Tuesday, May 30, 2006

On dogmatism and hide-and-seek...

This rang bells of my not-so-distant past for me (doctrine and sacramental life though I'd had) as we read it tonight at a book group I'm in - a selection from Caryll Houselander: Essential Writings.

There is a way of convincing a man that puts him off. The average non-Catholic has only one thing, his personal approach to God. He has no authority, no doctrine, no sacramental life. He has only the secret approach to God in his own soul. A thing as darkly mysterious and lovely as the reaching out of the blind man's hands to learn the features of the Beloved Face, through his finger tips.

It is the most precious and intimate thing that he has, and all too often the unskilled apostle gives him the wholly wrong impression that the Church threatens it.

Catholicism is represented to him, not as life in which his own life will grow and flower, but as a set of dogmas which must be swallowed whole like vitamin pills. He is told that personal feeling does not matter, that what does matter is a dogged, if arid Will, and the arguments put out to support the claims of the church are unanswerable.

At all events, the man's head can not answer them. His heart rebels. It seems even easier to forgo the certainty of Faith, than the touch in the darkness that is the sweetness of life.

The more convinced a man's mind is, the more resistance does his heart put up. The more does the church seem to be a menace to him, the more he is in conflict with himself.

In reality, the Catholic as much as the non Catholic, has his secret life with God, his continual search in darkness. Indeed the secret lives of the saints, presumably the most child-like people, have been games of hide and seek with Eternal love.

Everyone who comes to God must come through his personal experience. His particular temperment and its difficulties are all part of God's plan for the making of his soul. Witness the tears of spiritual travail that assailed Cardinal Newman, of storm and passion that buffeted St. Augustine, and in contrast, the split second in which Saul became Paul. Go back to the midnight of the Incarnation in History and see the different ways in which God leads different men to Himself. The simple shepherd who could hear the angels' voices and find the infant close at hand, the sages who could only find their way through long, scientific study of the stars and must journey from far distant countries to find the King.

Friday, May 26, 2006

St. Philip Neri

Today is the feast of St. Philip Neri, "Apostle of Rome," and patron of the city. He was born July 22, 1515, and died May 27, 1595. Who was he? A man known for his joy, including a keen sense of humor; a man of deep wisdom and equally deep love - for God and for his neighbor; a man who attracted people to him but who was simultaneously deeply humble.

My favorite story about him is also one of the most famous:

A few days before Pentecost in 1544, the well-known miracle of his heart took place. Bacci describes it thus: "While he was with the greatest earnestness asking of the Holy Ghost His gifts, there appeared to him a globe of fire, which entered into his mouth and lodged in his breast; and thereupon he was suddenly surprised with such a fire of love, that, unable to bear it, he threw himself on the ground, and, like one trying to cool himself, bared his breast to temper in some measure the flame which he felt. When he had remained so for some time, and was a little recovered, he rose up full of unwonted joy, and immediately all his body began to shake with a violent tremour; and putting his hand to his bosom, he felt by the side of his heart, a swelling about as big as a man's fist, but neither then nor afterwards was it attended with the slightest pain or wound." The cause of this swelling was discovered by the doctors who examined his body after death. The saint's heart had been dilated under the sudden impulse of love, and in order that it might have sufficient room to move, two ribs had been broken, and curved in the form of an arch. From the time of the miracle till his death, his heart would palpitate violently whenever he performed any spiritual action. (St. Philip Romolo Neri: New Catholic Encyclopedia)

Christi's visiting his tomb at the Chiesa Nuova today...

O my Jesus, Thou who art very Love, enkindle in my heart that divine fire which consumes the Saints and transforms them into Thee. - The Raccolta, 1958 edition, no.74

Thursday, May 25, 2006

God is in control

Something I need to remember as I muddle my way to Rome...
From He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J.

Across the threshold I had been afraid to cross, things suddenly seemed so very simple. There was but a single vision, God, who was all in all; there was but one will that directed all things, God's will. I had only to see it, to discern it in every circumstance in which I found myself, and let myself be ruled by it. God is in all things, sustains all things, directs all things. To discern this in every situation and circumstance, to see His will in all things, was to accept each circumstance and situation and let oneself be borne along in perfect confidence and trust. Nothing could separate me from Him, because He was in all things. No danger could threaten me, no fear could shake me, except the fear of losing sight of Him. The future, hidden as it was, was hidden in His will and therefore acceptable to me no matter what it might bring. The past, with all its failures, was not forgotten; it remained to remind me of the weakness of human nature and the folly of putting any faith in self. But it no longer depressed me. I looked no longer to self to guide me, relied on it no longer in any way, so it could not again fail me. By renouncing, finally and completely, all control of my life and future destiny, I was relieved as a consequence of all responsibility. I was freed thereby from anxiety and worry, from every tension, and could float serenely upon the tide of God's sustaining providence in perfect peace of soul.

Visiting West Point

In honor of the United States Military Academy's commencement exercises (culminating in the graduation ceremony this Saturday, May 27), here's a guide to visiting West Point courtesy of the 1954 edition of Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette. It seems to me that my experiences as a visitor were a bit different - but how much could possibly have changed between 1954 and 2005?

Many a teen ager dreams of being invited to a West Point Hop but, should the coveted invitation come, a girl hates to ask her escort what's expected of her. She likes to pretend at least that she knows all about the Point, that she has been invited there before, though unable to accept.

The cost of a West Point week end is very modest, even though the girl pays her own way some of the time. She is responsible for getting herself to the Point and back by train, bus, or her own car. Her cadet makes a dormitory room reservation for her, if possible at the U.S. Hotel Thayer, the hotel on the Reservation. The room cost is a dollar seventy-five per night and meals are available at moderate prices. If the Thayer is filled, the cadet arranges to put up his drag at approved quarters in the village, Highland Falls, through the Office of the Cadet Hostess, again at a dollar seventy-five per night, which is paid by the guest, of course.

