Benefits of Persecution

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I read this today and wanted to add this saint amoung all the other saints and us, the saints in making, to this great thread.

“If there are many persecutions, there are many testings; where there are many crowns of victory, there are many trials of strength. It is then to your advantage if there are many persecutors; among many persecutions you may more easily find a path to victory.”
St. Ambrose on Martyrdom

This reflection comes from “Abundant Life” Grace Lines:
What “path to victory” have I found in past persecutions? How does this help me seek the path to victory in my current trial?
 
Joysong said:
Jim,

That is an interesting bit of news regarding the mental illness of the superior who abused St. Bernadette. As you know, In Carmel, we elect our officers, so it is hard for me to understand how this woman became Mother Superior? Do you think her illness was not discovered until years afterwards? Also in Carmel, the elections are not for long periods of time, and an unsuitable person can be removed from office through a new election. Do you think her behavior towards Bernadette was so secret that the others never noticed?

Kind of puzzling, so if you are able to shed any light, I would appreciate it.
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Joysong,
well the nun in Bernadette’s case was not superior of the convent, but novice superior. I may have made the mistake on this. I’m not exactly sure how she got to hold this position, but the mentality in those days was that suffering was the only true path to heaven. I guess having an abusive novice mistress, only helped to supply the needed suffering. 🙂 Also, it’s not definite that the nun was mentally ill, but it is thought that maybe she was. Reading about her behavior certainly can lead you to believe she was.

The thing I love about Bernadette so much, is her humility.

I’m going through a little bit of persecution right now from a manager at work and this thread is a wake up call for me and a reminder of how Bernadette would handle my situation.

In Carmel
Jim
 
Joysong said:
Last night on EWTN, Penny and Bob Lord gave precious insights into the life of St. Bernadette, to whom appeared Our Lady of Lourdes.

Has anyone here been the beneficiary of this type of abuse and found that it actually strengthened them in virtue?
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This is somewhat private, but since no one on these forums knows me personally, I feel that I can share a bit of my experiences without falling prey to the sin of spiritual pride.

Please bear with me all …

I returned back to the Church some 10 years ago with such a vigor for wanting to know the Truth (no doubt a grace from God), that I asked Him to take my life into His hands and do whatever He pleased with it.

To crush it completely if need be, asking only that He would allow me the grace to know that it was His Will that was being done, and not mine.

And then it started.

The attacks have been at times, ferocious. Regular. Relentless even (but never without periods of manifest graces to get through it).

And so it was not long before my life (as I had known it) was completely decimated, and in rather short order.
  • My wife of 10 years had abandoned me
  • I was let go from my job
  • The circle of people that I could trust and confide in had dwindled down to almost zero
  • My finances were destroyed
  • Even my beloved pets died suddenly - one right after the other
    Then I saw how my local diocese was teaching outright heresy, and in so many areas that I was overwhelmed beyond belief. One by one, most of them pushed me away from activities because of my firm allegiance and love for God’s Holy Magisterium.
And now even recently, my father and brother have left me to the wolves.

What a ride.

Lessons from all this? You bet.

Extraordinary one’s in fact. One’s that I wouldn’t give up for all the gold and riches in the world.
  • I learned to trust fully in God, and God alone.
  • I learned how to pray and cry on my knees to God, sometimes for months and months at a time
  • I learned to love the saints, and especially the Blessed Mother
  • I was shown how evil can manifest itself through other people, and how that could be used as a route to find a way towards myself
  • I saw how love and humility was the only way to fight many of those attacks (very difficlut lesson to be learned there, one’s that I’m still trying to perfect)
  • When seeing these things in others, I was able to take notice of how some of these negative attributes also existed in myself (good lesson in humility here)
    I could go on and on, but now I should be silent.
Yes. Persecution is awful to experience. I would never ask for it myself, but when it comes from God, nothing else helps to refine a soul as does it’s pointed barbs.

Regrets? Absolutely none.

Guess that says it all. But even through all this, I still feel like I’ve only stepped up onto the first wrung of the ladder of spiritual learning. Definitely a work in progress …

But He still allowed me to retain my sense of humor through it all.

Thank You Jesus.
 
Joysong said:
Last night on EWTN, Penny and Bob Lord gave precious insights into the life of St. Bernadette, to whom appeared Our Lady of Lourdes.

What I was not aware of was the persecution that was constantly showered upon St. Bernadette by her religious superior while she was in the convent. Apparently, it made her a saint, in spite of suffering these onslaughts. Has anyone here been the beneficiary of this type of abuse and found that it actually strengthened them in virtue?

