
Here are parts of this rule that might interest other widows who could make a private promise with a priest witnessing it not to remarry and to live in some similar way that seems right to them:I try to live simply, giving everything away to the poorest of the poor, to pro-life or other apostolates whatever money I have that I don't need as a necessity. I dress in simple blue clothing: jumpers or dresses with blue or white sweaters or blouses, in honor of Mary.
I attend Daily Mass and make frequent Confession. I pray daily the rosary, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning prayer, Evening Prayer and Night prayer, and meditate on spiritual readings. I spend an hour in silent prayer either in a Church or at home. I devote most of my time to apostolic endeavors such as writing, speaking and teaching. I am not under strict obedience but I do follow the advice of my spiritual director.
This Rule is not binding under pain of sin to allow for the flexibility I need as an older woman and as a widow for availability to my family, however, I will make my best effort to follow it.

I tend to be drawn to priests who are very intellectual or creative. Recently, however, a priest came through who was neither. He gave a homily right from the heart that was so deep and moving that many had tears in their eyes. I could see how God can work so well with “normal” people. In German there is a word for this: einfach. It means “one drawer” – in order words, that instead of having many drawers or compartments in the personality, someone is just transparently integrated. Interesting to think about, no?
