“. . . The Holy Spirit constitutes the soul, the life blood of the Church and of every individual Christian: He is the Love of God who makes of our hearts His dwelling place and enters into communion with us.” — Francis: Catecheses on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

May/June/July 2020 Glorious Children’s Books

◆ WHO IS ? His Life, His Land, His Times ◆ THE CATHOLIC BIBLE FOR CHILDREN This lovely book is full of interesting information, insightful From the creation of the world to the infancy of the Church, all details and beautiful illustrations for children to learn everything the important stories from both the Old and New Testament are about who Jesus is — his life, his land and his time. retold and beautifully illustrated in this best-selling work. Lavishly illustrated. Perfect for supplementing religious Includes chapters on the prophets and the psalms, as well as a education in school or at home! glossary of important people, objects and places. 6WIJP. . . 96 pp, So cover with  aps, $16.99 6CBSP. . . So cover with  aps, $14.99

◆ STORIES OF THE BLESSED ◆ CATHOLIC FOR CHILDREN A unique, beautifully illustrated book with inspiring true stories For children today needing authentic heroes, this book holds to help children know Jesus truly present in the Blessed up giants of our faith for them to be inspired by. With lovely Sacrament. From the multiplication of the loaves in the Gospels illustrations, each delightful account models heroic love for God. to the heroic actions of a young girl in Nazi-occupied ,  irty saints lives, including Our Lady, St. , Peter, Benedict, they learn how the Real Presence has led countless believers to , Francis, Kateri, Ignatius,  erese, and many more! lives of deep faith. 6SBSP . . . So cover with  aps, $16.99 6 CSFCP . . . So cover with  aps, $16.99 ◆ THE BIG BOOK OF CHRISTIANS ◆ YOUCAT FOR KIDS AROUND THE WORLD From the best-selling YOUCAT series comes an exciting Discover the customs, the daily life, and the heritage of Christians new way to help children and parents discover their throughout the world! Join two young reporters who encounter Catholic faith together, and a great help for classroom Christians of 25 different countries and learn the highlights teachers. In child-friendly language, with talking points for of Advent in , Christmas in the tropics, Epiphany in parents and teachers, it explores Creation, Prayer, the Russia, Holy Week in Seville, the Assumption in Lourdes, Creed, the , Ten Commandments, Life of Jesus, and more! Lavishly illustrated. 6BBCH. . . Hardcover, $16.99 and more. Includes fun graphics, quotes from Saints, and thought-provoking images. YFKP. . . Sewn So cover, $17.95 ◆ BROTHER ◆ Tomie de Paola, acclaimed illustrator and author of children's JOSE : Boy Cristero books, presents a gorgeous, inspiring work on the most beloved  is new title in the acclaimed Vision Books series lives of the saint of all time. Among his many books, this one ful lled his life- saints series for youth 9-15 yrs. brings to life the inspirational long desire to bring the story of St. Francis to people of all ages. and heroic story of St. José Sánchez del Río, a brave 14-year old Drawing on primary source material, and two trips to Assisi, he boy in who died a martyr for the Catholic faith during the has made this dream come true. in the 1920s. STJSP. . . Sewn So cover, $11.95 6BFAH . . . Hardcover, $14.99

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Features Columns 3 The Work of the Holy Spirit in 10 Back to the Basics: the Church and in the World Q & A on the Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. Essential Elements of Religious Life 7 Cor Ad Cor Loquitur— The Importance of “Heart Speaks to Heart” the Apostolate—Part I Marc Cardinal Ouellet Rev. Thomas Dubay, S.M. 18 Words of Vocation 13 Answering the Master’s Message for the 57th Call—My Heroes Have World Day of Prayer Always Been Cowboys for Vocations Rev. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. 15 Religious Pioneers in America: Trailblazers of Faith— Departments Rev. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. Anne Tschanz 2 Institute Insights 20 Doctor of the Heart, 22 InnerView Healer of the Soul: With Jeffrey Karls, The Spiritual Counsel Executive Director of the of Dr. Conrad Baars Institute on Religious Life Emotional Maturity Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P. 25 IRL News & Notes 32 Theological Reflections 30 Affiliate in Focus Christ the Light of Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., the Believing Soul of Penance of the Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. Sorrowful Mother —Toronto, Ohio May/June/July 2020 Institute Insights Vol. XLIV No. 3 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 . Oby the Institute on Religious Life, Inc. he COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many organizations in- (IRL). The IRL is a national organization cluding the IRL. First, you will notice that this is an expanded founded in 1974 to encourage, support version of a May/June/July issue of the magazine. Because of and assist authentic consecrated life as T the challenges of working remotely and for economic reasons, we set forth by Vatican II and its implemen- tation by the . Membership in will be combining three issues of the magazine into two. The National the IRL is comprised of bishops, , Meeting (April 17-19, 2020) was also cancelled. We still plan to honor religious and lay persons. Rev. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., with the Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award, but Religious Life is sent to active mem- we don’t know how or when or where it will take place as of yet. bers of the IRL ($30 per year for U.S. The coronavirus is having a great effect upon our society and each of us as individ- membership) or to those who request it. uals. For believers in God, it opens us up to His light and plan for us. Servant of God Institutional or library subscriptions are Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J., in his Theological Reflections, points the way in speaking also available. Send all correspondence of prayer and Christ as the light of the soul. Christ not only confers light upon the to Religious Life, P.O. Box 7500, Liber- believing soul but also the strength to follow Him on the way of the Cross leading to tyville, IL 60048, or call 847-573-8975. the Resurrection. For this He has given us His Holy Spirit who strengthens us to bear Executive Editor witness to the Truth of the Gospel. Here again Father Hardon teaches us in his article Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and the World. Managing Editor Mr. D. Wick Religious are public witnesses of Christian values. They show the way all Christians Assistant Editor/Circulation must follow in their own state of life. In particular, they manifest the joy of Christian Mrs. Anne Tschanz life. What is the role of religious, and in particular cloistered religious, in these trying Layout & Design times of the pandemic? Marc Cardinal Ouellet addresses cloistered on their role Catholic Creative Services, Inc. during this pandemic in “Cor Ad Cor Loquitur—Heart Speaks to Heart.” IRL Founder Religious life begins with a call often heard as a youth but it takes courage to answer + Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. the call and even more courage to persevere in the call. Rev. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., is IRL Executive Director featured in the column Answering the Master’s Call with his vocational testimony Mr. Jeffrey Karls “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.” His Jesuit confrere Servant of God Rev. IRL Officers , S.J., displayed great courage in persevering in his call de- Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa spite much suffering and solitude. He endured many years in Russian prison camps President as Anne Tschanz shares with us in Religious Pioneers in America: Trailblazers of Rt. Rev. Austin Murphy, O.S.B. Faith. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his “Words of Vocation” Message for the Executive Vice President 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations offers us four words on answering the call to Mr. Paul Doetsch Treasurer vocation: pain, gratitude, encouragement and praise. It is an illuminative instruction Mr. Frederick R. Dempsey, Secretary on persevering. Rev. Bob Lombardo, C.F.R. One of the essential elements of religious life is apostolate, but it has a specific Mrs. Bonnie Quirke meaning for religious women and men which must be understood in the context of Mrs. Patricia Sanders their consecration in vows. Rev. Thomas Dubay, S.M., answers important questions Mr. Patrick Spencer on this in his Back to Basics: Q & A on the Essential Elements of Religious Life. Rev. Executive Committee Brian Mullady, O.P., continues to explain the teaching of Conrad Baars in Doctor of the Heart, Healer of the Soul: The Spiritual Counsel of Dr. Conrad Baars. In this issue © 2020 Institute on Religious Life, Inc. All of Religious Life, we interview Jeffrey Karls our Executive Director. You can see how rights reserved. Religious Life is printed God has prepared him to serve in his position as Executive Director of the IRL. And in the U.S.A. Reproduction of material ap- lastly, we present to you in our Affiliate in Focus the Franciscan Sisters T.O.R., of pearing in Religious Life is prohibited with- Penance of the Sorrowful Heart, a vibrant new community that is at the service of out written prior permission. Unsolicited the Church. articles, poetry and other original works may be submitted for consideration. About the Cover: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit is an icon written by Vivian Im- Please email submissions to: irlstaff@ bruligia. The artwork, 5 ft. x 5 ft., depicts Christ surrounded by the seven gifts religiouslife.com. Submissions may be of the Holy Spirit. This sacred icon was specially commissioned by St. Joseph edited for length and style. Parish in Upland, California. See page 6 for more information. To commission an original icon or purchase prints, please visit SacredImageIcons.com.

2 May/June/July 2020 The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the World For the Church to fulfill its mission it needs the “sanctifying presence” of the Holy Spirit. This is only possible if followers of Christ respond to the unique grace conferred in the Sacrament of Confirmation. This grace empowers us to be His witnesses or in the world.

By Rev. John A. Hardon, S.J. s the Church was “when the Holy Spirit comes preparing for the on you, and then you will be AGreat Jubilee of My witnesses, not only in Je- Christ’s birth, Pope John rusalem, but throughout Ju- Paul II recommended that dea and Samaria and indeed it should be dedicated in a to the ends of the earth” special way to the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8). and His sanctifying presence In the original inspired within the community of text of the Acts of the Apos- Christ’s followers. Notice the tles, Jesus promised the disci- Pope’s stress on the “sancti- ples that they would be “my fying presence” of the Holy martyrs.” If there was ever Spirit. an age in Christian history Our focus will be on our when the followers of Christ duty to respond to the unique grace that the Holy Spir- would need the strength of martyrdom, it is today. it conferred on us when we received the Sacrament of Our Lord could not have been more clear. He told Confirmation. us, “If you wish to be My disciples, take up your daily Over the centuries, this sacrament has been various- cross and follow Me.” The source of strength to suffer ly identified. It is the sacrament of spiritual strengthen- for Christ comes finally from the Holy Spirit. In the ing. It is the sacrament of assimilation to Christ. But with language of the New Testament, this power is the same resounding emphasis, it is the sacrament of martyrdom. kind of power by which miracles are performed. Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit was the assurance Christ’s Promise of the Holy Spirit that we would witness to Him before the world in which On the way to His Ascension, Christ promised we live. The essence of being a martyr is to be a witness. to send the Holy Spirit on His followers. He told the And we know what a witness does. He gives testimony disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to “wait there for publicly that something he saw or heard is true. He has what the Father had promised.” He reminded them: “It experience of a fact or an event, and as a witness he is what you have heard me speak about. John baptized declares that what he says or signs his name to is so. He with water, but you, not many days from now, will be gives evidence to others that what he testifies to should baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then still more clear- be believed. Why? Because he personally knows. ly, He predicted what the Holy Spirit would do in their We are liable to miss the preceding adjective “my” lives. “You will receive power,” Christ assured them, in the clause, “You shall be My martyrs.” This prefix is

May/June/July 2020 3 crucial. Those who are martyrs are witnesses to Christ. opposition, which is bloodless indeed, but no less and They testify, if need be with their blood, that what they sometimes more painful to endure. believe is true because they have known Christ. The im- Not all the victims of persecution die at the hands of plication is that in order to be a witness, even to martyr- a godless government. Millions more are ostensibly free dom, one must have experienced Christ, in a way com- to walk the streets and live in a home. Yet they are, in parable to what Peter told the early Christians: “You did effect, deprived of every human liberty to practice their not see Him, yet you love Him. And still without seeing religion and to serve Christ according to their faith. If Him, you are already filled with joy so glorious that it they teach their children catechism, the parents are pre- cannot be described, because you believe” (1 Pet 1:8). vented from enjoying such privileges as decent living So it was in the apostolic age, and so it is in ours. In quarters or any kind of skilled . If they are seen at- order to witness to Christ, we must believe in Him so tending church, they are first warned, then threatened, strongly that we are filled with His joy. This joy which and finally penalized even to the loss of their possessions. comes from the Holy Spirit is not devoid of pain. So, the sorry tale goes on, and has been going on But the joy is genuine and unmis- for years, in spite of the conspiracy of takable. It is also profoundly commu- silence in our American press. nicable. In fact, one of the paradoxes But that is not the whole picture. of martyrdom is the positive happiness We need to shake ourselves into aware- that a strongly committed follower of “Christ’s promise ness that our country is going through Christ has in suffering for Christ. of the Holy Spirit persecution. It is no less real for being This is brought out dramatically subtle, and no less painful for being by St. Luke, the evangelist of the Holy was the assurance perpetrated in the name of democracy. Spirit, in describing the summons of the that we would witness What do I mean? I mean that any apostles before the Sanhedrin. They or religious, any married or single had been warned not to preach about to Him before the world person in America who wishes to sin- the Savior. So, the apostles were flogged in which we live. cerely and fully live up to his Catholic and warned not to speak in the name commitment, finds countless obstacles of Jesus. As they left the jail where they The essence of being in his way and experiences innumera- had been scourged, they were “glad to ble difficulties that accumulatively de- have had the honor of suffering humil- a martyr is to be mand heroic fortitude to overcome and iation for the sake of the name” (Acts a witness.” withstand. 5:40-41). All we have to do is place the eight Most Catholics know that at baptism, we receive beatitudes in one column and the eight corresponding the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit. What many do not attitudes of our culture in another column and com- know is that these fruits are the twelve joys which the pare the two. Where Christ advocates poverty, the Holy Spirit gives us, already here on earth, a foretaste world despises the poor and canonizes the rich. Where of the joys of heaven. Every time we cooperate with the Christ praises gentleness, the world belittles meekness will of God, He rewards us with a happiness of spirit in and extols those who succeed by crushing anyone who the measure that we are faithful to His grace. What an stands in their way. Where Christ encourages mourn- apparent contradiction! The more painful our coopera- ing and sorrow for sin, the world revels in pleasure and tion with the divine will, the more joy we receive from the noise of empty laughter. Where Christ promised joy the Holy Spirit. only to those who seek justice and holiness, the world offers satisfaction in the enjoyment of sin. Where Christ Martyrdom of Opposition bids us forgive and show mercy to those who have of- Not all the faithful who suffer for Christ also die for fended us, the world seeks vengeance and its law courts Christ. Opposition to the Christian faith and way of life are filled with demands for retribution. Where Christ does not always end in violent death for the persecuted blesses those who are pure of heart, the world scoffs at victims. chastity and makes a god of sex. Where Christ tells the Consequently, it is well to distinguish between what peaceful that they shall be rewarded, the world teaches may be called martyrdom of blood and martyrdom of just the opposite in constant rebellion and violence and