Someone questioned in this section why God permits the devil to attack us, but I see it as an exceptionally wonderful way to grow spiritually. Not only that, but the very sufferings these abusers cause, if accepted in charity and offered for them, may well be the means of their conversion.

I recall reading about similar persecutions upon St. Faustina and a few others. Any insights?
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yes i have been. it made my faith stronger and it returned me to the True Church. i was constantly ridiculed by my ex in laws over my family’s belief and faith, Catholicism. It only made me stronger and made me defend it even more. I eventually returned home after all the ridicule they put me through. you know, it retrospect, they did me a favor!
 
DBT said:
I have a business partner who’s notorious for making very public, personal attacks - kind of in the vein of The Donald and Rosie. 🙂 Circumstances are such that I will likely be joined to the hip with this particular individual until the day I retire…
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I am reminded of a quote from St Josemaria Escriva:

“Don’t say, “That person bothers me.” Think that person sanctifies me.”
 
yes i have been. it made my faith stronger and it returned me to the True Church. i was constantly ridiculed by my ex in laws over my family’s belief and faith, Catholicism. It only made me stronger and made me defend it even more. I eventually returned home after all the ridicule they put me through. you know, it retrospect, they did me a favor!
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So many are sharing how much they grew from trials, and I thank you too, Marilena. I can sense there is a beauty in you, with softness and a gentle nature, such lovely virtues! I know of your problems at home with your daughter, too, and no doubt this has stretched your faith tremendously to trust in God. Parents today have much to suffer over their little ones.

I think we are begining to feel comfort from one another through this thread, knowing how others have stood at the cross, yet overcome in triumph! May God keep you close to Himself.
 
Dear Frank,

Such a beautiful witness to glorify God and strengthen your family here! You have certainly been in troubled waters, to say the least! Many of your words struck home to me, for I also had similar trials … I lost everything dear to me in life, as well. No regrets or bitterness, either, which is a common denominator of God’s wonderful grace.

There is a poignant little passage in Hinds Feet on High Places where the Lord said to Miss Much Afraid, “bread corn is not crushed forever … but only until it is readied for its highest purpose.”

We can both say to others that though we were crushed, God meant it for good and we are victorious!
 
In the movie ‘Song of Bernadette’ the novice mistress does repent of persecuting Bernadette, after it comes to light how ill Bernadette is and how painful her illness has been. It’s very moving that whole plot twist.

Is that true to life? or did the movie take some liberties there?
 
Joysong said:
Dear Frank,

Such a beautiful witness to glorify God and strengthen your family here! You have certainly been in troubled waters, to say the least! Many of your words struck home to me, for I also had similar trials … I lost everything dear to me in life, as well. No regrets or bitterness, either, which is a common denominator of God’s wonderful grace.

There is a poignant little passage in Hinds Feet on High Places where the Lord said to Miss Much Afraid, “bread corn is not crushed forever … but only until it is readied for its highest purpose.”

We can both say to others that though we were crushed, God meant it for good and we are victorious!
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**AMEN Joysong!

AMEN!**
 
Joysong said:
Has anyone here been the beneficiary of this type of abuse and found that it actually strengthened them in virtue?
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It is great to be vindicated by God and made more humble and forgiving through grace when persecuted. I heard a priest sum this up once by saying that “what the Gospel says really is true!” - i.e., that God will give us lots of graces and even fight our battles for us when we are being unjustly persecuted if we let Him and we trust Him. I have experienced that in small ways.

The thing is, I have also been the persecutor. It was always because I felt somebody had some fault that needed correction and I felt I was the one to do it. When the scales fell from my eyes, it was very embarrassing - but I learned that, unless it is specifically made plain that it is my job to correct somebody (like if I was his job supervisor or something like that), that otherwise it is my job to bear with the faults (real or perceived) of others as patiently and charitably as I can. And that God is the one who corrects and He does it a lot better than I can.
 
My goodness, Urban, it has been ages! How good it is to see you again! :yup: We lost touch when the big crash came.

You raised a very good point to think about, with your mention of the nun repenting, and God fighting our battles. It is hard to let go and watch Him work. Too often, we think we can help Him out a little and fix up His universe. 😛 Like you, I have seen a turn-around in some for whom I prayed and we are good friends now. Who but God could have done that miracle!
but I learned that, unless it is specifically made plain that it is my job to correct somebody (like if I was his job supervisor or something like that), that otherwise it is my job to bear with the faults (real or perceived) of others as patiently and charitably as I can.
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Urban, who could forget your many posts where you patiently helped so many. I hope you are not referring to these, for I truly believe God spoke through you. Many times I felt the Spirit in your words and was lifted by them. I will share something bizarre over one thread we were on together in pm.

