Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Day 276 -- Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew


When I read about Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew today I wanted to write about her and let more people know about her life. She was born as Anne Garcia on October 1, 1549 in Spain. Even though I do not know much about her life, she did a remarkable thing in my eyes...she was there for her friend. At age 20 she became a lay Carmelite and was under the direction of Saint Teresa of Avila. Blessed Anne became Saint Teresa's secretary and close friend to Saint Teresa and Saint Teresa died in Anne's arms.

Blessed Anne worked on the Carmelite reform in France and became the Prioress of the houses in Tours and Pontoise. She founded the Carmelite house in Antwerp, Belgium in 1612. She also wrote poetry and some has survived to today. She died in Antwerp on June 7, 1626. She was beatified on May 6, 1917 and awaits canonization.

"Silence is precious; by keeping silence and knowing how to listen to God, the soul grows in wisdom and God teaches it what it cannot learn from men."


Over the months and years, friendships have meant so much to me and to find a true friend is a God-given gift. The quote which I relate to most to about friendship is from Sirach 6. I thank the Lord every day for my friends.

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God find; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself."

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