11 April 1799 – Jeanne Antide’s obedience to the Church and our own

To mark the anniversary of the foundation of the Sisters of Charity on 11 April 1799 in Besançon, we join in the celebration of the renewal of the religious vows of our sisters in Vietnam. According to the tradition of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, Saint Jeanne-Antide attached special importance to the Solemnity of the Annunciation, establishing that on this occasion all sisters who had taken their perpetual vows should renew their commitment to follow Christ, uniting their own “Yes” with Mary’s “Yes”.

To follow her example and live according to Mary’s perfect model, we ask our Foundress for her intercession, that each of us may know how to live the spirit of the ‘Yes’ in our own lives. Every day, God continues to invite each of us to enter into his plan of love. Do we dare to respond as Saint Jeanne Antide did? When we fulfil our duty to serve our neighbour, when we embrace life’s challenges, let us too say our little “Yes”.

Mary’s “Yes” does not belong to the past, but still resounds in today’s world, becoming a source of inspiration for so many souls in search of the truth.

Mary’s “Yes” is a sign of steadfast faith, of trust without hesitation. Faced with the unexpected announcement, Mary’s heart could not help but feel a certain unease. A simple young woman, living quietly in the village of Nazareth, was now called to bear the Son of God in her womb. How could such a young girl embrace such a great mystery? In an instant, God laid before Mary his countless plans, and made her feel all her smallness as a humble creature. Yet, instead of letting herself be overwhelmed by fear, Mary chose to believe, to entrust herself. Her faith was not a passive faith, but a living faith, ready to commit even without clearly seeing the path ahead. It is precisely thanks to this faith that the Mother became ‘blessed among women’ (Lk 1:42), she became the one whom God chose above all others to bring about God’s work of salvation.

The ‘Yes’ is not only a response of faith, but also a sign of humility and total love for God. Mary did not ask, ‘Why me?’, nor did she seek any guarantee or promise. She was not concerned with what she might lose, but was interested only in what God desired of her. In saying ‘Yes’, she completely renounced her own will, to live entirely for the Lord.

In particular, today, O Mary, grant that I may know how to say “Yes” like you in every event of life, so that God’s will may be manifested in me, so that I may not force others to always do as I wish, so that I may not place my own will above all else, but may know how to place God’s will above all else and fulfil it always with all my love.

Hoàn Nguyễn sdc