4 May/June/July 2020 massive preparation for war. because no follower of Christ And where Christ teaches can escape it. This is the the incredible doctrine of martyrdom of witness. accepting persecution with What do we mean by patience and resignation to martyrdom of witness? Here God’s will, the world dreads the firm believer in the nothing more than criticism Church’s teaching authority; and rejection; and human the devoted servant of the respect which means accep- papacy; the convinced pastor tance by society, is the moral who insists on sound doctrine norm. On the bloody side, to his flock; the teenagers our century has had more who want to preserve their Christians who were mar- chastity; the firm parents tyred for Christ than in all who are concerned about the the centuries from Calvary moral training of their chil- to 1900 included. dren. Such persons will not To this day, innumerable be spared active criticism and Catholics are dying for their open opposition. But they faith at the hands of Muslims must especially be ready to who are told by the Koran live in an atmosphere of cold- to either convert Christians ness to their deepest beliefs. from their idolatry of ador- Sometimes they would al- ing the man Jesus as though most wish the opposition were He were God, or put them to more overt, and even perse- death. cution would be a welcome But my focus here is on our country. Call it an un- change. It is the studied indifference of people whom bloody martyrdom. But have no doubt that to live an they know and love, of persons in their own natural or authentic Catholic life in America today is to live a mar- religious family, of men and women whose intelligence tyr’s life. That is why the Sacrament of Confirmation they respect and whose respect they cherish. This kind of cannot be more clearly identified than to call it the sac- apathy can be demoralizing and, unless it finds relief from rament of martyrdom. Only the Holy Spirit whom we the Holy Spirit, can be devastating. received on our Pentecost Sunday can sustain us in our To continue living a Christ-like life in this kind of witness to Jesus Christ. environment is to practice the martyrdom of witness. After fifty years in the priesthood, I can testify to Why witness? Because it means giving testimony to our every syllable of the following sentence: Only hero- deep religious convictions although all around us others ic bishops and heroic priests, heroic religious, heroic are giving their own example to the contrary. fathers and mothers, heroic faithful, will survive the It means giving witness twice over: once on our own massive persecution of the in our behalf as the outward expression of what we internally country today. We call ourselves the Land of Liberty. believe and once again on behalf of others whose con- But the only liberty that is given freedom is the liber- duct is not only different from ours, but contradicts it. ty to do your own will. Pro-choice is not just a clever Wherein lies the martyrdom? It lies in the depriva- phrase. It is the hallmark of a culture in which millions tion of good example to us on the part of our contem- have chosen to do what they want and make life hu- poraries, and in the practice of Christian virtue in lone- manly impossible for those who choose to do what God liness, because those who witness what we do are in the wants. majority. We witness to them, indeed, but they are not pleased to witness who we are, what we stand for, what Martyrdom of Witness we say, or what we do. We still have one more type of martyrdom to re- Notwithstanding all of this, however, it behooves us flect on, and it is, in a way, the most pervasive of all to look at the positive side of the picture. We must re-

May/June/July 2020 5 mind ourselves that this witness of ours is not so sterile as we may suppose. Quite the contrary. Although we Prayer for the Gifts may be, or at least feel, often quite alone, we are not of the Holy Spirit alone at all. Not infrequently our severest critics can be- come our strongest admirers. In any case, witness that Lord Jesus Christ, Who before ascend- we give by living up to the conviction of our faith is ing into Heaven, Thou promised to send surely demanding on human nature. That is why we call Othe Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the it martyrdom. But it is a witness to the truth, and the souls of Your apostles and disciples, deign to grace of the Holy Spirit is always active in the hearts of grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may everyone whose lives we touch. perfect in my soul the work of your grace and If we want to know the power of this martyrdom of witness, we have only to read the annals of the ear- love. Grant me the spirit of wisdom that I may ly Church. The handful of believers who received the despise the perishable things of this world and Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, were as a drop in the aspire only after those which are eternal, the immense culture surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. spirit of understanding to enlighten my mind Yet see what happened. This small group of convinced with the light of Your divine truth, the spirit of faithful were able, in less than three hundred years, to counsel that I may ever choose the surest way turn the tide of paganism in the . For a long time, they were deprived even of the basic civil of pleasing God and gaining Heaven, the spirit of rights accorded to other citizens. They were often hunt- fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and ed like animals, and the catacombs tell us that they had overcome with courage all the obstacles that to hide when celebrating the liturgy and hide the tombs oppose my salvation, the spirit of knowledge of their revered dead. that I may know God and myself and grow per- But their patience and meekness finally prevailed. fect in the science of the saints, the spirit of pie- Yes, but only because it was supported by unbounded courage, born not of their own strength, but of the pow- ty that I may find the service of God sweet and er of the Holy Spirit that Christ promised to give those amiable, the spirit of fear that I may be filled with who would witness to His name. This promise is just a loving reverence toward God and dread in any as true today. All that we need is to trust in the Spirit way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with whom we possess, and never grow weary in giving testi- the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in mony to the grace we received. all things with Your spirit. Amen. This is what Christ was talking about when He told us not to hide our virtues but allow them to be seen be enough death to self and enough ignoring of human like a city on a mountaintop. We should not be afraid respect to keep us from getting proud in our well-doing. that by such evidence of our good works we shall be We must be willing to pay the price of suffering in doing seduced by the evil spirit into pride and vainglory. The good, which is another name for being a living martyr, Good Spirit will protect us by the humiliation that wit- that is, a courageous witness to the life of Christ in the nessing to a holy life always brings. There will have to world today. he beautiful icon on the magazine cover was writ- who is,” the answer God gave to Tten by Vivian Imbruglia (SacredImageIcons.com) on Mount Sinai (Ex 3:14). for St. Joseph Church in Upland, California. Com- Surrounding Christ are the sev- missioned by the pastor, Rev. Timothy Do, the 100 en gifts of the Holy Spirit. pearls surrounding Christ are in honor of the 100th The Holy Spirit at the very anniversary of the parish. top of the icon was not in the In the center, Christ holds a book with the Alpha original drawing. When the icon and Omega sign (Rev 1:8). The gesture of the blessing was nearly done, Vivian woke up out of a sound sleep, hand actually shapes the letters IC XC, an abbrevi- realizing the Holy Spirit had to be in the image. She ation for the Greek words IHCOYC (Jesus) XPICTOC found some clay and molded it directly to the icon. The (Christ), the “Name above every name.” The letters O entire icon is covered in close to 1000 sheets of 24k W N in the halo literally mean “The being one,” or “He gold leaf—a fitting tribute to such a glorious artwork!

6 May/June/July 2020 Cor Ad Cor Loquitur –“Heart Speaks to Heart”–

By Marc Cardinal Ouellet

As brides of the immolated Lamb, contemplative nuns, especially in this period of the COVID-19 pandemic, bow “maternally over those dying during the day and those struggling with despair during the night,” and they invoke on every pain and every death “the consolation of hope that does not disappoint.” This was underlined by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, in a letter sent to Mother Clare Agnese Acquadro, Abbess of the Protomonastery of the Poor Clares of Assisi. The discreet and widespread presence of those who by vocation and for love of Christ have chosen the path of the cloister, the cardinal points out, “is a balm of tenderness and peace on the wounds of all brothers and sisters in humanity.”

ear Mother Agnes, you phoned farewell, you, contemplatives of the me about the coronavirus pan- Crucified One, are at their bedside, Ddemic. It was the time when you to whom the Spirit enlarges the Pope Francis asked families in invol- heart to the most hidden frontiers of untary isolation that their hearts go suffering humanity. beyond the home. Cor ad cor loquitur. Dear Mother Agnes, the pandem- We helped each other to respond in ic which confines us in our house is faith and you begged me to write a few your hour, the hour of contemplative words to your nuns. life which brings humanity and the I do this willingly out of friendship, Church back to God, to the essentials but above all in the name of Jesus who of faith, prayer and communion in one day called you to voluntary iso- the Spirit. You, brides of the immolat- lation out of love. Are you not bless- ed Lamb, bow maternally over those ed because you walk with Him to the dying during the day and those strug- heart of the pilgrim Church, opening gling with despair during the night, your soul more and more to the secrets and invoke on every pain and every of His Heart? It is sometimes thought death the consolation of Hope which that you have fled the world to rejoice does not disappoint. Your discreet peacefully in God’s friendship. Current and widespread presence, carried by events free us from this partial vision. the Breath of the Risen One and the In fact, at a time when, despite the fragrance of His nuptial Love, is a heroism of men and women working in balm of tenderness and peace on the health care, so many families suffer the wounds of all brothers and sisters in illness and death of their loved ones in solitude, without humanity. being able to accompany them or give them the final How is this possible? This question is asked by a

May/June/July 2020 7 generation paralyzed by the globalization of indiffer- gin. When the abysses did not exist, I was generated” ence and blinded by the cult of Mammon. Yet, in the (Prov 8:22,24). Wisdom was not at all upset by the mad- great test of today, each conscience is questioned by ness of humanity, she was able to lead it back from its this planetary arrest which resembles a universal Lent. bewilderment with the madness of Jesus’ love until His The fear of uncontrollable contagion, the collapse of death on the Cross. “For this reason, God exalted Him financial stock exchanges and social paralysis force us and gave Him the name which is above all names,” so to open ourselves to more essential questions. One that in His name we too might share in the prerogatives day, the of Nazareth, astonished by the Angel’s of His creative and redeeming love. Annunciation, asked a question that was vital for the Dear nuns and contemplative souls who guard the whole of humanity: How will this happen, since I hope of our threatened land, the love of the Redeemer know not man? The divine answer, unheard of, came who married you, this love without frontiers and with- down from Heaven: “The Holy Spirit will descend out limits in the freedom of the Spirit, allows you to fly upon you and the power of the Most High will cover high and far like messenger doves of peace and hope. you with His shadow. This response inaugurates the The love that has been charged with our sorrows and last stage of God’s plan, His marriage to His creature our errors, that “was made sin in our favor” (2 Cor in Jesus Christ, He who raises His created bride to the 5:21) and that has overcome evil, death and hell with highest peaks of love. its obedience, this immolated and victorious love leads This dream was that of divine Wisdom at the origins you with it in its race towards the most suffering victims of creation, when the Spirit hovered over the primordial of its Mystical Body. waters, preparing the Garden of Eden for the happiness St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (), of the human family. “The Lord created me as the be- destined for the hell of Auschwitz, one day expressed it ginning of His activity, before all His work, at the ori- this way: “Do you hear the moans of the wounded on

