As Spiritans around
the world prepare for our 300th anniversary in 2003 it may be helpful
for us to reflect upon the workings of the Holy Spirit in helping us
to discern the direction of our Congregation. To this end we turn to
the writings of our founders:
Claude Poullart des Places on Discernment
O my God, guide to the heavenly Jerusalem for
those who really trust in you, I have recourse to your divine
providence. I abandon myself entirely to you. I give up my own
inclinations, appetites and will in order blindly to follow yours. Be
good enough to show me what you want me to do so that I may follow
here below the way of life you have traced out for me. May I serve
you during my pilgrimage in a way which is agreeable to you and may
you shower on me all the graces I always need to offer the glory due
to your divine majesty!
Claude Poullart des Places while on retreat in 1701
trying to discern his calling in life.
From Led by the Spirit
by Sean Farragher, p. 71.
Francis Libermann on Direction
The following may help you for your manner of
acting in general. A ship has its sails and its rudder. The wind
blows into the sail and makes the ship move in the desired direction.
It advances by means of the sails and takes a general direction.
Nevertheless, this direction would be too vague and could even put
the ship astray. That is what the rudder is for; it steers the ship
exactly in the direction it should take without going astray at all.
"Your soul is the ship, your heart represents the sail, the Holy
Spirit is the wind; he breathes into your will and the soul goes
forward, forward to the end God destined for it. Your mind is the
rudder that must prevent you from straying outside the straight line
determined by the divine goodness, as could happen from the strength
and liveliness given to your heart."
(ND VII 148) From A Gentle Way
to God by Alphonse Gilbert, p. 76
Welcome
to the site of the TransCanada Province of the Spiritans. We are a
Roman Catholic Religious Congregation of over three thousand members,
founded in 1703. Our missions are spread worldwide. While we may be
found involved in many diverse ministries, we have dedicated
ourselves to working with the poor and in those situations where the
Church has difficulty in finding ministers. We hope you enjoy your
visit to our site and that while browsing you will keep us in your
prayers. May God bless you.
