From the Saint Vincent de Paul School and Social Institute in Beskinta, Lebanon, the poetic account by Sister Marie R. of a day welcomed as a ‘gift from heaven’ through the hands of Saint Jeanne Antide.
On 14 January, nature gave us an unexpected break.
A day off, not only because of the snow,
but as a delicate nod from Saint Jeanne-Antide,
on the very day she was canonised,
14 January 1934, by Pope Pius XI.
Like a gift from heaven, a message arrived:
No classes today.
So waking up was gentler
breakfast slower,
as if time itself were inviting us to savour the moment.
Snow covered the paths,
and our laughter soon covered the silence.
A snowball fight broke out,
joyful and fraternal,
under the benevolent gaze of Saint Jeanne-Antide,
whose discreet and joyful presence we could feel.
Then, faithfully, a hot meal brought us together,
because at her house, care for the body always goes hand in hand with care for the heart.
The afternoon reminded us of the essentials: prepare, study, move forward.
For the evening’s message was clear:
“Get ready to go back to class tomorrow. “
And so we ended this special day
gathered around Saint Jeanne-Antide,
in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving,
our hearts filled with peace,
convinced that in the midst of everyday life,
God also speaks to us through the snow,
the silence, the simple joys…
and the little miracles we share.
The Saint Vincent de Paul school and social institute in Beskinta
has a department for students who need specialised education.
