May 22 St Joachina de Vedruna de Mas Religious Optional Memorial

Joachina was born in Barcelona in 1783. She married Theodore de Mas in 1799 & bore him nine children before being widowed in 1816. Then in 1826 she was prompted by God’s Spirit to found the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity, which spread throughout Catalonia, establishing houses for the care of the sick & the education of children, especially the poor. She was greatly drawn to contemplating the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Her spiritual life was marked by prayer, mortification, detachment, humility & love. She died at Vich in 1854. 

From the Common of Holy Women (Religious), except the following:

Office of Readings

The Second Reading

Epist. Pp. 275, 246, 260, 297, 254, 297, 31

From the Letters of Saint Joachina de Verduna

Charity above all things

If only we were all on fire with love for God! If we were, we should preach love, proclaim love, & yet more love, until we had set the whole world on fire. We must have great desires: then God will give us whatever is best for us. 

We must be careful to free our hearts from everything that might get in the way of the pure lover of our beloved Jesus. He is love itself, & wants to give himself to us through love. Jesus is calling us all the time- how long are we going to remain deaf to his voice? No, let us keep our hearts ready, our wills completely for Jesus, our faculties & our senses for our Lord. 

There must be no undue attachment in our hearts for created things: they must burn with love alone, love ever more fervent; for love never says ‘enough,’ never rests until it is completely on fire. When our-hearts are completely on fire with pure love for Jesus, everything that might hinder lover from taking complete possession will be cast out. 

We must not give in to weariness: we must spend every minute in loving God. God alone, the maker of heaven & earth, must be our rest & our consolation. The love of God is the only thing we can possess for ever: everything else will pass away. 

Love, love, & yet more love- love that is never satisfied! The more we love God, the more we shall long to love him. And when we have Jesus in our hearts, we shall have everything else in him & with him. 

Responsory

R.

Remain in my love. 

--– Whoever lives in love, lives in God, & God in him (alleluia). 

I.

Follow the way of love, as Christ loved us & gave himself up for us. 

– Whoever lives in love, lives in God, & God in him (alleluia). 

Morning Prayer

Benedictus

By this all will know that you are my disciples: that you have love for one another (alleluia).

Prayer

Lord God,

You gave St Joachina de Vedruna to your Church for the Christian education of youth & the care of the sick. May we follow her example, & lovingly devote our lives to serving yo in our brothers & sisters. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit. God forever & ever. 

Evening Prayer

Magnificat

Whatsoever you do for one the least of my brethren, you do for me, says the Lord (alleluia).