Annual Convocation 2012

I returned yesterday from the 2012 Annual Convocation, Retreat and Chapter meeting of the community at Mt. Alvernia in Wappingers Falls, NY.  Congratulations are in order for my confreres, William Henry Benefield, who made his life profession; and Millard, who made his first profession.  We added two new novice brothers - Larry Walter and Eric.  And to cap off a fine week, we admitted four new postulants - David Kasievich, Andrew Kellner, Willie VanDoren and Ray Chance.

Looking through the BSG roster at our website (www.gregorians.org), I found nothing new. But re-discovered the fascinating ministries that my brothers are involved with, many by virtue of their occupation, which for many has become their call.  Br. Ciaran Anthony, who I wrote about previously, is now a family medicine resident physician in Lawrence MA. Richard John is the Director of Pastoral Care at White Plains Hospital.  Charles Edward and Virgilio work as a practical nurse and nursing assistant, respectively.  Karekin is the Product Manager for Electronic Publishing at Church Publishing. Thomas is a software engineer for Google.  Joseph Basil, Thomas Lawrence, and Eric are all registered nurses.  Of our number, Tobias, Mark Andrew, David John, Blane Frederik and Richard Edward are priests; Edward, Charles Edward, Gordon John, and Thomas Mark are deacons.  That's just a sampling of our diverse community.

At Convocation, we also said goodbye to our beloved Michael Elliott, friar and priest who died in February in New Zealand.  David John, who lives in Australia, brought Michael's ashes to Mt. Alvernia and preached at his Requiem Mass.  He is on his way to England, where Michael will be buried at Brecon Cathedral in Wales.

William Henry professes his life vows to Minister General Richard Thomas, as Thomas Mark (left) and Nathanael Deward, both Minister Provincials, witness the occasion. 

Millard professes first vows to Richard Thomas, who is assisted by James.  Peter (back to camera), Thomas, and William David look on.  

Brothers were given this memento of our dear Brother Michael at his Requiem.

In Psalm 116 yesterday at Morning Prayer, we read, in verses 14 and 18: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.  That gentle reminder sent me off to   The State of the Religious Life, by Br. Tobias S. Haller, BSG for further reading on the vows.  I was thinking specifically about the Vow of Chastity, as lived by BSG in our Rule of Life.  Tobias writes, "The Brotherhood does not equate chastity with celibacy (or celibacy with chastity, for that matter). The Brotherhood Rule describes chastity in the following way: A brother makes the vow of chastity as follows: Chastity is the decision to live with all in love, with respect for each person’s integrity. It is not a denial of one’s sexuality and capacity for love, but a dedication of the whole self to God: free from indecency or offensiveness and restrained from all excess, in order to be free to love others
without trying to possess or control. The living out of this vow — its content — is about the right use of one’s sexuality, combined with respect for the dignity of one’s spouse or partner.Some members of the community are married, with children; others live in covenanted life-long relationships."  Later in that description, he writes, Chastity is a matter of personal integrity — custody of the whole person. In this light, chastity governs all emotional aspects of the personality. Anger, impatience, envy, despondency, despair, hatred, as well as lust and vanity — these are the enemies of chastity. As Friar Giles said, “My brother, I tell thee that the diligent custody and continual watching of our
bodily and spiritual senses, keeping  them pure and spotless before God — that is truly called chastity.” (Fioretti 286)


That last part is what I was looking for. Another brother and I were standing on a Chicago sidewalk just last week when a bottle was thrown at us.  The anger aspect of a non chaste life reared its ugly head. I posted about the incident on Facebook, and used an adjective that a Religious should not use in describing the offender (s).  The Bishop of Chicago's wife took me to task, and I'm glad she did. I removed the post.  If we are to fulfill our vows as noted in Psalm 116, we need to think before we act hastily, and in an uncharitable, unchaste manner, regardless of what has happened to us. 

After a long hiatus, it's time to write.  Worrying whether or not people are reading the blog is not sufficient reason to not write.

I was looking at various community websites today.  One in particular comes to mind, that of the Marianists in the Roman Catholic Church.  One of the brothers was doing a short video about life as a religious brother, and noted that the community encourages the talents of each brother in determining his ministry.  For years, the "norm" was that communities had specific apostolates, and some still do, be it teaching or health care.  In BSG, we say "Each member is encouraged to develop his gifts and talents under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the care and direction of the community."  

Two recent examples are here today.  Br. Ciaran Anthony DellaFera just completed medical school and is now in Residency.  Br. Virgilio Fortuna was recently ordained to the diaconate.  By chance, both brothers are in Province 1 of the community, and live in Massachusetts.   The top photo is Ciaran at his medical school graduation.  Virgilio is shown (back row far left) with his "class" of deacons and Bishop Tom Shaw, SSJE.