This month we celebrate the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux. She emphasised paying big attention to the small things. A series of small experiences over the past ten days has given me pause for thought ahead of the Pre-Synodal Assembly taking place in Kilkenny on the October 18.
On a special night last week in St Killian’s Church, in Mullagh, Cavan the music and song of ‘Fuamlaoi’ both grounded and lifted the congregation in a way that was deeply spiritually significant. This was the latest in a series of initiatives being run in the Diocese of Kilmore to support a return to sources, and the wellspring of our Celtic-Christian heritage. It reminded me how important it is to glimpse spiritual depth and be humbled by women and men from our own townlands who lived lives in service to the common good, rooted in faith. We all have an integral part to play in the ongoing unfolding of that local story, should we choose to accept it.
Then, in Cavan town, I unexpectedly crossed paths with a kind, pure hearted and funny man who happens also to be burdened with significant mental health challenges. These challenges drag him, at times, into very dark places. His off-beat, scruffy way of presenting can also attract wary glances, and reluctant interaction from strangers. Some might consider him poor or marginalised. Though marginal to our convenience and marginal to our comfort and marginal to our economy too, he is an example of the kind of person who is absolutely central to our humanity. He is anything but marginal. On that day we just happened to meet and, for 20 minutes, in the sunshine of the Market Square, we sat slurping tea and munching warm scones he had just made at a community resource centre. The pigeons got fat on the accumulation of crumbs at our feet, and we simply connected. Far from all the things I ‘should’ have been doing that day, this was without a doubt the most meaningful.
This week also, I skim read Pope Leo’s first Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te (I have loved you). It struck me as very rich and in it he outlined in very accessible language our responsibility toward the poor, not an optional extra, but as central to the life of anyone who calls themselves a Catholic Christian. Reading this document in the light of my encounter in the market square in Cavan though, it felt like it was written about the poor as subject, more than with the poor as agent. It struck me that through the synodal process, if we really want to deepen a sense of belonging and participation of all in our Church, then we need to stop talking about people as subjects and instead, with courage, conviction and creativity do everything possible to enable people as agents.
Progress
In the last few days, I was also deflated by three small but telling indications that limited progress is being made with the implementation of article 60 of the Final Document (Synod on Synodality). This article, relating specifically to women, goes some way to acknowledging the sins of the past and commits us to better respect women in the Church. It also calls us to bring to public consciousness the rich contributions of female saints, mystics, and theologians – past and present.
The ‘prayer’ was not in fact a prayer to her at all, rather a tepid summary of the contribution she made to society and Church”
In one parish newsletter, an advertisement for a faith formation day for adults in Donegal listed six or seven male speakers, no women. Another leaflet, in a Dublin Church, advertised an interesting series of eight talks on eight mystics. Not one female mystic was included. In yet another Church I was disappointed to read the substance of the ‘prayer to Catherine of Siena’ at the base of her statue. The ‘prayer’ was not in fact a prayer to her at all, rather a tepid summary of the contribution she made to society and Church. Catherine was and is anything but tepid! She is someone who emerged from the severe social and ecclesial limitations placed on women of her time, to light a flame under Kings and Popes with her acerbic style. From what I have read of her letters, I feel sure that she would urge us now as she urged the Popes then to name and tackle corruption in society, in the Church and in ourselves. Catherine was not enslaved to a self-serving notion of a God who is all healer and comforter. She understood that healing also comes through living a prophetic life, and enduring prophetic pain.
Responsibility
On the grand scheme of things these are admittedly small observations, but, because small changes demonstrate respect, herald intent and ensure relevance they matter deeply. These require only a willingness in all of us to see, judge and act on the spirit of article 60 as outlined in the Final Document from the Synod on Synodality. This document has formed part of Church teaching for just almost one year now. It is the responsibility of all of us to keep momentum behind progressing it.
Jesus broadened the parameters of what he thought was his remit arising out of his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman”
St Therese of Lisieux it seems had a deeply held desire to be a priest. It brought pain to her young life to have had no possibility of fulfilling that desire. I read Soline Humbert’s memoir A Divine Calling this week. In it she outlines her life-long struggle to be heard, taken seriously and respected in her own call to priesthood. It was a stirring and sobering read. If Christian love is never private but always personal, and always relational, how can so many men in leadership positions within the Church presume to know best, to close the door to any conversation whatsoever? Even Jesus broadened the parameters of what he thought was his remit arising out of his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman (Mk 7:24-30). His willingness to listen to, rather than shut her down completely made all the difference.
Soline’s conviction through many years of trial is rooted in a deep faith forged in fire. I pray that our brothers and sisters gathering in Kilkenny may be rooted in as deep a faith, free from the politics of self-preservation, open to the Spirit, courageous and free.
Noelle Fitzpatrick is a humanitarian aid worker with experience of conflict and its impacts in Kosovo, Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria. Currently a student of the MA in Chaplaincy and Pastoral work in DCU.
