Quotations from St Claude's Sermons, writings and conversation
His comment on his vocation to religious life:
I had a terrible loathing for the life I was undertaking when I decided to be a religious.
As a person with a very artistic temperament and a love for music, literature, books, friendship he thought that he was leaving all this forever. Later he was to write:
It is true that it is only the first steps that are difficult, that the road to be travelled soon widens out and that one walks in it with fewer problems and a great deal more freedom than in the primrose path that leads to perdition.
Speaking to St. Margaret Mary, he said:
You must remember that God demands everything from you and He demands nothing.
His Retreat Notes of 1674 reveal his devotion to Our Lady:
I resolved never again to ask anything from God without recourse to the intercession of Mary.
His comment on the limitations of talking and even preaching are reminiscent of the assertion of St Thérèse of Lisieux that it is 'only suffering that saves souls.'
What foolishness to think that with a few words uttered in passing, one can do what cost Jesus Christ so much.
He reminds religious that they are called to labour:
Leaving the world and becoming a religious are two very different things
Holiness is something so great and precious that one cannot pay too much for it.
Words of the Lord to Margaret Mary which Claude took to heart.
He is all powerful who puts no trust in himself in order to put all his trust in Me.
Fr John Wall, a Franciscan priest spent Hallowe’en in Claude’s room in St James’ Palace, where they discussed spiritual matters all through the night. In the morning Fr. Wall said Mass in the room. Afterwards, he said:
“When I was in his presence I thought that I was dealing with St. John returned to earth to rekindle that fire of love in the Heart of Christ”.
Less than a year later John Wall was hanged, drawn and quartered in Worcester Jail. He was canonised as one of the English martyrs in 1970.
Promise of Our Lord to Margaret Mary, referring to St Claude:
I will send you my faithful servant and perfect friend who will teach you to know me and to abandon yourself to me.
From the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska during her eight-day retreat beginning on 20 October, 1936.
"I have chosen St. Claude La Colombière and St. Gertrude as my patron saints for this retreat that they may intercede for me before the Mother of God and the merciful Saviour"
Faustina’s Diary: 728.
|
