St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious (1572-1641)

To honour my patron saint, I chose the climbing rose 'Gloire de Dijon' and Mustard (brassica nigra). The rose was introduced into England in 1853. Its fragrant blooms are large and buff-yellow, appearing early in the season and lasting until autumn. For many years it was much sought after for bridal bouquets.

Extracts from her entry in 'Gardening with God':

"St. Francis de Sales described Jane as the perfect woman and St. Vincent de Paul said she was one of the holiest souls he had ever met. She was an exemplary wife and mother for eight years before being widowed and taking a vow of chastity. The bridal association of 'Gloire de Dijon' and the fact that she was born in Dijon make the rose appropriate to her. Mustard is chosen not merely because her birthplace is famous for its production, but because of her single-mindedness and ardency. The prolific growth of mustard mirrors the rapid spread of the Visitation Order, which she co-founded with St. Francis de Sales.

"The first Visitation convent was founded at Annecy, with Jane as superior....
She managed the Order with wisdom and sensitivity, living herself according to St. Francis' maxim that humility is the virtue from which all the others spring. In her later years she made visits to all the Visitation communities (by then numbering over sixty). She died at the age of sixty-nine in Moulins on a return journey from Paris. She was canonised aby Clement XIII in 1767.

"Jane is my patron by accident, since I was named after Jane Austen. But it is a happy accident, and I have appreciated it more and more as life has unfolded. There is so much in her experience from which I can learn, and against which I can measure myself. Her day will be celebrated with an examination of conscience inspired by her life and example, and like the sowing of mustard seed, it will be an annual exercise. Thus I may meditate later today on one or several of the following concepts, experiences and virtues, as they have bearing on my own life: duty, responsibiliteis, spiritual direction, chastity, charity, sensitivity, bereavement, exercise of authority, humility, diligence, 'seedsowing', passion for God, openness to the Holy Spirit, acceptance.

"No matter how inclement the weather, each December 12th, I will pay a loving visit to my 'Gloire de Dijon', and ask her help in keeping both myself and her rose, firm in our soil."


Copyright Jane Mossendew 2002