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EXPLANATION OF SISTER FAUSTA’S PICTURE OF THE CRUCIFIXION
St Emilie’s life was marked in a very profound way by her vision of Jesus crucified. This was for her an experience of the immensity of divine love, which extended even to the death of Jesus on the cross, and in doing so embraced all those in need of liberation…the poor, the oppressed, the persecuted … of this world.
This experience gave Emilie a new perspective on suffering, on “the crosses of her time”, that is, the various forms of poverty and oppression which she became more and more aware of. Moved by these she set out to combat them, and to restore to men and women their dignity as human beings and as children of God.
The contemplation of the heart of Jesus, pierced by the sword, enhanced Emilie’s compassion and zeal, and impelled her to give herself totally to the relief of suffering in its many different forms.
The daily contemplation of this great love was for Emilie and her companions the driving force of their lives. It enabled them to translate sentiment into action, to give a human face to the Father’s love, and to hope that the persons to whom they ministered would come to recognize the kindness of God and to respond to His love.
This daily contemplation of the wounds of Christ inspired Emilie and her companions to work for the growth of every human person so as to enable them all to reach their full stature in Jesus Christ… |
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