Dear Friends
CRA President, Br Peter Carroll FMS.
In our contemporary society, Religious Life isn’t much understood, even among Catholics. Partly, this is due to our age and demographics. Some decades ago, every student in a Catholic school was taught by a Sister or Brother for at least part of their education. Sisters generally led and staffed Catholic hospitals. Now very few students would see a Religious at any point in their 12 years of schooling, and the same would be true of any patient in one of our hospitals. There are fewer of us and we’re not as visible as we once were.
Interestingly, not only is it the general population and the younger generation of Catholics who know little about Religious Life, it’s also true of a good number of people employed in Diocesan Chanceries and those who undertake work for Dioceses, particularly those in legal and financial. The prerogatives, responsibilities and rights of Religious Congregations aren’t comprehended. The initiated know that the Church is a community of communities, and that Congregations are important, separate communities within the whole, irrespective of their demographics. A short course in Canon Law might rectify this problem!
One of the reasons St John Paul II initiated the World Day for Consecrated Life in 1997 was in response to this developing situation, and he stated as much when he wrote: “this day is intended to promote a knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated life by the entire People of God.”
However, the fact that something is in scarce supply doesn’t make it less valuable. The Law of Supply and Demand tells us this clearly: what is rare is often more valuable than what’s abundant. There are fewer Religious now than in the past, but people are still being called and are still responding. Some within the Church understand and appreciate the vocation of Religious. However, our vision of Religious Life still needs to be clarified and our living of it, renewed – this is particularly so for Religious themselves and their Leaders. We can’t afford to come to a standstill or even worse, try to turn back to a supposed “golden era”.
Pope Francis’ message for this year’s World Day of Consecrated Life took up these themes. Reflecting on the Lucan story of Simeon and Anna, he asked Religious three questions: firstly, what moves us; the Spirit or something else? Secondly, what do our eyes see; what is our vision; do we look within and see beyond? Thirdly, what do we take into our arms? He concludes:
Dear friends, today let us joyfully renew our consecration! Let us ask ourselves what “moves” our hearts and actions, what renewed vision we are being called to cultivate, and above all else, let us take Jesus into our arms. Even if at times we experience fatigue and weariness – this too happens – let us do as Simeon and Anna did. They awaited with patience the fidelity of the Lord and did not allow themselves to be robbed of the joy of the encounter with him. Let us advance to the joy of the encounter: this is beautiful! Let us put the Lord back in the centre and press forward with joy.
These are challenging questions and powerful invitations. However, if Religious Life is to retain its value and continue to provide authentic witness to Jesus and his Gospel, these invitations must be taken up with thoughtfulness, courage and wisdom. If Religious themselves don’t respond, then who will?
Many blessings,
Peter