Day 3: Courage

Courage.

Courage is crossing the border of difficulty,

not giving up,

persisting.

Courageous.

Being courageous is being brave,

taking risks,

helping others in the community.

Being courageous or having courage means doing admirable acts,

that really make a difference.

Being courageous or having courage means that the smallest acts mean the world to someone.

Having the quality of being courageous or having courage means you are the best person you can be always.

By Avery

Reflection

Today, we reflect on the quality of courage in Philippine’s life. Courage means strength in the face of pain, grief, or uncertainty. Courage comes from the Latin word cor, meaning "heart." Courage can be a small act, like hanging out with someone new, or a big thing, like going against what everyone else is doing.

As a young woman, Philippine was courageous when, during the French Revolution, she risked her life by starting a group called the Ladies of Mercy. During this time, priests had to hide, because the government persecuted Catholics. The Ladies of Mercy helped priests who were in hiding or in jail and also helped the sick and dying in Grenoble. Philippine's family also let a fugitive priest secretly live with them during the Revolution. These were acts of great courage, because if they were caught, they could be arrested or even executed for associating with priests.

To me, the biggest example of Philippine's courage is when she decided to sail across the Atlantic and become a missionary in the New World. Philippine was going to have to leave everything she knew and loved and go to a land of wilderness and hardship. She likely knew that she would never be able to return to her home, France. During their seventy-day voyage, Philippine and the passengers on the Rebecca faced storms, sea-sickness, and even an attack by pirates. Despite her fears, Philippine had so much faith in God; her courage is something many people would envy.

Philippine's courage is something we all should strive for. We should try more new things, allowing our lives to be filled with more possibilities.

Haley, Caroline & Abby

When have you been courageous?

I have had an experience of courage that turned out to be the reason for one of my best friends. She was new that year, and it must have been hard, because lots of people already knew each other, and she did not know any one. I went over and started talking to her, and she turned out to be one of my best friends. Philippine's example shows me to be courageous and not afraid. This challenges me to be more independent in my life. I usually just follow what everyone else is doing, because it seems like the only way to do something. Today, as I reflect on the quality of courage in Philippine's life, I ask God to help me be more outspoken and make my own decisions.

Caroline

Once, when I had to speak in front of the whole school during Mass, it scared me. It scared me because I have stage fright and when I have to speak, I freeze up and get very nervous. However, before I spoke, someone talked before me. This helped me overcome my stage fright, because I saw the way the girl talked before me, and I modeled myself after her. Today, as I reflect on the quality of courage in Philippine's life, I will focus on how to live courage in my life and encourage others to do the same.

Hope

I can think of a time when my mom reminded me of Philippine when she showed courage. My mom loves to run, and once she ran a marathon, which encouraged me to achieve what I want in life, like how my mom did in her own. Philippine has taught me the quality of courage, which can help me in day-to-day life. Courage can help us with little things, such as making new friends, as well as larger things, like performing in front of the whole school.

Maggie

One way that I've had to be courageous is when I made the decision to come to Villa [last year]. This was so hard for me, because I barely knew anyone, and it was so different from my last school. I had to make such huge decisions, and I think that it took courage to change everything.

Abby

Questions for Reflection

What fears are holding me back from becoming the person I want to be?

Who are the people in my life who model courage for me?

How is God calling me to live with courage today?

Prayer

Loving God,

You gave Philippine the courage to face her fears and cross frontiers.

Grant us strength to step beyond our own comfort zones into new possibilities,

and help us encourage others to do the same.

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

Amen.