The World is thy Ship and Not thy Home

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

In the past month, I have attended three funerals, one wedding, three birthday parties, and a clothing ceremony for a sister beginning her Novitiate with the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese. Talk about events of contrast...Some of these happenings were planned, and others were quite a shock.  And yet, it all points to the undeniable fact that life is dynamic and continually evolving. Whether it is unfolding right now according to our carefully laid out plans and endeavors like a cruise ship that pulls into port for its next scheduled visit, or we are holding on white-knuckled to the mast while the boat is thrown adrift amidst the tumultuous waves of an unexpected storm, the world is indeed turning and time continues to slip by and bring us ever closer to eternity.  

This might seem depressing to some, but for those with faith this is a blessed reminder that this is not our permanent dwelling place, but instead a pilgrimage that is unfolding before us. At the clothing ceremony of the young 19 year old young lady who is committing to further discernment concerning her vocation as a religious sister, she chose the nautical theme to represent her journey. She had symbols placed before the altar at her Mass such as a helm of a boat, and a small model ship. Her quote was by St. Therese of Lisieux which wisely stated, "The World is thy ship and not thy home." 

Indeed.  When we think of Scripture and the theme of boats and water, I think of when Jesus calms the sea. We are told that Jesus instigated this trip by inviting his disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They followed his lead and set out.  We are told that Jesus falls asleep 'in the stern on a cushion', and a great squall endangers the entire boat. "So they woke Him and said, “Teacher,don’t You care that we are perishing?” 39Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.…"  [Mark 4:38-39] In the account told in the Gospel of Luke, the disciples are awestruck and wonder aloud who this might be, who even the elements of the earth obey.

There are a few points to be made here.  Jesus often invites us to get into the boat with him and cross over to the other side. You know those moments when you are being asked to radically trust Our Lord, and make a momentous change in your life. One that requires leaving something behind, in order that you can start something anew. Jesus invites us to take risks with him in order to move forward and not to stagnate in our spiritual journeys, but this takes trust.  We will undoubtedly meet unexpected storms and tumult as we travel from our point of comfort and departure to new vistas.  As noted in this story,  Jesus might seemingly appear apathetic or unaware of what is happening, as he is depicted as snoozing on a cushion, extra comfy and unconcerned about anything.  

We can surmise that Jesus is completely immersed in the will of His Father, and therefore is at complete rest and experiencing no anxiety. He knows where he is supposed to go and what he is supposed to do, and is thus deeply seeped in that interior place of peace and rest.  His relaxed posture shows his omnipotence and authority over the elements of creation and the opportunity to showcase his dominion.  But it also highlights something much deeper. In the Song of Songs [5:2],we are told that “I sleep, but my Heart is awake.” Jesus never leaves us orphans, and his heart is stirred to be watchful and attentive to our every need. While it may appear that all is lost and the boat if out of control, He is the one at the helm steering us through the various storms of life into safe harbor.

St. Therese took a unique view of this Gospel account.  She wanted to let Jesus sleep, and offer this to Him as a respite from all of his toil and sacrifice on behalf of souls. She recounts that spiritual dryness was with her at all times, but this did not disturb her. "As usual, Jesus slept in my little boat. I know that other souls rarely let him sleep peacefully, and he is so wearied by the advances he is always making that he hastens to take advantage of the rest I offer him. It’s likely that as far as I'm concerned, he will stay asleep until the great final retreat of eternity. But that doesn’t upset me. It fills me with great joy…" [Story of a Soul].

Regardless of whether we are in the midst of a calm moment on the waters of life or in the midst of a hurricane, Jesus is with us at the helm and continues to beckon us to the other shore where promises await us. Whether we are celebrating high points and joys in life, radical change and commitment, or letting go to journey to eternal life, Jesus leads us there. Let us never forget it, and never try to do it alone.  Regardless of whether He is sleeping or steering the ship, we are in good hands. Our captain leads us and His Heart is awake for us.

