SSTT AANNTTHHOONNYY bbrriieeff

€ IRISH FRANCISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE No .6 OCT/NOV 2008 1.00

FFrraanncciiss aanndd JJiihhaadd MMiissssiioonn iiss aa QQuueessttiioonn ooff LLoovvee FFrriiaarrss iinn MMoorrooccccoo PPrroobblleemmss iinn PPrraayyeerr I think joy and sweetness and affection are a spiritual path. We're here to know God, to love and serve God, and to be blown away by the beauty and miracle of nature. You just have to get rid of so much baggage to be light enough to dance, to sing, to play. You don't have time to carry grudges; you don't have time to cling Spirit to the need to be right.

and – Anne Lamott Life

2 St Anthony Brief SSTT ANTHONANTHONYY briefbrief

From the Editor.

4 Francis and Jihad . FR PATRICK NOONAN, OFM, a missionary in 5 South Africa, challenges us to look afresh at St Francis as Peacemaker. The Struggle to Survive . FR BRENDAN FORDE, OFM, a missionary who lives with the indigenous peoples in Colombia, writes 8 on a special tribunal of justice.

A Place of Peace and Love. BR PAULO CEZAR MAGALHAES, OFM, ministers in the Franciscan hospice in Thailand where the friars 10 journey with those living with Aids.

Church Brief.

12 Crossing the Frontiers. FR RONAN BARRY , Director of the Irish Missionary Union, invites us to cross the frontiers of cultures and 13 traditions in the new Ireland.

Mission is a Question of Love. In his message for Mission Sunday (19th October), POPE BENEDICT reminds us the 14 missionary mandate is an absolute priority for all the baptised.

The Year of St Paul. FR FRANCIS COTTER, OFM, looks at how 16 we can live this Year of St Paul as a time of grace. A Soul Thirsts for God.

19 An Irishman and Scholar. FR PAT CONLAN, OFM, honours 20 Fr John Colgan the Franciscan who died 350 years ago this year. News from Around the Franciscan World.

22 A Different Mission: Friars in Morocco. The friars in Morocco Volume 68 No.6 share what it means to be a humble, loving presence, true Friars Missionary Magazine of the Irish 23 Minor, among a Muslim people. Franciscans. Published bi-monthly by the Franciscan Missionary Union, 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. Problems in Prayer. FR KIERAN CRONIN, OFM, offers some Editor: Fr Ulic Troy, OFM. 24 practical pointers for when we encounter difficulties in prayer. Production: Fr Francis Cotter, OFM. Subscription & Distribution Secretary: What Assisi Meant to Me. FR GEARÓID Ó CONAIRE, O FM, Helen Doran. Tel: (01) 6777651. shares his pages with John Tiernan who reflects on his first visit to Design, Layout & Printing: 27 Corcoran Print & Design. Assisi. Tel: (053) 9234760. Subscription including Postage: € Mission Digest. Ireland – 12.00 per annum Britain – Stg£10.00 per annum € Overseas – 15.00 per annum 30 The Church is Young. Cover: Image of St Francis, Assisi. 31 Oct/Nov 2008 3 From the Editor… “FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY” On 4th October Franciscans, and many more men and women from all over the world, commemo - rate and celebrate the feast of St Francis of Assisi, often called the Poverello , or the little poor man. He was born in the small Umbrian city of Assisi in the year 1181 or 1182 of Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy textile merchant, and Pica, of a distinguished French family, probably from Picardy. Francis’ wealth and love of life made him the leader of Assisi’s youth, and filled him with dreams of grandeur. In the intercity feuding between Assisi and Perugia he enlisted, entered the battle of Collestrada, and was imprisoned when the soldiers of Assisi lost. After his release he returned to Assisi, and turned his back on a military career, and on a promising profession in the Fr Ulic Troy business world, in order to respond to the impulses of the Lord that moved mysteriously within him. A meeting with a leper and hearing a voice from the Cross of San Damiano resulted in his conversion, the renunciation of possessions, and the building up of the Church of Christ that was falling into ruins. From the day he heard the words spoken from the crucifix in the church of San Damiano, Francis of Assisi walked away from a particular form of slavery – attachment to posses - sions and wealth – he became a free man and a lover of poverty.

There are many qualities that can be admired in the life of Francis of Assisi – but his rejection and non-attachment to material things is worth pondering on. We can learn from his example and ask ourselves to what extent are we responsible for the slavery of others, when we ourselves are enslaved to narrow self-interest with little sense of the consequences. This can happen when we fail to embrace spiritual values and settle purely for material things of no lasting value. The words: “You cannot serve two masters,” invites us to consider what really matters in our own value system – both as individuals and as a society.

In the current economic downturn we should reflect on the words of Christ: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body what you shall put on. Is life not worth more than food and the body more than clothing?” During the years when the so-called Celtic Tiger was in full cry and there was plenty about, there was the particular temptation abroad to measure everything in life purely in material terms, while overlooking our other needs. Christianity would be the first to acknowledge that everyone has legitimate material needs that should be met. When we look at the word “clothing,” it reminds us and highlights the plight of abused workers in underdeveloped countries, who are exploited to satisfy the demands of the well-off in order to get more for less. In a published report, it was alleged that as many as 27 million men, women, and children endure brutal working conditions for no money, and live under the constant threat of beatings and other forms of torture.

Like Francis of Assisi, we can take the first step away from slavery and the misuse of material things, when we rediscover our own worth and the things that really matter in the Good News of the Gospel. We are constantly invited by Jesus to realise that our life “does not consist in the abundance of my possessions,” but in the fact that each one of us is uniquely precious to God and cared for by Him, who seeks freedom from all unnecessary anxiety and worry, and freedom to be the best that we can be. It was Bertrand Russell who said: “It is preoccupation with possession more than anything else that prevents men from living freely and nobly.”

– Ulic Troy, OFM ([email protected])

4 St Anthony Brief Francis and Jsuch ais Behrnadettea, Patrickd and Ma ria FR PATRICK NOONAN, OFM, a missionary Goretti. We understand them. And there were those saints who integrated in South Africa, challenges us to look afresh at politics, faith and spirituality in a unique way such as Simon the Zealot, St Francis as Peacemaker. Thomas More, Charles Lwanga, King n heaven I would want to Christianity, an angle emerging from Louis of France and Francis Taylor the meet St Francis of Assisi” said that particular environment. It could sixteenth century Lord Mayor of Dublin. Nobel prize winner Arch - make you smug about things, about Not surprisingly, Francis of Assisi is “b“ishop I DI esmond Tutu. life, about priorities. hardly remembered by the North for his Who was St Francis? Have his follow - extensive travelling in the cause of ers successfully domesticated him? Eurocentric Story Tellers peacemaking and reconciliation. Have his scholars cleverly diminished Take for example the saints of Chris - Perhaps this characteristic of Francis of this extraordinary 13th century holy tianity. The North has a monopoly on Assisi doesn’t feature too much in the man? Is there a Global South St Francis? the saints. Fair enough. Their hard life experience of his recent biogra - Will the real St Francis please stand up? work, education, ambition, devotion phers. And when his official biographers It’s not a cover-up. Nobody wants to and money help to get their Christian remember the event at Damietta hide anything. It’s just that they don’t heroes immortalised. Unfortunately they’re embarrassed! They’re not sure know anything better. How could they? they seem to sanitise their saints what to say. They spin a yarn! They They live in the North Atlantic region of before hoisting them into their lofty pass on quickly. The following is a the world, don’t they? In Europe and stained-glass windows. They put their reconstruction of an aspect of the life America. That’s very much a world on saints out of reach. In the interests of of the Bernadone son (Francis of Assisi) its own. It tends to revolve around aesthetics they lose contact with them. from a perspective of the Southern itself. It’s a different world. It’s full of A pity. We in the turbulent Southern Hemisphere. It attempts to humanise St great technology and declining faith. Hemisphere look differently at our Francis, to give him back to the people It’s affluent and its affluence pollutes saints. Happily we don’t have too many and indeed to recall him as the univer - the whole world. They have few wars stained-glass windows to banish them sal figure he was intended to be. these days although in the last century to. We like saints who have struggled their tribes fought two world wars and not only with self-perfection (the Euro - Making Peace finished the century with an ethnic peans) but those who lived like us and As he increasingly fell under the spell free-for-all after the break up of were people of the soil. We need of Christ he was led to become a will - Yugoslavia. They study a lot. And most saintly role models who lived disadvan - ing instrument in social peacemaking. of the great Church centres of educa - taged lives because many of us are “The Lord give you peace,” the ex- tion are located there. After the Middle disadvantaged people who know army man greeted all and sundry — East, it’s the ancient home of Christian - poverty. It’s true we can relate to those pointedly — for there was little tribal ity. All this gives a certain perspective saints from the North who faced harmony in his medieval world (modern on the Christian life. A certain angle on poverty and slavery and child abuse day Italy) at the time. Indeed it was a

