More Snapshots From Ireland

IRELAND ROAD REPORT NO. 2

October 29, 2007

Peace and Good in Christ

Well, Viola and I are on the way home from Ireland. It was a pleasantly relaxing pilgrimage for us. We didn't have to worry about details and logistics. Maria and Fr. Hampton covered us with a blanket of care and love. The pilgrims were a really great group. Thanks to all for a wonderful trip!

The last week was a journey through monastery ruins, active monasteries, shrines, and churches. I must admit it all began to blur on me, but my mind is filled with wonderful images and experiences.

The countryside was especially enchanted. We traveled from the lush, deep green of Killarny to the rocky west coast. There were landscapes at every turn that were guaranteed to relieve any doubts about the existence of God the Creator.

One sad aspect was the visit to a museum dedicated to those who immigrated and/or lost their lives during the potato famine. We were stunned by the sheer courage of these people, many who never survived the trip over to the USA in what came to be called "coffin ships." We were shocked to hear that there are more Irish in America than in Ireland itself. We owe them respect for the courage of their forbears.

We ended by a trip to Knock, the site of the Marian apparition. It is viewed not as a public devotion of the Church, but a private devotion. But I must say I was deeply moved in this holy place. We celebrated a banquet and I sang a private concert for our pilgrims. We celebrated Mass in this special place the morning before our departure from the "Isle of saints and scholars."

On the trip back to Dublin we were graced by two rainbows! Indeed, God showered us with blessings. Great place, great people, and great leaders. Viola and I are most thankful. But soon our spiritual growth was tested when our bus broke down on a side road going to a monastery on the Shannon River. Finding a bus and waiting for a couple of hours challenged us to "practice what we preach." But I can confidently report that the leaders, pilgrims, and bus company handled this with true Christian detachment and patient joy. Strange as it may sound, it was a good way to end the pilgrimage.

Mainly it was the people who made this trip so special. Holy sites can be found all around the world, but holy people are sometimes hard to find. This group of pilgrims inspired me to cherish my time with them. Young and old, rich and poor, on a pilgrimage all are equal before God and one another. I will not easily forget the faces of these true pilgrims for the Lord.

In Jesus,

John Michael Talbot
Founder and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

SNAPSHOTS FROM IRELAND

ROAD REPORT FROM IRELAND

October 21, 2007

Peace and Good in Christ!

Our trip to Ireland is off to a wonderful start! After meeting the group at the hotel in Dublin, we had a full day at Glendalough, an ancient Celtic monastic ruin dating back to St. Kevin. The setting is stunningly beautiful, what I would call an Irish Big Sur.

The ruin itself teaches us the radical and flexible structure of the ancient Celtic church patterned after the clan settlement before there were any real Irish cities. It consists of an inner circle for the abbot, then the monks, an outer circle for nuns (or sisters), and finally, monastic families. This pattern has much to teach us today about the new communities being raised up by the Spirit in the Church that include celibate brothers, sisters, and families. After hearing so much about this type of community at the recent Congress in Rome for New Communities, this has special significance.

Making this trek to Glendalough most special was the presence of our domestic member, Margaret Dickens, and her husband Dick. We also got a chance to receive the wisdom of Fr. Michael Rogers, a resident priest/hermit, who continues the Celtic tradition of St. Kevin today in a most saintly way. He is a kindred spirit and dear friend.

The evening took us to Mt. Argus Parish where we celebrated 150 years of Passionists in Ireland. It was a very simple concert without a big advertisement campaign except in the local parish itself, no professional sound and lights, and none of the usual economic structures that support such concerts. The people just dropped in a donation for our community on the way out. I felt totally unencumbered and free to just play in a neo-Gothic church, playing off of the natural reverb and delay in the church, and the response of the crowd. I had great fun!

Today we were off to Mt. Mellerary Church in Ireland in the 1800s. This place has special significance for me because I once considered joining the Carthusians in England under the leadership of then Prior Bernard, who had once been a monk of Mellerary Abbey. Also our community has good ties with New Mellerary Abbey in Iowa. It was good to see the the actual place I have often heard so much about!

On the way to the hotel I gave teachings on the bus about Celtic Monasticism and modern monasticism. I also spoke briefly on the daily monastic confession practiced by the monks of Ireland in the 10th century, and how that effected our modern practice of frequent sacramental confession to a priest of the Church. That's it for now. We have had some intense days of pilgrimage and retreat. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

In Jesus,

John Michael Talbot
Founder and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

STAND UP FOR JESUS
Luke 12:8-12

I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men - the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God. v. 8

The world seldom speaks of Christ except to use his name in vain. Jesus is no longer found on the front page of popular magazines as he was during the days of the Jesus Movement. Today the world is preoccupied with the pragmatic realities of political power and money.

