Day 91. The Way of the Mystic; Consecrated Life
Holiness, a message that convinces without the need for words, is the living reflection of the face of Christ.
St. John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte
The office of priest, like that of the bishop, belongs to the hierarchy of the Church. The role of consecrated life belongs to the holiness of the Church. Peter-as-minister is a witness to Jesus, but we also find in John-as-mystic a striking testimony to other features of Christ’s radiant face. In the scene above both Peter and “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” traditionally identified as John, receive news of the resurrection. Both run to the tomb. John arrives first, but waits for Peter and allows him to enter first. Peter observes the scene with a deliberate, methodical care. John, who enters a moment later, sees and believes. We may take from this something of the difference between the ministerial, magisterial, structured side of the Church, represented by Peter, and the mystical, contemplative, intuitive side we have associated with John. John arrives at faith first, but he defers to Peter. Both set out for the same goal and both eventually reach the same conclusion. But the approach of each is different.
Having considered the vocation of priest, we turn now to consecrated life. It begins with baptism. The call to religious consecration is rooted in baptism as a “fuller expression” – a more radical response to the grace of baptism. Catholics often assume that consecrated life is an alternative to priesthood, but because baptism is common to all, so too is the radical call. Consecrated life is available to both the ordained and the non-ordained. “From the point of view of the divine and hierarchical structure of the Church, the religious state of life is not an intermediate state between the clerical and lay states. But, rather, the faithful of Christ are called by God from both these states of life so that they might enjoy this particular gift in the life of the Church and thus each in one's own way, may be of some advantage to the salvific mission of the Church.”
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8) Consecrated life aims at renewing the whole Church in the spirit of the Beatitudes. By embracing lifelong vows to the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience, the consecrated woman or man seeks Jesus as “the one thing necessary” (Lk. 10:41, 42) and models a life based on single-hearted devotion to Christ to make his Kingdom more visible in the world.
The freedom and satisfaction that comes with stripping away worldly pursuits can be seen in religious profession. The young man or woman who sets aside the good things of this world – marriage, children, property, autonomy – in order to live the life of the Kingdom more fully is a sign that proclaims “the liberty of the children of God and the joy of living according to the evangelical beatitudes.”
In each religious vocation, Jesus makes the first move. He takes the initiative by inviting the faithful man or woman to follow him more closely in consecrated chastity, poverty and obedience. The three vows are a single “yes” to the Lord. The counsels are lived in a variety of ways in keeping with the wide diversity of religious communities, orders and families within the Church. For some seekers the options are too much. The fear factor involved with sorting out the incredible variety of orders turn some people away before they even get started. To this our Lord says, “Be not afraid!” Since it is his initiative and not yours, you can be confident that he will place you precisely where he wants you.
In this short reflection it isn’t possible to give a thorough explanation of the diverse patterns of consecrated life, but we can point out some common characteristics as well as some key distinctions. Common to all, as already stated, are the three vows. Also found in all expressions is a dedication to prayer. Jesus often drew away from the crowds to spend time in prayer (Lk 5:16). The consecrated person, likewise, returns to the Lord often in prayer throughout the day – even in the busiest and most demanding ministry situations. The life of a religious priest, sister or brother, a monk, a consecrated virgin or a hermit is itself a prayer. Everything the consecrated person touches, then, is imbued with the spirit of devotion.
Another common trait is self-denial. A spirit of sacrifice and penance should be evident in every religious community. Fasting, vigils and other disciplines, as well as a visibly simple and austere standard of living point to Jesus Christ as the one who alone can satisfy human longing. Where consecrated life becomes “comfortable” it loses its edge, and those who see it are not only not challenged but often lose respect for the vowed life.
Mission, too, is a unifying element in religious consecration. In imitating Christ, the consecrated person is eager to cooperate with the Church in proclaiming the Kingdom of God in the world. This may involve active ministry in, for example, a parish, a school or a hospital setting, but it also may be a silent mission of prayer and penance in a cloistered, contemplative community.
What distinctions and differences can be found amongst communities of consecrated life? The first is the contrast between secular and religious institutes. Secular institutes serve as a hidden leaven within the world – members of these communities go out into ordinary jobs with the intent of bringing the spirit of the Beatitudes to the marketplace. Their desk, counter, or workbench is the altar by which they sanctify the world of work for the Kingdom of God.
Distinct from these are religious institutes which constitute the vast majority of expressions of consecrated life. From monastic orders like the Benedictines and Cistercians to mendicant orders (traveling beggars and preachers) like the Franciscans and Dominicans, religious institutes offer a public, visible witness as opposed to a hidden leaven. Religious uniforms called habits distinguish these persons as signs of encouragement to all the faithful and reminders that this world is passing away.
Religious life is highly communal. The call to “love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” is lived out amongst others so that one can also “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22:37, 39). Therefore, the sign of communities living out their vows among bonds of charity in the spirit of the original Gospel communities of the Acts of the Apostles is an important dimension of every institute. In other words, there are no Lone Rangers in religious life.
This does not rule out, however, the solitary path in other forms of consecrated life. The origins of consecration itself are found in the courageous witness of consecrated virgins who faced martyrdom rather than renounce their betrothal to Christ. Alongside these, though later in Church history, were the desert fathers who lived the life of hermits and whose writings remain an inspiring legacy. Consecrated virginity and the life of the hermit remains a unique and fruitful way of following Christ in the Church today.
Further distinctions within consecrated life will be treated in the days to come. Next, we will consider sisterhood and brotherhood. Then, we will explore the various expressions of missionary activity. In connection with this, we will see that even the cloistered contemplative monk or nun serves the missionary character of the Church – with as much effectiveness for the Kingdom as those who travel to faraway lands!
