(1381-1447) Nicolette Boellet, named after Saint Nicholas of Myra, was born in Corbie, France, when her parents were already in their 60s. She was orphaned at 17 and tried to join the Beguines and the Benedictines, but was dissatisfied with each. At 21, Colette joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and lived as a hermit for four years, during which time she received dreams and visions of Saints Francis and Clare calling her to reform their order. She became a Poor Clare, carried out reforms, and founded monasteries. Colette helped Saint Vincent Ferrer restore a papal schism, had a devotion to Christ’s Passion, and would fall into ecstasy after receiving the Eucharist.
Restoring discipline can be difficult once one has given up maintaining it. In 12-step recovery, we do a searching and fearless moral inventory (Step 4) and watch for patterns in our defects of character (Step 6). We humbly ask God to remove them (Step 7). What disciplines have aided you in your recovery?
“We must faithfully keep what we have promised. If through human weakness we fail, we must always without delay arise again by means of holy penance, and give our attention to leading a good life and to dying a holy death” (Saint Colette).
Reflection by Brad Farmer