It takes courage to stand up for the real Jesus of Bethlehem and Calvary, born in a shepherd's stable and crucified on a criminal's cross. It is not easy to stand up for the poor, or to give one's life for those treated unjustly by the political systems of the world.

THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU

We may feel at a loss when asked to explain the way of Jesus. How can we put into limited words an infinite Living Word proclaimed throughout eternity? Paul said, "I did not come proclaiming God's testimony with any particular eloquence or wisdom ... my message and my preaching had none of the persuasive force of wise argumentation, but the convincing power of the Spirit." As Jesus tells us in today�s gospel, "The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said."

PROCLAIM THE SIMPLE MESSAGE

We need not win an argument. We need only proclaim the simple message of Jesus. "The word of God will not return void," said Isaiah the prophet. Speak in clear simplicity and confidence. Let the Spirit do the rest. You may not win the intellectual argument, but you will win the spiritual battle for the soul! As Socrates wrote, "Just because you win an argument does not mean you possess the truth."

Do we rely on the power of the Spirit when we share about Jesus with others? Do we share in the Spirit, or simply argue with the mind? The Spirit leads to humility and gentleness, while the mind only leads to presumption and pride. Do not be afraid. God will use your simple testimony and your personal story to evangelize even the powerful of this world.

John Michael Talbot

LET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
PIERCE YOUR HEART

Luke 11:37-41

The Pharisee was surprised that he [Jesus] had not first performed the absolutions prescribed before eating. v. 38

We, too, are often shocked when the externals of our faith are not followed. Jesus would correct us as he did the Pharisee, "You Pharisees! You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but within you are filled with rapaciousness and evil ... But if you give what you have as alms, all will be wiped clean for you."

DO WE GRIEVE FOR THE POOR?

Some are caught up in the expensive externals of religion such as collecting expensive religious artwork, but their hearts do not really grieve for the poor. Some may reverence the relics of the saints, but be irreverent towards the saints living among us today. The poor and the simple do not necessarily know the latest theological trend, but they often love God more deeply than the Pharisees among us today. They do not always know the correct protocol for entering a church, or praying in a group, or giving thanks before a meal, yet they may reverence God more than those who do.

DO WE LOVE THE SIMPLE & THE POOR?

The issue is, do we really love the simple and the poor? Jesus said, "As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me." The new covenant is written on the heart. Our hearts of stone must be transformed into hearts of flesh that can easily be pierced.

If we let go of all our religious games and allow our hearts to he broken with the needs of others, we will be made clean. Our rituals are useless if they do not change our hearts. If our heart is cleansed, then we will find Jesus even within those who do not observe our religious customs, and we will become tolerant and respectful of their difference.

John Michael Talbot

SPENDING TIME WITH JESUS

Luke 10:38-42

Mary has chosen the better portion
and she shall not be deprived of it. v.42

So often we deprive ourselves of quiet time with Jesus and then try to deprive others of it as well. "A waste of time," we say. Or, "My work is my prayer." Here Jesus dares to contradict us.

SHE SITS AND LISTENS

Mary "seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to his words." She does no work, even though there is work to be done. She leaves others to do the necessary tasks. She doesn't preach or evangelize. She doesn't feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or assist the poor. All she does is sit and listen to Jesus.

Many of us are upset by this. We are much more comfortable with a spirituality that "baptizes" our hectic life of constant work for Jesus. We are "busy about many things." Entrepreneurs for Jesus ... that’s us! Always looking for opportunities to do big things for Jesus. Workaholics for Christ, we "lose ourselves" in work for the poor so that we will never have to face our own inner poverty. "Lord, are you not concerned that my sister has left me to do the household tasks alone? Tell her to help me." That’s right, Jesus. Tell me you want and need all my work and effort.

ONE THING IS REQUIRED

Jesus answers us in gentle rebuke. "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required." Jesus does not require our work, our projects, or our evangelistic zeal. He requires only our love of him. We have only to sit at his feet and listen to him to meet the requirements of Christ. A heart of devotion and love pleases him more than a life of constant distraction in his name.

Some set aside undistracted time to be alone with an earthly lover, why not all the more for our Divine Lover? He wants a personal love relationship that is unhurried and intimate, not a corporate agreement or work contract that is more fitting for a business relationship. Take time with Jesus today and you will end up having better times with others.