The Kingdom of God is Within Us

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

Today on this 4th Sunday of Ordinary time, the Gospel reading was from St. Matthew, with the focus on the beautiful eight Beatitudes that Our Lord Jesus gave to us during his Sermon on the Mount.  These are the pivotal guide posts of Christian life, and a how-to on putting the 10 Commandments into practice, and integrating the spiritual and corporal works of mercy into our daily lives.  It is certainly timely in America, as we begin a new presidency and chapter in our nation's history.  This week saw many vast improvements in legal protection for the unborn, those arguably most vulnerable in our world with absolutely no voice. It was indeed encouraging to witness the repeal of federal funding of Planned Parenthood on an international scale known as the Mexico City policy, as well as the House affirming its support to reinstate the Hyde Amendment permanently which precludes using federal funds for abortions on the domestic front. Vice President Pence spoke at the March for Life Rally on Friday in front of tens of thousands of supporters to proclaim the dignity of every human being, and to stress the importance of mercy and love for all those who have been involved in abortion, or support its practice. All of these actions were consistent with Jesus' call for living with merciful hearts.  

Skip to the last 48 hours, and focus on the executive orders signed by President Trump pertaining to immigration which issued a 90-day ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen and a 120-day suspension of the U.S. refugee program. Emotions have run high, as some families, students, refugees, and green card holders have been detained upon arrival in the US, or turned back at international airports worldwide.  This order does not seemingly carry the thread of mercy found in the Beatitudes into this new policy at first glance. As someone who worked extensively with immigrants and political asylum seekers upon graduating from college, I have interacted extensively with those who arrive here very often filled with hope and excitement juxtaposed with feelings of fear, isolation, and sometimes, trauma.  An immigrant often experiences such conflicting emotions following years of political persecution, extreme poverty, and separation from family and support systems.  The United States has always been that 'city set upon a hill' that beckons for the downtrodden and those who dream of a new life to come to our shores.  

Having said that, the underbelly of the federal immigration system is one of corruption, inefficiencies and deceit. There are many levels of fraud that have infested even the most well-meaning legal systems, and as a result, newcomers  have felt forced to make decisions in the interest of getting a green card or a work permit, to the detriment of themselves or their families due to its arcane policies and unworkable administrative system. From information systems that do not communicate or share with one another, to false marriages often forged between a permanent resident seeker and a US born citizen who is often a drug addict and blackmails the individual for increasing amounts of money in exchange for posing as the immigrant's spouse and attending the interview, the system is broken and has been for some time.  Others, [certainly not all], fleeing desperate economic circumstances, will feign political persecution as a means of getting the paperwork.  

I saw this firsthand with one asylum seeker fleeing from Haiti. There were plenty who were terrorized by the tyrannical and violent Tonton Macoute security forces under Duvalier and had bonafide cases, but others who had never encountered them but sought refuge in the US on those feigned grounds.  I met a cold-blooded killer first hand who hired the attorney I worked for to file the paperwork for his younger brother. Every time this older brother walked into the room, it became ice cold and a spirit of hatred and evil followed him wherever he went.  Despite this strange occurrence, his sibling insisted that he had been harassed by these thugs and his life would be in danger if he returned to Haiti. After his fingerprints were processed via Interpol, and the asylum claim studied by experts at the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, it was found instead that the younger brother assisted his older brother in perpetrating the exact heinous acts that he purportedly suffered from himself and that he himself was well-known and feared in his home country.  His asylum case was denied, and he began deportation hearings, which would then take an additional 18-24 months to go through.

As someone who loved my job with immigrants, learning their rich cultures, and seeking to keep my heart pure and open, I want all peoples of the world to have a better life.  I fondly remember attending African marriages, baptisms and funerals, and learning more about the beauty of the art, music, food, and culture that these new arrivals brought with them. It enriched my life greatly, and I continue to see the dignity of each person and want those crushed by such desperate circumstances to have shelter and a permanent home.  On the other hand, I have seen the outdated system and the abuses within the system that are very real.  At some point, they do need to be addressed. I feel torn by this new executive order. On the one hand, I know that it is necessary to clean house and assess where our system is at and who is in our country. On the other hand, I believe that America is 'the land of the free and the home of the brave.'  

