An Invitation to Pray with our Saints …

At the end of the 19th century seven Franciscan Missionaries of Mary had been sent to China to care for women, orphans, the sick and youth.  These Sisters were killed during the Boxer Rebellion on July 9, 1900, along with two Franciscan bishops, several seminarians and dedicated lay Chinese. 

God’s extravagant love had touched the lives of these Sisters and they were impelled to share it with others.  Who were these courageous women?

You are invited to pray with these saints ….  Quietly reflect on their words uttered over a century ago.  Are they relevant to me?  How do they speak to my life today?

With the psalmist -

Turn to God, be bright with joy,
you shall never be let down …
Live in awe of God …
you will want for nothing.     (Psalm 34)

Marie Hermine de Jésus

  • Blessed be God in all God sends!

  • Christ is with me, what have I to fear?

  • All is possible to those who love.

Marie de Ste. Nathalie

  • I must always give thanks.

  • I put all my good will in my works.  I do not always succeed but I am always happy.

Maria Chiara

  • Patience!  Ever onward!  Let us serve Jesus with all our heart. 

  • May Jesus enlighten my spirit and give me the grace to accomplish His divine will with diligence and love.

Marie de Saint Just

  • How good is our God!  I wish to understand this and conform my life to this knowledge.
  • All that we do through love of God is great in God’s eyes.

Marie Adolphine

  • God is everywhere, and it matters little where we serve God. 

  • Life is short.  We must live fervently these short days of our earthly pilgrimage.

Maria della Pace

  • To love God, to belong entirely to God, what dignity!

  • My only consolation is Jesus! I am so happy when I am near Him; I wish never to leave Him.

Marie Amandine

  • What shall I render you, O Lord, in thanksgiving? … I have nothing but my life.    

  • I am ready for all that Jesus will ask of me;  I am entirely His.

Blessed Mary of the Passion wrote to all the sisters after the news of the martyrdom:  “I can say with St. Francis, now I have seven true Franciscan Missionaries of Mary … Let us be proud of our Hermine and her companions.… It seems to me that the hour has come to call all of you to a greater love of Our Lord.  Study Jesus.  Contemplate Him in the Gospel … Only when you know Jesus perfectly will you be able to give him your heart.” 

All honor to God, the Giver of Life,
to Christ the Risen One, and to the Spirit, Bond of Love.
Let glory and praise be sung!

 

For more information:

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary - Generalate

Via Giusti, 12; 00 185 Roma, Italy