When Nicolette was born in France in 1381, her carpenter father called her “Colette” as a nickname and it stuck. She was orphaned at 17, then became a Franciscan tertiary and lived as an anchoress in solitude for four years. She had a vision of St. Francis who instructed her to reform the Order of the Poor Clares. When she hesitated, she was struck blind and mute for three days. Seeing this as a sign from God, she entered the Poor Clares and walked barefoot from convent to convent to institute reform. She performed several miracles, helped St. Vincent Ferrer end the papal schism, and founded 17 new convents which are today known as the Colettine Sisters that still follow her rule.
CHALLENGE
When St. Colette attempted to enact her reforms to reorient the Poor Clares towards poverty, humility, prayer, and simplicity, she ran into stiff opposition. She succeeded because she persevered in following God’s call. Today, pray St. Colette’s prayer, then spend half an hour in meditative prayer to discern God’s call for you.
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