8 May/June/July 2020 the battlefields? Do you hear the rales of dying peo- Dear contemplatives of the Lord’s Passion, you find ple’s agony? Do the moaning, thirst and pain of men in this suffering of love all humanity and all divinity move your heart? Do you wish to be near them, to united in one flesh. You are lovingly present to God and help them, to comfort them and to heal their deepest in God to all creation which He carries in His sover- wounds? eign hand. In love, you move the stars, you move the Embrace Christ. If you are united to Him with mountains, you irrigate the earth with subterranean the nuptial bond, His Blood will flow in your veins, and purifying living waters, you turn the hearts of an- His blood that heals, redeems, sancti- gels and men towards peace in history, fies and saves. Joined to Him you will you embellish the Church with flowers be present in all places of pain and and tasty fruits, in short, you cheer the hope” (Ave Crux, Spes unica, Septem- Heart of the Holy Trinity with your res- ber 14, 1939). “Embrace Christ. onant praise to the glory of His love. In the days of that horrible tribula- If you are united to Since you are in the front line of the tion, Etty Hillesum, another sacrificed Him with the nuptial Church in all the battles of the Spir- Jew, in ecstasy by an joy wholly Chris- bond, His Blood will it, we, priests and laity grappling with tian because of a fascinating intimate the urgent needs of the field hospital, discovery, tenderly held her God to help flow in your veins, lift our eyes to the light that shines on Him, because she felt Him wounded by His blood that heals, the Tabor of your cloisters. We stand in an unspeakable hatred. redeems, sanctifies the plain supported by your listening to It is true that we are not all cho- and saves. Joined to Jesus and your arms raised to Heaven. sen souls, the weight of error weighs Him you will be present Your life illuminates our life and makes down our wings of compassion, but is us more alive from this divine life to be not our contemplative life wrapped up in all places of given to the beggars of this world. Be in Mary’s immaculate offering, indis- pain and hope.” blessed and thanked by Him whose inti- solubly united to the Easter sacrifice macy fills every desire and even more so. of her Divine Son? What is the point, Take care of us in your prayer, together then, of mourning heavily for our sins? Let us forget with the Successor of Peter who implores you to assist our misery and have eyes only for this infinitely fruitful him always and above all in this hour of the pandemic. covenant of which we bear joyful witness to the world. Dear Mother Agnes, in this unprecedented time Because of the voluntary isolation of our souls hidden of Lent and hope, I remain united and grateful to you in the cracks of the rock, are we not the Church-Bride for your call, glad of this deeper communion which re- dedicated to the worship of the Bridegroom God, rep- kindles our hope in the Risen Christ. Glory to God, resenting the whole of humanity, ardently awaiting His Thanks be to you, Peace on this earth in the midst of return like the sentinels of dawn? its tribulation! Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary During Pandemic Mary, Help us, Mother of Divine Love, you always shine on our path O to conform to the will of the Father as a sign of salvation and of hope. and to do as we are told by Jesus, We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who has taken upon Himself our sufferings who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, and carried our sorrows keeping your faith firm. to lead us, through the cross, You, Salvation of God’s People, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen. know what we need, Under your protection, we seek refuge, and we are sure you will provide Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties so that, as in Cana of Galilee, of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every we may return to joy and to feasting danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. after this time of trial.

May/June/July 2020 9 Back to the Basics Q & A on the Essential Elements of Religious Life

The Importance of the Apostolate –Part I– By Rev. Thomas Dubay, S.M. ( 2010)

What kinds of work are appro- people committed to the radicality of 1) The first is the Kingdom and Qpriate for consecrated religious? the Gospel. Saint Augustine’s “love its overriding necessity. Nothing May we conclude that because work is and do what you will” does not fit this compares in importance with the at- “love made visible” that any respect- context. The saint meant that if one tachment of our ultimate purpose. If able job is a job that religious men and really loves God, he will always desire consecrated religious are by profession women can do? Could Saint Augus- to do only what the Holy Spirit would bound up with the core cruciality of tine’s famous remark, “love and do lead him to do, that is, to live Gospel the Kingdom, one would expect that what you will” be rightly applied to values to their fullest. One who loves both their lifestyle and their aposo- this question? Or are some positions seeks humility, poverty, chastity, pa- lates would further the Kingdom. unsuitable to what we are about as tience and all the rest. Operation flows from essence-being. consecrated religious? If you answer All this is clear to most of us. We When Jesus speaks of the radical sur- affirmatively to the last question, what proceed to what is not so clear to render of property in marriage, He criteria do we use to distinguish one some. What are the criteria by which explicitly ties them up with the King- from the other? If you answer nega- religious decide what kinds of work dom (Lk 18:29-30). Founders and tively, would it not follow that found- are appropriate for people committed foundresses unerringly focused on the ers were mistaken in their apostolic to the evangelical counsels? I am go- promotion of the Kingdom and their outlooks? ing to take as axiomatic the classical choices of apostolic enterprises. The principle that operation flows from relevance of those enterprises to the In its very nature work should essence-being. Every existent acts needs of the new creation was any- Aincarnate love, or, as the saying according to what it is. It cannot do thing but fuzzy or problematic. well put it, “work makes love visi- otherwise. Ducks act as ducks. What 2) The second criterion is the ble,” just as creation is God’s love else can they do? A duck that brave- orientation of consecrated virginity made visible. Yet it does not follow ly attempts to behave like a camel is as such. Lay men and women fur- that therefore any work fits the re- going to have problems. Reality takes ther the Kingdom by penetrating ligious mode of being in the world. its vengeance on those who violate it. and transforming the secular sphere. We would assume it to be obvious Religious who practically deny their Their vocation is a secular vocation. that people committed by the vow essence-being are bound to fail. They Religious are not secular. For the of poverty to give up superfluities, are not unlike the koala bear that at- New Testament the virgin as such would not work at the production tempts to function after the manner belongs to the sacred sphere of the or consumption of superfluities, that of a giraffe. There are four criteria we Holy One. Unlike the married wom- people committed to celibacy would may mention that enable the mem- an who is pulled in two directions, not work at the commercialization of bers of a given congregation to deter- the virgin focuses on the Lord and mere bodily beauty. Some tasks are mine what types of apostolic action His affairs, she gives Him undivided clearly unsuitable to what we are as suit their specific way of life. attention (2Cor 7:32-35). Just as Je-

10 May/June/July 2020 sus affirms that He does not belong promoting the Kingdom to promot- land. When a priest or religious la- to this world (Jn 17:14, 16) neither ing the task. We choose this work bors in his own native city, he is mis- does she—and­ for the same reason: rather than another not because it sioned, sent. But this person is not to be totally given over to the will of demonstrably is more intimately con- functioning as a private person. the Father in promoting His King- nected with promoting Jesus’ enter- This principle has a long histo- dom (Jn 4:34). That is her meat also. prise but because it looks more rosy ry. In the Old Testament one of the Her first duty is prayer Lumen( Gen- in our eyes or because we enjoy do- marks of the true prophet is that he tium no. 46, CD no. 33), and then, ing it. C.S. Lewis once remarked that is called and sent by the Lord God. in some orders, external apostolate. “every poet and musician and artist, Yahweh’s wrath rages against the The virgin/celibate is a woman (man) except for Grace, is drawn away from man who presents himself to others cut out for the transcendent, the sa- love of the thing he tells, to love of as speaking in God’s name when in- cred sphere the Lord God. Types of the telling till, down in Deep Hell, deed he is not sent to speak at all. In apostolic action would flow from this they cannot be interested in God at the New Testament the story is the essence-being. all but only in what they say about same. Now it is Jesus who sends the 3) The third criterion is the Him” (The Great Divorce). structural element in His ekklesia charism of the founder or foundress. (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15; Jn 20:21). This norm makes criteria one and In view of your response to the The Apostles in their turn appoint two more specific. Hence consecrat- Qprevious question I see some and send other elders and leaders ed religious today decide what tasks problems with the practice in some to function in the new community are suitable for them according to countries of consecrated religious seek- (Acts 13:3; 20:28; 1 Tim 4:14-16; 2 the mind of the men and women who ing out their own employment. If some Tim 1:6; Tit 1:5). gave birth to their specific ways of be- types of work are not focused on the But the roots of this principle be- ing in the Church and in the world. needs of the Kingdom, if some em- gin before history. As a matter of fact, 4) Our final criterion: a partic- ployments do “belong to this world” as the roots have neither beginning nor ular task should afford religious op- the celibate does not, who determines ending. They are eternal. Mission, portunities to manifest to the world where a religious should work? And apostolate in the Church begins in their values, not just secular aspira- if the task does pertain to the sacred the bosom of the inner Trinitarian tions. In our schools, hospitals, social sphere of the transcendent God, does life. In the Gospels it is always the service centers, Gospel morality and the individual person select where and Father who sends His Son, it is never the Christic way of thinking and liv- how he shall perform that task? the Son who sends the Father. This ing should prevail. We should choose is because in their intimate, eternal types of work in which we can make An adequate response to this life the Father unendingly begets His our values operative. One of the rea- Aquestion must begin with the- Word, and in the Incarnation as it sons for corporate commitments is ology, not with a slogan. Apostolic were continues begetting by sending precisely that in them we determine activity in the Church is by a divine Him into the world. So also from all our own orientation and methods. decision “missioned” activity. The eternity in their unending mutual When we humans like a task, we adjective, missioned, in this context love the Father and the Son breathe are likely to pass imperceptibly from does not refer necessarily to a foreign forth their common bond, the Holy

May/June/July 2020 11 Spirit, and at Pente- nion with the Holy cost as it were con- Father. If he has a tinue this spirating personal, private by sending Him into problem with the the Church. doctrine, he should Just as the Sec- get help to solve it ond and Third Per- privately. He has sons of the Trinity no right to teach it are sent, missioned to God’s people or into the world, so to sow his doubts the structure in the among them. Church itself is sent: In the case of “as the Father has religious commu- sent Me, so I send nities, therefore, if you” (Jn 20:21). Just there is disagree- as Jesus sends the hi- ment as to what erarchical element in types of work are the Church, so does or are not focused that same element on the needs of in each religious in- hierarchical element in the Church. the Kingdom, it is stitute. An institute is sent when the Therefore, there is a genuine theo- the superior who finally determines bishop and/or the Holy See approve logical mission involved when a the decision. And even if the task their way of life and its description in religious is assigned by his superi- does clearly pertain to the sphere of their fundamental document. There or to this or that apostolic activity. the transcendent God, it is the su- is a further sending when a bishop In a similar manner a priest is sent perior who missions the religious to gives the community a mandated when he is given faculties by the this task. Surely the individual may, apostolate in his . bishop of the diocese. This is why and often should, indicate where he The final step in the missioning priests dissenting from the teaching thinks he can serve best, but the ac- process consists in the appointment of his bishop (supposing the bishop is tual decision in our missioned econ- of the individual religious by his su- teaching in union with the Holy See) omy of salvation must be made by perior. Superiors in our institutes get is theologically upside down. He has one who sends. Otherwise we are their authority, not from the consent no private right to teach but has it departing from the will of Christ for of their companions but from the only from his ordinary in commu- His Church.

Emotional Maturity (cont. from pg. 21) forms from within the lower powers, Footnotes: become an expert horsewoman and giving them a new intrinsic form 1 Conrad W. Baars, Psychic Whole- free to go where she pleases because and determination, moderating and ness and Healing, : Alba her horse serves her will.”5 changing them in a real physical way, House (1981), p. 234. So for Dr. Baars, the essence of giving them a coaptation and pro- 2 Baars, Psychic, p. 28. spiritual maturity consists in virtue. portion to a higher end.”6 3 , Rev. Charles Corcoran, O.P., ex- Though this can only be done in Summa Theo- , I-II, 59, 5, ad corp. pressed this attitude very well in his the final analysis by grace, reason can logiae 4 introduction to the English trans- and should prepare the way. When Baars, Psychic, p. 234. 5 lation of The Priest and the Sick in passions are irrationally formed, Baars, Feeling and Healing Your Mind, by Anna Terruwe, “[…] vir- then reason cannot enter them and Emotions, Logos International: tue does not consist in sublimation though a person can certainly expe- Plainfield, NJ, (1979), p. 78. […] Rather does virtue consist in rience grace in this formation, real 6 Anna Terruwe, The Priest and assumption, a process in which the integrity and therefore joy in the the Sick in Mind, London; Burns higher agency takes up and trans- truth will escape them. and Oates, (1958), p. 4.

