Today the global Joseph family pauses to celebrate with gratitude the life and legacy of our founder and spiritual father, Father Jean-Pierre Médaille. Birthdays are gift times to highlight and honour the nobility and grandeur of one human life.
“Have only one desire throughout your life:
to be, and to become,
what God wants you to be
in nature, in grace, and in glory,
for time and eternity.”
IN NATURE: Jean-Pierre was born on October 6, 1610, the eldest son of Jean and Phélippe Médaille in Carcassonne, France. While we have no photographs or biography of this time, we can presume from parish records, that his home life was very stable, economically secure, and spiritually alive. He and his two brothers, Jean-Paul and Jean attended the local Jesuit College which combined classical learning with cultural and religious experience. This strong and balanced Jesuit educational milieu marked Jean-Pierre’s childhood and early adolescence providing a discipline that grounded him for significant spiritual and social influence in the world.
IN GRACE: Jean-Pierre Médaille was born with a destiny and unique purpose that he grew into and embraced wholeheartedly. Not yet 16 years of age, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Toulouse, France. All throughout his formative years and up to his ordination of priesthood in 1637 (age 27), Jean-Pierre was described by his superiors as “having extraordinary talent”; “excellent, remarkable, penetrating, even sublime intelligence.” He was considered “wise, above average in everything, superior in philosophy and especially in theology.” Most of his four decades of apostolic ministry were spent travelling from diocese to diocese around south-western France preaching Parish Missions and promoting a spirituality that inspired the laity and engaged them on a path of holiness so much so that his obituary (Dec. 30, 1669) reported that “so great his reputation for holiness that here and there he was called the saint, the apostle.”
Under the inspiration of grace, with receptivity and astute psychology, he wrote the timeless wisdom of 128 Maxims of Perfection, 12 intimate Contemplations on the Life of Christ, and a profound Chapter on Transforming Union. As a gifted spiritual director to some widows and young women in Le Puy, he nurtured their desire to dedicate their lives in consecration to God and service to the dear neighbour – witnessing the birthing of the Sisters of St. Joseph in October 1650. Then ten years later comes another moment of graced inspiration - a Divine revelation he wrote down - The Eucharistic Letter. Coming into rebirth these two past decades, its message speaks prophetically to those women and men today who are seeking small faith-share communities to embrace Gospel living in simplicity and joy.
IN GLORY: During his lifetime he manifested in numerous personal relationships a pattern of self-emptying detachment and ever-deepening contemplation. The mantra, “Empty me. Fill me with your Great Love,” helped tame his egoic reactions. His receptivity to the flow of this transforming action of grace moved him so much that in his final contemplation on the mysteries of Christ’s life he concludes with: “This is the only desire of my soul. This is the most cherished expectation of my poor heart…” Having come to this heightened consciousness of the simplicity and unity of ALL at the centre, Jean-Pierre is already living in eternity. The One Thing necessary is Love. Jean-Pierre, the mystic, had found his heaven here on earth!
WHAT IS YOUR GIFT TO FATHER MÉDAILLE ON THIS HIS BIRTHDAY?
“It is time to bring the ‘gifts of our lives” in celebration of our spiritual father and in thanksgiving for the spirituality he imparted to us.
What gift do you bring?
(e.g. I live by this maxim;
I aspire to grow in this virtue;
I love the ‘little way’….) ”
If we were having a spiritual birthday gathering for our founder and spiritual father, what gift would each of us consider bringing? What would be our heart-sharing? What is the lasting memory of Father Médaille that lives on in you? The gift of our lives in the family of Joseph is what gives glory to God.
This year, I give thanks for the manner in which Father Médaille’s spirituality regards the dignity and destiny of every human person. He respects that there is “a particular way God calls each person.” He invites us to discern and discover that way. What serves me well these days, is his loving invitation and focused intention: “Rosemary, do what is yours to do.”
Happy Birthday Jean-Pierre, in the communion of saints!
-Sister Rosemary O’Toole, CSJ