Philippine had a universal heart, an inclusive, wide tent and a porous boundary! She was constantly expanding the boundaries of her heart. As a child, she yearned to reach out to the poor of Grenoble; as an adolescent and a young nun she dreamed of working with native peoples across the ocean; as an old woman she longed to travel to the Rocky Mountains and beyond- even to China. Philippine courageously crossed frontiers that were not just geographic or political; she crossed frontiers of social class, language, culture and custom. Philippine’s circle of compassion was as wide as the world. Her deep desire was to bring the love of God, which she had come to know so intimately.
So what of us?
How broad is the tent of our own inclusion? How wide is the circle of our compassion? How porous are the boundaries of our hearts? For whom do our hearts hurt? If the answer is too narrow, it is useful to remember how Philippine’s Heart was universal. She opened her heart and spent copious amounts of time allowing God’s love, through Christ, to fill her, form her and, ultimately, to transform her. Philippine’s heart thus became increasingly revelatory of Christ’s Heart.
Thank you Ngumo community for the inspiring reflection. Happy Feast of St Rose Philippine Duchesne to you.
Jo, rscj
Thanks so much Ngumo community for this inspiring reflection. May our sister St. Rose Philippine accompany us as we cross different types of frontiers.