Oct/Nov 2008 5 period of inter-city butchery. Kill, kill, to life was clearly different to that of They were overwhelmed by his kill was the war cry. He became a Pope Innocent III, the man who placed recent actions; his sheer audacity, his counter sign to the ethnic cleansing of England under interdict in 1208. This strange courage, his child-like daring, his times. He clearly rejected his Pope, incidentally, who was a sort of his amazing trust in God. Like having a former military way of solving prob - executive president of all Europe, private meeting with Stalin during the lems. defined the doctrine of Transubstantia - Cold War. To his fellow Christians he tion, and decreed that Catholics must had just been to hell and back. But Jihad confess once a year and receive Holy Francis didn’t see it like that. He felt Francis was in the Middle East with Communion at Easter without sin. But carried by something bigger than some of his brothers. Early one humid Innocent had the discernment to under - himself. It was mystical. And he felt it Tuesday morning — 9th July 1219 — stand the Francis phenomenon. He all over him. His new awareness, his during a year-long lull in the attack on accepted Francis’ first Rule. He slowly new awakening arising from his star - the Muslim forces in Egypt, Francis began to see that Francis, from the tling intervention showed him that God Bernadone made a spectacular peace backwoods of Assisi, contradicted a way was active in non-Christian faiths too. move. Startled, bleary-eyed Crusader of life in Europe that was built on It astonished him that Muslims had 99 troops awoke that morning to the wealth and power. Later historians were names for God that they invoked all rumour that Francis, who had followed to acknowledge that Francis’ group, the the time. It deepened his praise of the army from Europe, had “wandered” Franciscans, was a turning point in the God even more. The Islamic (Sufi) into no-man’s-land and had been history of the Church. experience was a “captured” by the enemy, the major jolt to Sultan. “What Francis’ under - madness is this?” standing of the Bishops, mission, of reli - Archbishops, gion and of the women-soldiers world. The and mercenary encounter crusaders asked changed him. when they heard Encounters do the news. Some - change people. body should have What possessed stopped him going Francis to so over there. Heads openly ignore will roll, they the wishes of knew. What will the Holy See in the Holy Father say this whole when he hears of episode? Or was this treasonous he simply going behaviour? Deny further than Francis his plenary the Church, indulgence (a way crossing new pastoral and religious to Paradise) Crossing no-man’s-land: boundaries because he was inspired to promised to all decent, hard-working, Francis meets the Sultan do so. Perhaps we should briefly see God-fearing, Muslim-killing Crusaders! him in context. It will help us to That was the religious and devotional Malek Al-Kamil understand the mind of the man. climate of the time. For at the time St The military chaplains, especially the Francis was the first founder to send Bernard of Clairvaux had inspired the pompous and ostentatious Cardinal missionaries and to have it written Crusade with the words: “When the Pelagio Galvani accompanying the into his book of rules. Because this knight of Christ kills the malefactor, his Christian army (an Innocent was a new idea it worried some bish - act is not homicide, but, if one can use appointee), never talked to Francis ops. New untested ideas are worri - the expression “malecide;” he is in all after that. Since the former playboy some. He was willing to learn from and for all the agent of Christ’s never wanted to be a priest they heretics (Islam), a word which is not vengeance on those who commit evil.” didn’t miss him at their daily celebra - found in his writings. Even his brothers But you had to admire Francis’ tions of Mass for the soldiers. It was baulked at this. This was seriously singular determination, even daring at humiliating to be upstaged by this non- dangerous for the hierarchy. Had he the coalface of international politics. entity. So they simply ignored him lost it? they questioned. And another Even military violence did not deter when he returned after two weeks small cheeky incident comes to mind him from doing what he believed was with Sultan Malek al-Kamil. But which shows the character of Francis. right. His army training helped. His through third parties they were made The Pope ordered that people should understanding of the Gospel as applied to find out what had transpired. bow when the holy Eucharist passed.

6 St Anthony Brief Francis changed it to kneel so strong Five days later the Christians killed respected other cultures and religions was his reverence for the Eucharist! 78,000 Muslims! That’s 78,000 plenary for the goodness found in them. A way That was Francis the man with a mind indulgences for the Crusaders! Mama that built trust between peoples. How of his own. Mia! Two years later the Crusaders often this whole episode has been lost abandoned Damietta! to the “distortions and stereotype Franciscan Approach image of the official biographers” One must not forget that Francis had Apologies (Rafael Bonanno, OFM). No less a survived life threatening situations a Eight hundred years later — in 2004 — source than Time magazine agrees that few times in his life. This would have Pope John Paul apologised to Muslims Francis’ unique dialogue approach altered his outlook, his vision and his for the bloody history of the Crusades. “could be a useful paradigm for a frank perceptions of reality. It also would and sincere dialogue in an ever turbu - have made him more fearless, more lent religious world” (27th November assured, more confident and more 2006). From that day forward the “holy impatient to achieve what today is man of Assisi” was seen among the mili - called among Franciscans “fraternity in tary high command as a liability, a mission.” According to history, this persona non grata . Indeed a loose Christian “jihad” (holy war) of the canon to be watched. Crusades alliance failed. I some - In the light of global develop - times wonder why western writ - ments since the September 2001 ers on the life and times of St attack on America, would that Francis have deliberately toned we had a few more “loose down this extraordinary period canons” of the Francis type to when we see St Francis defuse political pressure clearly decoding the political points across the globe. and social signs of the times The Damietta Initiative leading to many interven - ([email protected]) tions in areas of conflict. is a step in that direction. Actually Francis was rethink - Many of Francis’ lovers ing the Church’s teaching at are tempted to split his the time on war and peace. personality, to redefine him, He found himself peacemaking to make him conform to their when the Church was war- own spirituality. They overlook mongering. The Pope had sent the fact that much of Francis’ the Crusaders to war. The only concerns were a direct reaction good Muslim was a dead Muslim, to the Church or state failures, he said. Francis said sorry. Not so. indisciplines and corruptions of his Not true. But he was nice about it. times. Today there are new types of He wasn’t brazen about the Church’s failures, indisciplines and corruptions theology of war. He just didn’t believe and evils in our world that call on the it. Remember he had an enormously followers of St Francis to imagine new creative mind. He was rethinking and options, to contemplate new solutions, reshaping the attitudes of his society and to explore new choices. We forget towards war, peace and security. He at our peril that Francis was a man of was initiating, creating a Franciscan St Francis of the birdbath: the Spirit, of an integrated spirituality approach to peacemaking and intereli - his radical side is often which thrust him across boundaries and gious dialogue. forgotten borders. An uncontrollable, Spirit-led The Crusaders were understandably agent of transformation wherever God shocked with what Francis came up So Francis of Assisi was right after all. sent him! This is the live “Justice and with. He seemed to like the Muslims, Only that he was eight hundred years Peace” nature of Francis. The side they whispered. They thought he had before his time. Or that Christian which many of his followers through the been brainwashed. He actually liked thinkers were eight hundred years centuries have cringed at. The special “the enemies of the Cross” (the Pope’s behind time! God protect us from such charism, a cutting edge which Francis words). To put it in political perspective leaders today. The Crusader soldiers brought to religious life. The side which Francis is caught up in a war machine. were too fired up to understand the disturbs the comfortable. The side He is talking peace and love during a significance of Francis’ actions. They where the Spirit of surprises dwells. war — not after a war — as is usual. It’s were soldiers after all, not theologians The radical side of Francis. The side never done. Peace-talks normally take or monks. Francis had just launched a which invites us to disembark and, like place after a war. That’s how different new way of interfaith dialogue. A new Francis, walk to Jesus on churning it is. It’s totally crazy in human terms. way of evangelising. A way which waters. I

Oct/Nov 2008 7 THE STRUGGLE

TFOR BR SENDUANR FOVRDEI, OVFM,E a missionary who lives with the Bienvenido: indigenous peoples in Colombia, Leader of the Uwa people writes on a special tribunal of justice.

ertrand Russell stated: "Only the Permanent Tribunal in the indifferent are impartial." Last small town of Antanquez in month I was invited by the the Sierra Nevada of Santa NBBational Indigenous Organisation of Marta where the Kankuamo Colombia to a session of the People’s people live. It is a non- governmental organisa - tion. It has its origin in the Russell Tribunal which was founded in 1966 by Bertrand Russell to judge crimes against humanity committed by the USA government against the people of Vietnam. Its judgements are based on international agreements and decla - rations and it functions independently of polit - ical, economic and governmental powers. It also works outside the judicial structures of the different coun - tries and can be said to repre - Mario and Juan of the sent in some way the ethical Bari people conscience of the people’s of the world. for truth, justice and reparation for victims. Since its foundation it has In Danger of Extinction carried out 33 sessions in different Rosalba of the Kankuamo It is an alternative instrument of justice countries. Here in the Sierra Nevada people and extremely important in the search the presiding judge was a former

8 St Anthony Brief member of the Supreme Court of France and was accompanied by persons from Colombia and other coun - tries. The session was called to judge the historical extermination of the Indigenous Peoples of Colombia. Persons from various ethnic groups spoke of their reality. There are 82 such groups in Colombia, 18 of which are in danger of extinction. One of the speakers had informed the two main TV stations of this fact and the reply he got from one was: "That’s interesting but what’s the news?"

