meeting with the bishop

Yesterday's meeting with Bishop Piché was truly a blessed moment in my life. Interestingly, some of it was uncomfortable...I thought I had had all my ducks in a row when I went into the meeting but his Excellency was looking for OTHER ducks (or maybe they were geese???) from me and he told me as much. (The discomfort came from the realization that I wasn't perfect...ha! One would think I would know--and have accepted--THAT by now!) He was kind, gentle, firm. I LOVE that he was so candid. I learned so much from him by his being that way with me! And, it was an opportunity for me to grow in humility...how could I not listen to such a holy man? I believe God was speaking through him to me. It was such a privilege for me to have his ear for an hour! It was an hour filled with grace and blessings. Many people had been praying for this meeting. I could palpably feel the prayer support the entire time. There was a great peace; I know the Holy Spirit was very much present with us. It was hard work, but work I gladly did!

He took considerable notes about what I was telling him. He asked very pertinent and probing questions. In his wisdom, he taught me many things. He gently steered me to a new way of thinking. He said a religious community does not stand on the accoutrements, i.e. the superficialities, such as I had been focusing on. He said it has to have a foundation of inspiration--a charism, a purpose. I understood completely and very much agreed. I told him I'd been thinking about that lately. I believe I am being called to be a vocal proponent and teacher of chastity out in the world. Sex outside of marriage has become commonplace in our world. I want to teach God's way, regarding this, and as a Sister. He said it has to be an internal process and I must focus on what God wants of me today, not 10 years from now. I think he was trying to tell me to listen to God's voice within and the rest would follow. He said it was not time to think about an actual community in the ways I had been. He was absolutely correct in his assessment. To be sure, I have much work to do.

One thing he said I should do, if I have the wherewithal financially, is contact Mother Agnes of the Sisters of Life in NYC and spend a couple days with her, if she's willing. He told me to use his name to gain entry to speaking with her. They are friends. He said I would get a good picture of what it means to begin a religious community from her. I decided, then and there, I would do this. (I will try to do it this summer.) I was telling a friend of mine about this tonight and she said she would like to finance my trip. She said she believes so strongly in what I'm doing and she has the money to do such a thing. I am humbled and very grateful. I have the impression she'd be insulted if I don't let her!

He said I must not make any moves until I have a spiritual director. When I asked, he said he could not be my spiritual director. He doesn't have the time. I said I understood and had prepared myself for his saying no. (He IS a bishop, after all...with many bishop kinds of things to do!) I asked him if he could recommend someone. He gave me two names. He said he trusted both of them completely. In the end, he asked me to call him in 4 months' time and give him a report on how I was doing.

Afterward, I felt greatly respected. I sensed I had just been in the presence of holiness. I have a hunch that he is destined to be much more than a bishop. Perhaps he'll be a cardinal from Minnesota one day, although I have a feeling he will be assigned away from here in the role (promotion!) of archbishop sooner rather than later. How very, very, very blessed I was to spend time with him!