John Michael Talbot

Painting by Jan Vermeer van Delft, public domain

LIVE RADICALLY

Luke 10:25-37

And who is my neighbor? v. 29

This question was an attempt to rationalize the radical nature of Jesus’ words, to take the edge off what Jesus said. The questioner did not want to change his current and comfortable "religious" lifestyle.

OUR IMAGE OR HIS?

Many of us do the same thing today upon hearing a word that makes us uncomfortable. We hear Jesus challenge us to change our lives radically, and we respond negatively. We aren’t atheist or agnostic. By and large we agree that we should believe in God. We go to Bible studies and seminaries where we are told not only what Jesus said, but what he meant to say! Usually the interpretation is far less radical and challenging than the literal words of Christ. We would often rather meditate on a modern Bible commentary than on the Bible itself. When we do this, we conform Jesus to our desired image rather than allowing the Spirit and his words to transform us into the image of Christ. Is this anything short of idolatry?

Notice that the people who passed by the man who had been assaulted by robbers were all religious and respectable. Yet none of them did the will of God. It was a Samaritan, a fundamentalist heretic in the eyes of the Jews, who did God’s will.

IT'S A MATTER OF THE HEART

Doctrinally, the Jews were correct, but they did not please God. Doctrinally, the Samaritans did not perceive the full and ongoing revelation of God to his people through the prophets, the psalms, and the wisdom literature. Yet the Samaritan did the will of God because he had compassion; his heart was right even though his doctrine wasn't.

Do we have compassion, or do we just have doctrine? Do we intellectually rationalize, or do we radically obey? Jesus wants disciples who allow their lives to be radically transformed by compassion and love, without which our doctrines may be correct, but our life with God will still be wrong.

John Michael Talbot

ROAD REPORT NO. 2
From Rome, Italy

October 5, 2007

NOTE: John Michael and Viola are in Rome this week, having been invited to participate in the first International Congress that will focus its attention on new forms of consecrated life. The meeting is called "The New Forms of Consecrated Life and the New Communities: Identity, Mission and Perspectives" and is patronized by the Urbaniana Pontifical University in Rome and by the C.S.R. - Religious Historians Coordination.

Franciscan Brother in 2 photos: Padre Pancrazio Gaudioso, founder of The Franciscan Fraternity of Betania
3 bros at table includes Brother James Curran (center), founder of the Little Brothers of St. Francis in Boston

MORNING SESSION

Viola and I got up early this morning to go to the Pontifical Urbaniana University for our first day of the New Forms of Consecrated Life and New Communities Conference. First, what a wide array of religious habits and traditions evident in this assembly! I felt like I was in a spiritual fashion show! This seemed both wonderful and a little bit weird all at once.

It was clear from the beginning that there were very few communities from the United States represented. We do not know much of what is going on in Europe, and they do not know much about us. The language and cultural barriers slowly came down among those who love Jesus, and we communicated with each knowing only a bit of the other's language, holy gestures, and radiant smiles. We walked away knowing much more.

The meeting was convened, and we heard a talk by Cardinal Rode, Prefect of the Institute of Consecrated Life. He gave some interesting and solid foundations for the meeting. He recognized the history of new communities in the early 19th century and how they were finally recognized in the 1983 Code of Canon Law. It took about 100 years! He said that we will go through a similar process.

Msgr. Ambrogio Speafico went into greater detail concerning the subtle differences between canons 573, 579, and 605 and the foundation of new communities. Between his voice in the room and the interpreter in my ear, it was all getting pretty confusing to me. He finally settled down to some specifics concerning communities that use an existing charism, like the Franciscans, Benedictines, Carmelites and the like, and communities that become something totally new. Most new communities include a male and female celibate expression, and include families in some way, sometimes in residence, and sometimes residing away from the religious house. He believes that current canon law can accommodate all expressions, as long as traditional religious life is not jeopardized. Finally, he emphasized just living a radical gospel life and letting canon law catch up to the community in good time.

The morning session ended with Bishop Bertolona. He spoke beautifully about the ancient and new forms of consecrated life, the need for continuity and novelty in the Church. He emphasized communion and relationships as the spirituality that accommodates both. He touched on the need to perhaps have new kinds of commitment for married families and clergy in relation to traditional celibates. He also mentioned the participation of non-Catholic Christians as one of the signs of new communities. In the end he encouraged treating all these things not as canonical problems, but as a challenge to live radical gospel lives.