Oil and Water There are about 1.4 million indigenous in Colombia, roughly 3% of the popula - tion. Colombia is rich in natural istory of extermination resources and the multinationals are The Assembly: examining a h moving in to exploit them. Oil of woman who testified remembered and much alive: "The struggle of people course is the great idol and various named their martyrs who were killed against power is the struggle of indigenous groups are being moved off in their struggle for survival. The memory against forgetting." I their lands so that the companies can words of Milan Kundera were very move in to drill. Unpolluted water is another huge resource and one that is becoming more scarce and lucrative as it is being contaminated and wasted SSTT AANNTTHHOONNYY bbrriieeff especially in the developed countries. € Latin America has 6% of the world’s 1.00 CISCAN MISSION MAGAZINE population and 26% of its unpolluted IRISH FRAN water. The multinationals see its great Get St Anthony brief delivered to potential for making money. Bien - your door or give the gift of an venido, one of the elders of the Uwa, annual subscription to a loved people spoke with great passion. "We one or friend. have always lived with the water long Support the Irish Franciscans before the whiteman came. We have who have left their country for not polluted it. We have kept it pure. the sake of the Gospel. Now they want us to pay for it."

iption to St Anthony brief (6 issues). Please send me a one-year subscr € Remembering the Martyrs € s - 15.00 Ireland - 12.00 Britain - Stg£10.00 Oversea On the wall of the schoolyard where [ ] Payment enclosed [ ] Please bill me the Tribunal took place was a poster of ...... one of their murdered leaders, Jose Name: ...... Gilberto Matato, along with his words: Address: ...... "The indigenous, the trees and the ...... water respect one another equally. rite the name and address If giving the subscription as a gift please w The trees respect the water of the recipient: . and we the trees, ...... Name: ...... and the water respects us...... Address: ...... We all respect one another equally." ...... The words of another of their murdered Requested by: ...... leaders were recalled by one of his chants’ Quay, Dublin 8. Post to: Franciscan Missionary Union, 8 Mer companions: "They kill us when we are silent. It is better that we are talking out when they kill us." Every man and

Oct/Nov 2008 9 A PLACE OF PEBRA PAULCO E AND LOVE CEZAR MAGALHAES, OFM, ministers in the Franciscan hospice in Thailand where the friars journey Instruments of God: with those living journeying with the sick with Aids.

t has been a great privilege to work Saint Clare’s Hospice is a place of Not Alone here at Saint Clare’s Hospice in peace, optimism, love and care. To In the beginning of 2006, we received Thailand since the beginning of work here, one needs to be able to Mr Chatri into our hospice, and took I2I002. We have been deeply touched by forget self, to be willing to sacrifice responsibility for his care. He came our daily contact with those who are self for the sake of others, especially from Watchira Hospital in Bangkok, and dying of Aids. I like to call these ma-ny for those dying of Aids. We have had we welcomed him warmly. According to experiences “drops,” because they are many experiences with those who have the charts, he showed symptoms of the like the billions of drops of water that passed through the hospice, but I would final stages of his battle with Aids. We make up the ocean, each of which is like to talk about one that touched us did our best to care for him, accompa - important to the completed whole. It is deeply this past Christmas time. nying him in his daily life, journeying like the Gospel; if we live it with faith we can concretise the grace of God every moment of our lives.

Embracing the Outcasts The Hiv/Aids situation in Thailand is formidable. In this context we have come in the name of the Order of Friars Minor to proclaim the Gospel through our lives and ministry and through our Franciscan charism. We are also concerned about implanting the Order here in Thailand. These tasks give meaning to our lives. We are instru - ments of God called to walk the same path as the Poverello of Assisi. Through his life as a poor man, he spoke to the downtrodden of his day, especially to the abandoned ones like the lepers. Francis forgot himself as he fixed his Not alone: gaze on the lepers, and was thus able the dignity of to embrace the outcasts of the society of his time. God’s children

10 St Anthony Brief A New Heart And our mission continues with the other patients of Saint Clare’s Hospice. After the past few years spent in work - ing with people dying of Aids, I have realised that we care not only for the A PLACE OF PEACE AND LOVE body, that we struggle not only against the virus, rather, the challenge we Healing old wounds: offer to those who knock on our door is welcoming the to change their lives, their behaviour, grace of God their lifestyle. Today it is possible to help control the spread of Hiv/Aids through use of new medications and advanced technologies. But we invite those who come to us to go beyond, to heal old wounds and mend broken rela - tionships from the past, to learn how to forgive, to welcome the action and grace of a merciful God in their lives. We encourage them to go beyond a concern for only bodily healing and to seek the spiritual healing of their woun- ded inner selves. Most of our patients are Buddhists, and they have the opportunity to witness our love as Catholic Christians. with him, sympathising with him. We than we expected, and he began taking were in solidarity with his drama, de- anti-retroviral drugs. Within a few We work to provide a new heart, a new pression and weakness. He was not months he was able to return home. mentality, a new sense of how to care alone, and we crossed the ocean of After spending some time with his for people. It is a care based on love hope together. For two months his eyes family in Chiangmai City, he entered for them as human beings who possess remained closed. Then the doctor the temple to become a Buddhist dignity as children of God. We work prescribed anti-depressants, and we monk. This reminded me that when he with them to help rebuild their inner worked with Mr Chatri to overcome his was with us he used to say: “I am now selves, that which Francis called the depression. Improvement came faster a new person.” “inner Church.” I

St Clare’s Hospice: a place of spiritual healing

Oct/Nov 2008 11 CChhuurrcchh BBrriieeff The Pope Meets Betancourt Religion Among Youth are deeply religious. The study noted In September the Pope met with Ingrid A German research foundation reports that a great exception among the West - Betancourt, the former prisoner of the that, contrary to popular belief, ern industrialised countries is the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colom - teenagers and young adults are inter - United States, where 54% of the young bia (FARC). The French-Colombian ested in religion. The German Bertels - adults polled said they considered politician was a candidate for the mann Foundation announced that a themselves deeply religious. For youth Colombian presidency when she was study on religion and religious practices in developing countries such as Nigeria kidnapped in 2002. Betancourt had worldwide, which surveyed 21,000 and Guatemala, 90% reported praying expressed her wish to visit Benedict XVI young people from 21 nations, found at least once a day, and 75% of the since being rescued from the FARC on that 85% of young adults between 18 respondents in countries such as India, 2nd July. Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican and 29 are religious, and 44% are Morocco and Turkey do likewise. In spokesman, explained: "She wanted to deeply religious. Only 13% have no contrast, daily prayer is no longer thank him for his prayers, his closeness, appreciation for God or faith in common practice among young for the various ways in Europeans. In France, just 9% of which the Pope had mani - young adults pray daily, in Russia fested his thoughts and spir - the figure is 8%, and in Austria itual support for all the only around 7%. In the United hostages." He recounted how States, 57% of young Americans Betancourt read the Bible say they pray on a daily basis. daily during her imprison - ment, convinced that "one Launch of Continental must have a great spirituality Mission not to slide into the abyss." In August the 3rd American Betancourt recounted what Missionary Congress was held in her feelings were when she Quito, Ecuador. The Congress heard the voice of Benedict gathered more than 3,000 XVI mention her name during missionaries from 25 countries her imprisonment: "While I in the American continent and was a prisoner in the jungle close to 100 special guests from one day we undertook a very all five continents. At the clos - hard and long march from the ing Mass of the Congress, the morning until the evening; we Great Continental Mission was officially launched. The continental arrived very tired in the place where urt the camp was to be set up. I lay down A mother’s joy: Betanco mission was called for by the 5th in the hammock to rest with immense reunited with her children General Conference of the Bishops of despair and sadness, then the radio Latin America and the Caribbean, which broadcasted the Pope's voice who general. "The assumption that religious Benedict XVI opened near the shrine of mentioned my name. I think it is diffi - belief is dwindling continuously from Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil in May cult to explain the psychological effect generation to generation is clearly 2007. The Mission aims to help Catholic on a prisoner. It was like a light of refuted by our worldwide surveys - communities throughout the continent hope, and because of this, once free I even in many industrialised nations," to evangelise and strengthen their faith. wanted to see him and embrace him as said Dr Martin Rieger, project leader. In his message the Pope encouraged soon as possible." She added: "It is an There were cultural differences. Young the faithful to be missionaries since extraordinary experience for a human adults in Islamic states and developing "there is no greater richness than to being to know a man of light like the countries are deeply religious, while enjoy friendship with Christ." He Pope." She also made a plea: "There are young Christians in Europe are compar - encouraged them "to share this treasure many people who are angry with God atively unreligious. Among Catholics in with others, as there is no greater rich - and don't want to believe, and many particular, the proportion of deeply ness than to enjoy friendship with people who are ashamed to believe in religious Catholics in Europe is 25%, Christ and to walk beside Him. It is God. The only thing I can tell you is while outside Europe this figure is 68%. worthwhile to consecrate our best that there is Someone who hears us and Most of the youth of Eastern Europe energies to this beautiful endeavour, speaks to us with words, and that if we and Russia have not been baptised, and knowing that divine grace precedes, understand how to speak to Him, He most young people have no connection sustains and accompanies us in its will help us." at all to faith and the Church. Only 13% fulfilment." I

