Serving a Saint

blessed mother teresa born: august 26, 1910 died: september 5, 1997 to be canonized: september 4, 2016

by Fr. Meinrad MillerServing a saint The news that Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta will be canonized as a Saint this coming September 4 in Rome has been met with great joy throughout the world. How appropriate that this event takes place during the Year of Mercy. My first meeting with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Sisters was in 2008 when I gave a seminar to some of their sisters from the eastern region of the United States in Washington, D.C. The theme of that seminar was the Eucharist. I remember feeling inadequate as I started planning, what could I possibly teach these sisters? However, as I met the sisters, I quickly learned that they were not looking for lofty abstract ideas; rather, they wanted to know more about Jesus and how to love Him in their daily lives.

Since that initial seminar in 2008, I have spoken to the Missionary of Charity Sisters in Washington, DC, Memphis, Tenn., Newark, N.J., and Calcutta,

India. What have I learned from these encounters? I have witnessed a tremendous humility and trust in the Providence of God that has guided the sisters to embrace this way of life.

I begin each day of the seminar with private prayer: praying the Liturgy of the

Hours, the Rosary, and spending time in silence. This is followed by the celebration of Holy Mass with the sisters, and often with volunteers and patients of the houses the sisters serve. These Masses are powerful for me because I realize that these sisters have very little material possessions: Jesus is indeed their inheritance. Following Mass, there are prayers of thanksgiving; it is an opportunity to thank Christ for the gift of the Eucharist.

Typically, there are two talks in the morning, each for an hour. The sisters may well have questions or comments. They usually explain how they are living the life of Christ among the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa’s charism was not to start a chain of hospitals, or to start a group of social workers, both of which have value. She saw her charism as a call to bring the light of Christ to the places of the world where Christ lived in the guise of the poorest of the poor. These poor needed to be encountered – encountered one at a time.

In the middle of the day, the Sisters again gather for prayer; they remember, just as our community does, that all of our work must flow from and revolve around our prayer life. In the afternoon I usually give another hour long talk, with a chance for interaction. In the evening there is a Holy Hour that includes Evening Prayer, the Rosary and silence, and concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Today there are nearly 5100 Missionary of Charity sisters working in 129 countries, among the poorest of the poor. Both St. Benedict and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta were called by God to do something beautiful for God. St. Benedict left the comfort of Rome to retire to the wilderness for three years to spend time in prayer before setting out for Monte Cassino where he wrote his Rule for Monasteries.

Blessed Teresa also believed from the beginning that the work among the poorest of the poor would be for vainglory if the sisters did not also spend time in prayer. She insisted that the works of the Missionaries of Charity be rooted in an encounter with Jesus in prayer. Only then can the sisters and volunteers be able to recognize Jesus in the poor.

partners in stability

by Donald & Kimberly Shankman

Searching for a place to work that would allow us to integrate our faith with the daily activities of life, we found Benedictine College. The Benedictine charism, lived out by the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey, was a living, daily reminder of the presence of God in everything around us. Through the Oblate program – reading, discussion, and companionship with the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey and our fellow Oblates – we came to a deeper understanding of the power of the Benedictine charism. Being history buffs, we also recognized the historical importance of the Benedictine order, rescuing Europe from the dark ages and keeping the light of faith and learning aflame as all around them chaos and disorder reigned. We felt called to support the Abbey, in gratitude for the personal gifts we received through the friendship of the monks, and because of the unique role they still play in passing on the faith from generation to generation. Choosing to donate through the Partners in Stability program made a lot of sense to us. Just as monks contribute to the life of the Church by their patient, life-long commitment to a particular place, we believe that our ongoing monthly contributions can be a reflection of our commitment to the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey. It allows us to stay connected, month-in and month-out, with the work that they do, and to feel like we have some small part in helping them in all that they give our community and the broader church. Without St. Benedict’s Abbey, Benedictine College would not be here, and without Benedictine College, we would not be here, so our debt to the monks is unfathomable. The Partners in Stability program is a small way that we can try and give a bit back. As God is glorified in all that they do, we are grateful that we can join, in our own small way, in assisting in that work.

For more information or to support the monks as a Partner in Stablity please contact our Advancement Office at 913.360.7908

Your commitment to perform works of mercy will be placed in a prayer basket in the Abbey Church and kept as a silent prayer for those who need our care and love.

Yes, I will make a commitment to perform (number of) acts. ____________ Corporal Works of Mercy

Spiritual Works of Mercy

q Daily q Weekly q Monthly q Annually q Daily q Weekly q Monthly q Annually

Intended to: Intended to:

q feed the hungry q give drink to the thirsty q clothe the naked q shelter the homeless q visit the sick q visit the imprisoned q bury the dead q instruct the ignorant q counsel the doubtful q admonish sinners q bear wrongs patiently q forgive offenses willingly q comfort the afflicted q pray for the living and the dead

Separate this sheet at the dotted line; place the top half stating your intentions in the Kansas Monks envelope and send it to us. Keep the bottom half to remind you of your pledge to joyfully share mercy with those in need. Corporal Works of Mercy

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Intended to:

q feed the hungry q give drink to the thirsty q clothe the naked q shelter the homeless q visit the sick q visit the imprisoned q bury the dead

Intended to:

q instruct the ignorant q counsel the doubtful q admonish sinners q bear wrongs patiently q forgive offenses willingly q comfort the afflicted q pray for the living and the dead

I will perform these acts:

q Daily q Weekly q Monthly q Annually Yes, I will make a commitment to perform (number of) acts. ____________

I will perform these acts:

q Daily q Weekly q Monthly q Annually