I left this morning with a sense that there is still too much "head" knowledge going on. It is so easy to sidetrack our energy reserves on intellectual and ecclesial stuff, when all we really have to do is live the gospel radically and with humility in the Church. While mindful of the intellectual and canonical aspect of life in the Church, it need not be our main focus. You can easily spend your energy on such things and then suddenly realize that the gospel base of the community and of your own vocation in Christ has gone astray.

We then walked to lunch. Had a lovely meal with the hosting community, The Franciscan Fraternity of Betania and a Carmelite new community from France. We walked back to the Urbaniana (uphill all the way, and I mean UPHILL), rested for a while, and then resumed our afternoon program.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The afternoon sessions began with Professor Gionfranco Ghirlanda about the many canonical aspects of founding new communities in the Church. He began by delineating between reforms and renewals of old forms like the Franciscans, Carmelite and such, and actual new forms of consecrated life. Most of this was rather familiar stuff.

He then addressed the blessings and the problems of married members and associates in new communities. Basically, he restated what has already been said by John Paul II in Vita Consecrata. Specifically, he said that married members who profess the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience in a way appropriate to their state of life are considered "praiseworthy" by the Church, but this cannot be considered formal and traditional "consecrated life," of which celibate chastity is the defining element. While marriage is of great value in the Church, it is celibacy that is more objectively "excellent," though celibates may subjectively be far less "saintly" than devoted married couples. He proposed a Federation style government for communities with celibates and families. In this, each expression would be its own community, but there would be a General Council composed of every state of life. These are issues that are close to our experience as Brothers and Sisters of Charity, and deserve our consideration, though we may not agree with his apparent conclusion on this point.

The next session was on New Italian Monastic Communities by Dr. Mario Torcivia, himself a member of one such community. His approach was to get back to the earliest monastic sources and not get too bogged down in the canonical stuff. By the end of this day I understood his position! Most of these communities are not canonically established, and do not desire to be so. Likewise, they draw from Benedictines in the west, but from earlier sources more primarily. In this they are not interested in becoming "Benedictine." I know plenty of traditional Benedictines who would agree with him!

We ended the day with a sweeping look at authority in the new communities. With a reference to the Double Monasteries of both Celtic and Continental monks and nuns of history, he went on to mention all the various problems of communities of lay and clerical membership. He also mentioned the phenomenon of "mixed" communities of male and female celibates. At issue was the case of lay men and women having authority over clerics. Not having the authority to assign a cleric who still ministers to the diocese outside of the community from one place to another, doesn't this diminish the authority of the superior of the community? Doesn't this reduce their authority as a "major superior?" He then conceded that most new communities are doing this anyway, and imposing the past categories of being a "clerical or "lay" community.

In Jesus,

John Michael Talbot
Founder and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

ROAD REPORT
From Rome, Italy

October 3, 2007

NOTE: John Michael and Viola are in Rome this week, having been invited to participate in the first International Congress that will focus its attention on new forms of consecrated life. The meeting is called "The New Forms of Consecrated Life and the New Communities: Identity, Mission and Perspectives" and is patronized by the Urbaniana Pontifical University in Rome and by the C.S.R. - Religious Historians Coordination.

Peace and Good in Christ!

Viola and I had a great day! First of all, we slept in. Sleep never felt so good! Then we rose and readied ourselves for our trip to the Anselmo, the international Benedictine College and University in Rome. There we met our new- found friend, Abbot Primate Notker Wolfe, OSB. What a pleasant irony that we met with the Benedictine Abbot Primate on the Feast of St. Francis!

MEETING WITH THE ABBOT PRIMATE

After a short wait in a pleasant parlor where visitors are received, we showed him the slideshow I put together before we left the Hermitage. He lit up as he saw the place and the people at Little Portion Hermitage and our domestics. Interestingly, he commented favorably how our buildings look like Japanese Buddhist monasteries. He said that he stayed in Japanese Buddhist monasteries during a four week trip there years ago. He suggested that we get some choir stalls, or something solid and wooden to create a sense of stability. We have often described our buildings and gardens as Japanese/English, Ozark style! We are currently trying to raise funds for general improvements and repairs at the Hermitage.

We had a nice conversation about a possible trip to India this year or next. He said that monasticism in India was most important, and, though not his primary area of expertise, is supportive of the Monastic Interfaith Dialogue. When I mentioned the arch conservative reaction against such efforts, he said that extremists on any side of a topic will come and go, but wholesome efforts will ultimately prevail. The last two popes have unquestionably supported appropriate interfaith dialogue on the theological and monastic experience, beginning with the Assisi interfaith experience in the 1980s. In response to critics, he recommended simply following and referring to the teaching of the Church, and the examples of popes John Paul II, and Benedict XVI. I found his words balanced, peaceful, and good advice.