12 St Anthony Brief “Though mission today isn't necessarily CrMoissiosnarsies eixinst at ghom e tandh abroead. Frgoeograpnhical, it stilli hase everyrthing sto FR RONAN BARRY , Director of the Irish do with crossing frontiers.” Mission is the call for everyone. Missionaries exist Missionary Union, invites us to cross the frontiers at home and abroad. of cultures and traditions in the new Ireland. Undeniably there are missionary challenges that we face at home. We esus entrusted the mission of competence, carefulness and common are living in a society that has radically bringing the Kingdom of the Reign sense. We know that Jesus was not changed for lots pf people. We now live of God to His community of disci - particularly known for His management, in a society where we have many estab - JpJles and followers with the promise of efficiency or strategic planning, but for lished parish members from a non-Irish background with different experiences of Church, integrating into our parish communities. Everywhere in Ireland today we are called to cross the fron - tier of cultures and traditions to fully experience the parish faith community as the people of God. Mission Sunday (19th October) also gives us a chance to reflect on the Church’s mission worldwide, especially in the Young Churches. There the specific missionary challenges can be different from our own. Challenges may come from an oppressive government or from the poverty, disease, hunger of the people they serve, or from ethnic conflicts or lack of education, etc. When we hear of these political situa - tions we must remember that these people are Mass-going people in need of our voice and our help, people who are trying to care for their families, ensur - ing that they can have the best life New Ireland: Meath Festival of Culture 2008 possible. As Christians we are called to transform our faith into action, to move His abiding presence with them. “Go His way of compassionate love and soli - our belief into mission, to bring and tell… and I will be with you” darity which are the hallmarks of His ourselves into the reality where our (Matthew 28:20). As followers of Jesus mission. These characteristics should compassion can affect not only those in we still work today to carry out and also be the hallmarks of our mission our community but those in our global realise this mission. In a modern world today. faith community as well. often characterised by exclusion and As we come to grips with what our As we reflect on the call to be individualism, our lives lived as part of call to mission can be in 2008; the missionaries we remember that in 2008 faith community is a powerful witness prophetic challenge of mission needs to there are many ways to be missionaries to a more real model of community and prepare our Church for what Pope John and there are roles for us all. So if you togetherness — rooted in Gospel values. Paul II called “globalisation without think you want to experience mission Community is to be seen in the context marginalisation, globalisation in solidar - abroad, make a promise to yourself and of a shared mission and shared faith. St ity” (World Peace Day, 1999). This can do it. Mission Sunday reminds us all Paul saw the Church as a community only happen if the People of God, the that we cannot be so absorbed in the which is a communion of believers, followers of Jesus, go out with the challenges that face us at home, that filled with the different gifts of the message of love, compassion and soli - we can be indifferent to the challenges Holy Spirit (see 1Corinthians 12:4-7). darity with the people on the margins our brothers and sisters face elsewhere. As Christians we have co-opted many wherever they are. How welcome is the For more information click on values of the world in the name of stranger? As one commentator put it: www.imu.ie I

Oct/Nov 2008 13 Mission is a Question

Christ’s love in action: Sr Sylvia,o a Sisfter o f LSt Claore, wivth pue pils of St Francis School, El Salvador In his message for Mission Sunday (19th October), POPE BENEDICT reminds us the missionary mandate is an absolute priority for all the baptised.

n the occasion of World Mission not take the opportunity that this own countries in order to seek refuge Day, I would like to invite you special Jubilee offers to the local and protection elsewhere. Technologi - to reflect on the continuing Churches, the Christian communities cal progress, when it is not aimed at OuOrgency to proclaim the Gospel in our and the individual faithful to propagate the dignity and good of the human times. The missionary mandate contin - the proclamation of the Gospel to the person or directed towards solidarity- ues to be an absolute priority for all ends of the world, the power of God for based development, loses its potential - baptised persons who are called to be the salvation of everyone who believes? ity as a factor of hope. It runs the risk, "servants and apostles of Christ Jesus" on the contrary, of increasing already at the beginning of this millennium. Humanity in Need of Liberation existing imbalances and injustices. Pope Paul VI has stated: "Evangelising is Humanity needs to be liberated and There is, moreover, a constant threat in fact the grace and vocation proper to redeemed. Let us take a closer look at regarding the human-environment rela - the Church, her deepest identity." As a the situation of today's world. While, on tion due to the indiscriminate use of model of this apostolic commitment, I the one hand, the international resources, with repercussions on the would like to point to St Paul, the apos - panorama presents prospects for physical and mental health of human tle of the nations, because this year we promising economic and social develop - beings. Man's future is also put at risk are celebrating a special Jubilee dedi - ment, on the other it brings some great by the attempts on his life, which take cated to him. It is the Pauline Year concerns to our attention about the on various forms and means. which offers us the opportunity to very future of man. Violence, in many Before this scenario, buffeted become familiar with this famous apos - cases, marks the relations between between hope and anxiety and tle who received the vocation to persons and peoples. Poverty oppresses burdened down with uneasiness, with proclaim the Gospel to the nations, millions of inhabitants. Discrimination concern we ask ourselves: What will according to what the Lord had and sometimes even persecution for become of humanity and creation? Is announced to him: "Go, I shall send you racial, cultural and religious reasons there hope for the future, or rather, is far away to the Gentiles". How can we drive many people to flee from their there a future for humanity? And what

14 St Anthony Brief will this future be like? The answer to among persons, races and peoples to Evangelise Always these questions comes to those of us which everyone aspires. So it is God, While the first evangelisation continues who believe from the Gospel. Christ is who is Love, who leads the Church to be necessary and urgent in many our future, and His Gospel is a life- towards the frontiers of humanity and regions of the world, today a shortage changing communication that gives calls the evangelisers to drink from the of clergy and a lack of vocations afflict hope, throws open the dark door of original source, which is Jesus Christ, various dioceses and institutes of conse - time and illuminates the crated life. It is impor - future of humanity and tant to reaffirm that the universe. St Paul had DAY 19 OCTOBER even in the presence of understood well that only MISSION SUN growing difficulties, in Christ can humanity Christ's command to find redemption and hope. evangelise all peoples Therefore, he perceived continues to be a prior - that the mission was ity. No reason can justify pressing and urgent to its slackening or stagna - proclaim the promise of tion because the task of life in Christ Jesus, our evangelising all people hope, so that all peoples constitutes the essential could be co-heirs and co- mission of the Church. partners in the promise It is a mission that is through the Gospel. He was still only beginning and aware that without Christ we must commit humanity is without hope ourselves wholeheart - and without God in the edly to its service. How world — without hope can we not think here because they were without of the Macedonian who God. In fact, anyone who appeared to Paul in a does not know God, even dream and cried: "Will though he may entertain all you come to Macedo - kinds of hopes, is ultimately nia to help us?" Today without hope, without the there are countless great hope that sustains the people who are wait - whole of life. ing for the proclama - tion of the Gospel, A Response to Love those who are thirst - It is therefore an urgent duty ing for hope and love. and TELL Image: Noel Gavin / all pix g n O lice Achien A a A, with G , FMS o. AntrimO eight froGm C for everyone to proclaim Missionary Sr. Patricia Sp There are so many Christ and His saving Office, who let themselves be y for the Propagation National message. St Paul said: "Woe The Societ 64 Lower Rathmines Road, questioned deeply by of the Faith Collection Dublin 6

v h oi rt ce f e ea to me if I do not preach the e or th r th this request for aid i o . f s e e e i p t p e o i o c o h www.missionso r Gospel!" On the way to that rises up from Damascus he had experienced and humanity, who leave everything for understood that the redemption and Love is a spiritual energy: Christ and transmit faith and love for the mission are the work of God and His Missionary Sr Patricia Him to people! love. Love of Christ led him to travel Speight, FMSA, from Co. Dear Brothers and Sisters, duc in over the roads of the Roman Empire as Antrim, with Alice Achieng altum — “put out into the deep!” Let a herald, an apostle, a preacher and a us set sail in the vast sea of the world teacher of the Gospel of which he from whose pierced heart flows the and, following Jesus' invitation, let us declared himself to be an "ambassador love of God. Only from this source can cast our nets without fear, confident in in chains." Divine charity made him "all care, tenderness, compassion, hospital - His constant aid. St Paul reminds us things to all, to save at least some." By ity, availability and interest in people's that to preach the Gospel is no reason looking at St Paul's experience, we problems be drawn, as well as the to boast, but rather a duty and a joy. understand that missionary activity is a other virtues necessary for the messen - May the celebration of World Mission response to the love with which God gers of the Gospel to leave everything Day encourage everyone to take loves us. His love redeems us and prods and dedicate themselves completely renewed awareness of the urgent need us to mission to the nations. It is the and unconditionally to spreading the to proclaim the Gospel. I spiritual energy that can make the perfume of Christ's charity around the Adapted version; harmony, justice and communion grow world. for full text see www.vatican.va

Oct/Nov 2008 15 SPIRITUALITY The Year of Saint Paul FOR LIFE

n the Eve of the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, celebrated on June 28th 2007 at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, Pope BOOenedict said in his homily at Vespers: “ I am pleased to announce officially that we shall be dedicating a special Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul from 28th June 2008 to 29th June 2009, on the occasion of the bimillenium of his birth, which historians have placed between the years 7 and 10 AD. It will be possible to celebrate this ‘Pauline Year’ in a privileged way in Rome where the sarcophagus which, by the unanimous opinion of experts and an undis - puted tradition, holds the remains of the Apostle Paul, has been preserved beneath the Papal Altar of this basil - ica for 20 centuries.” In fact, Vatican officials had made an announcement in December 2006 after excavations had been carried out in the basilica. It was stated that several feet below the basilica’s main altar and behind a smaller altar, they had found a roughly cut marble sarcophagus beneath an inscription that reads “Paul Apos - tle Martyr.” The small altar was removed and a window inserted so that pilgrims can see the sarcophagus. So we are now in the Jubilee Year of St Paul — in case you didn’t know! I believe that this year presents us with the opportunity to study, pray and celebrate the life, inspired writing, spirituality and missionary spirit of St Paul. Her are some suggestions so that the grace of this year does not pass us by.

