Sometimes you have to say ‘no’ to a good thing!
That’s what happened to St. Margaret Mary when she returned from the convent to the French village of Verosvres. After spending years forming her faith among the Poor Clares and nearly dying from illness, she was thrown back into everyday village life.
She even received a proposal of marriage from Claude Tassy. He offered wealth, comfort, and restored status to her poor family. Her mother was thrilled and urged her to accept!
But Margaret Mary didn’t feel joy when she received the marriage proposal. Her heart was still drawn to a convent that she had visited years earlier, the Sisters of the Visitation in Paray-le-Monial. Despite the hustle and bustle of village life, she could still feel Jesus calling her to the convent.
One evening while she was returning from a village dance, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary as He did during the Passion – suffering and scourged. He asked her why she wasn’t keeping her promise to enter religious life. “Do not delay,” Jesus said.
So in 1671, at the age of 24, St. Margaret Mary rejected Claude’s proposal and entered the Visitation convent. She said no to a good thing (marriage) for a better thing (what Jesus was calling her to).
Sometimes you have to say no to a good thing in order to follow Jesus. You might miss a football game to make it to Mass. You might have to pass up a hamburger on a Friday. But if it’s what Jesus wants – it’s worth it!
PRAY WITH US AT 7PM CT
Join us tonight on the Family Rosary Across America at 7pm CT to pray for Pope Leo XIV and for our families – that we might all hear what Jesus asks and have the courage to follow Him.
And now, you can also join our Family Rosary Across America text group by texting “PRAY” to 914914 for updates and reminders to pray with us during this novena.
See you at the Rosary!
