August 12, 2024

Dear John,

As the new president and publisher of Franciscan Media, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Matthew Halbach. I live in Ankeny, Iowa. (You may recall the movie Field of Dreams: “Is this heaven? No, it’s Iowa!”) I am a husband and father of six children (I know, it’s a lot!). I hold a PhD in Catechetics from the Catholic University of America. I’ve spent a number of years working in Catholic publishing, and I am a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church.  

I am grateful for the leadership of both Kelly McCracken, our former president, and Father Dan Kroger, OFM, our former publisher. Their legacy is observed and felt in many ways. I especially sense it in Franciscan Media’s culture—in the professionalism and passion of the staff, and in their obvious commitment to Franciscan ideals. I also sense my predecessors’ legacy in the inspiring resources for which Franciscan Media is well-known: St. Anthony Messenger magazine, countless books on Franciscan prayer and spirituality, numerous online resources like Pause+Pray, Minute Meditations, and the always popular Saint of the Day.

I am truly humbled by the opportunity to carry their leadership forward. Please pray for us at Franciscan Media. We are praying for you!

With profound gratitude, 

Deacon Matthew Halbach, PhD
President & Publisher,

Franciscan Media

Saint of the Day for August 12: Jane Frances de Chantal

(January 28, 1572 – December 13, 1641)

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal’s Story

Jane Frances was wife, mother, nun, and founder of a religious community. Her mother died when she was 18 months old, and her father, head of parliament at Dijon, France, became the main influence on her education. Jane developed into a woman of beauty and refinement, lively and cheerful in temperament. At 21, she married Baron de Chantal, by whom she had six children, three of whom died in infancy. At her castle, she restored the custom of daily Mass, and was seriously engaged in various charitable works.

Jane’s husband was killed after seven years of marriage, and she sank into deep dejection for four months at her family home. Her father-in-law threatened to disinherit her children if she did not return to his home. He was then 75, vain, fierce, and extravagant. Jane Frances managed to remain cheerful in spite of him and his insolent housekeeper.

When she was 32, Jane met Saint Francis de Sales who became her spiritual director, softening some of the severities imposed by her former director. She wanted to become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. She took a vow to remain unmarried and to obey her director.

After three years, Francis told Jane of his plan to found an institute of women that would be a haven for those whose health, age, or other considerations barred them from entering the already established communities. There would be no cloister, and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Mary at the Visitation—hence their name the Visitation nuns—humility and meekness.

The usual opposition to women in active ministry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of Saint Augustine. Francis wrote his famous Treatise on the Love of God for them. The congregation consisting of three women began when Jane Frances was 45. She underwent great sufferings: Francis de Sales died; her son was killed; a plague ravaged France; her daughter-in-law and son-in-law died. She encouraged the local authorities to make great efforts for the victims of the plague, and she put all her convent’s resources at the disposal of the sick.

During a part of her religious life, Jane Frances had to undergo great trials of the spirit—interior anguish, darkness, and spiritual dryness. She died while on a visitation of convents of the community.

Reflection

It may strike some as unusual that a saint should be subject to spiritual dryness, darkness, interior anguish. We tend to think that such things are the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may indeed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one that is lived in trust, and sometimes the darkness is so great that trust is pressed to its limit.

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal is a Patron Saint of:

Mothers
Widows
Wives

Discover St. Anthony Messenger magazine!

Helping its readers become more joyful, loving peacemakers by exploring many of the issues that are facing the Church and the world today, through a Franciscan lens.

Discover these inspiring books about

St. Clare, and help celebrate her feast day on August 11th!

This newsletter is not free to produce! Please consider making a donation to help us in our efforts to share God's love in the spirit of St. Francis.