Week Two: Struggle & New Life
Upon returning from Italy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton faced a year-long struggle seeking the true faith. In the face of rejection from all sides, the Blessed Mother, Mary, continued to offer refuge during these struggles. Fr. O'Connor shares the life experiences of Elizabeth Ann Seton and the teaching of the Catholic Church on the growth that comes from struggling to know God's truth. He also explains why Pope John Paul II added the new "mysteries of light" to the Rosary.
The teaching section of the video is followed by the recitation of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. During the month of May, the Church encourages us to spend some time deepening our relationship with Mary through this beautiful devotion.
Questions for Reflection:
Below are a couple of questions for you to consider while watching the video presentation. Make some notes and follow up by having a conversations with someone who is also watching this series.
1. Are the waters of your life stirred up or still right now? Phillipo's pearl of wisdom to St. Elizabeth was that the Enemy can't snag a fish in still water so he stirs up trouble in our hearts. Ask the Lord to help. Remember, he calmed the storm when at sea with the disciples.
2. Elizabeth engaged the struggle that was causing her such pain through prayer, study, and reaching out to others. How are you engaging the struggles of your life?
3. Mary's instruction to the servants at Cana was to "do whatever He tells you." That advice reached down through the centuries to St. Elizabeth who was truly bonded to Jesus after this year of turmoil. How have you been more closely united to Christ as a result of struggles?
This is lesson two of four. Each Wednesday of May we will look at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and her experiences with, and relationship to, Mary. These four lessons will be paired with one of the four sets of mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary, which we will pray together. See our website and YouTube page for the other lessons.