So how do I square these two sides? I was praying about this today, and the Holy Spirit kept bringing the notion of 'the Kingdom of God is within you' and the call for one's soul to become the City of God, His Indwelling and place of repose is real.  I must focus on the areas within myself that need purifying and cleaning out, and pray for the purity of heart the Beatitudes call us to incorporate.  If I look closely, I see many cobwebs needing to be swept and see where mercy is missing in me towards certain groups of people. That is ugly, but reality. I am asking for grace that Our Lord will help me to pull these splinters out of my own eye, and open up my heart more readily to those who might in some way challenge me or cause me anxiety and fear. My hope is that by working on myself and my own inner light and practice of the Beatitudes, that it might have the slightest ripple effect within my family and small daily community that can thereby improve our world and the lives of others in small but distinct ways.  I must start with myself. I must pray for Divine Wisdom for our leaders, for my family, and myself and seek to be an instrument of peace not division. Sometimes we must take a time-out to assess where we are and what can be improved before moving forward. This is never easy or fun.



My prayer is that these next 90 days will be very quick and efficacious in accomplishing that.  Do I think parts of it are unfair? Yes. Do I think it is necessary? Yes.  I will continue to look within and learn to love each and every person with the love of Christ, with His grace and help. 

In addition, I will ask Our Lady of Fatima, whose 100th year anniversary we celebrate this year, to help all of us build the bridges that need to be forged between different peoples and lands to intercede for us. She is the Mother of All Nations, and can help in this regard. Our Lady of Fatima...Pray for us. Amen. 

Timing is Everything

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

Christmas blessings to all as we continue to celebrate the joy of the Christ Child's birth during this Christmas Octave.  This is often a time of basking in the warm glow of the present-moment with family and friends as the holiday continues, and taking inventory for the new year that is right around the corner.  Last evening I happened to watch the movie Joy with Jennifer Lawrence. I did not know anything about it, but enjoyed this account of how this woman seemingly trapped by familial circumstances, was able to reclaim her identity, and pursue her invention of a self-wringing mop that would eventually change her life along with the lives of women around the world.  

This was captivating in and of itself, but I was most intrigued by the line in the movie about some cicada species who hide underground for 17 years before being ready as nymphs to come out into the world, make music, and begin a new cycle of life.  

Their life cycle is described as follows: 

"Cicadas begin life as a rice-shaped egg, which the female deposits in a groove she makes in a tree limb, using her ovipositor. The groove provides shelter and exposes the tree fluids, which the young cicadas feed on. 

Once the egg hatches the cicada begins to feed on the tree fluids. At this point it looks like a termite or small white ant. Once the young cicada is ready, it crawls from the groove and falls to the ground where it will dig until it finds roots to feed on. Once roots are found the cicada will stay underground from 2 to 17 years depending on the species. Cicadas are active underground, tunneling and feeding.

After the long 2 to 17 years, cicadas emerge from the ground as nymphs. Nymphs climb the nearest available tree, and begin to shed their nymph exoskeleton. Free of their old skin, their wings will inflate with fluid and their adult skin will harden. Once their new wings and body are ready, they can begin their brief adult life.

Adult cicadas, also called imagoes, spend their time in trees looking for a mate. Males sing, females respond, mating begins, and the cycle of life begins again."

This was a metaphor for this young woman and her life thus far. She was searching to find that little girl in herself who sought to create and make a difference. Where had she gone? She had seemingly been crushed by her parent's divorce, a failed marriage of her own, financial concerns, and the burden of taking care of family members who had opted out of life in one way or another.  She was at a point of great tension as this appeared to be untenable. Something had to give, as we would say in modern parlance.  She recognized herself in the cicada - one who had hidden underground and was operating in the dark of hibernation under the earth. She felt as if her true self had all but died, with just a few wisps of sparks from her soul operating beneath the brittle earth of life.  

