November/December 2019 TheThe PowerPower ofof Faith,Faith, BeautyBeauty && MusicMusic inin aa BrokenBroken WorldWorld

◆ THE HUNDREDFOLD ◆ ANNUNCIATION ◆ THE SOUND OF BEAUTY Songs for the Lord A Call to Faith in a Broken World A Classical Composer on Music in Anthony Esolen Sally Read the Spiritual Life tapestry of hymns, monologues, and convert from atheism to Catholicism Michael Kurek Ashort lyrics knit together as one book- Awhen her daughter was four years old, hile loved by all, music is a mystery to length poem in praise of Christ in all his Read saw the awareness of “two worlds” Wus. is unique book presents fasci- startling humanity. Drawing from the rich- for her daughter as she has grown, lead- nating insights on the psychology of percep- es of the English poetic tradition—meter, ing to many doubts about the Faith. Seeing tion of music, and how music speaks to the rhyme, music— Esolen considers the the precarious nature of Faith in a secular mind, emotions, and spirit. ese concepts mysterious man from Nazareth and the world, she presents compelling reasons for have rarely been addressed outside the ivory world he came to set on  re with splendor. holding on to God and Church. Taking the tower, and even more rarely seen through Having translated the Italian masters, Annunciation as her template, she explores the lens of Catholic theology. our common experiences of the spiritual Dante and Tasso, Esolen now puts on is is a kind of “layman’s handbook,” a life as she meditates on each part of the the mantle of such English craftsmen as comprehensive theology of all things music, story in Luke’s Gospel. Donne, Milton, and Hopkins in his f i r s t which anyone can understand, written by an book of original contemplative Drawing on Scripture, the saints, and the internationally respected classical composer poetry. It contains dramatic monologues lives of people she has known as a nurse and music professor at a top secular univer- set in  rst-century Greece and Palestine, and a poet, Read shows how God is with us sity who is also a faithful Catholic. It sheds and lyrical meditations on creation, always—even in suffering, spiritual dry- light on the mysteries of music and furthers longing, failure, modern emptiness, ness, and depression. ough inspired by a the spiritual formation regarding music for and unshakeable hope. Includes a help- mother’s loving response to a daughter, this Catholics of many ages and walks of life. ful introduction on English poetic form. beautifully rendered work will speak to any SOBP . . . Sewn So cover, $17.95 HFOP . . . Sewn So cover, $17.95 believer engaged in a relationship with God. ACFP . . . Sewn So cover, $15.95 “I am overjoyed that  e Sound of Beauty is "In an age of ugliness, beauty is an act of being published. I know of no other book on mercy, a sanctification of the human “Read discovers in Mary’s experience the music that articulates the Catholic aesthetic so experience. This exceptional collection of pattern of all believers in miniature. She beau- masterfully. at makes this volume a precious poetry and song in praise of Jesus Christ o ers tifully weaves into one fabric our doubts, fears, jewel to be cherished.” readers an experience of beauty as life-giving raptures, and vocations with those of Mary, the — Joseph Pearce, from the Foreword; as water in a desert.”  rst to receive within herself the Word of God.” Author, Catholic Literary Giants — Most Reverend Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., — Al Kresta, Radio Host, Kresta in the A ernoon Archbishop of Philadelphia www.ignatius.com

P.O. Box 1339, Ft. Collins, CO 80522 (800) 651-1531 Table of Contents

Features Columns 3 Walking Along the Path of 8 Back to the Basics: Abandonment, Detachment, Q & A on the Renunciation & Trust Essential Elements Rick Sarkisian, Ph.D. of Religious Life Prayer and the 6 We Are Called to Build a Religious Life—Part I Monastery in Our Hearts Rev. Thomas Dubay, S.M. Most Rev. Donald J. Hying 11 Answering the Master’s 16 Be ”Consumed” in Your Desire Call—Is That All That to Encounter God There Is?—Being Address to Cloistered “Zapped’ By Christ Religious in Madagascar Crucified Pope Francis Mother Mary Veroncia Loring, C.P. Departments 13 Holy Orders for Lay People: Following in 2 Institute Insights the Footsteps of 20 InnerView St. Benedict of Nursia With Rev. Dwight Longenecker, Anne Tschanz Author of Listen My Son— 18 Doctor of the Heart, St. Benedict for Fathers and Healer of the Soul: St. Benedict & St. Thérése—The The Spiritual Counsel Little Rule & The Little Way of Dr. Conrad Baars 22 Resources in Review The Touchstone of Thomism 23 IRL News & Notes Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P. 26 Affiliate in Focus 28 Theological Reflections The Fathers of Mercy Acknowledging God’s —Auburn, Kentucky Greatness & Goodness Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. November/December 2019 Institute Insights Vol. XLII No. 6 ur Mission: Religious Life is published R e v . T h o m a s N e l s o n , O.P r a e m . Osix times a year by the Institute on Religious Life, Inc. (IRL). The IRL is a na- he Divine Office is a prayer we all know and cel- tional organization founded in 1974 to ebrate as religious according to our own consti- encourage, support and assist authentic tutions. It is the prayer of the Church which ech- consecrated life as set forth by Vatican oes the Mass. Its efficacy is objective, relying as it II and its implementation by the Holy Tdoes on the merits of Christ’s own prayer. Rev. John A. See. Membership in the IRL is comprised Hardon, S.J., reflects upon this great prayer in his Theo- of bishops, priests, religious and lay logical Reflections. St. Benedict of Nursia certainly loved persons. the Divine Office and organized the monastic day around it. This is Religious Life is sent to active mem- something lay people can learn from. The Oblates of St. Benedict try bers of the IRL ($30 per year for U.S. to incorporate it into their lives. Anne Tschanz in her final column: Holy membership) or to those who request it. Orders for Lay People reports on the Benedictine Oblates. Rev. Dwight Institutional or library subscriptions are Longenecker, author of Listen My Son—St. Benedict for Fathers in an also available. Send all correspondence interview explains well how the spirit of St. Benedict through his Rule to Religious Life, P.O. Box 7500, Liber- can guide fathers to form their families into a true domestic church. tyville, IL 60048, or call 847-573-8975. The religious life is at the service of the whole Church. Pope Francis Executive Editor in a recent address to cloistered religious in Madagascar tells them to Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. remain faithful to their hidden life of pray er which, even though clois- Managing Editor tered from works of the external apostolate, serves as a powerful wit- Mr. Michael D. Wick ness to man’s desire to encounter God. Priests in a very special way Assistant Editor/Circulation benefit from the cloistered religious life. Most Rev. Donald J. Hying, Mrs. Anne Tschanz Layout & Design Bishop of Madison, witnesses to this in his article, “We Are Called to Catholic Creative Services, Inc. Build a Monastery in Our Hearts.” The reason for this is that prayer is the first and foremost duty of all religious, especially of the priest who IRL Founder is a “man of prayer,” in the words of Vatican II. Rev. Thomas Dubay, + Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. S.M., in Back to the Basics explains the priority of prayer in religious IRL Executive Director life and what that practically means. Mr. Jeffrey Karls Mother Mary Veronica Loring, C.P., has dedicated her life to the IRL Officers Crucified Christ as a cloistered religious, and prayer was her path to Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa finding her vocation as she shares in Answering the Master’s Call. Con- President templatives have much to teach us about life, precisely how to live in Rt. Rev. Austin Murphy, O.S.B. peace and joy. The Venerable Mother Luisita, a contemplative at heart Executive Vice President and foundress of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Mr. Paul Doetsch Treasurer Los Angeles, teaches simple lessons on abandonment, detachment, Mr. Frederick R. Dempsey, Secretary renunciation and trust which Rick Sarkisian, Ph.D., puts together in his Sr. Beth Ann Dillon, D.S.M.P. article, “Walking Along the Path of Abandonment, Detachment, Re- Rev. Bob Lombardo, C.F.R. nunciation & Trust.” Mrs. Bonnie Quirke The Fathers of Mercy in Auburn, Kentucky, are effective missionar- Mr. Patrick Spencer ies of Divine Mercy in a world wounded by sin. They evangelize with Executive Committee the power of God’s Word and put souls on the path to conversion and holiness. They are featured in this issue’s Affiliate in Focus. Lastly, Rev. © 2019 Institute on Religious Life, Inc. All Brian Mullady, O.P., writes about the late Dr. Conrad Baars in his new rights reserved. Religious Life is printed series, Doctor of the Heart, Healer of the Soul: The Spiritual Counsel in the U.S.A. Reproduction of material ap- of Dr. Conrad Baars. Dr. Baars’ therapeutic work is very effective be- pearing in Religious Life is prohibited with- cause it is based on true philosophical anthropology, namely that of out written prior permission. Unsolicited St. Thomas Aquinas. articles, poetry and other original works may be submitted for consideration. About the Cover: Nativity, with St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Peter Please email submissions to: irlstaff@ the Martyr (1442) by Fra Beato Angelico (1387–1455). A gothic artwork religiouslife.com. Submissions may be done as a fresco now located at the Museum di San Marco dell’Angelico edited for length and style. in Florence, Italy.

2 November/December 2019 Walking Along the Path of Abandonment, Detachment, Renunciation & Trust

Through the gifts of abandonment, detachment, renunciation and trust, we can create an empty space that allows God to express Himself and work with us. He will manifest His Providence in a manner that will exceed our imaginings, desires, hopes and longings. By Rick Sarkisian, Ph.D.

