The Importance of Christian Friendship

A few days ago the Church celebrated the memorial of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who lived from 1572-1641.  Widowed at 28, she later went on to found the religious order The Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.

What she is most commonly known for though, is her correspondence with St. Francis de Sales.  (If you’ve never read any of their letters, it is HIGHLY recommended!  Two saints learning from and encouraging one another – can’t go wrong with that kind of reading material!).  Whenever I read their letters I’m reminded of how very important it is to have good Christian friends you can rely on and who will help you grow.  This is an idea that has especially been on mind the last few days since I’ve finally started graduate school at Franciscan University.

We’re all affected by our environment and who we spend our time with.  It’s not a weakness, it’s how we’re built.   And while of course not all of our friendships will be Christian ones, it’s still crucial to have a core group of Christian friends if we’re going to stay strong in our faith.  People from whom we can learn and get support.  People who will challenge us to be better followers of Jesus and apply our faith to every aspect of our lives.  Basically, people who will call us to holiness!

In one particular letter St. Francis tells St. Jane, “I must tell you that I have never understood that there was any bond between us carrying with it any obligation but that of charity and true Christian friendship, what St. Paul calls ‘the bond of perfection’; and truly, that is just what is, for it is indissoluble and never weakens.”  May such things be said of some of our friendships!