His tone was much the same regarding the recent hubbub around the pope's statements regarding the Latin mass, and liturgical things. Pope Benedict XVI simply restated much of the teaching of John Paul II, making the Latin mass available for those who really want it. It is also a way to reach out to the various Latin mass sects, to bring them back into full unity with Rome. Getting the mass back to a focus on Jesus instead of the priest and being more reverent and appreciative about the signs and symbols during liturgy are good and necessary. As to language, he said that due to his sense of the international nature of his ministry and of the house at the Anselmo, language is not really the issue. Language is just a linguistic way to try to express the mysteries of God, which are ultimately beyond full understanding and description. Good foundations are built by doctrine regarding faith and morality, but the mystical union with God in Christ always defies such descriptions. Latin has always been the official language of the Church, especially during international events. Wise words.

He gave us some advice on our Ometepe Mission in Nicaragua, commenting that Americans often find founding monasteries in Central America to be almost impossible. This is due, in large part, to our inability to transfer the monastic life to their culture. Indeed, we are often very impatient with the inefficiency of the Third World, and this leads to frustration and anger. He listed monastery after monastery that closed due to this, and related problems. This has been our experience as well. It is something to seriously ponder.

We invited him to our 25^th Anniversary during the Gathering around October 4th. He said it would be difficult with his busy international schedule and the possibility that he may not be reelected as Abbot Primate at the end of September of 2008. I assured him of our friendship regardless of his office. He is a good man, monk, and priest, and remains our friend.

TOURING THE ANSELMO

After a nice tour of the Anselmo, and commenting that they are in the midst of a massive rebuilding effort to put a new roof on their church, and rebuild some of the stone walls (150 years old), he led us to a side room where the monks were chanting noon prayer. It was so beautiful to hear the monks from around the world praising God with Gregorian Chant. As a sacred music minister, it remains some of my most favorite music in the Church. The monks also use other languages in the worship.

MID-DAY MEAL WITH MONKS

Then we were led in to the midday meal. We were seated in guest spots among some monks who speak fluent English. The Abbot Primate sits higher up with the officials of the monastery. The meal was wholesome and simple: pasta, salad, chicken and vegetables. They are still between scholastic sessions, so they were training new servers. During the meal we engaged in informal conversation with an English monk, and a middle-aged monk from Atchinson, KS. We talked about our integrated monasticism and the various issues that are relevant today. I said that we find ourselves more than occupied with just trying to be kind and love each other through the example of the cross and resurrection of Jesus. They laughed, and said that is really their main struggle as well!

A LOVELY & FRUITFUL DAY

We ended with warm goodbyes at the gate on an absolutely beautiful Rome day. We were made most welcome, and would love to return during our next visit to Rome. After getting back to the hotel, Viola and I strolled around St. Peter's and visited many religious goods shops. It was a beautiful end to a lovely and fruitful day.

In Jesus,

John Michael Talbot

John Michael Talbot

Founder and Spiritual Father

The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

NEVER LOOK BACK
Luke 9:57-62

Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God. v.62

In the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the angels said to Lot, "Flee for your life! Don’t look back or stop anywhere on the plain." But as they were leaving the city, Lot’s wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

DEPART FROM HER

In the book of Revelation we are told concerning Babylon the Great: "Depart from her, my people, for fear of sinning with her and sharing the plagues inflicted on her." What is Babylon the Great? Is she not any society or culture that compromises or prostitutes itself for earthly gain? Our present culture is overwhelmed with the materialism and lewdness of Babylon. Television, movies, radio, magazines, newspapers and the internet are filled with these things. We are constantly programmed with information that says it is normal to be both rich and sexually promiscuous, when in fact it is not.

DO NOT LOOK BACK

We must not only come out of this culture, we must not look back. The answer is this: control the company you keep because "bad company corrupts good morals." Likewise, discipline your television, internet and movie habits. Only read things that are wholesome and edifying. Paul says of speech, "Say only the good things man really needs to hear." We could easily apply this saying to the media: "Listen to, watch, and read only the good things men really need to hear." Paul wrote, "Bring your thoughts into captivity," and "Make no provision for the desires of the flesh."

Do you secretly desire to go back to the life you left behind? If you keep looking back, you will eventually turn back and be destroyed in the fire of lust, materialism, and all other kinds of sin. Stop, or you will destroy any progress you have made in Christ thus far! Then you will have to start all over again; someday it may be too late to begin again.

John Michael Talbot

photo by KellyB.