’m looking at it right now... the bookmark with a members of her family: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa quote from Mother Maria Luisa Josefa’s writings, of Avila, and St. John of the Cross, plus the beautiful Ithat came from the Carmelite Sisters in Alhambra, example found in the Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart California: of Los Angeles, the community she founded. “You’ll see . . . our good Lord is going to make everything I’m convinced that these four Carmelite friends come out alright. Just have a little patience and fortitude, and of the soul led me to the discovery of a powerful tem- of course, great confidence in God.” plate for moving forward with my life in new ways—a Words fail me in describing how comforting and four-cornered map that helps me navigate daily through touching it was (and still is) to have such peaceful reas- life amidst the chaos, hazards and occasional absurdity surance that “all will be well” as received by St. Julian of of human existence. I will explain. Norwich, a Benedictine English mystic in 1373. I had been seeking greater clarity regarding the di- Abandonment rection for my life and God’s will for me. If we want to live a life of reality Although I have written a number of rather than an outcome-based, fantasy books on the discovery of God’s plan— life, then in this present moment, we to find, follow, and fulfill His purpose can confidently abandon ourselves to in our life—here I was in a foggy area “Abandonment leads God’s Divine Providence. This means with no clear answers from prayer, even being available to whatever He wants drawing on the principles from my own to interior peace, to do in our life, and our confidence books! and the more can be enhanced by understanding that What began as a simple bookmark God knows and loves us far more than quickly became a trail marker on the we abandon we know and love ourselves! If we live path of purpose. As I write, I still don’t ourselves to in total self-abandonment, having no have all the answers I seek, yet with other concern than seeking and follow- each step, the haze is beginning to lift, God’s Providence, ing God’s will, we then become fully and I am experiencing a clearer vision available to the circumstances, events of God’s wisdom and guidance. the greater peace and people in our life. There are times Here’s why she matters so much to we will experience when we may travel the path of purpose me now. Through Mother Luisita, I have in fog (like me) or darkness, but we can become immersed in Carmelite spiritu- in our lives.” assuredly believe that God has arranged ality. She has inspired me to adopt other all events with His infinite wisdom as

November/December 2019 3 our Almighty Father, ambitions and outcomes, and that the rhythm of and it is so very difficult life will unfold naturally, to let go of that grip be- or should I say, super- cause we believe that this naturally. Abandonment will affect our life in ter- leads to interior peace, rible ways and result in a and the more we aban- downward spiral into sad- don ourselves to God’s ness, misery, loneliness Providence, the greater and despondency. As peace we will experience she followed the Carmel- in our lives. Fr. Jacques ite path to holiness, St. Philippe says: “The measure of our interior peace will be Therese of Lisieux tells us: “If one only knew what one that of our abandonment, consequently of our detach- gains in renouncing all things.” St. John of the Cross ap- ments,” and St. Francis de Sales adds: “The measure of proaches renunciation similarly: “All things were given Divine Providence acting on us is the degree of confi- to me from the moment when I no longer sought them.” dence we have in it.” Trust Detachment Saint Thérèse also tells us that “trust works mira- Mother Luisita writes: “Be truly simple and try to cles” and that she “will never become discouraged.” detach yourself from everything that is not God. You’ll There is no question that trust draws down God’s grace, be able to do this through the intercession of our Bless- especially if we have childlike trust in the Father, with ed Mother. Don’t doubt it.” However, confidence that wonderful things will detachment is often difficult, where we happen, sooner or later. I have told God tend to cling to something important more than once that “I’m counting on in our lives, trying to protect and man- You . . . I’m expecting help from You age it at our own con venience with- “With courage, . . . and it is in You alone that I hope out placing everything into the hands and trust.” The words from Jesus to of God. I think this is a short train ride trust and prayer, Saint Faustina provide even more en- to continued worry, anxiety, all kinds of couragement: “The more a soul trusts, preoccupations, and disquietude. If we adelante (onward) the more it will receive. Souls that trust are able to put everything in the hands even if you have to boundlessly are a great comfort to me, of God, we will ultimately find a rath- because I pour all the treasures of my er profound experience of inner peace walk among thorns.” graces into them. I rejoice that they ask and freedom. Again, from Fr. Jacques —Mother Luisita for much, because it is my desire to give Philippe: “If we detach ourselves from much, very much.” everything and put them into the hands With the daily practice of prayer for of God, God will return them to us a hundredfold, from these gifts of abandonment, detachment, renunciation this day forward” (1 Mac 10:30). Detachment, though and trust, I firmly believe in the following... sometimes painful at the moment, will be followed by an —It will change your life. immense peace. —You will thrive. —You will have an abiding sense of inner peace. Renunciation —And I would love this for you. To accept a certain type of death, the death of re- Mary, Mother of Our Savior, joins Mother Luisita nunciation, we will find a great freedom in the life that as mystical passkeys that open all doors, especially for we have right now. To renounce is to release and relin- those who place their confidence in them without re- quish, to engage in self-denial, and this particular act serve. In these days, I’m asking Mother Luisita to join helps us let go of what we are holding onto, perhaps my newly discovered Carmelite family and intercede for desperately. We have a natural inclination to tighten me in a particular way to clearly hear the daily call of our grip on lots of things: relationships, possessions, God within my heart and soul for my unfolding vocation

4 November/December 2019 and mission, to be the man God wants me writings which can be found at Carmel- to be and do what God wants me to do. iteSistersOCD.com. She provides confi- I have complete confidence in my Heav- dent reassurance for our lives: “Between enly Father that through the powerful in- Jesus and the soul there flows a current tercession of these four Carmelite friends, no one can see and a dialogue that no one He “is going to make everything come out hears. Form a rich and beautiful taberna- alright.” cle for our Lord within your heart and Won’t you join me in seeking Moth- then do not let Him go. In that way, you er Luisita’s maternal presence with your will always have Him within you. Enter needs? She is on the path to sainthood, and within yourself, and meeting Him, tell our petitions can be placed in the Beatifi- Him all your experiences. Adore Him cation prayer that follows here. within yourself, as if everything were in silence. How beautiful it is to be in the O Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, hands of God, searching His divine gaze, King and center of all hearts! in readiness to do whatever He wishes.” Look with merciful love on the Through the gifts of abandonment, petitions we present to You detachment, renunciation and trust as through the intercession of described earlier, we can create an empty Your servant, Mother Maria Luisa Josefa space that allows God to express Himself of the Most Blessed Sacrament. and work with us. He will manifest His (Pause and request your petitions.) Providence in a manner sometimes over- We humbly beseech you to glorify her whelming, and which often exceeds our who was always such a fervent lover of imaginings, desires, hopes and longings. We really do Your Sacred Heart by granting us these favors have only one solution for our life and that is to rely on if they are for Your greater honor and glory. Amen. God alone with total trust in Him and complete aban- (Written by Mother Margarita Maria, O.C.D.) donment to His Providence as “Your Heavenly Father Mother Luisita provides a treasury of beautiful knows what you need” (Mt 6:32). Founder of Carmelites Sisters Dedicated to Serving the Poor enerable Mother María Luisa Josefa of the Most from the Catholic perse- VBlessed Sacrament, also called Mother Luisita cution unleashed by the (June 21, 1866–February 11, 1937) was a Mexican Ro- authorities. This group of man Catholic nun who founded the Carmelite Sis- religious sisters became ters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. the basis for the Carmel- She was born María Luisa de la Peña y Navarro ite Sisters of the Most in Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, the third of fourteen Sacred Heart of Los An- children raised in a devout Catholic family. At fifteen geles. Mother Luisita her- years of age she married medical doctor Pascual self went back to Mexico Rojas. Together they worked to provide medical in 1930 where she con- care for poor people. Dr. Rojas died when Mother tinued her work of providing healthcare for the poor. Luisita was twenty nine years old. Mother Luisita died on February 11, 1937. In 1942 Mother Luisita founded the order of the Carmel- her remains were secretly taken to be buried in Gua- ite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart (Hermanas dalajara, Jalisco. In 1966 they were brought back to Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón, also called Car- the place of her birth Atotonilco. In 1998 they were melitas de Tijuana) on December 24, 1904 in the placed in a special chapel in that town. Mexican state of Jalisco. In the 1920s, during the She is a candidate for sainthood and was declared Mexican Revolution, Mother Luisita took a group of venerable on July 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. nuns to the U.S. city of Los Angeles to protect them Visit CarmeliteSistersOCD.org for more information.

November/December 2019 5 We Are Called to Build a Monastery in Our Hearts

Everyone needs silence, prayer, reflection, and peace in their lives. We, as Christians, are called to build a monastery in our hearts where God can speak, act, and dwell within our soul. Yet how serious are we about growing in an active and authentic life of prayer? Do we allow the Lord’s love to take over our lives? Do we seek spiritual nourishment from the Sacraments? Are we willing to allow God’s love to fill every facet of our lives so that we might live purposefully?

By Most Rev. Donald J. Hying

he center point of my spiritual geography is New the Trappist life was my vocation, I would be peeling Melleray Trappist Abbey, just west of Dubuque, potatoes and scrubbing floors there as I write now! TIowa. I have returned there often for retreats ever since I first visited at the age of 19. Prayer and Stillness Founded in 1849 as a daughter house of Melleray Obviously, most people are not called to live a con- Abbey in Ireland, this monastic community rises at templative vocation in a monastery, and many folks do 3:30 a.m. every morning for Vigils, the first liturgical not have the luxury of taking time away for a spiritual hour of the day. The monks’ days are filled with prayer, retreat. Nevertheless, we all need silence, prayer, reflec- meditation, work, and silence. tion, and peace in our lives. We are called as Christians From the first time I entered their beautiful stone to build a monastery in our hearts where God can speak, chapel, I have felt profoundly embraced by God at New act, and dwell within our soul. Melleray; some of my deepest prayer experiences have The culture of today is so frenetic, anxious, preoccu- occurred there. If I could have ever convinced God that pied, busy, and stimulated that we must struggle to build

6 November/December 2019 a practice of prayer and stillness. Sometimes, it feels like pause to discover the beauty of silence, the power of rest, everything in our society and life conspires against our and the presence of God, even for 10 minutes? spiritual growth. Maybe it is taking a walk at sunrise, sitting in a qui- It is so easy to put prayer and reflection on the back et corner after work, or slipping away before sleep to re- burner, because so many other pressing demands are connect with God. My father would come home from his boiling over on the front burners! We can easily go for factory job every day at 3:30, go into his room, take a days, months, and even 15-minute nap, and then years on such a treadmill pray for 30 minutes. He of activity that a seriously never talked about it, but intended spiritual life be- we all knew he was in comes a distant memory there praying, and it made or an unattainable goal. a difference, not only for I will really start praying him but also for us. when things get less busy, When I am on retreat or so I think. at the monastery, I find Ever since childhood, the food tastes better, my I have always felt the de- sleep is deeper, I breathe sire to pray, to reach out more easily, and God ap- and make some connec- pears omnipresent. In a tion with God. I struggle world of fast food, 30-sec- in prayer with distractions, I give prayer short shrift at ond sound bites, multiple sports activities, endless er- times because of busyness, I sometimes despair that I rands, and frenetic running around, maybe the most have made any spiritual progress at all. prophetic action we can embrace and practice is to slow down, do less, pray more, and be reflective about what Invitation to Prayer really matters. Nevertheless, I feel that gentle yet urgent tug at my At the end of life, I do not think God will ask me soul, the voice of Jesus calling me, saying, “Come away how much money I accumulated, how successful I was for a while and find rest for yourself.” God steadily in- in the eyes of the world, how much television I watched, vites us to put aside the things of this world which are or how popular I was. I will imagine Him saying, “I gave fleeting and ephemeral to embrace and live the abun- you 32,850 sunsets. How many did you watch? How dant life of God’s eternal love. much money and time did you give away to others who Every day, I need to spend time doing nothing world- really needed you? How often did you let My Sacra- ly productive. Whether it is taking a walk, watching the ments nourish your soul? sunset, cross-country skiing, reading a book, or simply How serious were you about really growing an active sitting quietly in a chair, I find such pauses refreshing, and authentic life of prayer? Did you let My love take humanizing, and nourishing. This leisure culminates in over your life, so that your existence became a hymn of time spent in prayer with the Lord. praise and service to Me and your brothers and sisters?” We are here to learn to do what we hope to do per- Finding a Sacred Place fectly in Heaven—to love God with our whole heart, Since coming to the Diocese of Madison, I feel blessed soul, mind, and strength. To live purposefully with that to be living in Bishop Robert Morlino’s former apartment goal, intention, and desire always illuminating, guiding, at the Diocese’s Pastoral Center, which contains a small and inspiring our daily actions and thoughts. chapel. I have never lived with the Blessed Sacrament I have always liked this quote from Henry David so physically proximate before, and I find the experience Thoreau, “I went to the woods because I wished to live transformative. The silence and peace of time spent be- deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and fore the Eucharistic Christ is deeply restful and renewing. see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, You may not have a chapel in your house or resi- when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” dence, but can you find a sacred place in the basement, This article was originally featured in The Madison in a bedroom, or on the back porch where you can daily Catholic Herald. Adapted and reprinted with permission.

