From the Principal

I wrote in last week’s Newsletter of my intention to reference one of our Founders, Mary Ward, in this week’s Newsletter, given it was Mary Ward’s Feast Day on 30 January. For the benefit of those new to our community, John XXIII College is blessed to have three Founders, Pope John XXIII, St Ignatius of Loyola and Mary Ward. Our new families may also have recognised that the word ‘justice’ features prominently in publications describing who we are as a College and that our motto is ‘Seek Justice’. Whether it be Mary Ward’s counter-cultural impact on the education of women, or St Ignatius Loyola’s dynamic conception of religious life or Pope John XXIII’s radical build of a more inclusive church; all were courageous and visionary in their own search for justice. 

‘I find myself often meditating the meaning of the word JUSTICE; I remember those just people of history, and just deeds done in innocence, and I pray that for our part we are what we appear to be, and appear to be what we are. I feel a great sympathy with these ideas’ 

wrote Mary Ward in a letter to Father Roger Lee SJ, in 1615. 

‘To be what we appear to be, and appear to be what we are’ resonates just as strongly today as it did in Mary Ward’s time. Given the modern-day, social media-fuelled energy devoted to the outward-facing image of individuals, aligning the inner self with the outer is, of course, particularly challenging, highly aspirational, and a continual work in progress. Perhaps it is even counter-cultural at times to be truly sincere.

Many may be aware that the word 'sincerity' comes from the Latin ‘sine cera’, meaning without wax, given that in classical Greek and Roman times, important objects made of solid gold, would sometimes be deceptively filled with wax instead of gold. Some Roman pottery makers were also known to repair cracks in their pottery with wax, only for the sun to melt the wax in time, rendering the pots unusable. The expensive gold and pottery items were not truly as they appeared; instead, items ‘without wax’ were highly sought. 

It is, of course, a demonstration of real courage to continually work towards being truly sincere or ‘to be what we appear to be and appear to be what we are’. Inspired by our Founders, our College is, of course, up for the challenge. As has been explained to me before, if we truly know who we are, then we have the courage to act in love. 

The following prayer was written by the senior student leaders of Loreto schools across Australia.

Sincerity Prayer

Loving God,

Lead us as we journey to know our true selves;

to have the courage to act from love and not fear,

to ensure our words match our actions,

and to celebrate our unique gifts.

Inspired by Mary Ward,

may we recognise the divine in ourselves and in others.

May we support each other to be people of authenticity and integrity,

who genuinely try to make the world better for others.

May we strive to develop our God-given potential,

as we build a community strengthened by our differences

and united by our sincerity.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord,

in unity with the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

Daniel Mahon

Principal