Read His Writings An obvious and important way to mark this year is to read, pray and study the Word of God that comes to us in the rich, Christ-centred letters of Paul. His letters make up a major part of the New Testament, and they are for us a way of learning “the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Pope John Paul was constant in encouraging the prayerful reading of the Paul: Apostle and martyr Scriptures: “The Word of God is the first source of all Christian spirituality. It gives rise to a personal relation - ship with the living God and with His saving and sanctify - ing will. It is for this reason that from the beginning the FR FRANCIS COTTER, OFM, prayerful reading of Scripture has been held in the high - est regard. By means of it the Word of God is brought to looks at how we can live this bear on life; the Word projects on to our lives that light of wisdom which is a gift of the Holy Spirit.” Paul YEAR OF ST PAUL himself speaks of the enlightenment and consolation that the Spirit communicates through the Word. “For what - as a time of grace. ever was written in former days was written for our

16 St Anthony Brief instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The Synod of Bishops takes place in Rome from 5th — 26th October. Appro - priately, bishops from all over the world will reflect on the theme: The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. The preparatory document states: “Today, the People of God are increasingly showing a hunger and thirst for the Word of God. This vital fact should not be overlooked, because the Lord Himself is prompting it. To help the faithful understand what the Bible is, why it is there, how beneficial it is to faith and how to use it — this is always a solemn duty of the Church.” Pope Benedict has high hopes for any renewal coming from such an encounter with the Scriptures. “If it is effectively promoted, this prayerful pondering of the Word will bring to the Church — I am convinced of it — a new spiritual springtime. It should never be forgotten that the Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. A light we need desperately in the Church and world in our time!” St Paul exhorts: “Let the message of Christ dwell in you Word of God: richly” (Colossians 3:16). The medita - the first source of all Christian spirituality tive, prayerful reading of the writings of Paul, like all meditation on the Sacred Scriptures, engages thought, imagina - Paul could write: “It is no longer I Share the Message tion, emotion and desire. This mobilisa - who live but Christ who lives in me” Paul was an untiring evangelist. Imagine tion of our faculties, deepens our (Galatians 2:20). He was aware of his how he would have used satellite commu - convictions of faith and strengthens our faults, his intellectual and personality nications, the internet and YouTube. Is it wills to follow Christ. shortcomings, his unnamed struggle with any surprise that Pope John Paul began his “a thorn in his flesh.” But his humble encyclical on missionary activity, The Be Converted Anew awareness of these weaknesses only Mission of the Redeemer, with a tribute to Another suggestion: reflect on Paul’s made him more reliant on Christ: “I can St Paul? He wrote: “The mission of Christ conversion. So important was Paul’s do all things in He who strengthens me” the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the conversion experience on the road to (Philippians 4:13). His understanding of Church is still very far from completion. Damascus that an account of it is given his personal frailty drove him to open up An overall view of the human race shows in three places in the Acts of the Apos - ever more to the presence and power of that this mission is still only beginning and tles: 9:1-19; 22:3-21; 26:4-23. So much Christ within him. We know from Paul’s that we must commit ourselves whole - of the story of the early Church can be life that at the heart of conversion is a heartedly to its service. It is the Spirit traced back to the contemplative and surrender to the love of the Risen Lord. who impels us to proclaim the great works enthusiastic heart of St Paul ignited by This love allows us to let go of the fear of God: ‘For if I preach the Gospel, that his intimacy with the Risen Lord. But of giving ourselves completely to Christ gives me no ground for boasting. For don’t just read about it. Seek the grace and to the purifying grace of His Spirit. necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I of a deeper, personal conversion to This encounter is essential. Recently do not preach the Gospel!’ (1 Corinthians Christ. The best way that we can cele - Pope Benedict said bluntly: “Christianity 9:16). In the name of the whole Church, I brate the Year of Saint Paul is to go to is not a new philosophy or new morality. sense an urgent duty to repeat this cry of the Risen Lord and ask Him about what We are Christians only if we encounter St Paul.” deep and intimate conversion of life He Christ. We can touch Christ's heart and This year could be a time for renewing is calling us to, the area that now needs feel Him touch ours. Only in this our missionary heart. In his boundless His light and grace most of all. Ongoing personal relationship with Christ, only in energy and athletic metaphors, St Paul’s conversion is the foundational key to the this encounter with the Risen One do we example encourages us to apply our Christian life. really become Christians.” e n t h u s i a s m t o spreading the Gospel of

Oct/Nov 2008 17 Christ. One of the goals of Pope Bene - they are a programme for us all: ‘With There you have it: three suggestions dict, in proclaiming the Year of St Paul, such yearning love we chose to impart on how to receive the grace of this is to have every Catholic hold up a to you not only the Gospel of God but Jubilee Year: Ponder the Word in Paul’s mirror to his or her life and to ask: Am our very selves, so dear had you become letter, seek a deeper conversion to I as determined and as energetic about to us’ (1Thessalonians 1:8). What is this Christ, and actively witness to your spreading the Catholic faith as I should love? It is much more than that of a faith. When the Pope announced this be? Is spreading the faith, both by exam - teacher; it is the love of a father; and Year of St Paul, he said: “As in early ple and by my conversations, even a again, it is the love of a mother. It is times, today too Christ needs apostles concern for me? What am I doing, in this love that the Lord expects from ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs particular, to instil a love of Jesus and every witness to the Gospel, from every witnesses and martyrs like St Paul. an understanding of our faith in the builder of the Church. A sign of love will Paul, a former violent persecutor of hearts and minds of our youth who are be the concern to give the truth and to Christians, when he fell to the ground the future of the Church? The Catholic bring people into unity. Another sign of dazzled by the divine light on the road faith only grows when we consciously love will be a devotion to sharing the to Damascus, did not hesitate to and conscientiously share it with others. joy of Jesus Christ, without reservation change sides to the Crucified One and Of course, all such witness must be or turning back.” The hope is that the followed Him without second thoughts. done with love. Without love, the words fire that the Holy Spirit cast into the Paul lived and worked for Christ, for we share are sterile. Pope Paul VI heart of St Paul, which in turn lit up the Christ Paul suffered and died. How captured the heart of Paul: “That model earth, will inflame our hearts to be timely is his example today!” I evangeliser, the Apostle Paul, wrote vibrant and effective missionaries in the [email protected] these words to the Thessalonians, and Year of St Paul and throughout our lives.

A regular welcome guest: President Mary McAleese greets Sr Leo in the refectory of the Poor Clare monastery, Ennis. The President was with the Sisters to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their foundation in the town. She revealed to reporters that each year since her election in 1997 she has stayed some days on retreat in the monastery. The President told the nuns: “You are great custodians of the traditions of Clare. You can’t take the burden of sorrow from people and they do come in great sorrow, but you can go on a journey of light with them and this matters so much; the courage, the faith, the hope that your prayers give them.”

18 St Anthony Brief A Soul Thirsts for God

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63

Oct/Nov 2008 19 FR PAT CONLAN, OFM, honours Fr John Colgan the Franciscan who died 350 years ago this year. Cloister: the old friary in Donegal