12 May/June/July 2020 Answering the Master’s Call

Vocation Stories

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys By Rev. Mitch Pacwa, S.J.

y the time I was five years old I to make sure those newcomers were knew exactly what I wanted to priests: Do they honor the pope as the Bbe—a cowboy. Cowboy shows head of the Church? Do they honor were my favorite television programs the Blessed Virgin? Do they marry? and I devotedly headed to the local Two hundred and fifty years later, theater on Saturdays to watch west- when a missionary arrived in Naga- erns. Still, despite repeated requests, saki, the local Japanese Catholics my hoped-for pony never material- asked him the three questions before ized. My parents’ finances were lim- coming to him for the sacraments. ited, as was the space in the small The long-lasting quality of the early house trailer we called home. Jesuits’ missionary activity certainly My parents, Mitchell Pacwa and impressed me. Lorraine Szczerba, were Polish and I was twelve when my Dad be- Catholic. While the Pacwas did not member Sister Saul teaching us about came concerned that my interest in practice their faith much—some had the importance of inviting Jesus into the priesthood was serious. A bit frus- even abandoned it—the Szczerbas our hearts, about the need to spend trated, he asked me, “Why do you went to Mass every Sunday, prayed time talking to Him as to a friend, and want to be a priest? You don’t have often, and believed more strongly. about preparing our hearts by asking to be a priest to help people. Why When I was growing up, we were al- God to forgive our sins. not be a doctor and help people?” I ways members of the local parish, but It was right around this time that answered, “Dad, being a doctor is a our attendance at Sunday Mass was I began to think that I might want to good thing, and it would be good to erratic. be a priest. Though I still felt attracted heal people. However, later on, they Dad worked long, hard hours and to the cowboys who knew right from will die anyway. If I am a priest and never wanted us to be as hungry and wrong, stood up for the weak, and hear someone’s confession before poor as his family had been during the had exciting adventures, I began to death, the person will live in Heaven Great Depression. His search for a see that priests did some of the same forever. It’s a better deal!” He didn’t better life took us to Miami, Colorado good deeds. know what to say to that, but he was Springs and finally back to Chicago in not very happy. 1957. “Sneaking” into the Seminary I decided to attend Quigley Being close to my Mom’s more re- My fourth-grade geography book North Preparatory Seminary, a mi- ligious family and attending Catholic related the story of St. Francis Xavi- nor seminary for high school, where school for the first time introduced me er and the early Jesuits in . Be- I received an excellent education. My to a culture more thoroughly perme- fore the were martyred, grades were unimpressive, and I end- ated by Catholic practices and ways they told the Japanese Catholics that ed up graduating in the lowest of the of thinking. While preparing for my priests would someday return, and four groups in my class. Despite my First Holy Communion, I can still re- they were to ask them three questions lackluster academic career, Quigley

May/June/July 2020 13 was an excellent preparation for the except for my impres- From College Romance spiritual life of a future priest. Every sion from that fourth-grade geogra- to the Novitiate seminarian was required to attend phy book and the story of St. Francis I was both embarrassed and an- Mass and pray a rosary daily, go to Xavier. gered by what the priest said because I confession weekly, and help at his lo- At a very memorable dinner, I knew he was right about my grades. It cal parish. presented to my parents the two op- was that anger that motivated me to tions I was considering. First, I told study hard enough to get a “B” aver- Off to War or to the Jesuits them I might join the army. My vet- age both semesters of freshman year. I As much as I loved Quigley, I eran father’s “no” was clear and final. also came this close to proposing to a spotted a couple of “warning flags” Well then, I was also consider- girl I was dating. I had recently begun which suggested I should consider the ing joining the Jesuits. My father was the process of applying to the Jesuits religious life instead of the diocesan even more upset about my interest in for the second time. Before I said any- priesthood. The first had to do with the Jesuits than he had been about my thing to her, I decided, “If I don’t get money. Since Dad remained strongly becoming a diocesan priest. It was a accepted into the Society this time, opposed to me being a priest, then I’ll take it as a sign that I gladly helped out with my I should get married.” paper route and with a job A few weeks later I re- on Saturdays after school. ceived my acceptance letter I tried to make my ninety from the Jesuits. I felt so cents/hour go farther by in- happy, but also foolish. I re- vesting in the stock market alized that more than a mo- and organizing an investors mentary desire is needed to club. But if I was fascinated accept a vocation from God. with finances as a sixteen- His call to the priesthood year-old kid, what would I be had been a steady theme for like when I got older? Maybe ten years of my short life. religious life would be a bet- Even if that acceptance let- ter choice for me because a ter had never come, a pro- religious takes a vow of poverty. source of great pain in my life since posal of marriage, regardless of how The second “warning flag” was my desire to be a priest was my re- delightful the woman, surely required what was happening at the college sponse to following Jesus rather than more than the passing thoughts I had seminary. By the spring of 1966, some an attempt to displease my father. given this other vocation. On August of the priests on its faculty were lead- Throughout my senior year, I met 21, 1969, my family drove me to the ing the seminarians in encounter with various Jesuits. The examiners novitiate in Milford, Ohio. groups instead of prayer. Only one thought it best for me to apply after priest who was a spiritual director studying at a Jesuit university. Just a Alone With God continued to teach the younger men week before classes began, I was ac- During the first-year novices in his study group to pray. Eventual- cepted at Chicago’s Loyola Univer- thirty-day private , the med- ly, all but one of those priests left the sity. At an initial interview, a priest itations on the history of human sin priesthood. You can guess which one gave a blunt assessment of my chanc- from to the present helped me stayed. es: “Your SAT results are OK, but realize that I had to take full respon- A few days after Christmas of my your grades in high school are lousy. sibility for my own wrongdoing. What junior year, these impressions solidi- Attending Loyola University would amazed me was that the more honest fied into a definitive idea that came to be a waste of our time and your mon- I could be before our Lord in confess- me with sudden and startling clarity: ey. Why not just go home?” ing my sins, the greater peace I felt. I will not be a diocesan priest. Three This was a powerful experience which days later, I was rocked by another: I affected not only the way I go to con- For more information visit: will be a Jesuit. I had never even met fession but the way I hear them. IgnatiusProductions.org a Jesuit; I knew nothing about the (Continued on page 24)

14 May/June/July 2020 Religious Pioneers in America Trailblazers of Faith

Servant of God Rev. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. —Jesuit Missionary to the — By Anne Tschanz

s this is being written, the the Society of Jesus in 1928. There, whole nation is locked he experienced “a deep-seated hap- Adown due to the COVID-19 piness akin to the feeling of having crisis. The availability of the sacra- reached safe harbor.” Anything ments that we took for granted are but an ideal novice, he was almost now longed for gifts. So, in writ- asked to leave but learned to chan- ing this article, it is impossible not nel his zeal more properly. to feel a kinship with Rev. Walter In 1929, hearing that mission- Ciszek, S.J., who spent twenty-three aries were needed in Communist years behind the Iron Curtain in Russia, he felt like he had “come to the Soviet Union, including fifteen the end of a long search.” Ordained years in prisons or labor camps, four in 1937, he was in Albertin, Poland, of them in solitary confinement. in 1939, when World War II broke His popular book, With God out. After Russian troops invaded in Russia, describes all the events the area, Father and a fellow Jesuit that took him from to received permission slip into Rus- Russia and back home again in an sia under the guise of being foreign exchange for two Soviet spies. His workers. subsequent book, He Leadeth Me, Poland who settled in Shenandoah, There, “the living conditions, describes the spiritual transforma- Pennsylvania. Young Walter was the fear of discovery, the propagan- tion that took place in his soul. Di- constantly in trouble, a bully who da, the indifference of the men, all vine Providence, he believed, had never backed down. So it was a sur- this made our ‘mission’ seem use- preserved him so that he could give prise when he told this parents in less,” he said. “In effect, our work others the fruits of his experiences. the eighth grade that he wanted to had to be our prayer.” Father was a During those many years of unbe- become a priest. “Even in the sem- diligent laborer, even in the prison lievable suffering, he was purified, inary, I had to be tough,” he said. camps, often to the puzzlement of as silver is refined in a furnace (Ps “I’d get up at 4:30 in the morning to others. “Work itself is not a curse,” 12:6). Rev. Daniel Flaherty, S.J., run five miles around the lake or go he wrote, “but a sharing in God’s said: “His ‘not my will but Thine be swimming in November when the own work of creation…noble in it- done’ was unconditional and unre- lake was little better than frozen. I self and worthy of the best in man.” served: absolutely. Totally.” couldn’t stand to think that anyone In 1941, Father was arrested, Coming into the world in 1904, could do something I couldn’t do.” beaten, accused of being a Vati- Father says that he was born stub- Impressed by the life of St. Stan- can spy and shipped by train to the born. His parents, who had ten liv- islas Kostka, a Polish Jesuit, and over dreaded Lubianka prison in Mos- ing children, were immigrants from his Father’s objections, he entered cow. In the ensuing years alone, he

May/June/July 2020 15 developed his own horarium that and over again. He began to fear replicated as best he could his life that he’d never see another spring. as a Jesuit. Thus began intermina- Occasionally, friendly doctors ble rounds of interrogations by Rus- would secure him an easier job, lit- sians who were convinced that he tle interludes that saved his life. But was holding something back. But even this “most wretched existence he wasn’t. During one session, he in a frozen wasteland could be pro- was drugged, shocked, shaken and ductive in bringing the Kingdom of screamed at. Looking into his inter- God upon earth.” To serve the faith- rogator’s eyes, Walter felt that they ful prisoners, he “would go to any were blazing like evil incarnate. length, suffer any inconvenience, When he came back to his senses, he began to feel that his life had no run any risk to make the bread of he was returned to his cell where purpose, but he “learned there the life available to (them).” he huddled in a corner and slept. lesson that would keep me going in One day, after some prisoners Broken in spirit, he signed a “con- the years to come: religion, prayer, revolted, the guards marched the fession” and realized “My will had and love of God do not change re- men to a clay pit where guns were failed. I proved to be nowhere near ality, but they give it a new mean- leveled at them. Walter made an the man I thought I was.” He re- ing.” Each day was “more than an Act of Contrition and thought: proached himself and God, for not obstacle to be gotten over, a span of “Here’s where we go and get our- taking care of him. time to be endured…each day was a selves dumped somewhere.” No- This rock bottom moment series of moments and incidents to body back home would ever know. proved to be the bedrock upon be offered back to God, to be conse- But he said to himself: “‘Do you which he could rebuild a life of crated and returned in total dedica- think God, too, doesn’t know where dependence on God. He realized tion to His will.” you are? Do you think He has now that he wasn’t listening to the Holy When the war ended, he was just forgotten about you?’ I was im- Spirit; he had been trying to bend sent to along with political mediately flooded with confidence God’s will to his own. “Only when I prisoners, thieves and hardened in God’s Providence. My trust had reached the point of total bankrupt- prisoners, who had a law unto their been put to the ultimate test.” cy of my own powers,” he wrote, own. It was July and it was snowing. But he was near a breaking “had I at last surrendered.” He was Doing the backbreaking work of point and fell into a brief depres- no longer worried about making loading coal onto a , there were sion. Reminding himself how many mistakes. He would accept every a lot of causalities among the weak times God has preserved his life in situation as coming from God. Even men, “and everyone hated it. But the past, he lay down and slept like his interrogator noticed a change in we were expendable.” a trusting child. Happily, he was him. When threatened with execu- For the first time in five years, able to carry on fairly openly as a tion, Walter “felt no fear at all….I Father was able to celebrate Holy priest, marveling at “the number of felt His presence in the moment and Mass and quietly administer the men who proved religious now that knew it drew me toward a future of sacraments, thanking God “for the there was no outward persecution.” His design and purpose. I wished for opportunity to work among men In 1955, he was given his free- nothing more.” who had thought themselves be- dom but with restrictions. A priest Walter was sentenced to fif- yond His grace.” The work and the he had known in the camps wel- teen years hard labor for places varied. Sometimes he blast- comed him into his small shack in in 1942. Various propositions were ed frozen lumber out of the river that doubled as a bedroom suggested to him, all of which he or worked in a sawmill or went un- and chapel. He wrote to his sisters refused. In 1944, he was transferred derground in the mines. One time, who, along with the Jesuits, had pre- to another prison where he could bread was his only food, thrown sumed he was dead. Walter was at secretly administer Last Rites to into the snowbanks by the guards. peace, feeling that he was “destined the dying before he was transferred He was almost killed one day when to spend my life doing what I could back to Lubianka. Not surprisingly, guards kicked him in the face, over for my ‘flock’ here in Russia.” That

