The old nun asked a question

"Many of our holy fathers in the faith - men who were pillars of the Church - did not die martyrs. Why do you think that was?"

The other nuns offered various answers. The old nun paused and spoke again.

"Well, I myself think it was because there is another martyrdom: the martyrdom of love.

"Here God keeps his servants and handmaids in this present life so that they may labor for him -- and he makes of them martyrs and confessors.

"I know that WE are meant to be martyrs of this kind..."

"Of what kind, Mother?" a sister asked.

"Yield yourself fully to God," said the old nun, "And you will find out!"

The old nun herself found out.

Jane de Chantal, founder of the Sisters of the Visitation, died just short of her 70th birthday. She was canonized in 1767 and her memory is celebrated on this day.