What Shapes Us

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” St. Clare of Assisi

I once read the book, “The Man Who Got Even with God,” by M. Raymond, O.C.S.O. The Trappist Monk in the book was a real person who struggled with his vocation and eventually entered the monastery at Gethsemane in Kentucky. No, he is not a saint yet, but his story was worth writing a book about. Brother Joachim was a former cowboy whose true name was John Hanning.

A friend runs the RCIA at my parish and I am always amazed at how someone could take such an extraordinary step and enter the Church. I grew up thinking that the Catholic Church was all that there was, but once entering university and living away from home, a person realizes that the world is full of much diversity. Where I work, we see people from all over the world, and everyone has a story. That story somehow begins to change as circumstances dictate that it might just be the time for a change. Certainly, it is not something that is orchestrated by us. It is our Lord at work without us even realizing it.

“I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.” St. Bernard

Recently, I read about the coming canonization of Bartolo Longo. He was a Catholic but fell in with Satanic forces. It must have been difficult for those who loved him to see this happen. What would be called now an ‘intervention’ was likely the catalyst for his conversion. However, more than likely, our Lord used whatever was at his disposal to bring Bartolo back to the Church. He became an ardent reciter of the rosary, and it was from Bartolo’s writings that Pope John Paul II proposed the Luminous Mysteries. He built the Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, wrote and founded many institutions to help others. His relationship with Countess Mariana di Fusco was the subject of gossip so they married each other in a celibate marriage so as not to hurt their work. Pope Leo XIII took notice of Bartolo and what he had done. Christ moves as he wants to.

St. Gerard Majella’s feast is October 16th. He lost his father when he was 12 and his weak health prevented him from joining the Capuchins, but the Redemptorists accepted him. He was falsely accused of fathering a child by a woman, but she later changed her story, and he was cleared. He was reported to bilocate, and he served God without complaint. Today is also the feast of the soldier who pierced Christ’s side at the Crucifixion. One event is still remembered 2000 years later.

“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? St. Gerard Majella

Once, I had written a book review on the “Man Who Got Even With God.” I have read that book a couple of times. It fascinated me. These are stories that need to be told by the Church and by us to bring to life the mystery of God. It is not surprising that these events still fascinate me. A friend commented on a sentence I wrote in another article about simplicity. How does simplicity affect us? In my experience, it allows God’s will to permeate our very being. We complicate life by our distractions, our ‘busyness’ and anxiety.My friends in the Carmel can be admired in how they avoid distractions. However, we do not wait for events to unfold because we try to manipulate them at every turn. We think we know best about everything and recently, it seems, everyone has an answer for everyone. The world is a big place, and it gets difficult for many people who are searching. We are all searching for something greater. I do not think that ever stops. However, let us be open to the possibilities and trust the Infinite. We will never be disappointed. Pope Leo XIV has reminded us many times that our hope is in the Lord.

“All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.”  St. Carlo Acutis