The Quiet, Steady Beat of the Sacred Heart

 
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all I have and call my own.  You have given all to me.  To you, Lord, I return it.  Everything is yours; do with it what you will.  Give me only your love and grace,  that is enough for me.”   St, Ignatius of Loyola

 
Long have I  wrestled with  responses to continuing attacks on orthodox Catholics, condescendingly launched, at best. The most infuriating are hurled by fellow Catholics from “perches of superiority”  that condemn those they perceive to be “haters.”  

 
Then the  gentle heart of Jesus, not missing a loving beat, impressed upon me that I need only share the memories of those closest to His Sacred Heart who He placed in my life.  Our Lord has blessed me (and you) with numerous wise, courageous, just, but also well tempered individuals, clergy and laity, who demonstrate that quiet but steadfast grace is sufficient for victory.

 
Herein are only a representative handful of the dozens of such persons in my (our) lives, but I will tout those who have gone to their eternal home. 

 
Some  older readers will recognize these persons; but one mentioned never received notice beyond a nicely worded obit.  Yet, if ever feeling despair or a spirit of defeat, I entreat you to pause and think of them, send up a prayer, and trust all is right in Heaven.  Be confident that each of these persons wisely navigated the world, exposing its evils while remaining unapologetically Catholic and loving of individual persons, regardless of their spiritual state.  What marked them all was a serenity that surpassed human definition, yet a confident determination to promote truth in action.  They tended to reach individuals even while exposing and addressing globally lethal policies and practices.  Like the power of a steady but gentle rainfall, or the flow of a stream’s strong undercurrent, each of these persons “replenished the Earth” and now fill the heavens with their sweet accord.  Their legacy is our guide.

 
Recently James Hitchcock, well known St. Louis Catholic historian, professor,  and widower of the co founderess of Women for Faith and Family and the Adoremus Society for the Renewal of Sacred Liturgy,  passed away.  Helen Hitchcock was among the first faithful Catholics I encountered when seeking reliable support in the 1980’s for my return to Catholicism.  Described as quiet and unassuming,  never raising her voice in anger or ill will,  Helen’s impact resembled a spiritual tsunami.   I sent her my story, and was astounded at her beautiful, personal response.  

 
Her petition to Rome with hundreds of women’s signatures affirming their loyalty to the one, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church may be largely forgotten today, but I hope women return to that organization and rebuild that initial mission.  In fact, the death of James Hitchcock may well be that clarion call. (Visit Women for Faith & Family wf-f.org) 

 
Soon after, I became acquainted with China expert Steven Mosher and then Benedictine monk Father Paul Marx, founder of Human Life International.  Known as the Apostle of Life, he  brilliantly traveled the world as both priest and social scientist and  endeavored tirelessly to promote life in all its stages.  He exposed the wickedness of many governments—including the United States programs that hid under attractive titles and acronyms but actually sought imperialism over the lives of those they claimed to be assisting.  Yet, always he gently moved among even his enemies, some of whom converted by his powerful witness and cultivation of love that left no “weed” to choke it.  

 
Ironically his protege, Steven Mosher would undergo many trials in revealing the treachery of Stanford University—even in the mid 1980s—as China embarked on its one child policy.  In the decades since, Population Research Institute, a Father Marx offshoot, still endures fiery criticism and denouncement.  Regardless, Steven Mosher, following Father Marx’s example, retains a collectively mighty spirit that remains intent on sharing truth but leaving outcomes to God.  (Population Research Institute www.pop.org)

 
Father Joseph (Joe) O’Gara , a faithful Jesuit was one of the most saintly persons I ever met.  Although only pastor from 1989-1992 for the historic San Secondo d’Asti Catholic Mission Church where he is honored by a statue of Our Lady after he died on the Feast of the Assumption,  Father Joe’s influence has spanned two centuries.  His outstanding witness to the evil of abortion moved persons to silent prayer and compassionate tears, but his love also encompassed the beauty of the simple immigrant.  The migrant workers of southern California (Rancho Cucamonga) often sought him, knowing how much he embraced their struggles.  

 
While not ignoring politics, Father Joe focussed on the spiritual health of those he encountered.  He never sought major victories or personal attention but steadfastly made his presence known to those who sought fidelity to God and Faith.  He once explained that rescuing children from the abortion sites was akin to ignoring a “Do not trespass” sign to save a child drowning in a pool.  However, he never resisted arrest or complained about the consequences of his stance.  At Planned Parenthood sites, he would be found unceasingly praying and admonishing the chit chatters of the group to do likewise.   

 
In the 90s I would meet Father John Harvey, but as a teacher at Visitation Academy in Frederick Maryland.  Like my other models, he was soft spoken but self assured.  Though a knowledgeable moral theologian and educator, this Apostle of Charity and Chastity refused to engage in politics and had a good word for anyone whose name was brought up despite an ill reputation.  

 
It was not until years later that I learned he had co-founded CourageRC International. an Apostolate for those experiencing same sex attraction.  Though frustrating, Courage and its family branch, Encourage, remain mostly unknown to many dioceses.  Still out of respect for Father Harvey, members even now honor the fact that when alive, Father Harvey refused to take the activist bait in any way.  His gentle disposition even when rebuffed or basically ignored ensured that the organization remains true to its strictly spiritual roots.   His trust in Jesus was immovable, as he lived the title of his work.  His cause for sainthood is underway.  (Courage-Encourage,  couragerc.org and frjohnharvey.com ) 

 
I met the Franciscan friar and psychologist Father Benedict Groeschel only once, but came to know him more intensely as an associate of the Guild St. Benedict Joseph Labre for those with brain disorders or suffering from emotional or mental illness and their loved ones.  A  pro life, pro family advocate since the mid 1980s,  this joyful advocate for the poor and underprivileged  tirelessly supported so many great causes like the  Good Counsel Homes for pregnant mothers with emotional disturbances.  He assisted Mildred and Timothy Duff in their Guild apostolate to increase prayer for and attention to the mentally ill.   Like all the others, Father Groeschel did not  shy from controversial challenges, but would not confront people in contentious ways.  He worked steadily and faithfully leaving matters to God while saving souls but also attending to physical and mental needs. (Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, guildbjlabre.org 

 
As we celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius, how opportune is it that we celebrate all of these devotees of the Sacred Heart following this holy St. Ignatius's surrender of “self”—particularly our cognitive hubris— to Our Lord.  And most certainly you could add many such triumphant persons to maintain your walk.

So, while true,  what originated in earnest spiritual exercise would eventually be compromised by intellectualized excessiveness and increasingly rationalize grave sin (homosexuality), illicit relations between men and women, and growing materialistic attitudes in such controversial matters as illegal immigration, and closer to home, attacks on orthodox liturgy under the loose banner of “love,” Truth ever triumphs.

 
We just need to be silent and contemplative rather than noisy and reactive, God ever reminds us that there is still only one way to Perfect Love without betraying Truth.  In every Sacred Heart image, Jesus Christ, the Word, wordlessly points to His Sacred Heart, underneath the Cross and Flame of Love and encircled by a Crown of Thorns.   Follow Him and those who also followed Him through history.