On the afternoon of November 27, 1830, a Daughter of Charity, St. Catherine Labouré, was praying in a chapel in Paris,...
Benito Martinez
Working for the Needy for Free and without Making Noise • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | December 1, 2017 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The Miraculous Medal (Reflection)
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | November 24, 2017 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Selfish or Individualistic • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | November 17, 2017 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
The Vincentian Family, Disoriented • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | November 10, 2017 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Selfish or Individualistic • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Nov 17, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
"My Most Honored Father, I cannot wait any longer to tell you of the state I was in during my little retreat. I...
The Vincentian Family, Disoriented • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Nov 10, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
"I can no longer hide the sorrow of my heart at hearing that much is to be desired in you. [...] Where is the spirit...
Organizing our Service • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Sep 1, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
My very dear Sister, I entreat Jesus, born into this world and the sole object of our love, to be your strength and consolation at the beginning of this new year. [...] I just now received your dear letter and I am going to repeat what I have already told you...
Updating the Vincentian Family • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jul 14, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
The Procurator General "asked me if we considered ourselves regular or secular. I told him that we aspired only to the latter. He told me that such a thing was without precedent [...]. He said many good things about the Company and added that he did not disapprove of...
Being Grateful • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jul 7, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Students have finished the course 2016-2017 in Spain, and holidays are starting; it maybe be a good occasion to stop to thank God, the community and all, for the favors that have made us during this course. Saint Louise may serve as an example. “Your grapes are...
The Holy Trinity, the Group Standard • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jun 30, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
At 59, Saint Louise had the illusion and energy to send Daughters of Charity to the distant Hennebont, in French Brittany. She was afraid that, by living so far from Paris, the community would relax and disappear. In this letter thery are told that only if they live...
For the Feast of Saint Peter, Apostle • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jun 23, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Saint Louise de Marillac wrote to St. Vincent: "If your Charity heard Our Lord say what He seems to me to have said to you, in the person of Saint Peter, I hope it was that He wanted to build this Company on your Charity" (L. 199). She encouraged the Daughters of...
We Are Living the Times of the Holy Spirit • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jun 16, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
"Souls that are truly poor and desirous of serving God should place their trust in the coming of the Holy Spirit within them believing that, finding no resistance in them, He will give them the disposition necessary to accomplish the holy will of God which should be...
Friendship • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jun 9, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
"Mon Dieu, my dear daughter, how your letter and the thoughts [you] sent to me console me! Indeed, I must confess to you that the feeling has spread through every part of my soul" (CCD I, 34). "What shall I tell you now about the one whom your heart loves so dearly in...
You Cannot Live without Trust • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jun 2, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
St. Louise affirmed that trust in God is one of the two pillars of the Company of the Daughters of Charity. And she explained it to Saint Vincent: “I do not know if I am mistaken, but I think Our Lord will always desire more confidence than prudence to maintain the...
Ascension and Pentecost • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | May 26, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
“Souls that are truly poor and desirous of serving God should place their trust in the coming of the Holy Spirit within them believing that, finding no resistance in them, He will give them the disposition necessary to accomplish the holy will of God which should be...