Jackie Meets St. Kateri
Since St. Joseph has been a constant guide and spiritual father to Reform, our Foundress and CEO, Jackie, recently made a pilgrimage to the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal, taking her intentions and those of the Reform community with her.
Throughout the last few years, Jackie has entrusted St. Joseph with her desire to have Reform more centered in the Eucharist and build a physical space where we could welcome reformers and immerse them in a more profound Eucharistic lifestyle. A physical space would allow guests to experience a reform way of life, a place to experience the fullness of life in Christ.
On the feast of Corpus Christi, Jackie received a surprise invitation from a fellow pilgrim to visit the tomb of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Jackie understood that St. Kateri is known as the Dove of the Eucharist, two symbols that have become foundational to the spirituality of Reform. As she was praying to St. Kateri, Jackie received an invitation from her to ‘give her something’, and in her heart, Jackie knew St. Kateri desired to help us find a way to provide the physical space we have long desired - and so in trust and surrender, Jackie asked St. Kateri, along with St. Joseph, to intercede for this needed apostolate.
This year, Reform chose nature as its word of the year, and so in St. Kateri, we find a kindred spirit. She is patroness of ecology and the environment as she understood the supreme gift of nature from God. Often called “Lily of the Mohawks”, St. Kateri endured poor physical health but was spiritually strong, converting to Catholicism and devoting her entire life to deepening her relationship with Christ, especially in his presence in the Eucharist. In St. Kateri, Jackie has found a soul friend with whom she shares similar spiritual commitments; also a devout Catholic who fasts regularly, is diligent to her mission, and receives the Eucharist as often as possible. Both are New Yorkers with great strength, grit, and passion.
We could not ask for a better intercessor for the evolving vision of Reform and ask that you join the Reform Team in praying for St. Kateri’s intercession. St. Kateri, pray for us!