November/December 2019 7 Back to the Basics Q & A on the Essential Elements of Religious Life

Prayer and the Religious Life –Part I–

By Rev. Thomas Dubay, S.M. ( 2010)

We do not in my opinion hear so the virgin also gives up her (his) and thus images the total preoccu- Qenough about the relationship be- body for the same reason. The virgin pation of the Church with her Risen tween religious life and the Eucharist. reserves her body for the Lord alone Lord in the Eucharist. Yes, we are urged to be devoted to the and with Him enters into the tomb Such are the reasons why the Mass and to adoration of the Blessed through the profession of vows. Ev- Eucharist is the core and center of Sacrament, but little is said about any ery baptized person descends into every religious community. explicit orientation between the Eucha- the tomb with the Son and rises to rist and virginity/celibacy. Is there some a new life with Him. As an anticipa- For many of us in active religious sort of interconnection? tion of Christian death the profession Qinstitutes the Martha–Mary nar- of the three vows is deeply rooted in rative in Luke’s Gospel is at least con- Yes, there is not only one such the baptismal consecration and thus fusing. Some of us can scarcely conceal Arelationship; there are sever- participates more deeply in the Pas- a hidden disappointment. We surely al. The first is the relationship of chal Mystery. With Jesus the virgin have no least intention of faulting or identity; Jesus’ Eucharistic Body is rises with a new freedom to live the disagreeing with Jesus Himself, but after a virginal body born of the Blessed life of the new creation. The celibate all we work ten, twelve or more hours Virgin Mary. Lord loved His own to the very end, a day and here in this episode the Lord Himself seems not to appreciate the val- Secondly, the Risen Lord in the to the sacrifice of the Cross (Jn 13:1). ue of this work. He seems even to be- Eucharist is the source of the virgin- The celibate man or woman imi- little it. In the circumstances, a meal to al charism, a virginal love, a virginal tates the sacrificial love by becoming be served, it looks to many people that purity. Theologians point out that fruitful like the seed that is cast into Mary was negligent if not lazy, seated every gift in our supernatural econo- the ground and bears much fruit (Jn as she was on the floor enjoying herself my is given through the instrumental 12:24). while her sister was working and need- causality of the human nature of the Fourthly, just as Jesus’ love for ed help. Yet Jesus praises Mary and ad- Word Made Flesh. Both the celibate the Church is an exclusive love, so monishes Martha! gift and the celibate living of the gift the virgin’s love for her Eucharistic are given through this same human Lord is an exclusive love. Both loves The problem can be answered nature which we adore in the Blessed are undivided. The woman religious, Aon two levels. On the upper, Sacrament. They who eat the flesh of being a woman, especially loves this surface-level we may note that Je- the Son and drink of His blood abide wedded union of Christ and His sus was not belittling work. Nor was in Him and He in them (Jn 6:56). Church. She has been so captured by He blaming Martha for preparing Thirdly, just as Jesus gave up His Him that she cannot give a marital the meal. He was pointing out the body for the salvation of the world, attention to another man. She lives fault of letting secondary matters

8 November/December 2019 interfere with primary ones, must immediately see that for indeed, with the primary one. the created person nothing can Further, when He mysterious- compare in importance with ly states that what Mary is do- drinking at the Fountain. If ing will not be taken from her, prayer were not the top priority He is not suggesting that she in human life, God would not will sit unmoved on the floor be God. until she expires. A far deeper The relevance of the Mar- point is being made—we shall tha—Mary narrative for hu- see it shortly. When people get man life in general and religious upset with this charming and life in particular can hardly be profound episode, we have ev- overstated. We have thou- idence that we have missed the sands of Marthas in apostolic point of it. They are still on the communities (and sometimes surface. in cloistered ones as well) who Some commentators and spiritu- rejoice endlessly in Himself. Mary just do not see the practical prima- al writers have seen in this account a seated on the floor has begun what cy of prayer, contemplation, listen- basis for distinguishing a contempla- she shall be doing forever: rejoicing ing undividedly to the Lord. When tive way of life from an active way, in the Lord. Martha’s fault lies not in faced with the theology of the mat- or cloistered orders from active ones. her working but in her allowing work ter many of us grasp the cogency of While there is in the text some foun- this case, but in humdrum daily life dation for these distinctions, quite it is work that becomes primary. We obviously such is not Jesus’s direct readily imitate Christ in His teach- teaching. He is saying something ing and healing but are reluctant to more pervasive and more penetrat- “God made persons follow Him to the mountain for His ing. He is speaking of the human sit- habitual and long hours (even whole uation as such, namely, as it affects to celebrate, love, nights) of prayer in solitude. Mar- all men and women in all vocations. praise and rejoice tha’s mistake has not disappeared He is supposing that there are two from the face of the earth—­even basic dimensions to human life— endlessly in Himself. twenty centuries after it was divinely work and prayer, service to brother Mary seated on the corrected. (and oneself) and to God. One is a means, the other is the end. One is floor has begun If activism implies both a faulty provisional, temporary, of this time. what she shall Qtheology and a self-defeating pro- The other is permanent, forever, of gram for religious life, how do we relate the final age. Martha, “busy with be doing forever: prayer and work? I have read a writer much serving,” is working; she is rejoicing in the Lord.” who maintained that prayer is a means dealing with means to an end. Her toward service to be given to one’s occupation is provisional, for this life neighbor. Your previous answer seems only. As such it must be secondary to interfere with something far more to run contrary to this idea. My ques- even while it is good. Mary on the important. tion may strike some as merely academ- other hand, listening undividedly to Jesus declares that Mary is do- ic, philosophical, but I think its answer, the Lord, is now doing darkly and in ing the “one thing.” This biblical right or wrong, issues in all sorts of con- faith what she will be doing in vision expression (see also Ps 27:4) may sequences, right or wrong. and delight forever. be translated today as top priority Machines are mere means, or overriding necessity. Nowhere in Your last observation is entirely things. Persons are ends, not mere Sacred Scripture is work called the Acorrect. This sort of matter is by means, cogs in a system. God made one thing. Communion with God no means merely academic. One of persons to celebrate, love, praise, and is so named. An intelligent theist the chief reasons we get off the track

November/December 2019 9 in practice is that we are following is the means. Action (work) is pro- their motivation is perfectly correct) either faulty principles or no princi- visional, temporary, while contem- making it possible for themselves and ples at all. Not all of us are cut out plation begun here in faith, is to be others to be about the ultimate pur- to be philosophers, but we should all our eternal enthrallment and fulfill- pose of all human existence. be in possession of a fundamentally ment. As we have just noted, this The life of the three counsels is correct orientation. is a large part of Jesus’ point in His not, therefore, first of all a commu- Prayer, in the sense of com- admonition to Martha about her nity aimed at doing some work. It munion, is not a means to service excessive work orientation. Mary’s is a group of people who may have (petitionary prayer may be such). undivided drinking of Him will not made three radical renouncements This is to have things backwards. be taken from her, i.e., by its nature that they may more easily rejoice in It is true that the prayerful person listening to the Lord is eternal, it is God’s presence, who grow together will, all else being equal, serve his of the end. in Him, who lead others to Him by brothers and sisters more generous- From this it follows that when their being rich and by letting their ly. It is also true that asking prayer anyone works as he ought, he is pro- love appear in work. This is how we may be a kind of means to apostolic viding the circumstances for himself integrate prayer and work in our effectiveness. But if prayer refers to and for others that all of us may begin thinking. How we integrate them in a loving contemplation, it is an end, here on earth to drink Beauty, cele- our daily lives must be achieved by the end, not a means. The greatest brate Reality, commune with our Be- the combined efforts of the leader- of all precepts may not be subordi- loved. I use capital letters to refer to ship provided by the general chapter nated to the second. The Second God, though there is such a thing, of and the administration on the one Vatican Council laid it down that course, as a drinking of creative beau- hand and of local community and in the Church action is subordinat- ty, celebrating the marvelous works the individual on the other. This ed and directed to contemplation of God, communing with a human practical integration putting first (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 2). beloved. The man who repairs a roof things first is one of the principal el- Contemplation is the end, action or a woman who cooks a meal are (if ements in renewal.

Touchstone (cont. from pg. 19) structive. Dr. Baars once said: “[…] it is hoped that his ideas will serve sions themselves. Though bad moral birth control appeals so much to as at least a starting point for some education may be responsible for this the selfish element in every human serious questions involved in living unreasonable conflict, this conflict being. It eliminates the responsibili- religious life and in religious forma- cannot be laid at the doors of morals ties and duties of love, it decries the tion. These teachings can also help itself, especially the authentic morals consequence of romance, and it edu- the laity, both single and married, as taught by the Catholic Church. cates young people in their own self- to more deeply understand what To deny oneself an emotional expe- ish interest and in the indulgence of the demands of the formation of rience (sexual pleasure, for example) their selfish pleasures. France (here virtuous life is in responsible love. from a true choice based on the fact he is speaking not of the French as His funeral homily ended with that the act used to procure it is a sin people but of a movement to birth words taken from one of his favorite (against procreation or unity) does control in their country), by destroy- books, He and I, by Gabrielle Boss- not create an emotional illness but ing the morality of its youth, had led is and can serve as an expression of rather the emotional maturity born the way to the destruction of its own what the love of divine grace offers from virtue. existence; it had removed in its chil- us all in our vocations. Christ says: Drs. Terruwe and Baars were dren the backbone of perseverance “And when I see you suffer, and among the proponents of the idea against evil.” suffer for me, I gather each of your that the West is emotionally bank- The articles in this series that sufferings with great love, as though rupt because it is spiritually bank- will follow offer the salient points yours were greater than Mine, and rupt. This bankruptcy can be seen of the teaching of Dr. Baars on the had a value that My heart would in practices like contraception relationship of morals to psycholo- like to make infinite. And this is which they thought to be not only gy. As he guided many religious and why, when you allow me to do so, I morally evil but emotionally de- priests in evaluating their vocation, merge your life with Mine.”