But alas, she was able to gather these sparks into a tiny flame that enabled her to climb out from beneath the layers of dirt that had buried her, and begin to push forward towards recouping her broken self and hidden dreams. 

As a Christian, we know that we do not accomplish such a resurrection moment on our own, but instead it is grace and our cooperation with it that enables healthy change to take root in our lives. It is listening to the whisper of the Holy Spirit who speaks to our souls, this innate voice within, that moves us towards change in His own perfect timing. Although seemingly sad and a waste of time, I would argue that Joy's time of crushing and lost hopes and dreams enabled her to become the the best version of herself. We know that for all those who love God, all things work together for the good.  Does that mean Our Lord wants us crushed and living unfulfilled lives? Absolutely not. But it does mean that He can use all circumstances, most especially our brokenness, for His Glory and plans for us. 

Sometimes this hidden period in life is necessary to catapult us to come out of our shells so to speak or to rise to the surface in order to accomplish what has been intended for us all along.  It is so often the timing with what is required in the present moment that determines various cycles that vascillate between the behind the scenes work that must be done before a more overt work is accomplished. Such concealed existence can result in the eradication of one's spirit on the one hand, or the strengthening of it to prepare to overcome obstacles so often associated with noteworthy successes that touch and change the lives of others. 

We are reminded in Scripture that there is a time and season for all things. Let us remember that even the behind the scenes times in our lives, and seemingly useless periods of inactivity, difficulties, etc. are not a waste as God uses all things for the good of those who love Him. 

Having the Light and Eyes of St. Lucy to See Clearly during Advent

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

Today we celebrate yet another young heroine who gave her very life in order to remain faithful to her promise to Our Lord Jesus to devote her life to Him as His virgin spouse.   Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan, so Lucy devised a plan to convince her mother that her commitment to Christ was God's Will and preferable to such a marriage.

After several prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha, Lucy saw the saint in a dream. St. Agatha told Lucy her mother's illness would be cured through faith, which Lucy used to persuade her mother to give the dowry money to the poor and allow her to commit her life to God.

While Lucy and her mother were grateful to God, the rejected bridegroom was deeply angered and betrayed Lucy's faith to the governor Paschasius. The governor attempted to force her into prostitution, but the guards who came to take her away were unable to move her, even after hitching her to a team of oxen. According to later accounts, Lucy warned Paschasius he would be punished. When the governor heard this he ordered the guards to gouge out her eyes.  When her body was being prepared for burial, they discovered her eyes had been restored. [see http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=75]

Lucy's name means 'light' and during this time of increasingly shortened and dark days, such light is what our souls long for and are reaching towards as we approach the last week of Advent before Christmas.   Various studies have confirmed that light or the absence of illumination can shape our moods and our emotional well-being.  When we are ensconced in darkness we more readily experience fear, uncertainty, depression, and confusion. Once one experiences light, one's mood often changes to a more joy-filled, energetic, and lucid frame of mind.  Ask anyone who lives in the Arctic regions or Alaska about the winter months, and they will share how difficult it is, as the body just begins to hibernate and slow down. The proclivity is to hide away physically and emotionally until the light returns. 

The phenomenon known as the aurora borealis is a perfect example of beauty found when light penetrates the darkness.  The bright dancing lights of the aurora are collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.  Such a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors enlivens the spirit and the contrast between darkness and light penetrates the soul and calls it to attention. Such stark and dramatic beauty in the midst of darkness jolts the very fibers of our being. 