The diversity of new communities of consecrated life which have emerged in the past century is something of an explosion. Alongside the longstanding religious orders, newer expressions addressing new issues in the Church and the world have grown. It is well therefore that we began our reflection today with John, the beloved disciple, at the tomb. His love carried him quickly to witness the resurrection, but he stopped and waited for Peter. In responding to new initiatives of the Spirit, religious communities (and those like yourself discerning a place amongst them) must look to Peter – to the hierarchy of the Church – for approval and guidance. Old or new, long standing or recently founded, every institute of consecrated life must be recognized by hierarchical authority in order to pursue fruitfully and faithfully their service to the Kingdom of God.
With that in mind, we continue our exploration joyfully and in expectation.
Novena Prayer
Jesus says: Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Pier Giorgio responds: We who by the grace of God are Catholics must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certainly have to fight to fulfill our program and to give our country, in the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society. But to achieve this we need constant prayer to obtain from God that grace without which all our powers are useless.
Let us Pray: Blessed Pier Giorgio, show me how to bear all wrongs patiently. Help me to accept the sufferings which others inflict on me because of my desire to be faithful to Jesus.
Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your intercession in obtaining from God, Who protects the innocent, all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I confidently turn to you for help in my present need:
(in your own words, ask for the Lord to grant you the grace of a priestly vocation. Also, pray for priestly vocations to increase in the Church).
A Book of Prayers in Honor of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, by Rev. Timothy E. Deeter
Make it My Own
Daily Discernment Workbook
A QUOTE TO NOTE
1. Sentinels of the Dawn
St. John Paul II on Young People Making Vows
“Sentinels of the Dawn” … We truly need courageous young people who, allowing themselves to be configured by the Father with the work of the Spirit and becoming “persons conformed to Christ,” offer to all a joyful and transparent witness of their “specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ” and of the particular spirituality of their own Institute.… Strengthened by their spark of idealism they become true witnesses to the striving for holiness, to the high standard of Christian living. The future of consecrated life and its mission rests in a large part on the strength of their faith, on the attitudes which they have joyfully manifested and on what the Spirit wishes to tell them
Starting Afresh from Christ. On May 16, 2002 St. John Paul II approved this
Document of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
How are consecrated women and men witnesses to the “high standard of Christian living?”
What sign does a young man or woman who voluntarily gives up all money and personal possessions, as well as sacrificing marriage and family life offer the Church that even a faithful married person cannot?
How important do I think this sign is today?
EXAMINE MY HEART
2. Evasive Maneuvers
When I think about the sacrifices involved in a celibate vocation, I’ll be honest: it just looks too hard. Can’t I live, you know, a normal life and still get by? A single passage from St. Paul gives a thorough answer to many objections I may raise about living such a radical life…
My sighs…
A vocation like priesthood or religious life seems too hard. All that matters is getting to heaven, right? If I can make it there without giving up so much, why not?
If you put it that way, I feel like a wimp. Total guilt trip! But say I try out the seminary/convent/ monastery and find out that’s what God wants me to do. I can’t imagine myself being very happy about it.
Cheerful? How can I be cheerful when the idea of a vocation still makes me so fearful? Like, what happens if, after I make vows, I lose my fire? Maybe I start out all excited and feeling good but one day I find myself lonely or empty or disappointed? What then?
So you’re saying I should trust you. Okay, I get it. This is more about your faithfulness than mine. But here is one last worry. I’m just one person. What difference can I make? The needs are so huge and I feel very small.
Lord, I feel in my heart some desire for this, but I also feel so much fear. I admit that I’m just making excuses. I trust you, Jesus, to lead me and to have my best interests at heart when you place me in the Father’s perfect plan. Lead me onwards to my own hour – the way I will fulfill your call and prove worthy of all you want to entrust to me.
God’s replies… 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
You are being enriched in every way for all
generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others, while in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Which of these fears (left column) hit closest to my own heart?
What do I experience God saying to me about my own fears?
A QUOTE TO NOTE
3. Chastity for Christ is Fulfilling
Our fears melt when we experience the loving gaze of Jesus our Lord and hear his summons to plunge into a deep and satisfying relationship with him. That’s what consecrated chastity is all about: not the absence of sex but the presence of deep satisfaction in Christ. Here’s how Thomas Dubay, SM explained celibacy (which he called “gospel virginity”) in the introduction to his famous work, “And You Are Christ’s.”
This book deals with the most radical lifestyle one can imagine. It deals with a joy lofty and deep – so lofty and deep that most people have no concept of it, not even a clue. Virginity is radical and beautiful for the same reason that God is radical and beautiful. Though the world at large does not suspect it, gospel virginity is a love affair of the most enthralling type. It is a focusing on God that fulfills as nothing else fulfills.
“And You are Christ’s” The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life, Thomas Dubay, SM,
Ignatius Press, San Francisco 1987,
How is God’s love more fulfilling than the love we experience from any human spouse? List at least three ways.
We all think falling in love is the key to happiness. That’s partly because we know the experience is amazing – especially at first. But the love shared between two humans is also limited. We grow jaded, we lose interest, we come to see that our perfect match isn’t as perfect as we thought. How does this awareness help strip away some of the fantasies that make it seem impossible to put aside marriage in order to pursue this deep relationship with Christ?
Conclude with
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen.”
[1] The scandals in the Church today are seen in part in the failings of a few priests. What is largely ignored is the equally scandalous failure among the laity. We in the pews have failed to effectively carry the message of salvation to the world. The Priesthood of the Ordained is at the service of the priesthood (small “p”) of the baptized. As a priestly people, we are sent out to offer the world the gifts which the priest offers on the altar. Has our evangelization been fruitful? Apparently not. If, for example, every parish in the United States produced a single priest from her ranks every 10 years, there would be no priest shortage.