It was Pope Francis who said that “the newness of Jesus in our lives is the beginning of commitment and witness.” It is so not only in our lives but also in the life of our Holy Founder Nicolas Barré. It was his attachment to Jesus Christ in the midst of his situation and experience that gave rise to him teaching us to ‘always trust in Divine Providence’.
In the midst of my work as a foreigner working in Myanmar this instruction of N. Barré to ‘always trust in Divine Providence’ became very personalized in my life. It happened through an apparently insignificant need for me to renew my Visa. Many a foreign missionary/religious found their Visas extended may be for 3 months or refused. When it came to my turn to apply for an extension, the words of N. Barré to ‘always trust in Divine Providence’ became very real to me. With an attitude of ‘total disinterestedness’ as Barré often said I asked my agent to apply for an extension. ‘Hoping against hope’ with total ‘detachment’ with regard to the final outcome, I totally ‘abandoned’ myself to the dictates of Divine Providence with regard to the extension of my Visa.
Much to the surprise of many I was notified by my agent that my Visa had been renewed for One Year with provision for multiple entry. Through this experience I can say that the words of N. Barré to ‘always trust in Divine Providence’ has become very real in my life. It is something that I will always carry around with me especially when I meet challenges in my missionary life and even in personal and community relationships.
Sr. Rosalind Arokiaswami