Day 1: Vision

Reflection

Today, we reflect on a quality that Philippine showed many times throughout her life. It is vision. Vision has two different definitions. It can either mean the act or power of sensing with the eyes, or it can mean the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. Philippine had a vision of becoming a nun, educating children, and becoming a missionary to Native Americans. Throughout her long life and despite great hardships, Philippine remained true to the vision God placed on her heart as a young girl.

Since receiving her First Communion when she was twelve at Sainte Marie-d'en-Haut in Grenoble, Philippine knew she wanted to become a Visitation nun. But Philippine’s father, Mr. Duchesne, did not like these dreams. He took Philippine out of Ste. Marie and away from the Visitation order. Mr. Duchesne wanted her to marry a nice man and go to dances and parties, but these things were not important to Philippine. She continued following her vision, even while living at home again and caring for her younger siblings. Although Philippine was eventually able to join the Visitation nuns at age 18, the French Revolution forced her to return home a few years later after the convent was closed and the building was turned into a prison. These experiences challenged Philippine's dreams, but did not deter her. After meeting Madeleine Sophie Barat and becoming a Religious of the Sacred Heart, God breathed new life into her dream of being a nun and sharing the love of God as a missionary in the New World.

For me, the most striking aspect about Philippine’s quality of vision is that her vision was always about helping others and making the world a better place. It was never about benefiting herself. Throughout her life, Philippine continued to fulfill these visions with same amount of passion, even when she had to wait years to do so, and was very sick and frail.

Philippine's vision, her way of looking at the world, was powerful. Her vision is something I deeply desire. Sometimes it is very hard for me to see the glass half full rather than half empty. This is a quality I need to work on, but Philippine inspires me to strengthen this quality. Her life shows me that not everything comes easily at first. Even if everything seems like it is failing, I need to remember what Philippine went through to get to the success she had in the end.

Ava, Cecelia & Maeve

Questions for Reflection

What dreams or visions has God placed on my heart?

Do I give up on my dreams too easily?

How can Philippine's vision inspire me today?

Prayer

Loving God,

You gave Philippine a vision of spreading Your love to the ends of the earth.

Help us to know and follow Your dreams for our lives,

and give us the grace to persevere during times of disappointment, difficulty, and delay.

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

Amen.