Day 5: Thinking More of Others
Editor’s Note: On the fifth day of our 2025 Advent blog series, “Visions of Visitation: Love in Motion,” House Manager Lindsay Doucette reflects on how she experiences belonging and community at Casa San Salvador.
“Mary was motivated by the needs of her elderly cousin. She did not hold back, or remain indifferent. She thought more of others than of herself. And this gave enthusiasm and direction to her life.” – Pope Francis
Growing up in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, I came to know Mary as Theotokos—the God-bearer. I was captivated by the image of Mary holding the living God within her womb. Though she questioned how such a mystery could be possible, she was filled with joy and immediately thought of her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously with child.
The story of Mary and Elizabeth offers a profound model for us as Christians. We are taught that we are made in the image and likeness of God, and that a boundless divine love intrinsically connects us to one another. Yet it is easy to lose sight of that interconnectedness. In modern Western culture, we place high value on self-sufficiency and individual autonomy. While developing a strong sense of self is important, it is not the end of our spiritual journey.
When I accepted the invitation to serve as House Manager at Casa San Salvador this August, I sensed a parallel, sacred invitation—one that called me from self-sufficiency toward belonging. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson describes this beautifully in The Soulwork of Justice when he writes, “Surrendering the protected self to the holy bonds of belonging is a life-long invitation from the one who created us to belong… Every person carries deep within the image of God, like gold, waiting to be revealed and refined.” If we cling to the pride of self-sufficiency as our starting point, we will struggle to find the deep connection and authentic community for which we long.
Each week at Casa San Salvador, I feel drawn to ask, “How can I slow down and shift my focus from myself to genuine presence with others?” As I seek the face of God in those around me, I’m surprised by a deep joy. Like the joy in seeing the love of God alive in the remarkable young adults of DC Service Corps. My time spent living in community has been such a special opportunity to let go of attachment to my own agenda and open myself to the interests, hopes, struggles, and joys that we bring forth to share together.
Opportunities to grow and share love are abundant when we are to pause and set aside our protective masks of self-sufficiency. In so doing, we see the love of God more clearly, and that love naturally overflows. This mutual exchange of love is beautifully reflected in the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth:
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped for joy and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41-42
Question for Reflection: During this Advent season, how will we respond to the invitation to being authentically present to our relationships, our neighbors, and to the face of God in those we encounter each day?
Lindsay Doucette is the current House Manager at Franciscan Mission Service. She brings over fifteen years of experience serving with Catholic mission organizations. Lindsay previously served as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner (MKLM) in Cambodia and later worked on staff with MKLM in New York. She currently serves as Program Director for Solidarity Bridge, a role that takes her to Bolivia and Paraguay to lead surgical mission teams with a focus on transformative intercultural exchange and encounter. As House Manager, Lindsay plays a key role in fostering the growth and cohesion of the intentional community by supporting the community’s spiritual development, nurturing fellowship among members, and overseeing the care and upkeep of the Casa.