At was njust af teIr Easrter 16i52.s Fr Jhohn mhis way inato fonllowing Saint Fnrancis. d tShe Collcege, hof showoing thle inatellerctu - Colgan took a deep breath before Born at Pierstown near Carndonagh in als that Ireland deserved its place opening the letter. He recognised the heart of Inishowen, he had grown among the cultures and traditions of ItIhe seal on the back as that of Fr Pedro up during a time of war. The area had Europe. One way of doing this was by Manero, Franciscan Minister General. not been disturbed when O’Donnell and putting together a proper history of The Irish friar took a moment to scan O’Neill rose against the English. He Ireland, both civil and ecclesiastical. A the Latin text. Then he smiled as he could recall the anxiety among the group of Jesuits were working in realised that it was one more load locals when the English garrisoned Antwerp on the lives of saints. Led by lifted from his back. It had started two Derry in 1600. That same garrison had Jean Bolland, they had a system of years back when the Irish Provincial and played their part in the devastation of editing older lives and publishing them his Definitory had appointed Fr John as Inishowen in 1608 when Sir Caher in Latin according to the chronology Commissary of the Irish Franciscan O’Doherty had rebelled against English found in the liturgical calendar of the colleges in Leuven, Prague and Wielun. rule. John was then in his teens. The Church. He was 58 years old and in poor health. events had turned his mind towards Also his Guardian in Leuven, Fr study on the continent. He had studied Scholarship in a Time of War Bonaventure Meehan, was opposed to for the priesthood, been ordained in Fr Hugh Ward gathered a team in the appointment. Fr John had written 1618 and qualified as a lecturer before Leuven and encouraged friars to check saying that there was no way that he finally deciding to become a Francis - libraries for texts during their travels. could travel from Flanders to Poland can. He had lectured at Saint Anthony’s He sent Br Mícheál Ó Cléirigh back to and the far end of the Empire. At last College, Leuven, before continuing his Ireland in search of manuscripts. Slowly the Minister General had acknowledged career in the colleges in the Rhineland. the material accumulated at Saint reality and withdrew the appointment. Fr Hugh MacCaughwell had intro - Anthony’s. Ward was busy as Guardian Fr John returned to his desk, covered duced Fr John to the great Franciscan of the college in 1626-29 and as a with neatly written sheets of paper. He theologian, John Duns Scotus, and lecturer. He suffered from ill health was resolved to continue his research persuaded him to base his lectures on from 1630 and made a special effort to on the Saints of Ireland. Nearly twenty the teachings of Scotus. Fr Hugh had give a eulogy on the great friend of the years before, on 8th November 1635, Fr been called to Rome in 1623 and died friars, Isabella, Princess of the Belgians, Hugh Ward had died in the college. Fr there only three months after his on 1st December 1633. Fr John’s return John had just returned from his years consecration as Archbishop of Armagh from Germany filled the slot made as a lecturer in several Franciscan in 1626. Fr John had kept in contact vacant by the sick lecturer. The Dutch colleges of the German Province of with Leuven and knew that Fr Hugh took the opportunity of the death of Cologne. Ward had taken over. He and John were Isabella to strike for complete indepen - Another Fr Hugh, Hugh MacCaugh - from Donegal, born only a year apart dence from Spain. Both Dutch and well, had received John into the Fran - and found their way to Saint Anthony’s French armies invaded Flanders, ciscans at Leuven on 26th April 1620. It College after ordination elsewhere. captured Tienen and laid siege to has taken him twenty-two years to find Both shared the vision, developing in Leuven on 24th June 1635. The Irish

20 St Anthony Brief Regiment of Preston was one of the saints for January, February and March theology and value of Scotus (Tractatus four defending the town and were (Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae) was de Joannis Scoti Doctoris Subtilis …) in mainly responsible for the successful published in Leuven in 1645. The Antwerp in 1655. It made it clear that defence of the town. The friars were Bollandists had published the first the Subtle Doctor, to give him his chaplains to the regiment and shared in volume of their Acta Sanctorum cover - medieval title, was Irish. We now know the honours given to their countrymen. ing the month of January in 1643. The that he was born in Scotland. The main Spanish army raised the siege Franciscan Archbishop of Dublin, on 3rd July. The stress of the siege did Thomas Fleming, provided the means to Unfinished Work nothing for the health of Fr Hugh Ward publish the next volume, Triadis thau - Fr John died in Saint Anthony’s College and he died on 8th November 1635. The maturgae (the three miracle workers, on 15th January 1658, just three Guardian, Fr Louis Dillon, invited Fr Patrick, Brigid and Columba), in Leuven hundred and fifty years ago. Fr Thomas John to take charge of the project to 1647. The third volume containing the Sheerin took responsibility for publica - publish the lives of the Irish saints. lives of the Irish saints for April, May tions in the college. The late Fr John’s Fr John was in regular contact with and June was ready for the printer in cabinets were loaded with material Jean Bolland in Antwerp and adopted 1649. the same plan — publish Latin editions of lives of the saints as found in old manuscripts in the order of the liturgi - cal calendar. He got a worthy assistant, Fr Brendan O’Connor, who went in 1638 to research libraries in France, Italy, England and Ireland. Br Mícheál Ó Cléirigh had returned from Ireland in 1637 with more manuscripts and the text of his proposed history of Ireland or the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland . Fr John continued his work on the Irish saints. At the same time he sought funding for fresh publications by the team at Saint Anthony’s. Br Mícheál died in 1643 and was buried in the cloister of the college. Fr John medi - ated on his achievements and in 1645 came up with the title of the Annals of the Four Masters for Br Mícheál’s major work.

Books Published Brigid of Kildare: Colgan published the lives of the Irish saints The manuscripts were piling up in Leuven but funds for publication were The war situation was now critical and ready for the printer. In addition to his drying up. War in Europe, civil war in the work remained unpublished. Even work on the Irish saints and that of the England and the insurrection in Ireland the Bollandists were having financial Four Masters on Irish history, Fr John made benefactors think twice about problems. The second volume of their had begun to write on the Irish in other spending. Fr John put his name to a Acta Sanctorum with the lives for parts of Europe. One volume covered solemn appeal by the Guardian, Vicar February did not appear until 1658. the general mission of the Irish outside and lecturers for funds to print the The arrival of Cromwell in Ireland of Ireland with a list of saints (852 lives of the Irish saints “to the great and the resulting persecution brought a pages of manuscript). The next dealt good and glory of our Church and flood of friars seeking refuge in Leuven. with England, Brittany, the rest of Catholic countrymen. Hugh O’Reilly, Even the grants to keep the college France and Belgium (1088 pages). Archbishop of Armagh, wrote from going were insufficient for the larger Another covered Lotharingia, Burgundy, Kilkenny in December 1642 authorising community. Despite his health and the Germany on both banks of the Rhine the friars to use part of the funds lack of funds Fr John struggled on. He and Italy (920 pages). But time had belonging to Armagh and lodged in returned to his original interest in moved on. Despite the best efforts of Saint Anthony’s in Leuven to publish Scotus. A stupid English Franciscan, Fr Thomas, the tremendous work of Fr some of the books prepared by Fr John. Angelus Mason, had claimed that Scotus John Colgan remained unpublished until Work pushed ahead and the first was English. Our Irish friar published a the Irish resurgence of the twentieth volume containing the lives of the Irish small volume on the fatherland, life, century. I

Oct/Nov 2008 21 REBUILD OUR WORLD PROJECT Overall Winner News from The central body for the Franciscan Family in Ireland, the Franciscans around the . . . Together, promoted a school’s project to commemorate the eighth centenary of St Francis’ experience before the Cross of San Damiano. The project aimed to Franciscan World include transition year students and was entitled Rebuild Our World . Students were invited to participate by finding ways in which they could respond to areas in our world that need rebuilding. Members of the Central Committee of Franciscans Together unanimously agreed that the overall winner of the Rebuild Our World Project was Tullamore College with their website Gemini Ireland. Fr Caoimhín Ó Laoide, OFM, presented the trophy, an engraved Newgrange Crystal plaque, and a cheque for €1,000 to the Project Manager, Eoin McEvoy. The Gemini Ireland website was set up to effect change in the Developing World by making links between Irish schools and schools in the Developing World by a process of twinning; hence the name of the organisation: Gemini Ireland. The team worked through Self Help, an organisation working for the develop - ment of rural communities in Africa. So Pictured at the presentation at Tullamore College L-R back row: far Self Help has found a number of Edward McEvoy (Principal); Fr Liam Costello OFM; Ita O Neill SFO; schools willing to participate. The Patsy Toland (Self Help); Shauna Keys (Web Maintenance); Central Committee were particularly Lauren Coyne (Public Relations); Sr Anne Ryan OSC. impressed with the skills of the manage - Front row: Fr Caoimhín Ó Laoide OFM; Eoin McEvoy ment team and their ability to involve (Project Manager); Sr Marie Coyle FMDM. the whole school through debates, talks and events such as cake sales, walk for >> Scoil Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac, Now we need a few who tell it like it water and karaoke which involved the twinned with Guardian Angels Comm - can be.’” See www.tullamorecollege.ie/ school members and the teaching staff. munity School, Zambia. gemini-ireland. Through working on the project the team >> St Brendan’s Community School, Birr, have learned a great deal about develop - have registered and are awaiting a Putting on a Play ing countries; they learned how to work twin school. In addition, the Holy Family Youth through their difficulties, build up Group from Ballsgrove, Drogheda, communication skills, teamwork skills The students in Tullamore write: “We received an award for their musical: and how to motivate others. The project saw that our project is a drop in the Allow Us to Be Francis . The group wrote is scheduled to run for five years and ocean, but that every drop counts. the script themselves and under the subsequent transition year students are Gemini Ireland’s aims tie in with the direction of Fr David Bradley, PP, planning to involve other schools in aims of most humanitarian organisations. produced the musical which ran in the Ireland to participate in the project. We are all striving for the betterment of parish church over three days. Many of education in the Developing World, the students from the local schools Breaking the Poverty Cycle because it is widely known that educa - attended. Fr Liam Costello, Sr Anne Schools registered with Gemini Ireland tion sets children free from the vicious Ryan OSC and Sr Marie Coyle FMDM and twinned so far: cycle of poverty their families have presented the group with a cheque for >> Tullamore College with Balowali experienced for centuries. While €600 and a framed picture of the San Secondary School, Uganda. researching, we discovered a quote from Damiano Cross. Copies of the Marvel >> Clara Vocational School twinned with Robert Orben that sums up Gemini book Francis of Assisi Committed To All Sealdah Loreto Day School in Ireland and the people who run it: ‘We were presented to each member of the Calcutta. have enough people who tell it like it is. Youth Group. I

22 St Anthony Brief In Morocco: the witness of a Franciscan presence A Different Mission: Friars in

TMhe friaors irn Moorocccoc shao re what it means to be a humble, loving presence, true Friars Minor, among a Muslim people.