10 November/December 2019 Answering the Master’s Call

Vocation Stories

Is That All That There Is? –Being “Zapped” by Christ Crucified–

By Mother Mary Veronica Loring, C.P.

was an American Airlines flight attendant for ten years before I I got “zapped” by God. I had just broken off a relation- ship with the man I thought I would marry. Immediately, I felt as if I were in limbo with no goal nor direction in my life. True, I had my flying, but the emptiness I now felt went deep inside and being a flight attendant was not filling that emptiness. The lack of meaning in my life kept hitting me hard in the face. All that kept going through my mind were the words to that old song by Peggy Lee, “Is this it? Is this what I am going to do with the rest of my days?” The prospect was NOT a pleasant one. I have no doubt that for a couple of hours, I finally turned and went right to sleep! A gigantic this was God’s way of getting my at- over on my stomach, propped my- weight had just been lifted off my tention. And He sure did, because self up on my elbows and said out shoulders. Next morning, I started it literally brought me to my knees. loud as I slammed my fist into the checking out the vocations ads. I In the quiet moments, all I could pillow, “LORD! WHAT DO YOU saw one for the Passionist Nuns of do was resort to prayer—asking the WANT FROM ME?” Ellisville: “Contemplative, strict Lord to give me direction. At this Then He zapped me! “Become enclosure.” That really appealed point, I was totally open to whatev- a nun.” That was it—very simple. to me—“strict enclosure.” Right er He wanted me to do. And I told Become a nun. “Who me? You got- from the very beginning there was Him that—but He didn’t seem to be ta be kidding! Me? A nun!” The never any question at all about the answering! thought was so appealing that I type of religious life for which I was Then one night about 2:00 a.m, started to giggle. “Me, a nun? Nah! searching. I desired SO BADLY to with sleep being very illusive after But it’s not a bad idea. I do LIKE have the closest possible relation- having wrestled with this dilemma the idea! Hm!” Then I turned over ship and union with Jesus and I

November/December 2019 11 knew that this could be obtained by prayer and total focus on Him. Cloistered life seemed to be the only way it could happen. I wanted to give Him all! On top of that, I had NO desire to teach, nurse, do social work, any of the different things active religious do today. If God was choosing me to be His own, then the only way for me to go was as a cloistered contemplative. THAT was very clear to me! I said “if God was choosing me” because after that night when the “light shown” and I experienced His touch, I wasn’t absolutely sure that this wonderful idea of becom- ing a nun was really coming from Him. Was it really His idea or was it my own bright idea? So, the next existence. His primary work was to to satisfy that urge was to be a Pas- six months or so found me praying a die for us, for me. sionist nun. lot for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as So, if He could show his stupen- But I still hadn’t “gotten the well as checking out other contem- dous love by suffering and dying for word” from God as to whether or plative orders. me, then the least I could do is to not I should actively pursue the Almost from the very start the respond to that love He manifested idea. So, I told Him that I would Passionists were in the lead. The on the Cross, by giving myself to- go full steam ahead, and that if He mystery of Jesus’ Passion and death tally in love to Him as a Passion- didn’t want me to be a nun, then are at the very core of our Christian ist. The urge was very strong to be He would have to put up road- faith. That, and His resurrection, united to Jesus on the Cross, on the blocks that would be unmistakable. were the precise reasons for Jesus’ altar of sacrifice. And the best way Not only did He NOT put up any roadblocks but any that DID crop up He eliminated in short order! So—four months and no road- blocks later, and after eleven years of flying, I resigned from American Airlines and entered the Passionist Nuns in Ellisville, Missouri. My last flight on American as a flight attendant was the best one I ever made because it brought me here. “Is that all there is?” Not when you have Jesus Crucified as your Lover! “Is that all there is!” You better believe it is! When Jesus Crucified is your ALL, that’s every- thing! For more information visit: PassionistNunsofStLouis.org

12 November/December 2019 Holy Orders For Lay People

Religious Life for the Laity

Following in the Footsteps of St. Benedict of Nursia —The Benedictine Oblates— By Anne Tschanz

return to Benedictine mo- nasticism is frequently men- Ationed as the remedy to in- creasingly pagan times. It is appropri- ate, then, that this last article on the laity is on the Benedictine Oblates who are meant to bring Benedictine life into the heart of the world. Benedictine monasticism is cred- ited with building and preserving Western Civilization “by the cross, the book and the plow,” as Pope St. Paul VI wrote in Pacis Nuntius, wherein he declared Benedict the the Rule is radical but always hospi- selves are transformed by Christ Patron of Europe. His predecessor, table which is why, when other mo- to the point at which they can say, Pope Pius XII, said that Benedict nastic Rules disappeared, the Rule of along with St. Paul, ‘I live, no longer brought “that loving care of order Benedict triumphed and continues I, but Christ lives in me’” (Gal 2:20), and justice that forms the founda- to work its power even today.” according to St. Vincent Archabbey. tion of true society.” Oblates are an Benedictines profess the vows of The word Oblate comes from extension of this monastic vision, obedience, stability and conversatio the Latin word oblatus which means meant to bring the light of Christ morum, which beautifully applies to someone who is offered to God. In into the deepest recesses of the cul- the lay vocation. During the obla- Benedict’s time, parents sometimes ture. tion ceremony, the Oblate candi- presented their sons to a monastery Oblates make private promises dates promise to be obedient to the to be educated (St. Thomas Aquinas to live according to the Rule of St. demands of Christian discipleship by became a Benedictine Oblate at age Benedict, inasmuch as his or her dedicating themselves to the service 5) and it is believed that Benedict state in life permits it. Pope St. John of God and neighbor. While affiliated had under his care lay people who re- Paul II said that in this Rule “we find to a specific monastery, stability can ceived spiritual direction from him. an order which is strict but never also mean that they “prefer nothing Throughout the ensuing centuries, stern, a light which is clear but never to the love of Christ” (Rule 4:21). this special relationship between cold, and a fullness which is absolute Conversatio morum implies an on- lay people and individual Benedic- but never overwhelming. In a word, going conversion “until they them- tine monasteries was canonically

November/December 2019 13 approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1898. never lose hope in God’s mercy. By Most of the information that we walking in His ways, says Benedict, know about the great St. Benedict of we may “deserve to see in His king- Nursia, born c. 480 in Italy, is docu- dom Him who has called us.” mented in Book II of the Dialogues Benedict placed great impor- of Pope St. Gregory the Great (540- tance on work because “idleness is 604). As a boy, Benedict studied in the enemy of the soul.” Pope Pius Rome but as he saw others falling XII said, “Activity and work, far from into sin, he recoiled lest he also fall wearying the mind, distracting it and “into that dangerous and godless applying it to useless things, rather gulf.” Desiring only to serve God, he tranquilize it, strengthen it and lift eventually fled to remote Subiaco it up to higher things.” There is no seeking to suffer and work for God, Benedictine “work” as such. Each rather than to receive praise and monastery is free to adapt to the cir- honor from men. in a form that was ideally suited to cumstances and needs of the times. God desired, however, “that the Western culture. In Benedictine mo- Over the centuries, Benedictines candle set upon a candlestick might nastic law, says Pope Pius XII, “the have engaged in contemplation, shine and give light to the whole rights, duties and works of the monks study, education, art and evangeli- Church of God.” Attracted by Ben- are tempered by the benevolence zation, amongst other things. This edict’s example, “many abandoned and charity of the Gospel.” His Rule applies perfectly to Oblates who in the vanities of the world and placed allows “the strong to have something their own unique circumstances and themselves under the gentle yoke of to strive for, and the weak nothing to with their individual talents serve the Redeemer.” Benedict established run from” (Rule 64:19). God in their own ways. many monasteries, one of which was The goal of monasticism is to Benedict died around the year Monte Cassino, where the Rule of St. lead souls to God. Monks, Benedict 547 and was buried next to his twin Benedict was written. It became, said says, should beseech God with pas- sister Scholastica. The Benedictine Pope St. John Paul II, “the cradle for sionate prayer to perfect whatever life spread from the Mediterranean the growth of Western Monasticism work they begin. Chapter Four of to the north thanks to missionaries and a center of evangelization and the Rule, “The Instruments of Good such as Saint Augustine of Can- Christian humanism.” And it was Works,” describes the qualities of terbury and Saint Boniface, and the predominant form of religious a good Christian life for all people. the Benedictine nuns St. Hilda of life in the West for many centuries. Seventy-two maxims are outlined, Whitby and Saint Walburga. The Benedict’s Rule was based on the such as: do not talk too much, visit Benedictine family of today includes patrimony of the past, Scripture and the sick, do not harbor revenge, love Cistercians, Trappists, Camaldolese, his own knowledge of human nature fasting, do not be a grumbler and Olivetans and Vallombrosans. St. Henry II (d. 1024) is the The Benedictine Oblates co-patron of the Oblates along with Founded: St. Benedict of Nursia, 6th Century St. Frances of Rome. Born to noble parents in 1384, Frances hoped to Motto: Ora et Labora or Pax enter religious life but agreed to an (“Prayer and Work” or “Peace”) arranged marriage. With the bless- External Sign: Medal of St. Benedict ing of her husband, Frances devoted Spirituality: Dedication to the service of God and humanity her ample resources to the poor and sick of Rome. When war and plagues Mission: To conform one’s life in the work brought great suffering to her own according to the Rule of St Benedict family, including the death of two of Formation Program: Novitiate 1+ year her children, Frances turned a por- Website: OSB.org tion of the family home into a hos- pital. In 1425, she founded a society

