Salesian Charism at Work

Salesian Charism at Work

By Patty Branson, former English teacher and college counselor, and member of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center

To read Francis and Jane is to reflect upon and to find meaning in the unexplainable, in the pain, in the suffering we each encounter as well as in the seemingly random misfortunes we witness daily. They remind us that this material existence is merely that: finite. But, they also remind us not simply to choose the good, but to act for the good.

So, this is a story of Salesian charism at work over the many years in which one member of our school community - Suzanne - confronted and shouldered her suffering, determined to continue her work with her students because she considered her work a vocation. But it is also the story of how this Salesian community (administrators, teachers, staff, religious, parents), ingrained with the teachings of Francis and of Jane, acted again and again and again to ease her burdens.

Returning to school one morning after learning of a stage four diagnosis of colon cancer, Suzanne sought first, and throughout the ensuing years, the spiritual comfort of both Sister Berchmans and her many long-time friends. As her treatment progressed, these friends drove her son to and from Holy Trinity School when Suzanne was too ill to work; they drove her to school when the side effects of neuropathy limited her driving; they re-organized the department so she could pursue her tasks and chair this vital team; they organized and delivered meals to her home in Silver Spring; they sat with her as she relentlessly sought chemotherapy therapies and clinical trials when proven therapies began to fail. Amid his campus ministry tasks, Brother Ed (now Father Ed) visited and prayed with her in her office and later at her home; Father Jim often traveled from Wilmington to comfort and counsel; the Sisters prayed with her and for her.

Finally, a Visitation father and doctor gently directed her toward hospice; Sister Berchmans, Dan Kerns, and faculty friends presented her with the Visitation Cross of Affiliation when she could no longer leave her home; her friends sat with her throughout the final days.

Living the charism of Francis and Jane, this Visitation community did indeed "live Jesus" as they "hastened to help" and to comfort Suzanne year after year after year.

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Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School

1524 Thirty-fifth Street NW • Washington, DC 20007 • 202.337.3350

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Special thanks to Cecilia Kane '16 for the banner photo.