Photo Taken from http://www.boredpanda.com/northern-lights-photography-joni-niemela-finland/

Perhaps this is why the imagery of brilliant light shining in the darkness brings such hope of fulfillment and future possibilities and promises. Indeed, references and contrasts between darkness and light are plentiful in Scripture. The Book of Isaiah tells us, "The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them." [9:2] Aahh. The long-awaited promise of the Messiah is foretold in terms of light penetrating the darkness of humanity.   Once the time arrives, it is signaled by a noticeably bring star shining in the cosmos and the glory shining forth from the angels announcing the birth of Our Savior to the shepherds in the field. 

St. Matthew's Gospel recounts this story of the Magi who journey by following this star as follows,   

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[c] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[d] and have come to worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [Chapter 1] 

Thirty years later,  Jesus tells His followers, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) Yet again, "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.  While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light " [Jn. 12:35-36]

St. Lucy understood the light of truth and devoted her whole self to serving that Truth who is Our Lord. She saw clearly, as the spiritual eyes of her heart were open. Even in the darkness of prison and a seemingly impossible situation, she never stopped being faithful and believing. She became a daughter of Light, as Jesus invites all of us to do.  May we have the eyes to see clearly even in the darkness of the world. May we walk towards the Star of Bethlehem in these last days of Advent, with eyes wide open in anticipation. Amen. 

4. A STAR. [by St. Therese]

Sometimes, when all the skies are black 

With gloomy clouds, and no stars shine, 

Our little Jesus grieves alone, 

— He craves your love, yes, yours and mine. 

Then give to Him the light He wants, 

Be like a bright and shining star; 

And let your virtues, like a lamp, 

Shed welcoming radiance near and far. 

So may your rays lead souls to heaven, 

The sinful souls for whom He died. 

This Child Divine, our Morning Star, 

Asks you to be His star, His bride.

 Taken from THE LITTLE DIVINE BEGGAR OF CHRISTMAS.

St. Andrew Invites us to be Evangelizers

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!



Today the universal church celebrates the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle.  Andrew was a fisherman, along with his brother Simon Peter. We are told that he was initially a follower of John the Baptist, but upon hearing the exhortation of the Baptist, "Behold, the Lamb of God!", his eyes were immediately opened and he recognized Jesus as the Christ and became Jesus' first disciple.  Andrew then invited his brother to meet this Jesus, the Messiah, and follow him. Ultimately, in the Gospel of Matthew, it recounts Jesus walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee when He saw Andrew and Simon Peter fishing, and then asked the two to become disciples and "fishers of men."



I always love this Feast Day, because it signals the beginning of Advent. By tradition, the feast of St. Andrew marks the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of a new year with the start of Advent. In fact, the Sunday that falls nearest to St. Andrew’s feast day on November 30th is always the first Sunday of Advent.  

I also associate it with the beautiful Christmas Novena Preparatory Prayer which goes like this:

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

But  I want to look at the role that St. Andrew played in bringing his brother, the very 'rock' of the Church, to the feet of Jesus.  What if he had not done this or had lacked the courage to invite his brother to come see this Jesus? What if he had not been open to receive the proclamation of St. John the Baptist, pointing towards the 'Lamb of God'? What if he had been unwilling to leave everything behind and follow Our Lord?  Talk about being the first Christian evangelist! He was open, vocal, and inviting. He was willing to speak with others about what touched his heart.  In this era referred to as the new evangelization, St. Andrew serves as an exemplar of one who demonstrates conviction, faith, and steadfastness.

I ponder the Andrews in my own life who have invited me to move out of my comfort zone, to grow, to commit, to say 'yes' to the Lord's invitation to come follow Him and ultimately come closer to Him. It is astounding how much my faith has grown due to the encouragement of others who have shared their love and experience of Jesus Christ with me. For example, more than 13 years ago I was invited to attend a Small Christian Community by someone at my parish to learn more about Holy Scriptures. After attending, I then learned more about Our Lady and was invited to pray the Holy Rosary and deepen my understanding of Her role as our spiritual mother. This allowed the Virgin Mary to begin to invite me to deeper conversion and cultivate the desire to attend daily Mass, frequent the sacraments, and pray in Adoration. After furthering my commitment to this, I was invited by a mother and daughter who attended daily Mass to attend the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. [OCDS], and would ultimately join and become a vowed member over the course of more than a decade. 

