Above all , through God’s grace ,
the whole is marked by the gentleness, the
gentle strength , which is
• ‘the fruit of quiet self-possession that has been gained through
daily growth in self-understanding through the light of grace.’
Adrian Van Kaam
• ‘a quality which helps us to keep a calm spirit, a peaceful
heart, and control in our words and gestures, even when the
circumstances seem to call forth, or at least justify, an explosion
of displeasure or anger. Gentleness results in right relationships
with God, self and others. Gentleness keeps our heart always
within the boundaries of justice, reason and love.
Adapted from Mère Josephine Petit fcJ/Mère Marie de Bussy fcJ
‘Let the morning find you more advanced
than the day before
and in the evening be further still .’
Marie Madeleine
16
Julia Condon fcJ
(1849 – 1915)
was
head of St Mary’s Middlesbrough .
‘I used to call into the school
just to talk with her because she was
serene and in her heart there
was no mean or idle thing’.
Emerson Beckwith, Director of Education
Marie Madeleine bore
their awkwardness
and slowness with
a gentleness and sweetness
which nothing seemed to disturb,
never showing the smallest
irritation or impatience .
In the greatest griefs and
the most painful trials
her calm face was the reflection
of the peace of her soul .
Gerardine Russell fcJ
(1869 – 1952)
is remembered as ‘that gentle
perfectionist.’
Monsignor O’Sullivan
