Let God Be My Strength

Let God Be My Strength

By Sr. Susan Marie Kasprzak, VHM, Brooklyn Visitation Monastery Superior and Second Federation President

Visitandine monastic life, its environment, prayer, daily schedule, and liturgical music all nourish the spiritual life of the soul, layering it as abundantly as creation's mountains and valleys, alternating light and darkness.

Monastic life at its best is steady with routine and pierced by surprises, filled with the Presence of the Lord. Visitandine monastic life is symbolized by the violet. Gentleness pervades every movement, humility stills the heart. Salesian spirituality is at its core.

This is what attracted me to the Visitation Monastery of Brooklyn thirty years ago, oblivious to what the Lord would ask of me in the years soon ahead.

Fresh from the fast-paced business world of NBC Television, I'd been drawn to the quiet world of the cloister centered in prayer, a supportive community, and a structured day to help keep my spiritual life on track. Enthusiastic to give all of myself to the Lord, I knew I would have much to learn about the Order, its charism and virtues. I anticipated challenges, but not the ones that came my way!

St. Francis de Sales called Visitation Sisters "Daughters of the Will of God", so fervently were we to search for and do His Will. That opportunity came for me in an unexpected way when soon after my Final Profession, a vacancy in our Monastery Council presented itself and much to my surprise and discomfit, I was elected to fill this role for six months. Introduced to the "inner sanctum" of monastic government, with little background as one of the newest members of the community, all I could do was ask and beg for the Lord's strength and wisdom to guide me. Certainly the veteran Councilors did as well, with great patience, supporting my feelings of inadequacy with their confidence in me as I placed mine in Jesus.

Focusing on the Will of God opens one's heart to generosity even if one does not perceive that virtue in oneself. It also enables one to say "yes" to the unknown as Our Blessed Mother did. Those six months on the Monastery Council made me eligible for a role on the Federation Council, soon after the six month replacement term ended in my community. Once again I was taken aback by being elected, now with another opportunity to let God be my strength!

I accept St. Jane's words to her contemporary Sister as spoken to me, "My dear Sister, God's plans for you are so wonderful! Even though his ways are painful in nature, I am sure you will experience them as sweeter than honey in the depths of your heart." (Sharing Prayerful Moments with St. Jane de Chantal)