Boost For Religious Life

All six Blesseds canonised today were members of religious orders, so might say that today religious life is getting a boost from the Lord.  Each of the six have their own stories, experiences and difficulties, but all are united in their love of Christ and their desire to offer themselves to him in consecrated life.  What is so wonderful is that all three vocations within traditional religious consecration are represented.

St Stanislaw Soltys was a priest and professed member of the Canons Regular of the Lateran.  St Candida Maria  de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola, St Guilia Salzano, St Camilla Battista Varano and St Mary MacKillop were sisters. St Andre Bessette was a professed brother.  In their canonisation, the Church offers to all of us, but to our religious in particular, examples of how to follow Christ in every aspect of life.  I am particularly delighted with St Andre's glorification because we need to be reminded of the unique vocation of the Brother.  For too long professed brothers were seen as those who did not quite make the mark to be priests, yet their calling is as unique and particular as that of priests and sisters.  St Andre reveals through his life the rich possibilities that exist within the vocation.  He was not impoverished because he could not say Mass or hear confessions, he was enriched because in his calling he could exercise a ministry which the priests of his order were unable to do. 

Yesterday's profession ceremony in Stamullen was beautiful - simple, yet solemn and wonderful.  Sr Cora Marie vowed to live the evangelical counsels for the rest of her life while devoting herself to a life of prayer and service for the Church and the world.  As one of the vows recalled, she was to be hidden with Christ in humble service.  This is what each of our six new saints did: the fact that Sr Cora Marie's profession took place on the weekend of the canonisation of six religious, is no coincidence, I think, but providential.  I hope many will follow in her steps, and inspired by the Church's holy religious, make the generous offering of their own lives.

Another wonderful thing about this canonisation is that it is a welcome moment for the religious of the west, and for Ireland, if they choose to acknowledge it.  Many are depressed by the recent scandals - innocent and good religious who spent their lives in humble service of those in need, are now hated, despised and demonised by many in Irish society and the media here.  They did no wrong, but they are crucified all the same.  On the other hand, there are others who have thrown off their religious life and pursue "personally fulfilling lives" and chide the Church for her adherence to the teachings of Christ.   Anyway, no giving out. 

The renewal of religious life was one of the aims of the Second Vatican Council, and while many religious have gone haywire, as we say here, God love them, the renewal is still happening, even new forms of religious life are emerging - always a sign that a great spiritual regeneration is taking place.  The two last times we had this was, first, in St Francis's time when the new form of friars emerged - these friars - Franciscan, Dominican, Carmelite, among others, were responsible for a great reform of the 12th and 13th centuries.  Then, the second great period, was that around Trent. Again new, revolutionary forms developed - the Jesuits and Oratorians among them.  And again these new orders, societies and congregations, joining forces with the existing Orders which reforming either from within or from breakaway groups, began a great evangelisation.  Even a quick look at Church history teaches us that.

Now look at what is happening - Church history is repeating itself.  New congregations and forms are emerging: new societies of friars, monks and nuns.  The innovative form of the Secular Institutes, consecrated lay people and the myriad of movements which united priests, religious, consecrated and non-consecrated lay people.  And God is confirming that these new ways of life sanctify, as, for example the canonisation of St Josemaria Escriva and beatification of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano prove.  In Ireland, we are still waiting for that, although the movements are present, some of them.  We need more of them, and we need new religious - particularly native foundations.  When a man or woman finally founds a new congregation in Ireland, we will know the reform has begun.  I hope our six new Saints will pray for that.