Compassion

Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

One of the Core Values of Felician Village is Compassion. I read a book recently in which compassion was central, expressed by so many of the characters. The book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. My favorite individual in the story is a giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus. His care for Tova, the woman who works nights to clean the Sowell Bay Aquarium, is a beautiful gift to her. Tova, herself, also demonstrates compassion. One of the many examples is in a small act: “Tova simply nods, because it brings her friend comfort and harms no one.”

Sister Ilia Delio, OSF, says in her book Compassion: Living in the Spirit of St. Francis, “Compassion is the ability to get inside the skin of another in order to respond with loving concern and care. It is a deep connectedness to another; one breathes in the pain of the other and breathes out compassion.” One time, St. Francis was at Rivo Torto with his brothers. They were fasting, as often was the case with the friars. In the middle of the night, one of the brothers cried out, “I’m dying! I’m dying!” Francis woke up and asked the brother what was wrong. He said, “I’m dying of hunger!” So that this brother would not feel ashamed, Francis set the table and had the other brothers join the hungry brother in eating.

Our news is filled daily with the stories of those without compassion. Warring people, angry people, violent people. But, if we look closely, we can find the tales of compassionate care: someone who helps another, brings another joy, shows another deep caring. Blessed Angela started her congregation of Sisters out of a deep compassion for the suffering of others. She wanted to alleviate the needs of those around her. The Felician Sisters continue to follow her model. Our care at Felician Village also reveals the compassion we have for one another.  

Blessed Angela: “Let your love be like Christ’s love, revealing itself not only in feelings but in deeds.”