n the heart of the old Arab quarter The Sap of Faith Waiting Patiently of Meknes, Morocco, is located an The young students come and go Minority is not always being able to after-school centre for young Moroc - under this simple sign of our faith. proclaim the Word of God as we are IcIans called Saint Anthony Centre. On The stone cross becomes a silent accustomed, with lively voice and with the front of the building, above the witness of a relationship that grows detailed explanations. Minority is waiting ancient doorway of the building, can be daily. As Francis often reminds his patiently for the right moment to found a stone crucifix. It is a vestige of friars: “The Lord came to serve and proclaim this Word. Minority is, in the the previous use of this place as an not to be served.” This is the way of meantime, seeking to personify the Word immigrant church. The words of St the lesser brother, Friars Minor. The by way of one’s daily life, a thing these Francis to those who go among the daily work of the brothers is a service young Muslims are able to read easily. In Saracens continue to resound, through that strengthens bonds with others, this way, opportunities begin to surface. the spirit of the friars, in this Muslim always searching for a sense of God- The friars discover that minority is not world that surrounds the centre. given equality. about being naïve but about being lesser. Francis says: “Do not promote Mustafa, Khadija, Mounir, Na-dia, It is about being simple and always being disputes or arguments, rather be Mariam, Redouan and so many other available to demonstrate who this God is subject to each human creature for students are people that have grown who lives within us — despite the fact God’s sake and acknowledge that you up being nourished by their own that this witness is not always under - are Christians. When you see that it creedal system. Their faith has devel - stood. pleases the Lord, then proclaim the oped on the sap that has circulated Days pass and the young Muslims Word of God.” Being a minority in this across innumerable generations. Even continue crossing our threshold, Muslim world implies, first of all, that though the same God that we know convinced that we are not here in order all involved recognise that by being provides this sap, their faith is differ - to change their faith, but simply to serve Christian we ought to submit ourselves ent from our own. Minority is accept - them. By means of the daily routine of humbly to those who receive and ing this faith and the brother or our lives, however, we continue learning welcome us. They are acting as our sister who professes it. It is accepting about one another as well. Minority is spiritual hosts. This is not a subjugation his or her pathway as valid, although accepting that we will not always see the based upon being defeated and then different from ours. Minority is immediate fruit of our efforts, but that feeling conquered. Rather it is based accepting that this faith leads these one day another generation will savour upon the conviction that respect for brothers and sisters to the same God this fruit. Is this not perhaps what Fran - others is the thing that draws human who is offered and is shared each day cis aspired to in his first encounter with persons to mutual understanding. in our little chapel. the sultan? I

Oct/Nov 2008 23 THINK Problems in Prayer AGAIN

There are many factors which make FR KIERAN CRONIN, OFM, prayer difficult for the normal, non- saintly Christian. Some are to do with offers some practical the type of person we are, either in pointers for when terms of our psychological make-up or our upbringing. Thus, some people are we encounter by temperament restless, unable to sit still, always having to be “on the go.” difficulties Others lack imagination and find it hard in prayer. to focus on God. Ask them to meditate on a Gospel passage and they just can’t picture it. Our religious upbringing may have implanted destructive images of God in our minds and hearts — the judge, the policeman, the tax-man or moral auditor — all of which can lead us to pray to a false god or idol rather than the loving Father of Jesus, the God who is, first and foremost, our Comforter. Sometimes the things that happen to us in life, the hard knocks and crosses, make us angry at God, or worse, indiffer - or the ordinary believer in God ent. However, instead of going into all of daily prayer should be a joyful these issues I would like to focus on privilege, but often it turns out what frequently results from them which tFFo be a burdensome obligation, beset is the common difficulty of distraction in by all sorts of problems and difficul - prayer. This is surely one of the most ties. Instead of drawing us into a annoying things we experience when we serene and peaceful relationship with try to pray. After a few minutes our mind a loving God, prayer can be full of wanders and we find ourselves miles distractions which may lead us to feel away from our starting point as one idea guilty and inadequate. Why is it that I leads to another and then to another, so feel so often that watching Coronation that when we eventually realise what is Street or some other television happening we can wonder how on earth programme is a much more attractive we got to thinking about collecting our option than saying the rosary or just dry cleaning when a few minutes ago we sitting in silence in the presence of my were concentrating on the first joyful Maker? In my article this month I would mystery of the rosary! like to confront some of these issues in the hope of helping those who struggle Attention and Intention to pray to take their prayers seriously There is nothing quite like distractions in without feeling unreasonable guilt. In prayer to cause us to feel frustrated and particular, I want to highlight an guilty. And such discouragement when important distinction in the practice of praying can tempt a person in two main prayer between difficulties and imped - ways — either to give up praying as a iments. dead loss or to go back to the beginning

24 St Anthony Brief of one’s prayer and start over again. We could overcome these temptations and make prayer considerably less burden - some if we took to heart a distinction made by St Thomas Aquinas in his main discussion of prayer. He argues that what is most important in prayer is our inten - tion to pray and that attention, though important, is not absolutely necessary. This may sound rather surprising since many of us were brought up to think that attention is the key to prayer. We must, as we pray, keep our minds directed on God or Mary or the saints. To think of other things, which is the essence of distraction, implies that we have stopped praying, so that the words we have been mouthing since the distractions began have been a waste of time; hence the urge to start afresh. But Aquinas disagrees; the really important thing is that when we began to pray we intended to converse with God, and as long as we do not deliberately change that intention we continue to pray, even though we are distracted. God sees our intention and counts what we say as prayer even if we are thinking about something else, such as the football match coming up on television in an hour’s time. Intention is something that we form at a particular moment, but it remains operative over time even when we are not thinking of it consciously. So, when we decide to go shopping we will normally intend to come home when finished, but that doesn’t mean that we must be thinking of coming home every minute we are choosing our groceries or when paying for them at the checkout or when talking to a neighbour we happen to meet on the way home. Our original intention carries us home without our being attentive to it all the time. Applying this to prayer, imagine that you decide to pray the rosary, that is, A child’s prayer: later prayer can become more difficult you intend to pray and all goes well for a few minutes until, without being tion change from praying to thinking of God sees our intentions and is happy conscious of what is happening, you find television. But, of course, in most cases when we intend to pray. No doubt being that you are thinking of the characters in when we sense we are distracted we will attentive to God’s loving presence makes Coronation Street — as long as you do correct ourselves, reaffirm our intention our prayers better over all and is more not realise that you are distracted, your and continue to pray. Just as your inten - comforting for us, but we should not intention remains the same and you are tion to return home after shopping forget that God understands our weak - still praying. Only if you recognise that causes you to come home without always ness in being open to distractions and you are thinking of the programme being attentive to that plan, so too your accepts our poor prayers so long as we instead of praying, and deliberately intention to pray causes you to pray even do not deliberately give in to those decide to focus on that, does your inten - if you are not always thinking of God. distractions. And one thing certainly

Oct/Nov 2008 25 follows from this, namely the admonition are not interested in what we pray for, sees our hearts and will not recognise as not to feel you have to go back over your why should God be? Or suppose we come prayer something that we do not really prayers because you were distracted closer to home, to a prayer we feel want. Get your heart in order first, He through no fault of your own. obliged to offer in order to overcome says, before you begin praying to me. some bad personal fault. Imagine your Maybe we need to pray for the desire to Impediments to Prayer fault is being unforgiving and you pray be able to forgive before asking to be I have suggested that difficulties in for the gift of forgiveness when you are able to forgive a specific person? prayer, while frustrating, do not invali - really quite content with your bitter We should not be fatalistic about the date what we are doing. However, heart. This is a bit like the story about St possibility of improving the quality of our impediments to prayer are a more seri - Augustine praying for the grace of communication with God. Once we ous matter as they undermine our chastity but adding the condition: “not recognise the problems and admit our prayers completely. We may think we are quite yet, Lord.” We should not be part in them, our powerfully loving God praying. We may use all the right words surprised at the degree of dishonesty will send His Spirit into our hearts to and phrases, but our prayer does not that can enter into our relationship with help us to pray. Come Holy Spirit and even get off the ground! There are two God, but He cannot be fooled. The Lord change our words into prayer. I main examples of such impediments: lack of faith and lack of desire. Faith is absolutely essential to prayer, especially in relation to prayer of Desire: the Lord looks to the heart petition. Somewhere in the Scriptures there is a saying that if we believe we have received something we will surely get it. In other words, prayer requires an absolute confidence that God can give us what we ask if it is His will to grant it. When we face some problem in life we should never come to God as a last resort, pleading apologetically: “Lord if you can do anything, please help me.” If you can! Of course God can do anything that is logically possible for God to do. To suggest otherwise is to show absence of faith in God’s absolute power and love. The only condition we must include in our prayer is: “Lord if this is your will.” “Lord, I know you can do this for me, but I accept that in your providence what I may ask for is not the best thing for me (or another) in the long run.” To pray without basic faith is not to pray at all in spite of impressive words. We are then simply “babbling like the pagans” as Jesus mentions in the Gospel. The second impediment to prayer is lack of true desire for the object of our prayer. This is related to the fact that real prayer must come from a sincere and passionate heart. How common it is for people to pray for something out of politeness? This happens quite a lot in public prayer where intercessions are made which simply do not touch our lives. The priest at Mass prays for peace in Iraq, say, but we couldn’t be bothered with what happens in such a far away place. So, we politely murmur: “Lord graciously hear us” in a less than half- hearted response. But is this really prayer, when our heart is not in it? If we

26 St Anthony Brief FAITH IN What Assisi Meant to Me ACTION

In this issue FR GEARÓID Ó CONAIRE, OFM, shares his pages with John Tiernan who reflects on his first visit to Assisi.

