instead of saving it for herself.

After the French Revolution forced her to leave the Visitation convent, Philippine continued to exercise compassion when she formed the Ladies of Mercy, who ministered to imprisoned priests and to the poor. One day, Philippine found a dying woman, brought her to her own home, and found a priest to give the dying woman the Sacrament of the Sick. Philippine also began to teach poor boys whom she met on the street, giving them food, clothes, and religion classes. Around the same time, Philippine cared for her own mother, Mrs. Duchesne, when she became ill and eventually passed away.

Philippine’s compassion was also evident after she came to America and founded schools of the Sacred Heart. Philippine always gave the best of what she had to the children, even if that meant skipping a meal of her own that day. She consistently put the well-being of her students ahead of herself, and chose to sleep on the floor of a small closet under the stairs at the school in Florissant.

Philippine’s example of compassion has inspired me to be more observant of my surroundings and the people around me. Sometimes I tend to get so caught up in my own problems that I forget about the people who are going through things much greater than I am. I hope that God will open my eyes to the world and give me the strength to put other people’s needs in front of my own.

Liza, Elizabeth, Grace & Madelyn

Questions for Reflection

Do I often overlook people who are in need?

When I have received the gift of compassion from someone else?

How does Philippine's story stir me to act with compassion today?

Prayer

Loving God,

You gave Philippine a deep compassion for the suffering of her sisters and brothers.

Open our eyes to the pain of the sick and sorrowing,

open our ears to the cries of the poor,

and open our hearts to respond generously.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord.

Amen.