16 May/June/July 2020 dead for masses had been offered for be more and more like Christ in fol- the repose of his soul. For the next lowing Him…” twenty years, he became a beloved Father died in the early hours of spiritual director of souls. One day December 8, 1984. One of the last he addressed the Jesuit novices and people to speak to him was Mother told them: “I’m sure some of you Marija from the Ruthenian Carmel- think that you are wasting your time ite Monastery he helped to found in Easter, Walter got very little sleep, here; but it’s what I prayed here the U.S. He said that if the sisters distributing Communion for over that gave me the strength to endure wanted peace at the end of their 6 hours. What joy the Easter sea- all the things I endured during my lives to “strive always and only to son brings, “knowing that the thing years afterwards.” do God’s will. It may be your lousy men had feared the most—the end There was a joy and an inner best, but try to do God’s will. I have of life, annihilation, death­—really peace in him that greatly attracted that peace tonight.” hold no fear at all.” others. He was giving of himself and Quotes taken from With God After these stirring days, the of his time, kind, a good listener, in Russia and He Leadeth Me KGB gave him 10 days to leave and a fatherly presence. He remind- (Ignatius.com), as well as With God town, which he filled with baptisms, ed one person of Jesus because he in America (LoyolaPress.com) which confessions and anointing of the always hemmed in by the crowds. recounts the last 20 years of Father’s sick. He was sent to One of his spiritual sons said “(I) life. with the trust: “Thy will be done.” truly loved the man…It was impos- Again, he had a thriving parish but sible not to.” One Franciscan sister Prayer of Surrender received the final warning—either ord, Jesus Christ, I ask the grace to accept stop what you are doing or else. He Lthe sadness in my heart, as Your will for me, went south to Abakan where he got in this moment. I offer it up, in union with Your a job as a mechanic. sufferings, for those who are in deepest need One day, he was told to quit of Your redeeming grace. I surrender myself to his job and settle his affairs. He Your Father’s will and I ask You to help me to wondered if it had anything to do move on to the next task that You have set for with his sisters who were petition- me. Spirit of Christ, help me to enter into a deep- ing for his release. Flown to Mos- er union with You. Lead me away from dwell- cow, he was treated like a VIP for ing on the hurt I feel: to thoughts of charity for several days before he was taken those who need my love, to thoughts of com- to an airport and introduced to a recalled: “His letters were like tele- passion for those who need my care, and to man from the American Consul- grams from God…(People) felt he thoughts of giving to those who need my help. ate. After he signed something, he had a grasp of the essential in life.” As I give myself to You, help me to provide was told: “Now, Father Ciszek, you He made his final vows in 1964 for the salvation of those who come to me in are an American citizen!” He and and again in 1977. The years of need. an American student had been ex- deprivation eventually caught up May I find my healing in this giving. changed for two Soviet agents. As with his strong constitution and he May I always accept God’s will. the plane took off, slowly and care- had a serious heart attack in 1976, May I find my true self by living for others in fully, Father Ciszek made the sign including a near-death experience. a spirit of sacrifice and suffering. of the cross over the land he was This grace was given to him, he be- May I die more fully to myself, and live more leaving. lieved, “for greater dedication and fully in You. He landed in New York on Oc- faithfulness in following Christ, for As I seek to surrender to the Father’s will, tober 12, 1963, joyfully reunited humble and total obedience to the may I come to trust that He will do everything with his two sisters (pictured above). will of God, and as an invitation to for me. He was 53 years old and had spent For more information visit: 23 years in prison camps in Russia. Adapted from spiritual teachings of Ciszek.org Rev. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. It seemed he had risen from the

May/June/July 2020 17 Words of Vocation The following is a message by Pope Francis to commemorate the 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also know as Good Shepherd Sunday, celebrated on the 4th Sunday after Easter. n August 4, 2019, the 160th anniversary of the night falls, the headwinds howl, the boat is tossed by the death of the Curé of Ars, I chose to write a let- waves, and fear of failure, of not being up to the call, can Oter to all those priests who daily devote their threaten to overwhelm them. lives to the service of God’s people in response to the The Gospel, however, tells us that in the midst of this Lord’s call. challenging journey we are not alone. Like the first ray of On that occasion, I chose four key dawn in the heart of the night, the Lord words—pain, gratitude, encouragement comes walking on the troubled waters and praise as a way of thanking priests to join the disciples; He invites Peter to and supporting their ministry. I believe come to Him on the waves, saves Him that today, on this 57th World Day of “Every vocation is when He sees Him sinking and, once in Prayer for Vocations, those words can be born of that gaze of the boat, makes the winds die down. addressed to the whole People of God, love with which the The first word of vocation, then, is against the backdrop of the Gospel pas- gratitude. Taking the right course is not sage that recounts for us the remarkable Lord came to meet us, something we do on our own, nor does it experience of Jesus and Peter during a perhaps even at a time depend solely on the road we choose to stormy night on the Sea of Galilee (cf. when our boat was travel. How we find fulfillment in life is Mt 14:22-33). being battered by more than a decision we make as isolated After the multiplication of the the storm.... We will individuals; above all else, it is a response loaves, which had astonished the crowds, succeed in discovering to a call from on high. The Lord points Jesus told His disciples to get into the out our destination on the opposite shore boat and precede Him to the other and embracing our and He grants us the courage to board shore, while He took leave of the peo- vocation once we open the boat. In calling us, He becomes our ple. The image of the disciples crossing our hearts in gratitude helmsman; He accompanies and guides the lake can evoke our own life’s jour- and perceive the us; He prevents us from running aground ney. Indeed, the boat of our lives slowly passage of God on the shoals of indecision and even en- advances, restlessly looking for a safe ha- in our lives.” ables us to walk on surging waters. ven and prepared to face the perils and Every vocation is born of that gaze of promises of the sea, yet at the same time love with which the Lord came to meet trusting that the helmsman will ultimately keep us on us, perhaps even at a time when our boat was being bat- the right course. At times, though, the boat can drift off tered by the storm. “Vocation, more than our own choice, course, misled by mirages, not the lighthouse that leads is a response to the Lord’s unmerited call” (2019 Letter to it home, and be tossed by the tempests of difficulty, doubt Priests). We will succeed in discovering and embracing and fear. our vocation once we open our hearts in gratitude and Something similar takes place in the hearts of those perceive the passage of God in our lives. who, called to follow the Teacher of Nazareth, have to When the disciples see Jesus walking towards them undertake a crossing and abandon their own security to on the sea, they first think that He is a ghost and are become the Lord’s disciples. The risk involved is real: the filled with fear. Jesus immediately reassures them with

18 May/June/July 2020 words that should constantly accompany our lives and will begin to sink. On the other hand, despite our frailty our vocational journey: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear” and poverty, faith enables us to walk towards the Risen (Mt 14:27). This, then, is the second word I wish to of- Lord and to weather every storm. Whenever fatigue or fer you: encouragement. fear make us start to sink, Jesus holds out His hand to us. What frequently hinders our journey, our growth, He gives us the enthusiasm we need to live our vocation our choosing the road the Lord is marking out for us, are with joy and fervor. certain “ghosts” that trouble our hearts. When we are When Jesus at last boards the boat, the winds die called to leave safe shores and embrace a state of life— down and the waves are calmed. Here we have a beauti- like marriage, ministerial priesthood, consecrated life— ful image of what the Lord can do at times of turbulence our first reaction is often from the “ghost of disbelief.” and tempest in our lives. He stills those winds, so that Surely, this vocation is not for me! Can this really be the the forces of evil, fear and resignation no longer have right path? Is the Lord really asking me to do this? power over us. Those thoughts can keep growing—justifications As we live out our specific vocation, those headwinds and calculations that sap our determination and leave can wear us down. Here I think of all those who have us hesitant and powerless on the important responsibilities in civil so- shore where we started. We think we ciety, spouses whom I like to refer might be wrong, not up to the chal- to—not without reason —as “coura- lenge, or simply glimpsing a ghost to geous,” and in a particular way those be exorcized. who have embraced the consecrated The Lord knows that a funda- life or the priesthood. I am conscious mental life choice—like marriage of your hard work, the sense of iso- or special consecration to His ser- lation that can at times weigh upon vice—calls for courage. He knows your hearts, the risk of falling into a the questions, doubts and difficulties rut that can gradually make the ar- that toss the boat of our heart, and dent flame of our vocation die down, so he reassures us: “Take heart, it is I; the burden of the uncertainty and have no fear!” We know in faith that insecurity of the times, and worry He is present and comes to meet us, about the future. Take heart, do not that He is ever at our side even amid be afraid! Jesus is at our side, and if stormy seas. This knowledge sets us we acknowledge Him as the one Lord free from that lethargy which I have of our lives, He will stretch out His called “sweet sorrow” (2019 Letter to hand, take hold of us and save us. Priests), the interior discouragement Even amid the storm-tossed wa- that hold us back from experiencing ters, then, our lives become open to the beauty of our vocation. praise. This is the last of our voca- In the Letter to Priests, I also spoke tion words, and it is an invitation to about pain, but here I would like to translate the word cultivate the interior disposition of the Blessed Virgin differently, as fatigue. Every vocation brings with it a re- Mary. Grateful that Lord gazed upon her, faithful amid sponsibility. The Lord calls us because He wants to enable fear and turmoil, she courageously embraced her voca- us, like Peter, to “walk on water,” in other words, to take tion and made of her life an eternal song of praise to the charge of our lives and place them at the service of the Lord. Gospel, in the concrete and everyday ways that He shows Dear friends, I ask the Church to continue to pro- us, and specifically in the different forms of lay, priestly mote vocations. May she touch the hearts of the faithful and consecrated vocation. Yet, like , our desire and enable each of them to discover with gratitude God’s and enthusiasm coexist with our failings and fears. call in their lives, to find courage to say “yes” to God, If we let ourselves be daunted by the responsibilities to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ, and that await us—whether in married life or priestly min- to make of their lives a song of praise for God, for their istry—or by the hardships in store for us, then we will brothers and sisters, and for the whole world. May the soon turn away from the gaze of Jesus and, like Peter, we Virgin Mary accompany us and intercede for us.

May/June/July 2020 19 Doctor of the Heart, Healer of the Soul The Spiritual Counsel of Dr. Conrad W. Baars

Emotional Maturity By Rev. Brian Mullady, O.P.

motional maturity is based in to be obedient to reason. The forma- reason. As a result, conscience and human integrity. Since the one tion of both the estimative judgment reason, being the alleged perpetra- Ehuman soul is at the basis of all and the passions then demands first tors of so much untold neurotic suf- the various powers—nutritive, sen- an understanding of the truth about fering in the world, became increas- sitive and intellectual—integrity de- man. This includes all the powers ingly suspect.”1 mands that all of these powers act in present in human nature and their Catholic doctrine and St. Thom- a union. Indeed, they influence each natural orientations both to their as Aquinas have always held that other through the human soul which own goods and to the good of man rather than be in opposition to emo- is at their basis. The nutritive pow- as such. tional maturity, conscience and rea- ers are more indicators of integrity or son are the basis for emotional ma- provide a physical basis for acting in turity. All the most important inte- integrity but as such they are not the rior experiences of the integration of primary powers with which whole- goods are caused by man understand- ness is concerned. The nutritive “Full human integration ing their nature and willing them as powers have no knowing and desir- only occurs when there goods. For a complete experience of ing life of their own and so there can- this, love in the emotional sense is not be a conflict between them and are virtues introduced also necessary. Emotional maturity is caused by spiritual maturity and this the higher part of the soul, nor can into the passions they resist the direction of the soul. implies penetrating the emotional The sensitive powers of knowing which make them easily life with the intellectual truth and and loving on the other hand must be so disposing emotional love and all properly formed for man to be whole. moved according to the passions which line up on it to be This is not because they are the cen- the reasonable action supportive of the action of willed or tral forces which underlie wholeness volitional love. It is this union which but because the soul is one and any of the will.” makes human actions finally spon- movement in the higher part of the taneous in the full meaning of that soul naturally includes them. The Unfortunately, modern psychia- word. Man wills the good he knows estimative or usefulness judgment try does not recognize this basis for to be true with not only no resistance must be properly formed for exam- the human soul. Because of a lack of on the part of the passions, but with ple for a person to carry out actions metaphysics, reason and intelligence the complete support of the passions. which contribute to wholeness. The are often looked on as the enemy of One really enjoys doing good. passions in man have a two pronged emotional integrity. Dr. Baars says: “When the object of the sensory perfection. They are both oriented “[…] Freud believed the repressing appetite is considered in the light of to particular good experiences like factor to be the superego, encom- the universal, sensory life will in this animal passions and naturally born passing the conscience and thus also respect come under the influence of