14 November/December 2019 of women who made an oblation of Those who wish to follow in the themselves to God and to the poor. footsteps of these amazing figures, Affiliated with the Olivetan Bene- enroll in a year-long novitiate with dictines, founded by St. Bernardo a particular monastery followed by Tolomei, she entered the communi- a Final Oblation in a Rite approved ty after the death of her husband. by the Church. The promises they Believed to be accompanied by an make affiliate them with that mon- archangel for the last twenty years astery and commit them to live the of her life, she said as she was dy- spirit of the Rule, according to their ing: “The angel has finished his state in life. During the ceremony, task. He beckons me to follow him.” they are presented with the Rule Today, the Oblates of St. Frances of of St. Benedict and often a blessed Rome reside in their Monastery of Medal of St Benedict. The origins of Tor de’ Specchi (Tower of Mirrors) this powerful and ancient sacramen- in the heart of Rome, symbolizing, an entire, pleasing and perfect holo- tal are not clear but it was formally said Pope Benedict, “the need to caust.” He was the last of the one approved by Pope Benedict XIV in bring the spiritual dimension back hundred and five Catholic martyrs 1741. On the front is an image of to the center of civil coexistence.” to be gruesomely executed at Ty- St. Benedict holding a cross and Her remains, vested in the habit burn, England. He was canonized in the Rule. On the back are puzzling of the Oblates, can be seen in the 1975 in Rome. letters: C S S M L - N D S M D, Olivetan Basilica of Santa France- A famous American Oblate was which mean, “May the holy cross be sca Romana. Servant of God Dorothy Day (1897- my light! May the dragon never be St. Oliver Plunkett, Irish mar- 1980), co-founder with Peter Maurin my overlord!” The C S P B stands tyr, had a most unusual path to his of the Catholic Worker Movement. for “The Cross of (our) Holy Father oblation as a Benedictine. Born in They sought to use Scripture and Benedict.” Finally, the letters V R S 1625 in Ireland, he was ordained Church social teaching to better the N S M V - S M Q L I V B denote: in Rome where a priest told him lives of the poor and marginalized. “Get back Satan! Never tempt me that he would shed his blood for Dorothy was a Benedictine Oblate with your vanities! What you offer the Faith. Oliver replied: “I am un- of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illi- me is evil. Drink the poison your- worthy of it; yet help me with your nois. Though far from her home base self!” Located at the top is the Latin prayers, that this my desire will be of New York, she chose St. Procopius word for peace: PAX. fulfilled.” After 22 years in Rome, because of its special mission to pray An Oblate is encouraged to pray Oliver was consecrated Archbishop for the reunion of the Eastern and the Liturgy of the Hours daily, read of Armagh in 1669, in secret, since Western Churches. Two other nota- the Rule regularly, practice Lectio Catholic Ireland was suffering un- ble oblates were Jacques and Raïssa Divina and to frequent the sacra- der the religious persecution of Ol- Maritain, converts and Catholic ments of the Holy Eucharist and iver Cromwell and it was forbidden philosophers who became Oblates Reconciliation. Part of their life’s of- to publicly celebrate the Mass. In in 1912. For a fascinating look in- fering is to perform the corporal and 1681, Oliver Plunkett, the Primate side the lives of cloistered Benedic- spiritual works of mercy as presented of all Ireland, was falsely accused tine nuns, read the popular novel In by the Lord in their daily lives. of treason and sentenced to death This House of Brede, written by the Pope St. Paul VI called Benedict in what was widely recognized as Benedictine Oblate Rumer Godden. a man who “dispelled the darkness a tragic miscarriage of justice. It is Walker Percy (d. 1990), a convert to by the light of Christian civiliza- believed that Oliver made his obla- Catholicism and writer whose novels tion and radiated the gift of peace.” tion in prison to a fellow prisoner, were set in the American South, be- Faithful Oblates can have this same Dom Maurus Corker, a Benedictine, came an Oblate of St. Joseph’s Abbey transforming effect by their fidelity who said that Oliver “continual- in Louisiana three months before his to the Rule of Saint Benedict, so that ly studies how to divest himself of death and is buried in the monastery “in all things God may be glorified” himself, and become more and more cemetery. (RB 57:9).

November/December 2019 15 Be “Consumed” in Your Desire to Encounter God The following address was prepared to be given by Pope Francis on September 7, 2019, to the contemplative nuns from different cloistered convents gathered for midday prayer at the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Madagascar during the Holy Father’s recent apostolic journey to Africa.

thank every one of you, dear sisters, for leaving the prove incapable of doing so, the contemplative life is cloister for a moment in order to show your commu- the torch that leads to the one eternal fire, “the liv- Inion with me and with the life and mission of the ing flame of love that wounds tenderly” (St. John of entire Church, particularly the Church in Madagascar. the Cross). You are a visible sign of “the goal toward I am grateful for your presence, for your fidelity and which the entire ecclesial community journeys. For the for the radiant witness to Jesus Christ that you offer to Church ‘advances down the paths of time with her eyes the community. In this country, there may be poverty, fixed on the future restoration of all things in Christ,’ but there is also great richness! For here we find a great thus announcing in advance the glory of Heaven” (Vul- treasure of natural, human and spiritual beauty. You tum Dei Quaerere, no. 2). too, dear sisters, share in this beauty of Madagascar, its We are constantly tempted to satisfy our desire for people and its Church, for it is the beauty of Christ that eternity with fleeting things. We find ourselves adrift lights up your faces and your lives. Indeed, thanks to on surging seas that only end up overwhelming our lives you, the Church in Madagascar is all the more beautiful and our spirit. For this reason, “the world needs you ev- in the Lord’s eyes and in the eyes of the whole world as ery bit as much as a sailor on the high seas needs a bea- well. con to guide him to a safe haven. Be beacons to those The three Psalms of today’s liturgy express the an- near to you and, above all, to those far away. Be torches guish of the Psalmist in a moment of trial and danger. to guide men and women along their journey through Allow me to reflect on the first of them, taken from the dark night of time. Be sentinels of the morning (cf. Psalm 119, the lengthiest of the Psalter, since it devotes Is 21:11-12), heralding the dawn (cf. Lk 1:78). By your eight verses to each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. No transfigured life, and with simple words pondered in si- doubt, its author was a contemplative, someone familiar lence, show us the One who is the way, and the truth with prolonged and beautiful experiences of prayer. In and the life (cf. Jn 14:6), the Lord who alone brings today’s passage, the word “con- us fulfillment and bestows life sume” appears several times in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). and, significantly, in two senses. Cry out to us, as Andrew did The one who prays is “con- to Simon: “We have found the sumed” by the desire to encoun- Lord” (cf. Jn 1:40). Like Mary ter God. You yourselves are a Magdalene on Easter morning, living testimony to this insatia- announce to us: ‘I have seen the ble desire present in the heart Lord!’ (Jn 20:18)” (ibid., no. 6). of all men and women. Amid The Psalm also speaks of an- the many proposals that claim other way of being “consumed.” to satisfy the human heart, but It speaks of the malicious, who

16 November/December 2019 seek to ruin the just. They persecute God gives you the gift of intercession. them, set traps for them, try to bring Thanks to your prayer, you are like them down. A monastery is always a mothers, taking your children upon space where people consumed by the your shoulders and carrying them to- pain and sorrows of this world can “What would the Church wards the promised land. Indeed, “our come and find a hearing. May your and those who live on prayer will be all the more pleasing to monasteries, faithful to your charism of God and more effective for our growth contemplation and your constitutions, the human peripheries in holiness if, through intercession, we also be places of welcome and listening, attempt to practice the twofold com- especially for those in greatest need. be like without you? mandment that Jesus left us. Interces- Please be attentive to the pleas and the ...They rely on your sory prayer is an expression of our fra- grief of those in your midst who, con- ternal concern for others, since we are sumed by the experience of suffering, prayers and the ever- able to embrace their lives, their deep- exploitation and discouragement, turn renewed gift of your est troubles and their loftiest dreams. to you. Do not be like those who listen Of those who commit themselves gen- only to pass the time, to satisfy curiosity lives, an inestimable gift erously to intercessory prayer we can or to have something else to talk about. in the sight of God, one apply the words of Scripture: “This is a You have a fundamental mission in man who loves the brethren and prays this regard. The cloister sets you in the that makes you share much for the people” (2 Mac 15:14; cf. heart of God; His heart is thus always in the mystery Gaudete et Exsultate, no. 154). present in your midst. Your sensitivity Dear contemplative sisters, to the heart of the Lord will enable you of redemption.” what would the Church and those to hear Him speaking in your brothers who live on the human peripher- and sisters. The persons around you ies of Madagascar be like without are often very poor, weak, troubled and hurting in a you? What would happen to all those who work in thousand ways; yet they are full of faith. In you, they the forefront of evangelization, especially here, in instinctively recognize witnesses of God’s presence and very precarious, difficult and often dangerous con- invaluable sources of encouragement on the way to en- ditions? They rely on your prayers and on the ever- countering Him and receiving His help. However great renewed gift of your lives, an inestimable gift in the the pain that consumes them, robbing them of joy and sight of God, one that makes you share in the mystery hope, and making them feel isolated and alone, you can of the redemption of this land and of the beloved per- be a pathway to that rock evoked in another passage sons who dwell in it. from the Psalms: “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my “For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,” prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You, when my says the Psalm (119:83), reminding us of how time heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than passes when we experience this two-fold way of being I” (Ps 61:1-2). consumed: by God and by the difficulties of the world. Faith is the greatest treasure of the poor! How At times, almost imperceptibly, we can fall into “list- important it is that the faith be proclaimed to them, lessness, mere routine, lack of enthusiasm and paralyz- strengthened within them, and help them to live in ing lethargy” (Vultum Dei Quaerere, no. 11). It makes hope. May the contem- no difference how old you plation of God’s mysteries, are, or how difficult it is to which finds expression in walk or to arrive on time your liturgy and your times for prayers… We are not of prayer, enable you bet- wineskins drying next to ter to discover His active the smoke, but logs burning presence in each human until they are consumed in situation, even the most the fire which is Jesus. For troubling, and to be thank- He never fails us, He cov- ful that, in contemplation, ers our every debt.

November/December 2019 17 Doctor of the Heart, Healer of the Soul The Spiritual Counsel of Dr. Conrad W. Baars The Touchstone of Thomism

“Beware of giving away ever so literally to sadness, the enemy of all true devotion. Nought save sin should have the power to grieve and even that sorrow, if sin be duly resisted, will end in joy and consolation.” –St. Francis de Sales By Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P.

t is a distinct pleasure for me to write a series of short articles Ion the contributions of a man I never actually met but who has had an immense influence on my life, Dr. Conrad W. (Koert) Baars. He was born in the Netherlands on January 2, 1919, the second son as he describes himself of two affluent parents. Before the war he studied at Oxford and was taught philosophy by the famous Jesuit Martin D’Arcy. He lived through the horrors of World War II and spent several years in the concentration camp of Buchenwald, the price he paid for working for the French underground and helping velop a theory of emotional illness problematic area for Catholics. The Allied flyers escape. This experience based on Thomistic rational psychol- reason is that post-Freudian psychol- was very influential in his future life. ogy. In these days in which commu- ogy often sees the moral law em- He survived his imprisonment al- nities are often looking for guidance braced by Catholics as the seedbed most miraculously and later immi- about the psychological maturity of which causes psychological illness. grated to the United States where their members, Dr. Baars’ teaching Dr. Baars was adamant that this is he practiced psychiatry in various seems a particularly timely contribu- because modern psychology is based places eventually ending up in Texas tion to this discussion. Though some on a mistaken idea of the soul in where he died in 1981. of them seem somewhat controver- which the spirit has no place with Dr. Baars counseled many priests sial, they are rooted in the best Cath- the passions or the emotions. The in- and religious in his years as a psychi- olic tradition. tellect and will become the enemy of atrist and with his colleague, Dr. In the struggle to find the touch- psychological integration. One must Anna Terruwe, has the distinction stone between faith and reason, be freed from morality to become of being the only psychiatrist to de- modern psychology is often a very whole. Dr. Baars clearly shows why