Thanks to the evangelists Our Lord put in my life [Helen, Linda, & Megan, to name a few], my spiritual journey has been shaped, molded, and further strengthened.   In turn, St. Andrew's natural inclination to invite his brother, also leads me to take inventory of how I can be a voice of love and encouragement for others who may not yet know Christ or have forgotten Him, to come to know and treasure Him in their hearts, homes, and daily lives. 

The US Conference of Bishops wrote of this call in their encyclical of 2012 entitled Disciples Called to Witness, 

The New Evangelization is a call to each person to deepen his or her own faith, have confidence in the Gospel, and possess a willingness to share the Gospel. It is a personal encounter with the person of Jesus, which brings peace and joy. The New Evangelization provides the lens through which people experience the Church and world around them. The New Evangelization invites people to experience God’s love and mercy through the sacraments, especially through the Eucharist and Penance and Reconciliation. Evangelization is the essence of the Church’s identity: “The Church on earth is by its very nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, it has its origin in the mission of the Son and the holy Spirit.” Pope Paul VI reawakened the Church’s evangelizing mission, Blessed John Paul II championed the call for the New Evangelization, and Pope Benedict XVI has reaffirmed the need for the New Evangelization. (See http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/upload/Disciples-Called-To-Witness-The-New-Evangelization.pdf)

Let us ask St. Andrew during this Advent season and beyond to assist us in answering the call to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and to give testimony to His unfailing action in our lives.  In examining the lives of St. Andrew and all the apostles, we see that Jesus does not call the qualified, but instead qualifies the called. Let us have open hearts and minds to hear and see the Lord's presence in our midst, and then to share with others. Amen.  

The Twelve Degrees of Silence

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

I weave a silence...

I weave a silence on to my lips,

I weave a silence into my mind,

I weave a silence within my heart.

I close my ears to distractions,

I close my eyes to attractions,

I close my heart to temptations.

Calm me, O Lord, as you stilled the storm.

Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm.

Let all the tumult within me cease.

Enfold me Lord in your peace.

-Anon.

A Prayer from the Celtic Tradition

In our current world, silence is hard to come by.  Everyone seemingly wants to weigh in this political season as to who is right and who is wrong, make suggestions on domestic and foreign policy, and vocally share what is going on in their life, with their families, etc. We have a need to be constantly stimulated and entertained with a variety of modalities to accomplish this. Our world  is certainly in need of vocal witnesses to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, His message, His Hope, His Merciful Love, and His Light amidst the darkness in our culture of despair, depression, and death. But I find that as the societal atmosphere gets more heated up and vocal, I am becoming increasingly silent. I have checked my heart on this several times, and asked myself, "Are you being cowardly? Are you committing sins of omission? Are you opting out of your duty to proclaim truth in this present era and call of the new evangelization?"  Well, it is certainly possible. There have been times when I could have said more, been more forthcoming or articulate for sure. But what I am observing within is a need for silence and to the listen to the Holy Spirit for direction and guidance. I am very certain that most Americans and Catholics have heard the arguments for life, for protecting the dignity of every human being including the unborn, the immigrant, the poor, women, minorities, etc. in this election. I really just don't believe that there is anything else for me to say or add. Furthermore, I feel a pull to draw me inwards towards the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, in fact, the Holy Trinity, as St. Elizabeth of the Trinity so eloquently proclaims as abiding within our souls. The only way to accomplish this is through silence.  

