Following on from my post on the revival of acclamation of saints in the Church, here is an excellent article by Ashley Samuelson McGuire on Shahbaz Bhatti and the stuff of saints. I particularly like the opening paragraph which sums up what I have been preaching for the last seven years:
It wasn’t something in their DNA that made Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and St. Francis of Assisi special. Their humanity was the same as everyone else’s. It was what they did with it that made them holy. And this should remind us that we are all the stuff of saints.
Few seem to take me seriously whenever I say this. I have heard there is now a crisis of saints - people do not believe that they are called to be saints. Ironically this disbelief exists alongside an attitude of presumption whereby people believe that everyone who dies is already in heaven. Strange times indeed.
Remember the chants of "Santo Subito" at the Ven. Pope John Paul II's funeral? Well, it seems it is happening again as spotaneous devotion to the murdered Pakistani Catholic Shahbaz Bhatti, whom I mentioned in my last post, is growing, not just in Pakistan, but throughout the world. In an most unusual development even the bishops of his country are taking up the chant and are expected to petition Rome for a declaration of martyrdom which would, if given, clear the way for his beatification. It is one thing to have the ordinary faithful calling for the glorification of a holy person, but when bishops, who are by nature cautious (and they need to be), are taken up with the spirit of devotion then something remarkable is happening.
First of all, we need to see the "Santo Subito" phenomenon in context. There are those who dismiss it and prefer to trust a long, painstaking process examining the life, virtues and death of a candidate for sainthood. I agree with that - the process is there and must be followed. Even when the Holy Father grants a dispensation from the "waiting period", the process must still be followed and carried out with the rigour.
However, "Santo Subito" must not be dismissed either, and indeed the Church must listen most carefully to it. This expression of the faithful's heartfelt devotion is in fact very ancient and in the early Church was seen by the Church as the movement of the Holy Spirit. In reality it is the ancient acclamation which saw all our early martyrs and saints raised to the altars. What happened at Pope John Paul's funeral was astonishing because for the first time in centuries the ancient acclamation made its appearance, as I heard it I realised the reform of the Church is actually happening: we are reclaiming our ancient heritage.
Of course as my former, beloved teacher of moral theology always insisted: prudence is importance, and it is necessary here also. As the Church listens to the acclamation and opens her heart to it, she must discern if this is indeed the movement of the Holy Spirit, and I believe the process of discernment is the official process for beatification and canonisation. So we should not fear the reappearance of the acclamation, but rather rejoice in it, it does not threaten the prudence of the process, but rather brings another dimension. It also may reveal that the person acclaimed may have a very important message for our times, and building on the acclamation, the pastors of the Church should use it as a means of teaching the faithful through the life and example of the one who has touched their hearts.
In the meantime, we should watch what is happening with regard to Shahbaz Bhatti. He seems to have been a remarkable man, one who knew what price he may have had to pay for his devotion to Christ and his work for religious freedom. Some things he said:
“I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ, who has given his own life for us. I know what is the meaning of ‘cross,’ and I follow Him to the cross.”
“Pray for me and for my life. I am a man who has burnt his bridges. I cannot and will not go back on this commitment. I will fight fanaticism and fight in defense of Christians to the death.”
And as a politician, speaking about politics (please note Catholic politicians):
“Even service in politics, without reference to the faith, remains empty and exposed to the Evil One.”
Here is a video of him: a wonderful testimony. Note he was willing to give up his life for his faith and his people. This is remarkable.
Think of it! In an age when we Catholics are struggling for religious freedom in so many countries, in particular in the radically secularised West, we may now have a martyr and intercessor for religious freedom - has God given us a patron for these times? If he has, no wonder the ancient acclamation has arisen once again in the Church.
Yesterday I got an email from our Chancery with an update on what has been happening with regard to a recent appeal for Pakistan - monies raised to help those effected by the floods. As Christians it is our duty to look after those in need regardless of what their faith or political beliefs are.
However I have to say it did smart to ponder over the large sums of money we are sending over to Pakistan as I recall the murder of a member of my Church for his faith and the persecution of other Christians, Catholics included, by Pakistani Muslims: a persecution the government of Pakistan is not only slow to stop, but could be said to be allowing by refusing to deal with the blasphemy laws which are being used to murder and jail our co-religionists. Yes, as sinful human being I did say to myself that we should not give them another cent. But the words of the Lord come to mind to pray for our enemies and to do good to those who hate us - providing for the victims of the flood, Christians also included there I'm sure, is a way of living this hard teaching of the Lord.
That said, I do have to wonder why our governments and Church agencies are not "talking" with the Pakistani government as they are coming with the cheques. Surely we must used our influence to protect our brothers and sisters. After all, Pakistan and her Muslim people must be brought to realise that many of the people who are helping them are of the same Communion as those they are jailing and killing because they will not convert to Islam.