18 November/December 2019 this idea is mistaken and also why Yes, it has been a privilege, that life without God has no the best friend of emotional integra- even though in the beginning I meaning. tion is the moral law as authentically rebelled against God’s holy will, Buchenwald was a hard and taught by the Church. For him, the and in my conceit demanded an bitter experience, but it was an best expression of this law is found answer as to why it had to be me advantage to those who knew in the teaching of Thomas Aquinas. and not my neighbor who had to how to profit from it. Why does Besides his study of Saint Thom- undergo such misery. But, as time God permit wars and concentra- as, the experience of Dr. Baars in passed, my eyes were opened, and tion camps? Again the answer is Buckenwald was a major influence I began to see what before I could simple: because He loves us, be- in his life and greatly affected his not comprehend. I had come to cause He wants to bring back to thought. He relates that one of the His fold those who otherwise in reasons he was spared is that he a life of pleasure and lusts would worked in the hospital. While there, have been lost.’” he was secretly given the Blessed Sac- These are certainly strange words rament by a priest and often distrib- for a psychiatrist and underline the uted it to himself and to his patients. reason why a study of Dr. Baars can He relates in his autobiography, Doc- be so beneficial to understanding the tor of the Heart: “Yes, I know I was whole gamut of the relationship of totally unworthy to carry the Holy religious experiences to the forma- Host with me, even more so to touch tion of the passions in the soul. Dr. it with my hands, but it was the only Baars relates that he was practicing possible way of receiving Him whom Freudian psychoanalysis for many I needed so badly in my misfortune. years and was puzzled by the fact It was His continuous presence and that so few people were cured by this His grace that carried me unharmed method. Then he read a book which through the dangers of the long hours had a profound effect on his view of of my captivity. What this precious his science, The Neurosis in the Light gift from Père George had meant to of Rational Psychology by Anna Terru- me I cannot possibly describe. God we. In this book, Dr. Terruwe argued does not leave His children when understand the real value of the a position that Dr. Baars himself they are in need. And He knows only things that I had once thought came to adopt in time. The clinical too well which of them, like me, need important and worth living for. discoveries of Freud were brilliant His help the most.” When life was sweet and carefree, but his solution and explanation of Baars’ experiences in this con- I had valued money, for example, the problem of emotional illness was centration camp led him to appre- because I thought it could buy very flawed because he was basing ciate his faith even more and to me happiness; it could not, how- his therapy on a seriously flawed acquire a supernatural point of view ever, buy me freedom. The best of metaphysics of the human soul. about everything in life. This is cru- foods and wines and all the deli- The findings of true modern psy- cial to understanding his work. He cacies that please the tongue had chology could only be adequately writes: “One of the French priests also once seemed important, yet explained if they were based on an imprisoned in the concentration bread and water sufficed to keep authentic picture of the human soul camp of Buckenwald once said: body and soul together. I valued a such as one finds in Aristotle and ‘When one speaks of the privi- carefree life, reaping the fruits of Thomas Aquinas. For example, the lege to have come out alive from my education; however the mis- source of the classic neurosis cannot Buckenwald, one also should eries of prison life had taught me be found in a conflict of reason and consider the fact that it has been the real meaning of life. I had not the passions, but in an inadequate a greater privilege to have been valued God and His commands, penetration by reason of the passions sent there, and even this, without but now in prison I realized that because of a conflict within the pas- the first, is a privilege indeed. I could not live without Him— (Continued on page 10)

November/December 2019 19 InnerView

With Rev. Dwight Longenecker, Author of Listen My Son­–St. Benedict for Fathers and St. Benedict and St. Thérèse: The Little Rule & the Little Way

Briefly, what are the main tenets of ing Father.” When I sat down and Discipline is always for the good the Rule of St. Benedict? read the Rule through the eyes of a of the person being disciplined—not Saint Benedict’s Rule is a sim- natural father, I saw how so many of for the comfort of the abbot or even ple but profound set of guidelines the principles and guidelines offered for the good of the community. Every for community life in sixth-century good advice for families. member of the community is expect- Italy. At the heart of the Rule are Saint Benedict was not writing a ed to obey and serve one another in the three Benedictine vows of obedi- great and lofty treatise on prayer or love, not simply obey the abbot in a ence, stability and conversion of life. spirituality. He was writing a practical militaristic fashion. But in a sense, the spirit of the rule for ordinary people to live togeth- These principles establish the Rule is the most important thing. er. He expected them to work hard, home as the primary Christian com- Saint Benedict’s Rule has survived read hard and pray hard. His Rule munity; therefore, it becomes the because he had a deep understand- therefore applies to family life be- primary building block of a larger ing of human psychology, he tem- cause it is about the grace-full blend Christian community and a Chris- pered discipline with compassion of prayer, work and living together. tian culture of love. and he saw the spiritual quest as a joyful pursuit of God within the What aspects the Rule of St. Bene- What particular challenges do fa- structures of ordinary life. It is this dict relate the best to parenting? thers face in guiding their families? joyous delight in everyday spiritual- Saint Benedict has sections on Fatherhood is under threat to- ity that makes the Rule come alive the discipline of monks, which help day. The forces of feminism, ho- for so many. us to reconsider the need for loving mosexuality and secularism attack discipline in the home. patriarchy, but truth will always tri- What inspired you to apply the Rule His guidelines on prayer help us umph. Children need fathers. to parenting, particularly fatherhood? to structure a simple but effective Of course there are many bad fa- As a Benedictine oblate, I have prayer life for families, and his practi- thers who have done great damage, studied the Rule and tried to live by cal advice on living together in peace but we rarely hear that there are also its spirit for some time. When I mar- and with open communications help many bad mothers who have done ried and we were blessed with chil- families to work together on the dif- great damage to children. dren, the simple principles of living ficult lessons of love. Blaming others does no good. together under God’s love that St. Most importantly, I wished for The response to bad fathers is not to Benedict taught seemed right for the Benedictine spirit to come through get rid of all fathers, but to encourage family life. my commentary on the Rule. Saint good fathering. There is a longing in I was struck by the opening Benedict’s ideal is that each member all of our hearts for strong, loving words of the Rule: “Listen my Son ... of the community be valued and loved and spiritual father figures. turn your ear to the advice of a lov- unconditionally. Men today need to take their fa-

20 November/December 2019 thering role seriously. If they do not If fathering is faulty, our theol- Are there any guidelines in the Rule have good father-figure role models ogy will be faulty. If fathering is ex- that parents should not try to apply themselves, then they need to get cellent, we will have—as individuals to their children? some. They should not be ashamed and a society—an excellent image of Parents would find his demands to join men’s groups that nurture and God. for instant and unquestioning obe- strengthen their masculinity—but this dience to be harsh. But the overall masculinity needs to be fully Christ-like. According to Saint Benedict, what spirit of Saint Benedict’s Rule is that It needs to be strong, but not be kind of man should an abbot—or a fa- he demands “nothing harsh—noth- ashamed to have a tender heart. If ther—be? What sort of a community ing burdensome.” men can get themselves sorted out, should he strive to create in his home? There are also some specific rules then they will in turn help their sons There is a long chapter at the be- that don’t apply to modern family life and daughters to be strong, pure and ginning of the Rule on what sort of because they have to do with only noble children of God. man the abbot should be, and point monastic life or were written for Ital- by point it can be applied to the sort ians in the sixth century. How is being a father of children of man a Christian father should be. I have tried to get behind the similar to being an abbot—like Saint Essentially, the abbot is a strong, specific rules to understand Saint Benedict—of monks? loving, mature man who is clothed in Benedict’s motivations; once we do The word “abbot” comes from the the grace of Christ. He considers his that, we can see the reasons for the same root as the word Jesus used for responsibilities and authority as from specific rules and apply them as nec- God—abba. Abbot therefore means God, and is therefore humbled and essary in the modern world. “father,” and the relationship between bears the authority with great awe— the abbot and his monks from the very never lording it over others, but treat- How else do you think Saint Bene- beginning of the Rule is essentially that ing each one of his charges with ten- dict’s Rule can be applied to modern of a father to his sons. The similarities derness and total attention. The Chris- life by ordinary lay people? to natural fathering run through al- tian home is “ruled” by the father, but The other Benedictine book I most every page of the Rule. in a spirit of total self-giving and loving have written is called St. Benedict It is interesting that the rela- attention for the needs of all. and St. Thérèse—The Little Rule & tionship between abbot and novice This is a very high ideal, but it is a The Little Way. monk grows through the Rule in a beautiful one, and one that we should In this book I’ve drawn the princi- very subtle manner. not apologize for simply because ples from Benedictine spirituality and At first, the novice is expected to some fathers have abused it. Saint seen the parallels in the life and teach- obey the abbot instantly and without Benedict’s abbot—and therefore the ings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The question. Later, the relationship ma- Christian father in the home—should connections are remarkable. One saint tures so that the instant obedience call constantly on God for help and is like the grand old man of religious is tempered with proper questioning realize that he relies on grace to sus- life while the other is the little child. and a sense that the monks should tain him at all times. Both saints saw God at work be just as obedient to each other. Furthermore, when we fail to within the ordinary events of every- This reflects the relationship of reach the ideal we need to be humble day life, and it is this underlying prin- the father to his children as they ma- enough to ask forgiveness both from ciple that really enlivens the Rule of ture and become more responsible. God and from our wives and children. Saint Benedict. The relationship flowers into one of This is very important because For both Saints Benedict and confidence and mutual love. children need to know that their fa- Thérèse, “God is not elsewhere.” They It may be controversial to say so, thers are not only fallible, but able believe God is present in the joys and but the relationship between father to recognize their own frailty and sorrows of our everyday lives, and and child is also crucial to our rela- ask forgiveness for their failings. If the spiritual quest is the quest to see tionship with God. Like it or not, our children see their father ask forgive- God’s mighty hand in all His works— human psychology is arranged in such ness they will not mind when they especially in the little things of life. a manner that our picture of “father” are asked to exercise the same hu- Please visit DwightLongenecker.com invariably becomes our picture of God. mility. for podcasts and to browse his books.