To assist me in cooperating with this tug towards silence, I purchased and read a book entitled, The Twelve Degrees of Silence, written by a French Discalced Carmelite nun named Sr. Marie Aimeé de Jésus, ocd [1839-1874].  In this brief encapsulation of her spirituality and what Our Lord Jesus revealed to this mystic in prayer, Sr. Marie Aimeé outlines the degrees of silence that correspond with deepening degrees of sanctity when done  in humility and unity with the movements of the Holy Spirit in union with Jesus Christ. Our Savior told Sr. Marie Aimeé that by practicing ever deepening silence, that she would become transformed into "a pure current that flows in God, into the torrent dissolved without trace." In this naked spirituality, she followed St. John of the Cross' way of 'nada' to become devoid of any personal ego, preferences, or attachments in order to be molded into "the most pure temple" where "there exists no noise, all is silent, peaceful and contemplative" and she gives "only God's life" [See The Twelve Degrees of Silence" p. 30] 



Furthermore, He would use her increasing degrees of silence to refute a great heresy promoted by Renen in The Life of Jesus which promulgated the idea that Jesus was not divine. Sr. Marie Aimeé wanted to defend Our Lord, but was not to do so through vocal words, but through written words. Hers was a silent and written defense of the sacred Humanity of Jesus Christ, which would be approved by her superior and learned spiritual directors, who themselves recognized that it was Our Lord Himself who was granting the simple Sr. Marie Aimeé the profound insights and illuminations that she was expressing in her response to this heretical published doctrine. 

So impressed was St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] concerning Sr. Marie Aimeé's schema in accomplishing this total abnegation and purging of self, that she wrote an essay dedicated to her spirituality.   St. Teresa Benedicta recognized that this privileged soul knew how to keep the secrets of the King from a young age, and that perfecting this silence would be Our Lord's path to sanctity and union with this most pure soul.  [See The Hidden Life: Essays, Meditations & Spiritual Texts, Essay II.4]

So, what are these 12 degrees of silence?  In the interior life, they are as follows:

1. Silence in Words
2. Silence in Actions
3. Silence in One's Imagination
4. Silence with One's Memories
5. Silence with Others
6. Silence with One's Heart
7.Silence to Self-Interest
8. Silence of the Mind
9. Silence to Judgments
10. Silence to the Will
11. Silence towards Oneself
12. Silence with God



Of course, attaining these levels of silence takes profound prayer, surrender and abandonment to God's abundant graces and mercy. It is a daily task and a moment by moment abiding with the Holy Spirit, to listen to His promptings and to learn self mastery.  I continue my feeble little steps in cooperating towards this, but am reminded on a daily basis that it is Our Lord who does the heavy lifting in such an endeavor. 

Sr. Marie Aimeé eloquently shares, "Our Lord has been so graceful towards me; He has so abundantly perfected in me his blessed love and all the other virtues that I do not recognize myself anymore. I find myself in this awakening after the union with my God, and my transformation in Him, like one who falls asleep as a little or sick child, and wakes as a perfectly grown adult." 

In a world of constant noise and banter, Sr. Marie Aimeé shows us another side to the new evangelization. A side that is hidden and silent. One that focuses on the transformation of self in the hidden recesses of one's soul, through the purifying action of the Holy Trinity. One that can then radiate out the truth of Christ, His Gospel of love, repentance, and hope.  

"I want to sing a song for you composed of whispers in memory of your blessedness and my faults...O my Lord, what shelter have you prepared for a soul so feeble as mine, so that, independent of this incumbent body, she might elevate herself to Her Creator and her All? "

May it be so accomplished, through the intercession of Sr. Marie Aimeé. Amen. 

How to Suffer Gracefully in the words of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

JMJT! Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!


Suffering is definitely a word most people want to erase from their consciousness and their vocabulary, especially when describing one's own life or those dear to us. Yet, we all know that life entails suffering and it is inevitable.   People can have all sorts of material possessions, seemingly glamorous lives, or live in beautiful surroundings, but are still unable to escape the reality of being crushed in some way by life's circumstances, by the unexpected.  Suffering finds us all, regardless of wealth, status, genetics, connections, faith, race, nationality, gender, etc.  And  suffering is unique to each individual and comes in a myriad of forms.

