In this Inner Life episode, Patrick Conley teams up with Fr. Rob Kroll, S.J., to explore the inspiring life of St. Jane Francis de Chantal: a woman who went through tragedy after tragedy yet clung to God through it all. Her story is full of highs, lows, and jaw-dropping moments, making her one of those saints you can't help but feel a personal connection to, especially if you've faced your own share of struggles.

Here are some highlights from her life:

💔 A Life Marked by Loss and Strength

Jane Frances was born in 1572, right smack in the midst of the Counter-Reformation. Life dealt her some hard blows early on: she lost her mother as a baby, and several of her siblings passed away in childhood. She married a baron, had four kids, but lost him tragically in a hunting accident just a few years into their marriage. Jane’s story of forgiveness here is powerful: her husband forgave the friend who accidentally shot him, and Jane eventually found the strength to forgive too. She even became the godmother to that friend’s child! 🙏

✝️ The Firebrand for the Eucharist

From a young age, Jane was fiery: literally and spiritually. When she was just five, she overheard a Calvinist pastor dismissing the Real Presence in the Eucharist, and her response? She shouted that denying Jesus' words made him a liar! When he tried to bribe her with caramels, little Jane tossed them into the fire, boldly saying, “This is how heretics who don’t believe in Jesus burn!” 😮🔥 (Don’t try this at home!)

❤️‍🔥 Holy Friendship Goals with St. Francis de Sales

After her husband’s death, Jane crossed paths with St. Francis de Sales, sparking a deeply holy and spiritually rich friendship. Their letters are filled with devotion, and yes, the language could sound "scandalous" today: so much so that Jane burned a lot of her letters, fearing people would misunderstand. This was pure spiritual friendship, grounded in God, and they founded the Visitation Sisters together. They envisioned it as a group of women who would serve others outside a cloistered life, inspired by Mary visiting Elizabeth. While initially limited to contemplative life by a bishop, today the Visitation Sisters have both contemplative and apostolic branches worldwide.

A Woman of Grit and Grace

Jane was no stranger to hardship: she even put up with a grumpy father-in-law for seven years! Through it all, she kept growing in holiness. She’s a relatable saint, especially for mothers and anyone who's faced hardship and had to forgive along the way.

One caller, Nicole, shared how she chose St. Jane as her patroness because of her story of forgiveness, feeling deeply connected to her after experiencing the strength Jane modeled. And honestly, isn’t that how the saints work? They pop up in our lives, just when we need them, nudging us toward heaven with their lives as proof that it’s possible: even when the path is full of thorns. Nicole was so happy to hear Patrick and Father talking about this saint! 

In a world that often mistakes intimacy for romance, St. Jane and St. Francis de Sales remind us that holy, pure friendships between men and women are beautiful and possible. They loved each other in God, and their friendship was like a fire of holiness, helping them both pursue their missions.

Takeaway? St. Jane Francis de Chantal's life shows us that yes, God can and does use our wounds, losses, and even our fiery temperaments for something incredible if we let Him. So, if you’re facing struggles today, take heart! St. Jane’s story might just be the saintly spark you need. 🌹✨

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