God’s Hidden Power: An Famous Theologian Faces a Roomful of Thugs

Grace in Action

What can an aging, seemingly feeble priest do against a room full of thugs ready to do evil?

You might not think much, but that is only because you have not met Father John A. Hardon, S.J. During one of his lectures years ago, Fr. Hardon recounted a harrowing experience from his time ministering to young sisters in Russia shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. As the country navigated the chaotic aftermath of 1991, Russia suffered through the "wild nineties," a decade marked by hyperinflation, mass unemployment, and the rise of dangerous organized crime syndicates.

One night, three cars filled with men driven by unruly passions arrived at the convent where Fr. Hardon was providing a retreat. These men entered the facility with the explicit intent of committing despicable, perverse acts against the residents.

Fr. Hardon walked slowly down the stairs. He caught sight of the intruders. He stopped and stared at them, long and hard. He discerned their nefarious plan. The room fell into absolute silence. The sisters waited with anxious anticipation. Fr. Hardon stood his ground for a minute that seemed to stretch to eternity. He did not blink.

Unarmed and “Dangerous”

One can imagine the stern look of reprimand on his face—a manifestation of fierceness and maybe a warning of divine judgment. Fr. Hardon of course possessed no weapons and, being of small stature and in his upper 70s, certainly lacked the physical strength to overcome these men through force. Instead, it was the power of the priesthood radiating from a diminutive yet stubborn man in a black cassock who understood the authority of God. Eventually the men were shamed and, thankfully, they departed.

The scene mirrored the moment when Christ stared down those who were eager to stone the woman caught in adultery. Just as the Son of God stood on the side of justice, causing the accusers to withdraw due to their own guilty consciences, Fr. Hardon’s resolve forced the intruders to retreat.

This was no ordinary priest; his soul had been steeped in prayer for his many years. He no doubt knew that the devil prowls about like a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8) But our adversary can be overcome by God’s grace.

Feeble though he was in a human sense, he knew these men had to be opposed. He relied on the strength of God to protect the sisters in a situation that seemed impossible by human means.

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A Captivating Teacher and Theologian

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This intensity was a hallmark of the seriousness Fr. Hardon brought to his lectures. He had a unique way of captivating an audience; he would begin his lectures by waiting for all the noise to die down, certainly aware that he required the full attention of the room. Once he began, whether inspiring his audience or explaining complex theological issues, he drew listeners into what could only be called a meditative state. Despite his profound gravity, Fr. Hardon was not without humor; he once quipped that he needed to tell a joke now and then to keep his lectures engaging.

As priest trained in the scholarly Jesuit tradition, an author of more than seventy books, a consultant to the Holy See, and an advisor to St. Mother Teresa and Pope St. John Paul II, there were few topics beyond Father’s vast field of knowledge. He could speak on nearly any theological subject, including the Church Fathers, civil law, ecumenical councils, and ecclesiology.

There were some themes to which he often returned. In his later years, he observed that while America was the "most highly educated nation in world history," it was simultaneously "abysmally ignorant of God's laws and His promises." He frequently cautioned that faithfulness to Christ would inevitably come at a cost—specifically that the "studied indifference" and "coldness" from others would require that a Catholic need a firm faithfulness to Christ and his Church.

A Call to Heroic Holiness

Another of Fr. Hardon’s favorite themes was the urgent obligation to share the truth in our age. He championed the necessity of holy people serving as channels of grace, specifically emphasizing the "white martyrdom" Catholics suffer when living their faith in a world indifferent to their most cherished beliefs.

Fr. Hardon, who passed away in 2000 and has now been named a Servant of God, possessed a unique ability to capture hearts. Those who listened to his talks often found themselves yearning for a deeper prayer life and taking more seriously their calling to be witnesses of God’s love to others.

For articles, books and videos by Fr. Hardon, please check out the below.

Sources for Further Information

The Real Presence (articles)
Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Archive and Guild (articles)
Life Eternal (books)
YouTube: (Fr. Hardon's lectures) 

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