Fortunately, Christians have been given a roadmap for how to embrace suffering and behave in such moments. Jesus tells us,  “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"  [Mt 16:24-26] Jesus guarantees suffering in this life, but also promises eternal reward.  St. Peter explains it further in his First Letter, "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps." [1 Peter 2:21]

Yet, when push comes to shove, when we find ourselves suffering due to grief and loss, physical and/or emotional pain, mental or physical illness, loneliness, unemployment, dysfunctional relationships, etc. it can be hard to know how to proceed and succeed in our call to carry our Cross. For me, I have had some time these past few months to ponder the true meaning of this call and  believe that the saints who have walked the journey before us, give us the blueprint to suffering gracefully and joyfully. 

I turn to the most recent saint in our Church, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who suffered spiritually, physically, and emotionally for nearly 50 years. She saw such abject poverty and rejection of those dying in the streets. She experienced all of these scourges herself in so many ways in the dark night of her soul, in her own poverty, and the constant need to beg for the needs of her sisters and her patients. Yet, she never gave up and saw suffering as a great gift from God. She tells us, 

Today the passion of Christ is being relived in the lives of those who suffer. To accept that suffering is a gift of God.

Suffering is not a punishment. God does not punish.

Suffering is a gift—--though, like all gifts, it depends on how we receive it. And that is why we need a pure heart---to see the hand of God, to feel the hand of God, to recognize the gift of God in our suffering.

Suffering is not a punishment. Jesus does not punish.

Suffering is a sign—--a sign that we have come so close to Jesus on the cross, that He can kiss us, show that He is in love with us, by giving us an opportunity to share in His passion.

Christ came to share in our suffering. Christ allows us to share in His suffering. Whatever we suffer He has suffered. He understands our suffering. And our suffering that is shared with the innocent suffering of Christ on the Cross is a gift of God. How is our suffering a gift of God? Suffering becomes a gift when we have the courage to accept whatever God allows, permits, sends or gives with a smile. When we can still smile through our suffering, it means that Christ is still with us. And we do not become frustrated, resentful, angry and/or bitter. That is a gift of God. It is also a blessing because our trust in Christ and our patient endurance of suffering encourage others to face and accept with courage their own suffering with Christ. We need to remember that when we share in Christ’s suffering we also share in His glory. So, we must never allow our suffering to fill us with so much sorrow and bitterness as to make us forget the joy of the risen Christ. Indeed, suffering can become a means to greater love, greater empathy and greater generosity.

She offers more insights into how to suffer illness or desolation: "Those of you who are sick, when things are hard, take refuge in Christ’s heart. There my own heart will find with you strength and love."  

"Suffering will never be completely absent from our lives. So don’t be afraid of suffering. Your suffering is a great means of love, if you make use of it, especially if you offer it for peace in the world. Suffering in and of itself is useless, but suffering that is shared with the passion of Christ is a wonderful gift and a sign of love. Christ’s suffering proved to be a gift, the greatest gift of love, because through his suffering our sins were atoned for. Suffering, pains sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus, a sign that you have come so close that He can kiss you."

"At the moment of death, we will not be judged by the amount of work we have done but by the weight of love we have put into our work. This love should flow from self—sacrifice and it must be felt to the point of hurting."  

Surrender is true love. The more we surrender, the more we love God and souls. If we really love souls, we must be ready to take their place, to take their sins upon us and expiate them. We must be living holocausts, for the souls need us as such.

(The Love of Christ: Spiritual Counsels, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, 103).              

"The important thing, is not to waste suffering. Join it to the suffering of Christ; offer it up with his suffering. Don't waste suffering ."

To recap the wisdom of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, we must remember the following in the midst of sufferings:

1. Recognize suffering as a gift;

2. Accept whatever God allows or sends to us with a smile;

3. Take refuge in Christ's heart;

4. Do not waste suffering, but surrender to it;

5. Give of self to the point of hurting - take the place of others

May it be so.  St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!