A quote of St. Catherine Labouré:
St. Catherine Labouré
“Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to him, Lord I am here. Tell me what you would have me to do. If he gives me some task, I am content and I thank him. If he gives me nothing, I still thank him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then, I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell him about my pains and joys, and then I listen. If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen. God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply.”
Shown below: here are a few of our favorite .famvin articles on listening… to God and to our neighbor. (Go to the full article by clicking on the image or the title.)
Part Vincentian. Part Benedictine. Listening.
Listening is a skill that takes practice […] Now, I am asking more questions in prayer and trying to listen with the ear of my heart. It brought me this far, and listening is my daily practice.
Listen more, speak less
A group of ten-year-old students of the “San Vicente de Paúl” School of Barbastro, Huesca (Spain) offer a reflection.
Are You Listening?
We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. White noise and static seem to surround our communication pathways. The image represents talking and listening in parallel conversations that sometimes cross but sometimes collide as well.
Anyone Listening?
It is rare in society that the poor find a listening audience. No one typically seeks their opinion. They are not seated at decision-making tables.
Listen in Silence -- Feel the Joy
God’s voice is waiting in the scriptures, in Christian music, in that spiritual book you’ve got sitting on your table, in your children or your spouse or the friend you “accidentally” bump into.
“After dinner, be sure to get the doctor’s orders and to prepare and take the medicines to the sick. That’s very easy. Afterward, take time to read a chapter of some book of devotion. Don’t ever miss this, Sisters; it’s something very easy and very necessary; for, in the morning you speak to God at mental prayer; and in your reading, God speaks to you. If you want your prayers to be heard by God, listen to God in the reading. There’s no less benefit and happiness in listening to God than in speaking to Him. That’s why I strongly recommend that you do your utmost not to miss it and, if possible, to spend a little time in prayer afterward.” – St. Vincent de Paul to Daughters of Charity, June 13, 1643. IX:95
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