On this, my birthday…
…it seems appropriate to reflect on the two saints whose feast day it is (one of whom is Canadian!):
St Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620 – 1700)
Born in Troyes in France, she went to Canada at the age of 33, where she taught and devoted herself to works of corporal mercy. She returned to France twice to gather new recruits, and founded the Congregation of Notre-Dame de Montréal, a non-enclosed order which established and ran many schools and is still active today, across the world. She died on 12 January 1700.
St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110 – 1167)
The son of a priest, Aelred was educated at Durham and in the household of King David of Scotland. In 1134 he visited the newly-founded Cistercian abbey of Rievaulx, and was so attracted to the place and its life that he chose to become a monk there, and was eventually elected abbot. He died on 12 January 1167. He is remembered for his gift of friendship, for his sensitive and gentle rule, and for his enduringly popular spiritual writings, especially that on friendship.
Two fine examples to bear in mind and contemplate.
And for the record, I’m 28 today. and yet, it seems I have more grey hairs than co-workers who are a decade (or more) my senior.