While we are still on topic, has anyone noticed that after the trials, God restores much of what was lost? Similar to the story of Job? And in a much better way than we could ever expect? Can everyone see my invisible smilie jumping up and down with a raised hand shouting “yes!”?

There’s hope!
 
urban-hermit said:
In the movie ‘Song of Bernadette’ the novice mistress does repent of persecuting Bernadette, after it comes to light how ill Bernadette is and how painful her illness has been. It’s very moving that whole plot twist.

Is that true to life? or did the movie take some liberties there?
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The movie, starying Jennifer Jones, although one of my favorites, is not accurate in the details of Bernadette or the apparitions. They took license with the history for dramatic effect. It is essentially correct as far as Bernadette having visions, and some of the things said. But details are left out that would’ve been difficult to explain in a movie.
You need to read the book,St. Bernadette Soubirous: 1844-1879 (Paperback) , by Francois Trochu.
Father Trochu, left no stone unturned in this book. What really hit me is the journal Bernadette kept while she was a nun at the convent in Nevers. Although she was thought to be a stupid girl, her writing is like something from a doctor of the Church.

The nun in the convent is not the same nun that Bernadette had in school. There is no idea if the nun in the convent ever repented, because at the time, no one new she was so abusive. In fact, the nun was probably dead by the time Bernadette’s life was written about. Also, being a cloistered order, they wouldn’t have known much about the nun outside of Bernadette’s story.

For those interested, here are pictures I took of St. Bernadette, as she lies in the chapel at the convent in Nevers, France.

home.comcast.net/~jrichardocds/STBERN.gif

home.comcast.net/~jrichardocds/STBERN2.GIF

Jim
 
Joysong said:
My goodness, Urban, it has been ages! How good it is to see you again! :yup: We lost touch when the big crash came.
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It’s good to see you too - thanks for your warm greeting and your kindness. The “big crash” separated many of us temporarily … but, ya know, absence makes the heart grow fonder and it’s like a lot of reunions are happening now - I’m having a good day today 🙂
Joysong said:
While we are still on topic, has anyone noticed that after the trials, God restores much of what was lost? Similar to the story of Job? And in a much better way than we could ever expect? Can everyone see my invisible smilie jumping up and down with a raised hand shouting “yes!”?

There’s hope!
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A M E N !
“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him” (Romans 8:28)
 
JimR-OCDS said:
The movie, starying Jennifer Jones, although one of my favorites, is not accurate in the details of Bernadette or the apparitions. …

You need to read the book,St. Bernadette Soubirous: 1844-1879 (Paperback) , by Francois Trochu.
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Thanks Jim I will check out that book.

Also I looked at your pictures - that was cool. St Bernadette entered eternal life about 128 years ago yet she still looks nearly the same as when she was alive. How do atheists like Richard Dawkins (who recently tried to cast doubt upon Lourdes in a TV show he made in England) explain this? How do atheists like that manage to get any respect whatsoever? For a scientist and a supposed smarty, he doesn’t make much sense. In a way they are still trying to persecute Bernadette and they are still failing miserably and she is sleeping peacefully through it all, her own countenance a silent refutation of everything they try to say.

It reminds me of a scene in the movie ‘Song of Bernadette’ when the jealous Sister Marie Therese tells Bernadette she doesn’t believe her visions and then says a kind of sarcastic “good night”. But Bernadette responds with a genuine “good night” without a trace of bitterness. Then she rolls over and goes to sleep as if nothing was wrong, while Sister Therese kneels down to pray through the night in a vain attempt at sanctity. It really was quite funny! With the gift of God’s grace, we can also have His wonderful peace and not hold any grudges. It boggles my mind that something so simple can be such an impenetrable armor against evil.
 
When I read the following Scriptures this morning, it immediately reminds me many good sharing of yours on this thread.

“We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.” (Corinthians 4: 7-15)

Praise the Lord that we may sustain and do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
 
“Benefits of Persecution”?

Matthew 5 says it all:

**10. *Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ***
**11. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. **
**12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. **
13. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

Amen.
 
So many beautiful posts. I’ve been reading and following this thread. I’ve read and re-read all of the posts and I am going to copy all of them and save them because it lifts my heart, consoles my spirit, strengthens my hope, makes me trust in God during any sufferings and reminds me of the great love humans have in the hearts.

Thank you Carole for the thread and posts and thank you all of you who have posted.

God Bless you all, thank you all and in my prayers.
 
Joysong said:
Has anyone here been the beneficiary of this type of abuse and found that it actually strengthened them in virtue?
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I would tend to say that it was not the abuse that has strengthened me, but prayers to St. Michael that have been answered, along with the feeling of peace that comes from visiting Jesus in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel.

~~ the phoenix
 
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