God Knows Us By Heart

As I reflect on the end of our pilgrimage, there is so much gratitude. We left enlivened and re-energized by the stories of the first sisters, the wisdom of Sister Joan and Sister Kitty and the passion of our trip leaders. The first sisters knew their identity in God and knew that God was calling them to greater things. It is from this understanding that they had the courage to fearlessly respond to God’s plan. Through loving others without distinction, the sisters echoed and still echo God’s love for all. On the trip, we had the opportunity to visit Mother St. John Fontbonne’s living quarters. Barely escaping the guillotine, she is the one who revitalized the congregation after the French Revolution. We walked up the same steps Mother St. John walked on--the same steps of someone who had unbridled courage and strength. She sent the first sisters to the United States and if it were not for her, the congregation would not be what it is today. How did she gather the courage and the strength to revitalize an entire community? I believe it was her faith--she knew her identity in God and responded to her call. On our last night of pilgrimage, Sister Joan and Sister Kitty gave us a special blessing. We’re all familiar with the phrase “I know it by heart,” usually referencing a memorization of some sort,  but the sisters made the statement more profound. They said to each of us, “God knows you by heart.” Just as the first sisters, knowing this, gives us a courage that is beyond comprehension--the courage to follow God’s call for our lives with boldness. So as we all left France, we were filled with the joy of our identity and thus ready to confidently tell the inspiring stories of the Sisters of St. Joseph.