St Julie Billiart has a very interesting story. She was born in France to a prominent farming family in 1751. As a youth, she started getting involved in teaching the catechism to farm laborers and to other youth. She was stricken with a mysterious illness at the age of 30, which left her paralyzed and mostly bedridden. However, she still gave spiritual advice and taught the catechism, having a big heart for evangelization. When the French Revolution started in 1789, she spent several years in hiding, since the revolutionary forces were aware of her allegiance to fugitive priests. She always stayed true to her Catholic faith. Later, her friendship with an aristocratic woman led to the founding of the Institute of Notre Dame in 1803, dedicated to the education of poor Catholic girls and to the training of catechists. She died at the motherhouse of the institute in Belgium in 1816 and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1969.
We hear the familiar Gospel story of the road to Emmaus today. While our theological knowledge of the faith is important, there is no substitute for a personal encounter and relationship with Christ. The disciples on the Road to Emmaus knew that Jesus died on the cross, so they did not recognize him as he appeared to them on their journey. Yet, through their interaction with Jesus, through the kindness they offered him, and through them breaking open God’s word together and breaking bread, they finally recognize Jesus and they believe. This encounter inspires these disciples to share their experiences and to bring the Gospel message to others. Like these disciples, we are also called to offer acts of kindness to the stranger. We are called to break open God’s word, to have his word interact with the reality of life. In the Eucharist, in the breaking of the bread around the Lord’s table, we are to receive nourishment and encouragement. Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, we also are pilgrims on a journey.
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