Introduction by Gearóid… and takes a special interest in their and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office John Tiernan visited Assisi in June 2008 plan to become a Fairtrade diocese. His in Rome. I work for the JPIC Commis - and the story of Francis made a deep appetite for social justice was whetted sion of the leadership of men’s and impression on him. John is a teacher in when he volunteered to work in an women’s religious congregations the Marist College, Athlone, and has orphanage for a few months in 2005 in (USG/UISG), many of whose headquar - played senior county football for Santiago, Guatemala, near the famous ters are based in Rome. There are over Roscommon. John was a member of the Lake Atitlan. He met local coffee farm - 1,800 women’s institutes and 400 men’s Athlone Fairtrade committee I worked ers and poor indigenous people trying institutes with close on a million with while in Athlone in 2005/2006. to make a living making and selling members worldwide. The Rosminian After Athlone received the status of a crafts for tourists. He continues to brothers kindly offered him hospitality. Fairtrade town, John went on to work support them by creating informal It was great to have John working with with another voluntary group of markets through a network of friends me for two weeks. Unfortunately, due committed people to achieve Fairtrade and family in Ireland. to unforeseen circumstances, he had to status for Roscommon town. They cut short his stay. He managed to begin achieved it earlier this year. He is Summer Experience in Rome the process of analysing over 100 currently a member of the Commission Out of the blue, John called me in responses to a survey, sent out by our for Justice and Social Affairs of the Rome and offered to come to help me office, to religious around the world dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnois for a few weeks in the Justice, Peace working for the integrity of creation.

Oct/Nov 2008 27 San Damiano: wealth is more than money

We want to know what religious are invited John along and on our way we taking in gondola rides, the Leaning doing to live in a more sustainable way visited Assisi. John had no idea what Tower and the statue of David. But how and to promote a greater appreciation Assisi was like. I subsequently asked pleasantly surprised I was when we of the integrity of creation. We would him to share some of his impressions. I finally got off the bus and began to like to put them in touch with one think it is appropriate in this month of walk down the cobblestone streets to another. Religious will be able to find October during which we remember visit the churches of St Francis and St out who else is trying to do similar and celebrate the life and commitment Clare. In Fr Gearóid I had an enthusias - projects and contact them directly. This of one of the greatest human beings tic tour guide who seemed to come is a model of what I would like to see ever to live, St Francis of Assisi. The alive here, as if it was his spiritual happening in many other areas of social following is what John wrote and sent home. He was like a lifelong Elvis fan justice. Generally, religious are some - on to me, which he subsequently who had finally reached the gates of what connected to members of their agreed to have published in St Anthony Graceland! But his “Elvis” was a little own congregations but not necessarily brief … man called Francis. Coming from to members of other congregations. We Athlone in central Ireland, I was aware hope to share some very concrete expe - John’s Reflections on of the Franciscan way of life, of their riences as a way of encouraging others Assisi… brown habit and their devotion to to try something similar. When Fr Gearóid asked me if I wished prayer. But it was only when I arrived in One weekend I was invited to to visit the town of Assisi, I was indif - Assisi that I learned that the Franciscan Pistoia, in Tuscany, to address a group ferent to the suggestion. I was far more way of life is so much more. St Francis of Catholic journalists, at a conference interested in visiting the more tourist has inspired so many people in the last organised by an NGO to help journalists trodden cities of Florence, Pisa and 800 years to free themselves from understand environmental issues. I Venice during my stay in Italy and possessions, rejoice in everything

28 St Anthony Brief provided by God on this earth and to live the words of the Gospel. It is a simple lifestyle choice and yet it is most profound.

The Search for Happiness Listening to Francis’ life story and how he discovered true happiness is inspir - ing. We search our whole lives looking for happiness but we simply look in the wrong places. I guess it is the world we live in today that would have us believe we need our possessions. Marketing and advertising is big business nowadays and it’s becoming harder and harder to have the revelations that Francis had. Oscar Wilde said that: “Routine is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Francis could have taken the easy option and followed in his father’s foot - steps, but he was brave (ironically braver than any soldier) and decided to reject the easy life for one of poverty. Upon leaving Assisi I felt I had been somewhere very spiritual. To see Fr Gearóid enthuse at everything round him was like standing beside a modern day Francis! And rightly so; Franciscans across the world have been inspired by the simple ideology of the little man from Assisi and are committed to carry - ing his message throughout the world. Fairtrade: John meets President McAleese Application to Life I now must take what I have learned at a Fairtrade event from my time with Fr Gearóid and stood for. In order for the world to show unwavering love in the face of apply this to my own life in Ireland. I become a more sustainable place to hatred and ignorance, and to show the am an economics teacher by profession live for all its peoples, it’s going to world that we are essentially all the and have been preaching the merits of require a “modern day Francis” to be same. God’s children sharing this beau - capitalism to my students for the past brave in the face of huge challenges, to tiful earth for a short time. I few years, thus fuelling the modern day ideology that “more is good” and wealth can only be measured in mone - tary terms. But as we enter an era of WE ARE LOOKING FOR PROMOTERS OF OUR MONTHLY DRAW radical realisation that the capitalist We are looking for supporters of our mission who will take one book of tickets a month. model is about to self-destruct, our oil Please help us. Buy a book yourself. Write for a book to sell to your friends. is about to run out and our food supply Will you buy or sell for us: € € € is decreasing even though our popula - Book of 20 Tickets = 16.00. Return 10.00; keep 6.00. Thank you for supporting us tion is growing, we need to take a step in all the ways you do already. Our Address is: 8 Merchants Quay, Dublin 8. back and take a deep breath. I believe the answer to our ecological chal - lenges, our Third World challenges and Please send me ...... Books for Next Draw a “cold war” developing between Chris - Name: ...... tianity and Islam lie at the heart of Address: ...... Franciscan teaching. Francis is a char - acter that transcends boundaries. When ...... I think of Francis I don’t see the man in Phone No: ...... the brown habit, but rather what he

Oct/Nov 2008 29 MMiissssiioonn DDiiggeesstt

Remembering the martyrs: Fr Ciaran O Nuanain with the Secretary at the Justice and Peace Office, San Salvador.

CCeennttrraall AAmmeerriiccaann Srs Peter and Lucy: Sr Peter Coleman co-ordinates the El Salvador Awareness Office in Dublin. SSnnaappsshhoottss

Pastoral Sister: Sr Felipa on her rounds. Guatemala City: Br Michael Lenihan with Br Santiago.

30 St Anthony Brief TThe Ghermean Church is Young friar, HERMANN BORG, OFM, reflects on his ministry in Kenya, after 25 years as a missionary in Africa. Kenya: the energy of the young

ince my ordination in 1971 I kept close To build up a functioning society the contact with youth, to nourish them Church has to play a positive role and be a with spiritual food in retreats, seminars good influence for a long time to come in all aSSnd pilgrimages. I have continued the work areas of the society. The real power of eman - with youth in Africa, since here young people cipation and liberation is the Lord Himself for make up most of the Church. I guided voca - the betterment of all people in the society. tion-camps and involved myself in the promo - The Church has to remain thoughtful, creative tion of vocations. The Catholic Church in and open to new horizons, to lift up from Africa is still young and still needs spiritual poverty, to extinguish discrimination, to stop input and the witness to Christian values and violence of any kind at the grassroots. The virtues. The most powerful way to influence process of growth can only function in an envi - the youth is the institution of the YCS, the ronment of peace, justice and freedom. What I Young Christian Students. The YCS exists in was taught by my parents and in the years of almost each of the secondary schools in my schooling remains still very valuable as an Kenya. I was involved in establishing the inspiration in my life. I recall with gratitude Catholic Youth Centre Mji wa Furaha in the healthy and successful education and guid - Nairobi in 1989. I like to work with the youth ance of my childhood in which all my relatives, as they struggle towards adulthood and matu - family members, teachers and preachers were rity in life. This work is most effective, influ - involved. ential and sustainable. I enjoyed the past 25 years of work in the In innumerable talks, I accompanied young missions. I see a growing self-awareness and boys and girls towards a mature decision self-esteem among the youth in all areas of concerning a vocation for religious life, for the society and of public life. There are the priesthood and for married life. Because advances in education, social awareness, of the condition of poverty the chances for participation in business, trade, political education in different forms are often tasks, taking risks, being creative in sports, limited. To attend courses, classes and schools arts, public affairs. I see growth among the costs money — this is very often limited. youth in the solving of problems, following Thanks to the generosity of donors, funds and values, avoiding idleness, showing qualities of resources are made available for the impor - leadership, being aware of harming and tant areas of education and human develop - destructive influences. All this growth in spite ment. Many young people from poor families of an often limited framework and even were sponsored by well wishers. hostile environment. I vocations_poster20978 16/09/2008 14:32 Page 1