November/December 2019 21 Resources in Review

A Time To Die: Monks on the Threshold of Eternal Life by Nicholas Diat Foreward by Robert Cardinal Sarah Published by Ignatius Press (800-651-1531)

t the beginning of his new teaux. Some lives were cut short, like seems at times to delay the encoun- book, A Time to Die: Monks young Brother Vincent of Lagrasse ter with our Creator or hasten it. Aon the Threshold of Eternal Abbey whose “body melted away Once a doctor told a Carthu- Life (Ignatius Press), author Nico- like the snow in the spring sunshine sian monk that his malady was “se- las Diat says that modern man has but his soul was lighter every day.” rious. You could die!” The monk an obsessive fear —“He does not Father Efflam of En-Calcat Abbey offhandedly replied: “Well, if it’s want to admit that life has an end.” lived his Alzheimer’s with joy, said only that….” Perhaps that is what He goes on to quote former French Dom David, because “of the simplic- this book conveys most effectively. President Francois Mitterand who ity of his life of prayer.” Dom Patrick Robert Cardinal Sarah in the Fore- at the end of his life wrote: “Never of Sept-Fons said that “prayer is the word says that death is an Easter, a before, perhaps, has the relationship best attitude, the useful wisdom, the passage. While sufferings, anxieties, to death been so impoverished as in only necessity.” depression, and fears may be present, this time of spiritual desolation when Abbots struggled with end-of- the monks know that the monastery men in their rush to exist, seem to life decisions when all power seemed is “an antechamber to happiness,” avoid all mystery.” to be taken from them and taken they are transitory pilgrims, where The author travels to eight over by hospital administrators. The in death, their deepest longing to be French monasteries to discover what monks wanted to die at home, in with God forever is realized. A re- monks may have to teach us about God’s good time, in the presence of markable and inspiring book. death. He visits, among others, the their good father, the Abbot. Mod- Order by calling 800-651-1531or Grand Chartreuse, Solesmes, and Ci- ern medicine complicates things and by visiting Ignatius.com. 2019 World Day of Cloistered Life Resources Available Online atholics throughout the world Lord for the gift of so many people Care encouraged to celebrate who, in monasteries and hermitages, the World Day of Cloistered Life, dedicate themselves to God in prayer which is Thursday, November 21, and in silent work.” 2019, the Memorial of the Presen- Pope Pius XII first instituted this tation of Mary in the Temple. ecclesial worldwide event in 1953 to “The primary purpose of World publicly recognize women and men Day of Cloistered Life, traditional- who so generously give of themselves ly known as Pro Orantibus Day (“For to this unique calling and who each Those Who Pray”), is to support— day, from the various convents and both spiritually and materially—the monasteries spread throughout the The nationwide effort to publi- gift of the cloistered and monastic world, offer prayer and sacrifice un- cize World Day of Cloistered Life life,” notes Rev. Thomas Nelson, ceasingly. Pope St. John Paul II lat- is coordinated by the Institute on O. Praem., National Director of the er expanded its celebration and en- Religious Life. A free packet of re- Institute on Religious Life. And as couraged Catholics to highlight and sources is available online, includ- Pope Francis reminds us, “it is an support this hidden vocation in any ing a meditation for this occasion at opportune occasion to thank the way possible. CloisteredLife.com.

22 November/December 2019 IRL News & Notes Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Celebrate 150 Years his year marks the 150th an- niversary of the founding of Tthe Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in Germany. The community, also known as the Alton Franciscans, follows the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis, with a mission to be simply ready in obedience to God’s call. Their spir- ituality also focuses on the Sacred Heart, striving to make His merciful love visible through their service to others in a variety of apostolic activ- ities, including hospital work, care to Father Dunne’s Newsboys Home. pecially since the 1980s. The com- of the elderly, education, day care, And then a new apostolic endeavor munity in the United States now religious education, parish work and was pursued. One of the sisters had a typically receives on average about social services. brother in what is now the Diocese three to four new vocations every In 1869, Mother M. Anselma of Springfield, Illinois, who knew year. Because of this steady stream, Bopp, in collaboration with Rev. about an infirmary for sale in Alton. the community has expanded their John Gerard Dall, established the The sisters purchased Nazareth In- presence with new convents in community in Thuine, a small vil- firmary in 1925. Today, the facility Michigan, Kansas, northern Illinois, lage in northwest Germany. Father is now known as OSF St. Anthony’s New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Dall desired to have a religious Health Center in Alton, where the Oklahoma. community for his people and to sisters remain active. The sisters also have a presence In 1932, the sisters began to in seven other countries around the serve at and later purchased Moth- world, including Japan, Indonesia, er of Good Counsel Home, a skilled Brazil, Cuba, Albania, Italy, and The nursing facility on Natural Bridge Netherlands. Road in Northwoods, Missouri. The For more information, please vis- home has been expanded multiple it AltonFranciscans.org. times over the years, adding sever- al wings. Within the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the sisters also serve in establish a home for needy chil- other areas, including the Archbish- dren and the sick. This dream was op’s residence, Office of Consecrated realized in 1857, with the arrival of Life and Office of Youth Ministry. In Help Support the two Sisters of the Holy Cross from 1998, the sisters opened a convent at Future of Religious Life! Strassbourg. St. Alban Roe in Wildwood, where Remember the IRL in The first members who came to the sisters teach at the school and your will or estate plan. the United States in 1923 were con- are involved in youth ministry. Our legal name is: sidered a financial safeguard for the In 1970, the sisters reopened “Institute on Religious Life, Inc.” motherhouse in Germany. These their novitiate in Alton. Vocations trailblazers were initially missioned to the community had taken off, es-

November/December 2019 23 Special Jubilee Year for Visitation Nuns in 2019–2020

n May 13, 2020, the Visitaton of Rome, the grace of a Jubilee Year for nuns will celebrate the 100th all of the monasteries of the Order of Indulgence Dates Oanniversary of the canoniza- the Visitation who would like to live it. October 16, 2019 tion of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, This year opened on October 16, Feast of VHM. On this occasion, together with 2019 and will close on October 17, St. Margaret Mary Mother Marie-Thérèse Dennel (Su- 2020. Alacoque, VHM perior of Visitation Monastery in An- The grace of a plenary indulgence January 24, 2020 necy, France) and Rev. François Corri- is granted to all those who pass through Solemnity of gnan (Religious Assistant to Visitation the doors of Visitation monastery cha- St. Francis de Sales Order), the Order asked for and ob- pels, with the usual conditions and on May 13, 2020 tained from the Apostolic Penitentiary the specified dates (right). 100th Anniversary of the When requesting this grace from Canonization of St. Margaret the Apostolic Penitentiary, the nuns Mary Alacoque, VHM expressed themselves thus: “Desiring May 31, 2020 to be renewed (in the mission received Solemnity of the by our Holy Order of the Visitation), so Visitation of the Virgin Mary that the love of the Heart of Jesus might June 19, 2020 further shine forth over the world, we Solemnity of the have thought that the grace of a Jubilee Most Sacred Heart Year, with the possibility of a plenary in- August 12, 2020 dulgence, could also allow the numerous Solemnity of faithful who frequent the chapels of our St. Jane de Chantal monasteries to intimately experience the October 16, 2020 love of the Heart of Jesus, and to render Feast of St. Margaret Him ‘love for love’ according to the de- Mary Alacoque, VHM sire that He Himself had expressed to St. Margaret Mary.” Monthly First Fridays Servants of Christ Jesus Approved as an IRL Affiliate Community t the IRL annual meeting of spirituality, Scripture, evangelization Athe Board of Directors held on and education to be preachers of the September 20, 2019, the Servants of Word, teachers of the Catholic Faith, Christ Jesus were approved as an IRL and directors of souls. They seek par- affiliate community. ticularly to announce Christ to souls Founded in 2004, the Servants who have yet to conform their lives to of Christ Jesus are a community of Him—youth, young adults, non-Cath- priests and brothers committed to olics, and non-Christians. advancing the New Evangelization They were founded in the Diocese through the praise, reverence and of Steubenville in 2004, transferred to Samuel Aquila in 2013. Members service of God. They live the Gospel the Archdiocese of Denver in 2006, serve as chaplains in schools and through the evangelical poverty of recognized as a Private Association provide missionary training, family St. Francis of Assisi and the apostolic of the Faithful by Archbishop Charles formation, parish missions and spir- formation of St. Ignatius Loyola. Chaput in 2009 and as a Clerical Asso- itual direction. For information visit Members are trained in Ignatian ciation of the Faithful by Archbishop SCJesus.org.

24 November/December 2019 Rev. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., to Receive the Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award at 2020 National Meeting n recognition of his evangelization troit, a Master of Divinity and S.T.B. efforts through the print media, from the Jesuit School of Theology of Itelevision, radio, talks, and teach- Loyola University, and a Master of ings, the IRL is pleased to honor Rev. Arts, Ph.D., in Old Testament from Mitch Pacwa, S.J., with the 2020 Pro Vanderbilt University. He has taught Fidelitate et Virtute Award. Today, at the high school, university, and his television and radio programs at seminary levels and is a noted biblical Eternal Word Global Catholic Net- scholar, lecturing at hundreds of con- work, the world’s largest religious ferences and churches around the media network, reach people in 144 world. “I often explain to people that countries around the world. my education as a Jesuit was a gift of Father Pacwa did not purpose- the people of God,” he said in a 2014 published by his own apostolate, Ig- ly embark on a career in the media interview. “I have a responsibility to natius Productions, a Catholic teach- but it is where the Lord has led him. use this education for the service of ing and media apostolate. Father is The Jesuit priest who can often be the Church because ultimately this fluent in many languages including seen in cowboy boots wanted to be a education is theirs.” Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic and is cowboy as a young boy but after his His career in media began when bi-ritual, able to celebrate the Ma- First Communion that all changed, he heard an anti-Catholic radio pro- ronite Mass of the Eastern Catholic and it was the priesthood that be- gram and called in to complain. The Church. In 2004, Father spoke at the came the desire of his heart. While in resulting invitation to participate in IRL National Meeting on the topic, the minor seminary studying for the their live call-in program proved to “Bringing the Gospel to Islam.” diocesan priesthood, Father realized be so popular that they kept asking Like Mother Angelica, who re- “I’m going to be a Jesuit!” though him back. His first appearance on ceived the same award from the IRL he had never met one. His only ex- “Mother Angelica Live” was in 1984 in 1995, Father Mitch is a voice of perience of Jesuit life was viewing a and though he was then a professor sanity and clarity in these turbulent movie on St. Ignatius of Loyola and at Loyola University in Chicago and days where the truth of the Faith is hearing about the missionary work of later the University of Dallas, he kept often obscured. We are grateful for St. Francis Xavier. coming back. his teaching, his example of religious Originally from the Chicago area, Currently, Father Pacwa hosts life faithfully lived as a son of St. Ig- Father entered the Society of Jesus in two television shows a week and a natius, and his devoted service to 1968 and was ordained in 1976. He weekly call-in radio show. He has led God’s people, expressed in so many received his B.A. in Philosophy and over 50 pilgrimages to the Holy Land fruitful ways for the greater glory of Theology from the University of De- and his “Holy Land Prayer Book” was God. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Canons Regular of St. John Cantius Elect New Superior and Council he Canons Regular of St. John by Rev. Gary McCloskey, O.S.A., TCantius recently concluded president of the General Chapter and their historic General Chapter. For delegate of Cardinal Blase Cupich, the first time since their community’s Archbishop of Chicago. founding in 1998, they elected a The community’s charism is “the General Superior and Council. Rev. restoration of the sacred” through the Joshua Caswell was elected Superior Sacred Liturgy, music and art. For General and was installed as on additional information, please visit Thursday, October 10th at Vespers Cantius.org.