20 May/June/July 2020 reason and will more or less lose its sions. The obvious practical result of No longer neurotically repressed or egocentric character. Moreover, it this philosophy is to meet one emo- rationally restrained, which, we be- will also desire the good of others. tional experience with another. For lieve, contribute significantly to the This results in a noticeable eleva- example, when the sexual urge arises increase of sexual promiscuity and tion of the emotional life in that it in puberty, to treat it as evil in itself unwanted pregnancies, the legal en- becomes more unselfish. […] [This and meet it with either fear or energy actment of liberalized abortion laws, is] true for all […] human emotions. perhaps even suppressing the feeling the almost contagious spread of the Although they remain sensory appe- from consciousness. If this is extreme contraceptive mentality, the grow- tites, they assume the highest and it becomes a repression. Thomas ing revenues from the pornographic noblest human characteristics as a Aquinas is completely against this trade, and the demands of ‘modern result of the natural influence of the philosophy, pointing out that though man’ for a ‘new morality.’”4 intellectual appetite.”2 What should be the Though it is possible proper model for emo- for human beings to con- tional maturity? Dr. Baars trol themselves using only uses the example of a girl will power or for the satis- riding a horse. The girl is faction of one or the other the intellect and will and of the emotional desires, the horse would be the this will not lead to full passions. If the girl starves human integration. Full and beats the horse into human integration only submission it will become occurs when there are vir- extremely weakened and tues introduced into the when needed may fail to passions which make them carry the girl where she easily moved according wants to go. It may even to the reasonable action of the will. one must control wicked passions die and leave the girl on foot which Only then will the truth fill man and leading us to sin, if one is motivated would make it much more difficult to penetrate to the sense desires. The by justice in the will for example this go anywhere. On the other hand, if virtues involved in these desires are will always overflow in an emotion- the girl gives the horse its head and temperance in the pleasure appetite ally mature person to the passions. just allows the horse to run free wild- and fortitude in the irascible appetite. “Wherefore by reason of this kind of ly wherever the horse wants to go, Of course, man today does not overflow, the more perfect a virtue is, the two may fall over a cliff or into experience this complete emotional the more passion it causes.”3 a ditch and serious injury would be maturity. This is caused by the Orig- The second mistaken tendency done to the girl. inal Sin. But the fault does not lie in is the already mentioned idea that If instead, the girl raises the the passions themselves, but in the reason is the enemy of integration horse and learns to both know the loss of grace in the soul which is pri- because it comes completely from horse and to ride well, the girl and marily experienced as a weakness of outside. This is the source of the feel the horse act almost together as one. will. There are two mistaken tenden- good mentality of today. The cure is “Through trial and error, learning cies in reaction to this problem. to allow the unbridled experience of from mistakes and successes, final The first is the idea that since the the passions with no concern from integration has been achieved. With passions cause us to sin, the virtuous the conscience or reason. “The more continued good care of the horse man must not have them. This is a they (the conscience and reason) fell by the woman the daily ride is pure conclusion aided by an ancient phi- into disrepute, the easier it became for joy. She is free to let her thoughts losophy called Stoicism which taught unrestrained emotions to determine and memories go out to whatever that the passions were evil in them- people’s behavior. This is true for the she wants. All her energies become selves and sicknesses of the soul. If emotions of love, fear, anxiety, worry, available for more important things one had temperance and fortitude sadness, despair, and envy, and most in the deep satisfaction that she has one would have no objects in the pas- of all, or course, for sexual feelings. (Continued on page 12)

May/June/July 2020 21 InnerView

With Jeffrey Karls, Executive Director of the Institute on Religious Life

Jeff, you have been involved with so this would be a whole new journey confidence that this was where God the Institute on Religious Life for for me. I enrolled at Magdalen Col- wanted me to be. The rest is history. many years. What initially drew lege, a very small liberal arts college Within a few months of taking the you to this apostolate? in New Hampshire, as a freshman at position I started dating a young lady When I was in my early 30’s and the age of 32 where I studied theol- who had graduated from the college. still single, living in my home state of ogy, philosophy, Latin and science. I We had become tennis buddies. We Wisconsin, I was discerning a possi- fell in love with the studies, the com- married in 1988 to be blessed with 10 ble call to the priesthood, but didn’t munity life and the prayer and litur- children. I served as Executive Vice know if I was being called to dioce- gical life as well. President for thirteen years and Pres- san or religious priesthood. My pas- Fast forward: at the end of two ident for twelve. tor encouraged me to attend the an- years of study, I had become so en- nual IRL National Meeting held at gaged in the entire enterprise that I As President of Magdalen College Mundelein Seminary in the spring of found myself desiring to offer some of you witnessed firsthand the draw 1985. That was 35 years ago but that my business experience as a volun- of young men and women to reli- first experience of the IRL made a teer in the office of student financial gious life. What was it about that lasting impression. I was so taken by aid and food service, as I had been in college environment that encour- the beautiful, joyful spirit of the near- the hospitality industry for 13 years. aged this “yes”to God’s call? ly 300 religious men and women, all During this time, I visited seminaries While serving at the College, I wearing habits, assembled in prayer, and religious communities however witnessed many students who felt worship, socializing with great uplift- nothing seemed to click. I had a de- called to priesthood and religious ing conversations, plus an incredible votion to and prayed a life. I found myself calling on the re- lineup of gifted speakers including novena for guidance to know what ligious men and women I had come IRL founder Rev. John A. Hardon, God was calling me to do. On the to know through the IRL to provide S. J., himself. The beauty of so many last day of the novena, the College on campus retreats and spiritual di- religious men and women embracing President approached me as I was rection for the students. As a result their vocations and apostolates and leaving the chapel and asked me of the combination of the struc- so filled with joy, seemed to me, at very directly if I would consider tak- tured, community, prayer and litur- the time, to be a foretaste of heaven! ing the position of Executive Vice gical life that was part of the college Through that National Meeting, I President of the College. He said: program and the opportunity for in- made many contacts with priests and “You have the qualifications and teraction with men and women reli- religious with whom I kept in con- the Board of Trustees unanimously gious, the college witnessed 38 stu- tact with and would later interact agreed.” Wow! Never in my wildest dents within 35 years who pursued with in the vocation and apostolate imaginings would I ever have antici- vocations to the priesthood and that I eventually said yes to. pated this kind of answer from a no- religious life. A vocation a year is a From that National Meeting, I vena to Saint Joseph. I again prayed pretty solid statistic. During these was inspired to return to college to to Saint Joseph and discerned that years I would frequently attend the study philosophy and . I had this was the answer to the novena. I IRL National Meetings. I was invit- majored in business administration had an incredible sense of peace and ed to serve on the Board of Direc-

22 May/June/July 2020 tors which I have been honored best communicate and educate to do for 20 years. the lay faithful about the beau- ty and necessity of religious life. How did you first get associat- Our mission is to strengthen ed with the Benedictine Monks religious life in our country, to of Norcia and the Orate Insti- guide it on the path to authen- tute? tic renewal, to educate religious, My experience with religious to support and promote their life led me to other apostolates works, and to inspire vocations as well. I became friends with in their service to the Church Rev. Cassian Folsom, O.S.B., and their consecration to Our and Abbot Marcel Rooney, Lord, Jesus Christ. We are utiliz- O.S.B., Abbot Primate of the ing social media to get this mes- Benedictines. Together, we found- op Donald Hying, newly appointed sage to as many people as possible. ed the Monks of Norcia Foundation Bishop of Gary Indiana. Mike Wick As the IRL National Director, which supports the Monks of Nor- had done an excellent job of leading Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem., cia community established in 2000 the IRL for more than 15 years. Find- stated, “Religious life is essentially a in Norcia, Italy, at the birthplace of ing a replacement was no small task. life of interior conversion and trans- Sts. Benedict and Scholastica. A few I served on a search committee to formation into Christ by means of years later, we founded the Orate In- find his replacement. At one point, the evangelical counsels. This puts stitute of Sacred Music, Liturgy and a board member asked if I had ever religious in the heart of the Church, Art. And were were invited by Most given any consideration to taking animating her life of love, service and Rev. Robert Morlino to establish the the position. Truth be told, while at- worship. And this is why religious life Institute in the Diocese of Madison tending board meetings, I would of- is essential to the life of the Church, which was an opportunity for me to ten think to myself, “If Mike ever left and why every Catholic, not only return to Wisconsin. The Orate In- the IRL, I would love to serve in his clergy and religious, should support stitute has produced a series of vid- position.” Be careful what you think, and promote religious life.” eos on the teachings of the history of especially when it comes to aposto- The IRL celebrates its 50th an- the Sacred Liturgy. Abbot Rooney lates! All it took was for someone on niversary in 2024. Our challenge recently published a Missalette the Board to ask me the question… moving forward is to reach as many through A.R. Editions, Inc., “Sing A some more prayers to St. Joseph and lay faithful as possible and to engage New Song,” a Catholic worship re- thus I said yes to serve as full time their help and support to protect, source combining the antiphons and Executive Director. Since then, my promote and support religious life. prayers of the Roman Missal with the desire to promote and support re- The immediate focus for the IRL readings and psalms of the Lection- ligious life has grown stronger than is making it through the pandemic ary, to provide a comprehensive and ever before. which unfortunately forced the can- reusable resource for the Mass. cellation of the National Meeting What are the challenges facing the and our Fall Gala. Since these are What led to your Executive Direc- Institute on Religious Life and major sources of funding, we are torship of the IRL? communities in this social media looking for creative ways to host After my return to Wisconsin age? these events, even if they are virtual with my wife Julie and our 3 youngest We have our work cut out for us and online, so as to generate reve- children, we became involved with in these times of serious seculariza- nues needed to fund programs and actively supporting our parish paro- tion of the culture. Most people are operations. We will do our best to chial school and helping with stew- ignorant of what religious life is or continue to communicate with the ardship and liturgy when another why it is vital for the Church or our Affiliate communities and our faith- opportunity avails. Former IRL Ex- society. The challenge for the IRL ful benefactors to ask for prayers and ecutive Director, Michael Wick, was is how to connect with the modern support to sustain us through these offered a position to work for Bish- forms of communication and how to challenging times.

May/June/July 2020 23 Cowboy (cont. from pg. 14) to prayers that they reconciled with was a sinner who needed the love and Knowing myself as a sinner who each other just before Mom died. mercy of God. That was all. I simply is loved to the death by Jesus Christ Dad had serious aneurism and desired his soul be healed and that gave me a freedom to offer myself heart surgery, just a few months be- he be prepared for death. He had a to be whatever the Lord wanted me fore he passed away. While in the greater sense of peace in his last few to be. The specific vocation—Jesuit hospital awaiting surgery, he asked to months than he had in all his adult priest or brother, diocesan priest, hus- go to confession. I offered to find an- years. The words I had spoken to him band and father of a family, or single other priest, since he once said that at age twelve—that I wanted to be a layman—no longer mattered because he would never confess his sins to me. priest to cure souls and help sinners I knew that Christ loved me so much But no; he wanted me. on their death beds to get to Heav- that anything He wanted for me You might think that I would feel en—came to be lived out in his own would be the best thing for me. a sense of vindication or relief that my life thirty-two years later. In a moment of prayer, I expe- father finally accepted me as a priest. Nothing compares to meeting a rienced a flash of light in my mind But, in all honesty, that was the fur- soul in the Sacrament of Reconcilia- that I was truly called to be a Jesuit thest thing from my mind. God had tion. There I, a poor sinner yet also a priest. That has been the touchstone brought me such a long way from priest of God, have the unspeakable experience which has sustained my when I barely gave a thought to the privilege of ministering the very love vocation since my joining the Society feelings of the young lady I had been and mercy of God. There Christ asks of Jesus in 1968 and my ordination in dating. Now my concern for people me to touch and heal in His Name. If 1976. went even deeper than simply hu- that was the only thing I ever got to man feelings. It went to the very core do, it would be worth spending my life A Father’s Promise, of life. Saint Paul said, “[W]e regard as a priest. A Son’s Explanation no one from a human point of view,” This testimony was excerpted from My mom died of cancer in 1989 and “we are ambassadors for Christ, Called by Name: The Inspiring Sto- and my dad died of a heart attack a God making His appeal through us. ries of 12 Men Who Became Catho- few years later. They had divorced We beseech you on behalf of Christ, lic Priests, edited Dr. Christine Anne in the early 1980s, which caused me be reconciled to God” (2Cor 5:20). Mugridge. Available at Ascension- a lot of pain. I consider it an answer To me, at that moment, my father Press.com. Sisters of Charity Celebrate their 50th Anniversary n June 4, 2020, the Sisters of first foundation in Baltic, CT. The ti- Charity of Our Lady Mother tle given to the new Institute, similar Oof the Church will celebrate to the original, is Sisters of Charity the 50th anniversary of their foun- of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, dation in 1970 in Baltic, Connecti- and is cherished by the sisters. Today, cut, by Mother Marie Alma Lafond, the sisters devote themselves to the S.C.M.C. Mother entered religious ministries of education, caring for the life in 1932 with the Sisters of Char- sick, the aging and the poor, wherev- ity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy, a er there is a need. congregation founded by Msgr. John The community flourished in this The Sisters rejoice in the bless- Zwijsen in the one hun- country, but Mother Marie Alma, de- ings God has bestowed upon the Con- dred years earlier. He sent Sisters siring to remain faithful to her divine gregation through the Hands of Our from Holland to the Bridegroom, to the principles of Mon- Blessed Lady, Mother of the Church. where they founded the Academy signor Zwijsen, and to witnessing to The theme of the Jubilee is Listening of the Holy Family in 1874, a school the Gospel message as a true daugh- like Mary, Loving like Jesus. Plans for which still operates today as an inter- ter of the Church, requested and re- celebrations during this Jubilee Year national secondary school for young ceived permission from the Holy See have been curtailed by the pandemic, women. to begin a new congregation with its but will be rescheduled at later dates.