The week-end guest is not met at the bus or train that took her to the Point but taxies to her designated quarters sometime Saturday Morning. West Pointers have classes half a day Saturday but expect their dates to be available by 2 p.m. When there are home football games cadets are free at 1:30 p.m.

As at Annapolis, there are strict rules concerning transportation and other matters. At the Point a cadet may not drive a car but may be driven in his guest's car or in his family's car. So a girl with a car will prove popular with her escort and will not have to pay taxi-fares (twenty-five cents, point to point) to the dress parade or chapel (a Sunday morning must for cadets - and the considerate guest goes, too).

A West Pointer is allowed to carry a small amount of money now but not enough to take care of all week-end entertainment. Off the Reservation, especially, the girl pays, quietly of course, although everyone knows the rules in this respect. And, as a West Point cadet is not permitted to drink at all, not even beer, a considerate guest does not drink in his presence and, of course, does not bring liquor of any kind into the Reservation itself, even for personal use.

There is usually a hop or other entertainment on Saturday night at the post, for which cadets make all the arrangements. Fairly conservative dance dresses are worn. The girl showing up in attire more suited to burlesque than the starchy Point is unlikely to be asked back.

A cadet is conditioned to walking and expects his girl to be able to get around on her own two feet without wincing. A good pair of walking shoes is essential. A nicely tailored suit or sweater and skirt is expected for sports or an afternoon walk. Slacks and shorts are never worn.

There is no riding for guests at the Point, but there is swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. A conservative bathing suit for swimming (and non-pretentious skating clothes in winter) is a safe choice. Unless you are a ballerina on skates, don't get yourself up in a fancy skating costume. Wear a sweater and skirt.

For Sunday chapel you will probably wear what you arrived in - a soft suit or dress and coat and of course a hat. If you want to wear flowers at any time, you will probably have to buy them yourself, except at Graduation Hop when the cadet traditionally sends them to his chosen girl.

It is poor taste at any time for a girl to smoke on the street, so don't smoke while walking with your cadet, who is not allowed to smoke on main roads and sidewalks. Don't take his arm or kiss him in public - don't even attempt to hold hands while on the Reservation, except on Flirtation Walk where a little romantic leeway is permitted. And, of course, you wait to be invited there.

At the Hop, guests and cadets all pass down the receiving line before beginning to dance. The line consists of, first, the Hop manager, then an officer's wife and her husband, chosen by the Hop manager to act as hosts for the evening. The cadet gives the name of his guest to the Hop manager as he approaches the line. The Hop manager then introduces the guest and the cadet to the hostess, who in turn presents them to the host.

After a Hop all classes may now escort their guests to their quarters, on or off the Reservation, but may not take more than one hour for the courtesy and may not enter any building after leaving the place of entertainment.

Even if you are a cadet's best girl, don't ask him for buttons (which are expensive) or for a miniature of his ring (which is really considered an engagement ring).

As West Point is near New York, it is possible for a cadet to get to town for dates. First classmen are allowed two week ends a month away from the Academy, second classmen are given just two a year. But even here, his spending money is very limited, and if you can't entertain him at home you must arrange entertainment for which you can quietly pay in advance.

West Point Slanguage (still from Amy Vanderbilt)

Air gadget - Air cadet

Area bird - A cadet who usuallly spends his free afternoons serving punishment tours

Army brat
- The son or daughter of a regular army officer

B-ache - v. To explain, make excuses n. Official explanation of delinquency; a complaint

Beast barracks - Elementary training of a new cadet before he joins the corps. Barracks occupied during above period of training.

Beno - A cancellation, negative report, derived from the official phrase, "There will be no..." Often comes in the form of a letter from a femme, i.e., "Sorry can't come."

Beno wagon - Mail truck

B. food - Cereal or breakfast food, hot or cold.

B.J. - Fresh; lacking in respect; "Bold before June."

B.P. - Barracks policeman; division janitor

Board fight - A recitation in which cadets are sent to the blackboard, where they fight their way through a maze of problems

Bolo - To fail miserably

Boodle - Cake, candy, ice cream, etc.; all eatables in general, excluding those served in the mess hall

Boodle fight - A gathering of one or more persons at which boodle is consumed

Boodlers - Refreshment room in Grant Hall. Also refers to the boodle dispensing centers at the Cadet Store and the Thayer Hotel

Brace - n. The correct military carriage for a plebe v. To correct a plebe's posture

Break in, out - To be admitted or released from the hospital

Brownboy - Synonymous with sleep or sack; khaki-sacky

Buck - n. A cadet private v. To work against, to oppose

Buck-up - v. To improve upon something

Bugs - Oysters, small pieces of vegetable, or other solids found in soup

Bust - To revoke the appointment of a cadet commissioned or non-commissioned officer

Butt - Any fractional part of any whole, as in a "butt of a glass of milk"

More to be posted tomorrow...

Image is from Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number LC-USW33-000140-ZE DLC (b&w film neg.)]

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Feast of St. Rita of Cascia

Today is the feast of St. Rita of Cascia, patron saint of lost causes along with St. Jude.

Dear brothers and sisters, the worldwide devotion to St Rita is symbolized by the rose. It is to be hoped that the life of everyone devoted to her will be like the rose picked in the garden of Roccaporena the winter before the saint's death. That is, let it be a life sustained by passionate love for the Lord Jesus; a life capable of responding to suffering and to thorns with forgiveness and the total gift of self, in order to spread everywhere the good odour of Christ (cf. 2 Cor 2:15) through a consistently lived proclamation of the Gospel. - Pope John Paul II