Dear Angie,

I am afraid I don’t have much time to write, but I wanted to assure you of my continued prayers for your special intention.  Fear not, God would never put in your heart such a deep desire to give your life to his service just to frustrate you. Maybe today’s saint can serve as an encouragement.  

She grew up in northern France, in a well-to-do family, and (like you) she felt from a very early age a strong calling to religious life.  Unfortunately, her parents had other plans (sound familiar?). They had arranged a marriage for her with a popular and influential noble family down the street.  But her heart was still bent on belonging solely to Christ. So she fervently prayed for a miracle to avoid the marriage. And, well, she got one: she became a leper.  Shocked and sickened, her betrothed called off the marriage and married someone else. So she was free to enter the convent. And as soon as she took the veil, her leprosy disappeared.  Miracles continued to follow her throughout her life, as they did her various relatives who were also recognized as saints.

The lesson is clear, albeit somewhat dramatic.  St Peter put it very well in his first New Testament Letter: “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)  If you follow that advice, how can you go wrong? And now, I must go. More later.

Your devoted uncle, Eddy