24 May/June/July 2020 IRL News & Notes Sisters, Servants of Mary Care for Sick Despite Pandemic hen it became apparent that the deadly coronavi- Wrus had suddenly reached the United States, the family of Jose Ramirez, Sr., was very concerned. That’s because Ramirez lives at home alone and is bed-bound— par- alyzed from the chest down. He re- ceives care from a caregiver during the day, then from the Sisters, Ser- “We are more aware of whether faith and God at this time. There is vants of Mary three nights a week. there are any symptoms we can ob- not one person who doesn’t talk about Family members were concerned serve in patients, drivers and all the it when we are riding with them from that the coming and going of caregiv- people we come close to,” said Sister our convent to their home.” ers would make Ramirez more vulner- Lucero Garcia, local superior. Since the canceling of public able to the highly contagious disease. So far, none of the patients they Masses, the Sisters are very aware of “When we called the Sisters and see are infected with the coronavirus, the pain people experience at not be- told them because of this pandemic and neither are their families. For the ing able to receive Jesus in the Eucha- we were moving my father to the most part, their circumstances tend rist or participate in Eucharistic ado- caregiver’s house,” said his son, “the to isolate them anyway. And none of ration, said Sister Lucero. The Sisters Sister said, ‘OK.’” the sisters have been infected either. have responded by increasing the “They were still willing to come The Sisters are following estab- time and intensity of their prayers. and see him on Wednesdays, Thurs- lished, standard practices of nursing. “We don’t usually have prayer days and Fridays.” They have cut back on their noncrit- before the Blessed Sacrament ex- Since arriving in Kansas City, ical outings—only shopping and see- posed, but we have exposed the Kansas, in 1917 (a year before they ing doctors when necessary. Blessed Sacrament for three times a nursed patients through the 1918 And social isolation is nothing day,” she said. global flu pandemic that saw some new to them—it’s their lifestyle any- They keep in touch with friends, 2,300 deaths in Kansas City alone), way as religious. family and members of their com- the Sisters have gone to the homes One new thing the Sisters are munity, reassuring them with their of the sick and cared for them there doing is spending more consecutive prayers. at no charge. nights with patients rather than “We need to pray more intensely For those who fear what will sending a sister back and forth be- for the people who are sick and suf- happen to their frail and ill family tween patients on alternating days. fering the consequences of this dis- members during the worldwide coro- “People are very concerned and ease, and for the families, and for the navirus pandemic, having the com- nervous about [the coronavirus],” whole world,” said Sister Lucero. munity provide care in the relative said Sr. Silvia Juárez. “They really “People are in great need of some- isolation of their homes has given need to talk about it, even though we one to pray for them and with them.... them peace of mind and soul. can’t do much to help out but to listen They need God in their lives.” The Sisters, Servants of Mary to them. For us to be there for them is 2020 marks the 50th anniversary are still doing the work they always a blessing.... Of course, we offer them of their foundress, St. Maria Soledad have done, the only difference being our prayer and reassurances.” who was canonized in 1970. that they are more vigilant because “We keep them in our prayers. I For more information, please vis- of the pandemic. feel like they are more open to their it SisterServantsofMary.org.

May/June/July 2020 25 IRL Welcomes Two New Affiliate Communities t the March 27, 2020 meeting for the love of God and as He wills Aof the Executive Committee of it.” Their apostolates include teach- the Institute on Religious Life, the ing in elementary and high schools, IRL was pleased to welcome two new nursing, and religious education, as Affiliate communities. well as pastoral and mission work. The Congregation of the Alber- Their spiritual identity is firmly tine Sisters Serving the Poor was based on a love for the , founded in 1891 in Krakow, Poland, contemplation on the Passion, love by St. Brother Albert (Adam Ch- for Mary Immaculate, veneration mielowski), a talented painter. Their In the United States, they serve of Saint Joseph, fidelity and service co-foundress, Bl. Bernardina (Maria in the Archdiocese of Chicago and to the Church, and the living out Jabłonska), was the first Superior the Diocese of Gary. At the Vati- of poverty, not only in their form of General. Following the ideals of St. can, the Albertine Sisters serve daily life, but also through sharing and re- Francis of Assisi and guidelines of meals for the Swiss Guards. Please sponding to the situation of the poor. St. , they are both visit AlbertineSisters.org for more In the United States, the Sisters Franciscan and Carmelite. information. presently serve in Texas, California, The Albertines serve the need- The Franciscan Sisters of Mary Florida and Missouri. For more in- iest of their neighbors, especially Immaculate were founded by Bl. formation, please visit: Franciscan- where the image of Christ seems Mother Maria Caritas Brader, a Fran- SistersofMaryImmaculate.net. to be most disfigured or completely ciscan sister, who in answer to an ear- effaced, in homeless shelters, soup nest plea from a bishop in Ecuador, kitchens, hospices, nursing homes, left her Swiss convent in 1888 with shelters for children and the mis- a small group of sisters for Colombia, sions. Here, among the poor and South America, to work as mission- most miserable, they recognize the aries in the diocese. Mother Caritas image of the Suffering Jesus. Brother died in Pasto, Colombia in 1943 and Albert said: “You should be good like was beatified by Pope St. John Paul bread, which rests on the table for II in 2003. everyone and from which everyone, Today, they continue the work if hungry, may cut himself a piece, of evangelization through education- and so be nourished.” Hence, their al, missionary and social work, living unusual motto: “Be good like bread.” the motto of Mother Caritas: “All

Vita Consecrata Institute to Offer Modified Summer Schedule Summer Session: July 12–July 24 SPIR 630—The Spiritual Life Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P. CONL 621—History of the Consecrated Life Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. SPIR 803—Heart Speaks to Heart Fr. Alphonsus Hermes, O.Praem.

To register or for more information, please contact Christendom College Graduate School of Theology by email at [email protected] or by calling 703-658-4304.

26 May/June/July 2020 Celebrating the Tri-Centennial of the Passionist Congregation

his year, Passion- fied, with Our Lady of ists all over the Sorrows and St. Paul of Tworld have been the Cross standing at preparing to celebrate the foot of the Cross. the 300th anniversary On the side panels are of the founding of their four of the Passionist Congregation. The offi- saints and blesseds: cial Tri-Centennial will St. Possenti, commence on Novem- St. Gemma Galgani, ber 22, 2020, the day Bl. Dominic Barberi, St. Paul of the Cross and Bl. Isidore de Loor. received his black habit The icon vividly dis- of penance and began plays what the core of his 40 day retreat at the the Passionist charism church in Castellazzo, is all about: standing Italy, in 1720. It was with Mary at the foot during this intense experience of of the Passion of Jesus (Passionist of the Cross, lovingly united to Jesus prayer that Paul received the foun- Nuns) now have houses throughout Crucified in His great outpouring of dational graces of the Passionist the world and continue the legacy love for the world’s salvation, and charism and wrote the Primitive Rule of St. Paul of the Cross by their vow beckoning others to come and re- of what would eventually become the to promote devotion to and grateful ceive the same outpouring of divine Congregation of the Passion. remembrance of the Passion of Jesus. love from His Heart. Both branches of the Passionist The Passionist Fathers and Broth- Over the past year this icon has family were founded by St. Paul of the ers do so in their active apostolate been making its way all over the Cross and trace their charismatic or- of preaching, retreats, and mission world to each Passionist house. Ac- igin to the graces he received during work; while the Passionist Nuns do so companying the icon on its pilgrim- his retreat. The Congregation of the by their contemplative life of prayer age is a first-class relic of St. Paul Passion (Passionist Fathers) and the and intercession, and by inviting oth- of the Cross. On January 30th, the Monastic Congregation of the Nuns ers to spend time with them in prayer icon arrived St. Joseph Monastery of at the foot of the Cross. Passionist Nuns in Whitesville, Ken- Many Passionist monas- tucky, where the nuns and many of teries have a retreat house the local faithful had the opportunity attached for precisely this to pray with it and to celebrate the purpose. legacy of their holy founder. This year, As a part of the Tri- the nuns of St. Joseph Monastery are Centennial preparations, also celebrating the 25th anniversary the Passionist Fathers com- of the dedication of their monastery missioned the Greek ico- where they moved in 1995 in order nographer Loukas Seroglou to provide a better space and envi- to write a special jubilee ronment for their contemplative life. icon. In the shape of a trip- For more information, please visit: tych, it depicts Jesus Cruci- PassionistNuns.org.

May/June/July 2020 27 Spanish Founder of IHM Sisters Declared Venerable n January 23, 2020, Pope were asked by Most Rev. Thaddeus Francis authorized the Con- Amat of -Monterey to Ogregation for the Causes of come to teach on the West Coast. Saints to promulgate the decree of In 1871, following the encourage- heroic virtues of Joaquin Masmitjà, ment of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Canon of the Cathedral of Gerona, Father Masmitjà sent ten sisters. By , and founder of the Sisters of the 1960’s, the sisters numbered 600 the Immaculate Heart of Mary. With and were teaching throughout Cal- this promulgation, Father Masmitjà ifornia and beyond. In 1976, three was declared “venerable” and moved Sisters of the California Institute, one step closer to . desiring to preserve the charism As a parish priest in mid-nine- of Father Masmitjà, asked Most teenth century Spain, Father Mas- Rev. M. Maloney, Bishop of mitjà frequently encountered among Wichita, if they could come to his his parishioners the reality of poor diocese and open a foundation. He formation in the Faith. Catholic welcomed their presence and their culture had disappeared, apostolic work. In 1979 under the was gaining ground and morality was direction of the Holy See, the Sis- teach, to sacrifice and work, for the eroding. With his priestly heart’s ters in Wichita separated from the salvation of souls. concern for the salvation of souls, he Institute in California. Father Masmitjà believed in and established the 40 Hours devotion, In today’s world, with society promoted the powerful intercession trained catechists, and hosted mis- promoting vice as virtue and teach- of the Immaculate and Sorrowful sions for his parishioners. But this, ing that tolerance—not charity, Heart of Mary. He also wanted with he found, was not enough. truth and zeal for souls—is a good, all of his might to protect that Heart In 1848, Ven. Joaquin Masmitjà praying for the conversion of sinners from the cruel sword that pierces it founded the Sisters of the Immac- is not as well-known as in previous when sinners renew the passion and ulate Heart of Mary to teach and decades. And yet, a true love for death of her Son by refusing His form the young in the truths of our souls is to pray and work for their mercy and forgiveness. The declara- Catholic Faith and to pray for the salvation. The Sisters of the Im- tion of his heroic virtue is a good re- conversion of sinners. By 1870, maculate Heart of Mary continue, minder to renew the commitment to their reputation had grown and they in union with Our Lady, to pray and pray for hardened sinners that they may know the forgiveness of God and the tender love of their Heav- enly Mother. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary invite you to pray through the intercession of Ven. Joaquin Masmitjà for all of your intentions. Reporting to the Sis- ters any favors or miracles received could possibly further his cause for . For holy cards or more informa- tion, please contact Mother at (316) 722-9316 or email her at mmm@SistersIHMof- Wichita.org.