November/December 2019 25 Affiliate in Focus

The Fathers of Mercy Auburn, Kentucky

Bringing God’s Mercy to the Lost by Preaching Parish Missions and Retreats...

he Fathers of Mercy is a Ro- man Catholic congregation Tof priests whose primary apos- tolate is preaching parish missions and retreats, with an emphasis on the Sacraments of the Holy Eucha- rist and Confession. As a religious clerical congrega- tion of pontifical right, their gener- al purpose to to give honor to God and to sanctify their members. Their specific purpose is the following of Christ and the perfection of the indi- viduals through their apostolate for the propagation of the Faith and the salvation of souls. The community is entirely or- dered to the apostolate, with their primary focus on the spiritual works of mercy. This apostolic focus may tration of the Sacraments, especially bishops in whose dioceses they are be undertaken among those without the Sacraments of Confession and serving, and to their superior general. the true Faith or among the faithful the Holy Eucharist, and the preach- Parish missions are always con- living in rural or neglected areas. ing of the Word of God. ducted at the invitation of the pas- Such ministry emphasizes the Mer- The community has a deep de- tor or the bishop. Their primary cy of God. Their venerable founder, votion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, purpose is to assist the pastor in his Rev. Jean Baptiste Rauzan, provided specifically to the Immaculate Con- ministry. By conducting this work, them with the “Father of the Prodi- ception, because the congregation every Father of Mercy seeks to in- gal Son” as their model, as well as the was placed under this title of Our flame all souls with the Infinite Love Scripture verse: “He was moved with Lady by Pope Gregory XVI when of Almighty God, and to call them mercy” (cf. Lk 15:20), their motto. he officially approved them in 1834, to receive the Merciful Love of the Missionary spirit and zeal for some twenty years before Pope Pius Heart of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the salvation of souls are two spe- IX defined the dogma in 1854. Christ. cific characteristics of the Fathers of Obedience to all lawful authori- Mission services typically begin Mercy. This is seen in their preach- ty—both ecclesiastical and civil—is on Sunday evening, usually with a ing parish missions to believers, in another strong characteristic of the Eucharistic Holy Hour and preach- their parish work, in their missions Fathers of Mercy. Members are es- ing before the exposed Blessed Sac- to non-believers, in their adminis- pecially obedient to the pope, to the rament. The mission services con-

26 November/December 2019 In the Spirit of the Founder. . . Called to Revitalize the Catholic Faith

he Congregation of the Fa- Tthers of Mercy was founded in 1808, originally under the title of the “Missionaries of France.” After tinue each evening, usually with a the great upheaval and persecu- Eucharistic Holy Hour or the Mass. tion which the Church suffered in The Sacrament of Reconciliation is France during the Revolution, the always made available before and af- clergy and laity sought from Heav- ter the evening talk. en extraordinary ways to foster the The community also conducts salvation of souls, for most of the retreats for various groups of people: people had left the true Faith. mothers/daughters, women, men, One of the many options sug- married couples, families, youth gested to revitalize the Faith was placing them under the patronage groups, Legion of Mary groups, col- the preaching of parish missions. of the Immaculate Conception. lege students, religious communities, God, in His goodness and mercy, In 1839, missionaries were sent etc. These retreats may be one-day raised up Fr. Jean Baptiste Rauzan, to the United States with hopes events, weekends, or other longer, a priest of the Diocese of Bordeaux, that they could continue the work retreats. to be his chosen apostle. In 1808 of saving souls. These zealous the Archbishop of Lyons, Joseph priests were very successful. Besides Cardinal Fesch, asked Father Rau- preaching they also built churches zan to gather a group of zealous in New York, New Jersey and Phil- priests to take up the awesome task adelphia. Others labored in New of re-evangelizing a devastated Orleans and St. Augustine. France. Father Rauzan began with After the death of Father Rau- five priests who traveled from town- zan in 1847, the Society stayed in to-town preaching missions. Upon France, rebuilding churches and entering a town, some would even maintaining parishes, until 1905 go door-to-door personally inviting when the anti-clerical Third Re- people back to the Church. Though public of France legislated the sep- they may have been initially re- aration of Church and State, con- luctant, the townspeople were so fiscated Church property, and drove moved by their impassioned preach- out religious communities. ing that their faith was restored. By the 1940’s, the Society of In 1814 a Generalate for the Priests of Mercy existed only in the community was established in Par- United States, with the exception of is where the Fathers were placed in a house of studies in Rome, and at For more information contact: charge of several parishes. Hence, this time the Vatican considered the Fathers of Mercy parochial work was added to their Society an American community. In 806 Shaker Museum Road task of preaching missions and has 1961, the community was elevated Auburn, KY, 42206 continued to the present day. In from the status of a society to that of 270-542-4146 1834, Pope Gregory XVI approved a congregation; thus, the community FathersofMercy.com Father Rauzan’s work and gave was renamed the Congregation of the [email protected] them the name “Fathers of Mercy,” Priests (Fathers) of Mercy (CPM).

November/December 2019 27 Theological Reflections

By Rev John A. Hardon, S.J. Servant of God/IRL Founder (1914–2000)

Acknowledging God’s Greatness & Goodness

hrist continues His priestly by their priestly consecration or re- Why does God want it? For His work through the agency of ligious profession are specially iden- sake? No, that would be needing it, Cthe Church, which is cease- tified with the Eucharist are also ex- only in different words. He wants it lessly engaged in praising the Lord pected by the Church to be devoted for our sake. and interceding for the salvation of to the chanting or recitation of the He wants us to adore Him, which the whole world. She does this not hours of the Liturgy. is what praise really means because only by celebrating the Eucharist, The very expression Divine this is the truth He wants us to prac- but also in other ways, especially by Office (Divinum Officium) literally tice by telling Him in all the human praying the Divine Office. means “sacred duty” whose gravity accents at our disposal that He alone What is the Church saying? She depends on the Church’s legislation is necessary, that He alone is great, is telling us that since Calvary, Christ or in the case of religious, of their that He alone is mighty—by com- is no longer alone in His priestly work constitutional regulation. parison with us. In a word, that He of praising God and pleading for the What kind of prayer is the Di- alone is God and we are only we— needs of a sinful world. vine Office? We might say it includes unnecessary creatures that except By His death on the Cross, He within its ambit every form of prayer. for Him would not even be. brought forth, as the Church Fathers True enough. But is there some form That is why so much of the graphically explain, His Spouse the of prayer on which the Office, so to Divine Office is composed of the Church, as the second Eve from the speak, concentrates to make the Lit- Psalms, those eloquent hymns of wounded side of the dying Savior. urgy of the Hours distinctive in the praise, inspired by the Holy Spirit be- Since Calvary, then, Christ con- Church’s spiritual posture before God? fore the Incarnation and ever since tinues what He began in Palestine, Yes, the Divine Office is, par ex- prayed by the Church in chants of only now His priestly ministry is both cellence, the prayer of divine praise adoration. that of the Head of the Mystical and intercession, and behind these As we reread or re-sing the Body and of its members. two words, “praise” and “interces- Psalms of praise, however, notice We, therefore, members of His sion,” stands the whole galaxy of all the stress on God’s power that runs Body, are privileged to unite our possible relationships of a creature through them like a mighty theme. prayer with His in a harmony that with respect to the Creator. Why be reminded of God’s power beggars description but that is awe- In the Divine Office we first of when we praise Him? Because in the some in its dignity. all praise God. This may seem like a world there are so many powerful If we ask how we join with Christ strange expression, as though God idols that men are tempted to wor- the High Priest in His priestly minis- needs our poor words of admiration. ship instead of humbly submitting to try, we are told it is mainly through No, God does not need our admira- the Almighty God. the Holy Eucharist and the canoni- tion, because He stands in no need Hence the terrible need, born cal hours of the Liturgy. of His creatures. But He most wants of our inveterate tendency to make This juxtaposition of the Eu- our acknowledgment of His great- idols of creatures, to praise God as charist and the Office should be ness and recognition of His good- the all-powerful One, before whose emphasized. The one complements ness, and submission to His power magnitude all earthly beings is as and supports the other. And all who and majesty. naught.

28 November/December 2019 GreatGreat WorksWorks on/byon/by St.St. JohnJohn HenryHenry NewmanNewman ◆ Prayers, Verses, and Devotions ◆ Parochial and John Henry Newman Plain Sermons beautifully printed, Bible paper John Henry Newman A volume of Newman’s most pro- All eight volumes of Newman’s found devotional writings, Introduced famous sermons are brought by Louis Bouyer. His meditations on together in this beautifully the Litany of Loreto and the Stations of printed and bound edition on the Cross are recognized as classics Bible paper with a hardcover of Catholic spirituality. His meditations and red ribbon. Newman’s ser- on Christian doctrine show that the mons are as powerful, fresh and source of true piety is sound teach- challenging today as when he ing. His verses on various occasions are  rst gave them. profoundly inspiring as are the spiritu- 191 sermons in all. al hymns and canticles which distill the PPSH . . . 1,781 pages, wisdom of the incomparable Newman. Sewn Hardcover, $59.95 PVDP . . . 765 pages, Sewn So cover, $24.95

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P.O. Box 1339, Ft. Collins, CO 80522 (800) 651-1531 Non Profit US Postage PAID PO Box 7500, Libertyville, IL 60048 Nashville, TN Permit No. 1

“Institute on Religious Life”

2020 IRL National Meeting Forming Apostles through Prayer Friday, April 17, 2020 Saturday, April 18, 2020 • Special Morning Session for Reli- • Morning Mass (Easter Saturday) gious, Priests & Consecrated Persons • General Session Continues • Registration for General Session • Break-out Workshops • Holy Mass (Easter Friday) • Holy Mass (Anticipatory) • Keynote Address • Reception & Award Banquet Benediction and Adoration • Sunday, April 19, 2020 • Evening Social • Morning Conference • Divine Mercy Chaplet All Are Welcome! • Holy Mass (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Scheduled Speakers:

Most Rev. Rev. Thomas Sr. Mary Clare Mother Rev. Boniface Rev. Benedict Rev. James Mr. Daniel Mr. Stephen Rev. Sebastian Donald J. Acklin, Mancini, Maria Regina Hicks, La Volpe, Kubicki, Burke Minnis Walshe, Hying O.S.B. O.C.D. L.M. O.S.B. OFM Conv. S.J. O.Praem.

Special Friday Morning Session for ur theme for this year’s National Meeting, is 2020 Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award Religious, Priests & Consecrated Persons O“Forming Apostles through Prayer.” A prayer Ceremony & Saturday Banquet life is essential to the Christian life. It is “the raising Once again we are Rev. Thomas Acklin, O.S.B., of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of blessed to have the and Rev. Boniface Hicks, good things from God,” according St. John Dama- Most Rev. Robert F. O.S.B., will once again be pre- scene. St. Alphonsus Liguori said that only those who Vasa, IRL President, as senting at the Special Session pray will be saved. But how do we pray unceasing- the celebrant for the for Religious Only ly, uniting prayer to good works and good works to Holy Mass before the on Friday, April 17th, speaking prayer?—the ora et labora of Benedictine spirituality. Saturday Evening Ban- about the vital importance of Please join us as our speakers explore different quet. This year, we will prayer to live one’s vocation. aspects of prayer and delve deeper into this funda- be honoring the Rev. Those wishing to attend mental aspect of the Christian life. These talks will in- Mitch Pacwa, S.J., who must pre-register. There is an additional spire, enlighten and encourage all on the journey to will be receiving the charge for this session and for any extra an intimate relationship with Christ that bears eternal 2020 Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award. overnight accommodations and meals. fruit.

To register, contact: Institute on Religious Life • P.O. Box 7500 • Libertyville, IL 60048-7500 (847) 573-8975 • [email protected]