Veritas – From the APRIM

Veritas – From the APRIM

It is a perfectly human experience to have one’s faith tested. Even St Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Time Magazine’s Woman of the 20th Century, for her faith- and love- driven help for the poorest of the poor, expressed her own doubt at various times. Following the recent Year 10 Retreat, I have pondered the gift of faith and its significance in recent and current events.

On Tuesday 15 August, Catholics all over the world celebrated Eucharist on the Holy Day of Obligation for the Assumption of Mary. This feast is also honoured with great reverence and festivity by the Orthodox Churches, and indeed other Christian denominations around the world. Mary is also one of the most revered women in the Islamic religion.

If we consider what we know about Mary, the fact that she is so adored and honoured is both not surprising and remarkable, depending on your perspective.

As a young, peasant Jewish woman of 1st century Palestine she was afforded very little status. The Gospels indicate she had honour in her lineage but this did not really set her apart. She was probably about 14 years of age and engaged to Joseph when an Angel of God revealed to her that she was carrying Jesus. This was a troubling and problematic revelation for her – she was not married, and Jewish law at the time would have justified her being stoned to death. However, she had faith in the message of God: that she was carrying the salvation of humankind. Her response: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

It is remarkable because she was a very young peasant woman with a problematic pregnancy – the ‘type of person’ trashy current affairs programs today will stereotype and condemn – to ‘stone’ her in their own way. Yet she is the most revered woman to have walked the planet.

On the other hand, her notoriety is not surprising because she bore God into our world as human flesh!

Mary’s faith was enough to carry her through this troubling time of her pregnancy. Her faith would have led her through the mysterious way Jesus was received as an infant. It would have carried her through the torment of her son’s public humiliation, torture and death. However, I’m not sure she would have understood until Jesus’ resurrection. In this sense, understanding is secondary to faith.

Mary is an inspiration of faith – an inspiration to many ever since her Assumption.

On Wednesday 9 August, our Year 10 cohort had their reflection day. Sam Clear of walk4one (see http://www.walk4one.com ) facilitated the day, mainly through presenting his experience of walking the world to promote unity amongst Christians. He totally captivated the students with his amazing stories of survival. Like Mary, Sam’s faith led him to do incredible things. He told a story of his time in northern America during winter, in a small town where he was discussing with locals his survival options for the next 150km of his walk. The locals convinced him that he would freeze to death so he agreed to take a bus for some of the journey. Sam was in the habit of spending quiet time during meals in the presence of God. He reports repeatedly being driven to take the dangerous walk – the voice of God at work – to a point where he succumbed to his faith. He took this dangerous trek knowing there was literally no town or person on the path. He developed pneumonia, his drink froze, he ran out of food, and injured his toe so badly that it ultimately required surgery. Incredibly two ‘cowboys’ came separately from nowhere over the next two days by ‘coincidence’ during his trek, so he received the food and drink he needed. As I listened I realised he was describing a miracle. Then he described more. When he arrived in his next town, he walked past the first hotel and onward until he found the first Catholic Church. Incredibly, the priest that answered his knock turned out to be the area coordinator for Church unity! Sam’s faith in God had led him to survive and to make an incredible connection for his cause.

I am certain that faith also provides inspiration.

On Friday 11 August twelve students and four staff attended the Hutt St Centre’s Walk a Mile in My Boots annual fundraising and awareness walk. The Hutt St Centre is a Daughters of Charity organisation that services homeless people. They do truly amazing work. Recently it has been widely reported that there is a percentage decline in religiosity in Australia. Whilst there are plenty of good people that are not religious, and even some that give their lives for others, I wonder whether charitable organisations like the Hutt St Centre, the vast majority of which are faith-based, will emerge from a society that loses faith.

Faith drove Mary and Same Clear, and (with love) it drives Catholic charities. Faith also drives parents to continue to complete the initiation of their children into the Catholic church, as is happening at present with eleven Blackfriars students. I extend my congratulations to the following as they receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion.

Alexandro Transini

Angus Kemp

Alex Battistella

Benjamin Zeuner

Christian Valentincic

Cristiano Sutton

Dante Radetti

Joseph Pitia

Luke Di Manno

Marcus Di Manno

Vincenzo Lazzaro-Lindsay

Whilst fame accompanies Mary, Sam Clear and several Catholic Charities, it is not likely to accompany these parents and students. However, it is still profound.

Often, faith requires patience. During a homily a few years ago, my parish priest delivered the following:

Patience for Family is Love

Patience for Others is Respect

Patience for Yourself is Confidence

Patience for God is Faith

Mr Matthew Crisanti

Acting Assistant Principal – Religious Identity and Mission