28 May/June/July 2020 IRL Midwest Regional a Spiritual Preparation for Pandemic n Saturday March 14, 2020, nearly 70 consecrated re- Oligious men and women, priests, and laity, gathered at the Franciscan Prayer Center in Inde- pendence, Missouri, for the Institute on Religious Life’s annual Midwest Regional Meeting. The meeting was notably significant because it was the last IRL gathering before the nation- al and state “shelter-in place” and “social distancing” mandates were issued due to COVID-19 pandem- ic. It was a peculiar moment, with this year’s theme, “Forming Apostles thorough, one you want to hear or re- erywhere. Sister’s presentation left through Prayer,” taking on a different read again and again to be able to ob- everyone with spirits uplifted, joyfully dimension. tain everything possible from it. enthusiastic to pray “everywhere and The day began with Rev. Etienne The second speaker was Sr. Jude always.” Huard, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk Andrew Link, O.P., currently the The third speaker was Dr. De- from Conception Abbey in Concep- Director of Community Life & The- nis McNamara, founding Director of tion, Missouri. Father’s talk was ti- ology at St. Michael the the Center for Beauty and Culture tled: “Liturgical Prayer: Source and Catholic High School in Lee’s Sum- at Benedictine College in Atchison, Summit of Religious Commitment.” mit, Missouri. Sister Jude Andrew Kansas. His talk, “The Objective of His talk focused on Sacred Liturgy as gave a talk on “Formed in the Clois- Beauty: Lessons from Thomas Aqui- the fount of our activity to deepen our ter,” which focused on a description nas,” was given via a power point pre- relationship with God, our neighbor of the cloister and the vows of pov- sentation which visually demonstrat- and ourselves. “Liturgy is more than erty, chastity and obedience. Cloister, ed his working definition of beauty— ritual worship,” he said. “It is a meet- as Sister described it, is that place of the clear revelation of the ontological ing place between God and creation.” encounter with Christ, that place of reality of a thing. A beautiful thing Father Etienne explained that the solitude with God, and a place of si- has a relationship to what is true word liturgy in Greek means “provid- lence for study and prayer. about it.” Dr. McNamara provided a ing a service for the good of people... The vow of poverty, Sister ex- series of pictures of people and things participation in the work of God for plained, is “becoming poor in spirit, that were either obviously true or ob- God.” He added: “Liturgical prayer is realizing our dependence on God and viously untrue to their nature, getting an active participation in obedience. each other, knowing that everything the message across in a profound way. Full public worship is performed by is a gift.” Chastity “is a personal rela- He provided examples of Aquinas’ Christ and His members, as a sacred tionship with Christ, and the security provisional definition of beauty, “that action surpassing all actions.” of being the beloved of Christ.” Obe- which pleases when seen,” walking Father Etienne explained the dience “is the full surrender of our the attendees through the very com- parts, history, traditions and mean- own will to that of God. Our will is plex topic of objective beauty, giving ing of Sacred Liturgy. He concluded; our greatest gift, with a desire to love serious but light-hearted examples of “Liturgical prayer has to be partici- and to be loved, as we align our will beauty according to Aquinas. pation in Christ’s work of charity; to and emotions with God’s.” Sister de- The IRL is most grateful to the lay down our life for the other which fined the vows in greater detail and Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Eu- never rejoices in what is wrong but presented the Nine Ways of Prayer charist for their generous hospitali- for what is right!” Father Etienne’s of , illustrating that ty in hosting the Midwest Regional presentation was comprehensive and her founder prayed always and ev- Meeting.

May/June/July 2020 29 Affiliate in Focus Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother Toronto, Ohio “To Glorify God and Make Known His Merciful Love” he mission and charisms of the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., Tof Penance of the Sorrowful Mother proceed from deep gratitude for the goodness and love of God, which is poured out through Christ’s redemption on the cross. Their mis- sion is to glorify God and make known His merciful love so that all may be reconciled and brought into commu- nion with God. The sisters proclaim the Good News of salvation through the witness of their consecrated and all humanity, the sisters seek to be The sisters’ life of prayer and in- communal life as Franciscan con- transformed into vessels of His mer- tercession and their commitment to templative penitents committed to cy for others. the spiritual and corporal works of prayer and works of mercy. Under the patronage of the Sor- mercy flow from their charisms of Following their Seraphic Father rowful Mother and with the Eucha- crucified love, mercy, poverty, and St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscan rist as the center of their daily life, contemplation. Their contempla- Sisters, T.O.R, embrace the Third the community lives out its mission tive-active rhythm of prayer, work, Order charism of penance by living of standing with Mary at the foot of and ministry is lived out in three pos- a life of evangelical conversion in a the Cross, offering their lives with sible settings: monasteries, hermitag- spirit of prayer, poverty, and humili- Christ as a holocaust of love for the es, and mission houses. While prayer ty. As they daily contemplate Christ’s salvation of souls. Members partici- is their primary ministry at every lo- gracious gift of love offered on the pate in Mass, two daily hours of Eu- cation from which they serve, they cross and intercede for the needs of charistic adoration, Liturgy of the have four mission houses with vari- Hours, the Rosary, ous outreaches to the poor and the the Divine Mercy unevangelized, as well as ministries at Chaplet, and praise their motherhouse and beyond. and worship and In downtown Steubenville, the charismatic prayer. sisters help provide for the needs of Sisters have a weekly the materially and spiritually poor hermitage morning through their compassionate pres- and monthly hermit- ence. At Franciscan University of age days for silence Steubenville’s main campus and and solitude to foster study abroad campus and at Florida greater intimacy with State University, the sisters evange- the Lord. lize through their witness, spiritual

30 May/June/July 2020 In the Spirit of the Foundress. . . A Renewed Call to Penitential Life he Franciscan Sisters Third Or- Tder Regular of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother was established as a Public Association of the Faith- direction and assistance in campus ful (in formation to become a reli- ministry. Sisters visit a nursing home gious institute) on August 15, 1988 and a prison and also travel to of- by Most Rev. Albert Ottenweller, fer parish missions and retreats and Bishop of Steubenville, Ohio. The speak at various conferences. The seven founding members included sisters offer the ministry of hospital- two Franciscan sisters and five lay al at the time, a fruit of Vatican II, ity at Our Lady of Sorrows Mother- women from the Secular Francis- the pontificate of St. John Paul II, house, where visitors are welcome can Order. Sr. Katherine Caldwell, and the Catholic Charismatic Re- for Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, devo- T.O.R., is the founding sister who newal. During these early years, the tional prayer, retreats and vocational has remained with us. sisters lived a rigorous yet joyful life discernment visits. of prayer and penance. To support The community also values and themselves, they made altar bread prioritizes its fraternal life by setting and held nursing and other jobs. aside time for community meals, rec- Ministries included evangelization reation and share group. This com- and visits to the poor and sick. munal life finds its origin in intimate In June 1994, through the inter- communion with God, who is a com- cession of Saint Joseph, the sisters munion of persons. The sisters strive purchased their country mother- to be a witness of joyful fraternity, house property in nearby Toronto. peace, and reconciliation to others. With the help of Rev. Angelus The sisters broke ground for Our Currently there are 34 women in the Migliore, T.O.R., the women met to- Lady of Sorrows Formation House community, including 8 in initial for- gether and realized their visions were in 1995 and later completed Father mation and 26 in perpetual vows. similar—to renew the contempla- of Mercy Chapel and Our Lady of tive dimension of the life of the early Sorrows Professed House in 2010. Franciscans, from which flows the In between these years, the sis- works of mercy. They all felt called to ters developed their mission state- be with Mary at the foot of the Cross ment, “to make known God’s mer- to intercede for God’s people and to ciful love,” while also growing in un- make known His merciful love. derstanding of their contemplative In May 1988, the group began call. Four hermitages were construct- living and praying together in one ed on the motherhouse property and of the dorms at Franciscan Univer- Wednesday mornings were set aside For more information contact: sity to discern how the Lord was for prayer, silence and solitude. Four Sr. Miriam O’Callaghan, T.O.R. leading them. On August 1st, the mission houses serving the poor and Vocations Coordinator group moved to an empty convent. college students opened between 369 Little Church Road Once word spread, the small com- 2001 and 2015. The community Toronto, OH 43964 munity began to grow quickly and is holding its General Chapter this Tel: 740-544-6204 moved to larger housing nearby. summer and continuing its founding [email protected] The Franciscan Sisters were with the grace of God and the con- FranciscanSistersTOR.org influenced by the Church’s renew- tributions of each of its members.

May/June/July 2020 31 Theological Reflections

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

Christ the Light of the Believing Soul f there was ever an age in the is that when Christ dwells by faith stand difficulties firmly, rather than Church’s history when the faith- in a soul, neither chronological age, to attack them. Iful needed the light of Christ’s nor intellectual ability, nor scholas- We need the courage that comes direction and guidance, it is our tic education really matter. His light from Christ and, indeed, in Christ, if age. Theories and on ev- confers on the one who believes such we are to successfully conquer these ery conceivable issue, conflicts and understanding of God and the things inveterate fears. controversies on all sides—until the of God as nothing else can supply for. What is He telling us? He is head reels with dizziness on even said of saying that just as He dwells in our some of the most fundamental posi- Christ’s contemporaries that they minds to enlighten them and give tions of Catholic Christianity. preferred the darkness to the light them true wisdom, so He dwells in How is Christ the light of the be- that Christ came to give to the world. our wills to strengthen them and give lieving soul? He is our light insofar as Actually John was speaking for ev- them the fortitude that, of ourselves, He has revealed to us, through the ery age since then, and not only for we do not have. Church, those mysteries which until first-century Palestine. Recall the parting message to the His time had been hidden from the Why should this be so? No one disciples before He ascended into beginning of the world. but God fully understands. But at Heaven: “…I send down upon you What are we saying? We are least we know something of an ex- the promise of My Father. Remain saying that the Light of Christ is the planation that can help us escape the here in the city until you are clothed Light that is Christ. His revelation of same fate. with power from on high” (Lk 24:49). Himself to us is the knowledge that The explanation lies in the fact And again, “You will receive power we cannot do without if we are to see that accepting Christ makes con- when the Holy Spirit comes down on what life is all about, what suffering siderable demands on man’s love of you; then you are to be My witnesses is all about, what death is all about, independence, on his desire for plea- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and and what life and death is all about. sure and ease, and his natural dread Samaria, yes, even to the ends of the It is remarkable how apparently of humiliation and pain. earth” (Acts 1:8). wise unbelievers can seem. They are From beginning to end, the Gos- After He ascended into Heav- often so naturally brilliant, so ed- pels are a mosaic of quotable pas- en, Christ sent this Spirit of power, ucated, and so glib in their speech sages, one more demanding than which is His Spirit, to dwell in our that we can be taken off guard. Yet the next. Taken together they are hearts. And since, as God, Christ no matter how otherwise clever a a formidable obstacle to our selfish- is eternally united with the Father person may be, or what his academic ness and a veritable mountain to and the Holy Spirit, it is the infinite training, unless he shares in the rev- climb in the following of Christ, and power of God that mysteriously en- elation that Christ brought into the the one meant specially for the dis- velops our souls. Our wills are, to world, he is living in darkness and, ciples of Christ, is the virtue of en- use a crude expression, wrapped up as Saint John tells us, “in the shadow durance. Christian fortitude, there- in divine power and while still re- of death” (Jn 8:12) fore, is more an affair of repressing maining our own human wills, they This deserves to be emphasized fears than of moderating rashness. participate in the all-powerful will because we are so naturally prone The principal act of courage, as we of God who, by grace, makes His to think differently. Yet, the truth understand it, is to endure and with- home in us.

32 May/June/July 2020 Brilliant Insights into DEEPER PRAYER & HOLINESS

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◆ The Contemplative Hunger ◆ Conversion ◆ Contemplative Short and e ective meditations on prayer Penetrating observations of the phenome- Provocations and contemplative spirituality that address non of Christian conversion. He discusses This book provokes us to persevere in the heart of a soul's interior response to the essential elements of a soul's return to the ultimate adventure in life - the more God. His desire to draw souls to a deeper God, and explores the fruits of conversion complete discovery of the living God. It gi of themselves is inseparable from His that make the di erence between a medi- o ers a rich profusion of insights on the life desire to draw them into a deeper encoun- ocre relationship with God and a truly holy of prayer and the pursuit of God, showing ter with the sacred mystery of His presence. life.  e invitation to embrace a deeper that a key to spiritual growth is understand- CHUP . . . Sewn So cover, $17.95 passion for God is the thematic undercur- ing that the hiddenness of God is a paradox rent of this inspiring work. for a soul seeking him wholeheartedly. CNVP . . . sewn So cover, $17.95 COPRP . . . Sewn So cover, $17.95

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Be a Bridge to Help Support Religious Life!

Dear Friends in Christ, While so many people in our country and around the world are suffering from many different losses and are in a very significant way deprived of frequent reception of the Sacraments, religious communities remain steadfast in prayer, sacrifice and service. The IRL is doing everything possible to continue to support and promote their contemplative life and apostolic works.

Like so many organizations impacted by the pandemic, the Institute on Religious Life has suffered significant financial losses due to the forced cancellation of the annual National Meeting and the Fall Mystical Rose Gala as well as the shortening Please remember of the Vita Consecrata summer courses. These events are major sources of funding for the IRL in your will the IRL operations. We are seeking assistance through grants and appeals and would or estate plan! Our legal name is: like to appeal to our benefactors and friends to contribute whatever is possible to help “Institute on the IRL bridge the shortfalls. Religious Life, Inc.” Understanding that there are many hardships everywhere, we want to assure you of Contact us at our continual prayers and tireless dedication to serving and promoting Religious Life. 847-573-8975 or write us Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, for further details

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