In 1881, David Galván-Bermúdez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. His mother died when he was three, and his father remarried. He worked in his father’s shoe shop, and then at 14 he entered the seminary. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted to be a priest, so he dropped out at 19 and went back to the shoe shop. He dabbled in debauchery and even got arrested once for being drunk and hitting his girlfriend, but the priesthood called him back. The seminary made him spend a year on probation before they readmitted him, and he was ordained at 28. He helped the poor and orphans and taught at the seminary as the Christero War was underway. At the age of 34, he was accused of helping rebels, arrested, and martyred by a firing squad.
CHALLENGE
St. David Galván-Bermúdez lost his way but found his way back. Unfortunately, many people lose their way and never find their way back. Today, think of someone you know who was on a good path and lost their way. Encourage them to not let it define them, so they can pick up where they left off or start new.
In France in 1572, Jane Frances Frémyot was born to the president of the local parliament. Her mother died when Jane was only 18 months old, and her devout father ensured Jane was well-raised and educated. When she was 21 he arranged for her to be married to the Baron de Chantal, a son of one of his friends. Jane had four children before the Baron was killed in a hunting accident, and widowed at 28, she moved in with her father-in-law to secure her children’s inheritance. Under the spiritual direction of St. Francis de Sales she founded the Congregation of the Visitation, an order for women whose health or age prevented them from joining other orders. Jane was deeply devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and grew her order to 86 houses before her death at age 69.
CHALLENGE
St. Jane de Chantal faced many adversities in her life, but she found ways to turn adversity into fruits for God. Adversity comes in many forms. What matters isn’t the adversity you face, but how you face it. What adversity is a part of your life? Bring it to your spiritual director, and figure out how you can turn your adversity into fruits for God.
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