The Cross and the Heart

Yesterday, the artist Stephen B Whatley unveiled on social media his latest saintly commission: a painting of St Philippine Duchesne, for one of our American schools - in time for her 255th birthday, later this month. It depicts her fulfilling her longing of many years, to work with native Americans: the longing which brought her to America, though deferred for over 20 years, while she had to focus, instead, on establishing schools, leading communities and all the busyness this entailed.

The painting depicts Philippine, yes; but what struck me was what lies at its centre - at its heart - and what is the focus of the child's gaze: Philippine's profession cross, with a large heart at its own heart. 

The cross, symbol and reminder for us of Love - Love's sacrifice and total self-giving, but also Love's triumph over all that is not love. And her profession cross, sign of Philippine's vowed commitment to Love, and to making Love known, lived with fidelity and tenacity, and with passion... and of Love's eternal, steadfast, all-embracing commitment to Philippine, upholding her through every trial, sickness and setback, through every failure and period of loneliness. Upholding her, and blessing her, with grace and growth, and the deepest desires of her heart.

And the heart at its heart... The Heart of Jesus, to whose glory Philippine was consecrated, and whose tender, abundant, unlimited love she had pledged to know and make known, in countless ways. 

The Cross and the Heart at the heart of Philippine's heart, and of her vocation and entire life... the Cross and the Heart I am called to keep at the heart of mine. 

Today in the Society, we are celebrating the election of a new Superior General. Please pray for her, and for all of us, for courage and confidence, and plenty of heart, as we seek to live our mission of and for love, in an increasingly divided world.