Happiness – the Road to Sanctity

One of the characteristics of Salesian holiness is happiness.  In fact, we know how often we see a child who has just received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and we know how happy they are as they leave, to be in a state of grace.  I know I have had this same sensation, and have heard others speak of it.

Smiling Saint

In his lifetime, St. John Bosco often encouraged the young people he worked with to be happy.  There is something simple and child-like about joy and Jesus told us to become like little children.  St. Dominic Savio, one of St. John Bosco’s pupils even began a group called, “The Society of Happiness.”  

Here we can see a picture of Don Bosco, taken in the 1800’s.  Go ahead and look at many other pictures from that era and you will see something different about “Johnny B” as some of the kids in our schools affectionately call him…yes, this Saint, this man of the 1800’s is there with a full smile on his face.  It’s amazing to see and evident that the joy he nurtured in his heart evidently spilled over!

Mother Mazzarello, the Co-Foundress of the Salesian Sisters, together with Don Bosco is seen in very few photos.  This is because she lived in a very rural and remote part of Italy, and unlike John Bosco, was not near the city.  In both pictures we have, Mother Mazzarello was very sick, so her face lacks the smile that is common in so many of Don Bosco’s pictures.  But what we do have are the words of our Mother.  “Happiness,” she said, “is a sign of a heart that loves the Lord very much.” 

Today, I would encourage all of us to think about and promote joy in ourselves and in others.  It’s All Saints’ Day!  Maybe we need to begin again; maybe it’s time to go to Confession, but God calls us to that immense joy that cannot be taken from us.  Let’s not only nurture joy in ourselves, but by our good deeds and great kindness, promote joy in others.

Below, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite videos.  I’ve seen groups of adults crack up at little Ethan, and his happiness at the simplest things in life.  My wish for you: that you can live this child-like simplicity and be fully happy…it is a sure road to holiness and a sign that you are in God’s grace.

The Power of a Smile

Today was a great day at the General House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians!  It was our day to say thanks to an extraordinary woman who has dedicated the last eighteen years of her life to us, her Daughters.  For six years, Sr. Antonia Colombo, FMA was a Visiting Councilor for the Salesian Sisters.  In this task, she went often to visit the different communities of our Salesian world.  She listened to the Sisters and got to know a bit about our presence throughout the world.  Then, she was asked, and accepted to me our Mother General.  Though the name sounds official, and even a little military, we just call her “Mother” and she has really been like a mother to all of us – over 14,000 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians – and Mother Antonia’s Sisters and Daughters. 

Last night, Mother Antonia thanked the Sisters of the General House for the work they have done in preparation for the chapter, but also in accompanying her in the last eighteen years of her life.  You can read more about that here.

In the last few months, living here at the General House, “Casa Generalizia” it has been impressive to see this very unassuming woman, often called to multiple tasks, and often called upon to speak, act so humbly.  I was impressed to see her helping Sisters as they arrived for our General Chapter.  She was there to welcome us, to ask if we needed help.  She even often asks me how the task of translating is going.  Really, she seems to have an eye for everyone, especially the least. 

The most disarming thing about Mother Antonia is definitively her smile…it’s amazing!  Somehow, when this woman looks at you and smiles, there is a sense that she wishes to share her life and her love with you – that she cares about you and can see Jesus within you.  She never seems to lose sight of Jesus within the person she is addressing, or of actually being the presence of Jesus for those who surround her.  In fact, one of my favorite things I read that she wrote, was,

In a culture of the transient, which distances people from that which is essential, being tangible signs that point to Someone Else is transmitting the awareness of the primacy of the spirit, of the importance of following Jesus with a passionate love, so that we will not be invisible witnesses to Him, but His hands, His feet, His heart that wants to embrace the world, to give Himself to the last drop, so that all of us can have life and hope.

Let’s pray that every Salesian Sister and every member of this “vast movement” known as the Salesian Family can in fact become Jesus hands, feet, and heart, to embrace the world, and as Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello did, give our selves to the last drop.  Only then will we unleash the real power of love – the power of our smile!

St. Teresa of Ávila

Today is a big day for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.  We celebrate the feast of our patroness, St. Teresa of Ávila!  In particular, we turn to her to ask her intercession as we begin the novena which will prepare us for the election of our new Mother General.  Please join us in prayer.  You can say the prayer we have been saying to prepare for our whole General Chapter, or make one up yourself – here is our prayer:

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
you gave the world its true light, Jesus, your Son, the Son of God.
You abandoned yourself completely to God’s call
and thus became a wellspring of the goodness which flows forth from Him.
Show us Jesus, lead us to Him.
Help us to know and love Him,
so that we, too, can become capable of true love,
and be fountains of living water, in the midst of a thirsting world.
Amen.
(written by Pope Benedict XVI)

Besides preparing for our election on the 24th of this month, and beginning that novena, St. Teresa is special to the Salesian Sisters because she was a woman who really could read the signs of her times, and was able to hear God’s urgings.  Here are some of my favorite things she said or wrote:

Just as we cannot stop the movement of the heavens, revolving as they do with such speed, so we cannot restrain our thought.
Fourth Mansion – Ch. 1

 How true is this?  So often, we say, “Let’s quiet our minds and open ourselves to the presence of God.”  I think St. Teresa was in touch with the impossibility of quieting our thoughts, and she was able to realize that our minds are more like spectators, so when I hear this phrase, I like to picture myself sitting at the edge of a stream, as life moves on, to see God present – the water making the stream flow…

We cannot know whether we love God, although there may be strong reason for thinking so; but there can be no doubt about whether we love our neighbor or not. Be sure that, in proportion as you advance in fraternal charity, you are increasing your love of God.
Fifth Mansion Ch. III

 I can still hear Sr. Barbara Jane in the first grade saying “Actions speak louder than words.”  So true – let’s love one another , especially those it is most difficult to love, so our love for God will be EVIDENT!

Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for. He who has God Finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices.

 How true – in the end…for every religious, and for every human being, God alone must suffice, because He is our only and greatest prize.  What we often forget is that in searching for Him, we often go astray, thinking one thing or another will bring us true happiness, but we all know that the feeling of longing returns until we belong totally to Him and can be found only on Him – this, friends, is true happiness!  (And why I think some of the people I know who could absolutely LIGHT THE WORLD ON FIRE with their happiness belong totally to HIM!)

I’m practically Italian…

It’s pretty certain that my community, or those who know me well will laugh when they see the title of this…  Why will they laugh?  Because I often say, “I’m practically Mexican.  My sister-in-law is Mexican, My neice and nephews are Mexican, I love Mexican food and make a mean seven layer dip…I’m practically Mexican!”

In fact, I really love foreign cultures, languages, customs, places.  While I wouldn’t consider myself a world traveller, and while I’m much more of a home body than anything else, I love savoring other cultures, practices, languages and peoples.

Obviously, from the roots of my religious family, I love Italy most of foreign places, and because I have a relatively good grip, and some very close friends here, I really consider myself Italian.  I learned the Roman dialect when I was here as a novice…and loved to speak using that dialect.  There is something so warm, so genuine and so simple about this culture and this people; how could I not be attracted.

A novelty since the last time I was here is the Smart Car.  Have you seen one?  I hadn’t till I came here – but they are cars that are slightly larger than matchboxes.  Here are some interesting pics I found online, very similar to what I see allover in Rome!

Now, for anyone who has ever boarded a bus in Italy, or been on a street and seen the traffic, or seen lines, or any of the funny things that Italians do, here is a video you will enjoy.  It is a look at the Italy that I not only love, but that makes me laugh.  Lines?  Why bother!  Roads?  Try sidewalks!  Parking?  Certainly not parallel!  Bus?  You can wait!  Signs?  Why two when 22 will do?

 

So if you get the chance – and those of you in formation will have at least a full year here…bring your Italian-English Dictionary, bring a warm heart, an open mind, and a good sense of humor!

My Redeemer Lives

This is a beautiful thought for a Sunday. God has done so very much for us, let’s be grateful!

more about “My Redeemer Lives“, posted with vodpod

 

The GENERAL Equation ~ Service + Sacrifice = Joy

For these months while I’m here in Italy, I’m living in our GENERAL House in Rome, Italy.  There are usually about one hundred Sisters who live in this house, but during these days, there are about 300.  The additional two hundred are Sisters from all over the world.

I’m deeply impressed by the character of the women I’m living with.  They are hardworking and dedciated.  I’m so happy to know them and to be able to see the good that they do.  Their quiet offering will probably never be known to the world at large, and yet, they continue to offer all their daily work and sacrifice for the young.  There is a great spirit of sacrifice here.  I’d like to share some of the pictures of all the work that these Sisters did to prepare for the exponential growth of the community.

Sr. Alba takes care of the dining room; here we see her sewing.

Some of the Sisters come early for lessons in Italian, since that is our common language.

Many Sisters are from Italy. Here we can see two Sisters from Slovakia, and a number from Italy.

The place was cleaned top to bottom before we arrived.

Coordination is key.

Sr. Giovanna not only does beautiful flower arrangements for the chapel, but as we see here, she irons the vestments.

Cleaning the floors in this huge building is a big job.

Cleaning the house for 300 is tiring!

The General Council meets to plan.

There is a LOT to be done to prepare food for 300!

The work of the laundry will triple!

A LOT of furnture was moved!

Two Sisters move some furniture.

The kitchen crew meets with the economer to plan meals.

These three Sisters work in the printing press.

I can’t say enough good about what I’ve seen and the way their silent sacrifice has affected me.  It’s hard to put into words and pictures what I see here every day – the willingness of each Sister to be of help to another, but it is beautiful.  The Family Spirit is alive and well in Rome, Italy… and it’s beautiful to see!

Religion and Reason

I was looking through a variety of blogs the other day…and found some that are extremely interesting.  One of my personal favorites is a blog by one of our young women in formation, Brittany Harrison.  You can see her blog here.  I love to read the stuff she comes up with, and her insights into life ~ especially into Salesian life.  I’m a person who lives our spirituality and loves our spirituality, but I don’t often reflect too much on it…I’m usually on my way out the door to see the kids!  I guess this blog and my work in vocations has taught me to reflect on and articulate some of the beauty of Salesian life and living the Preventive System.

So the other day, I saw a blog about religion – Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name if it, and in fact, the blog featured some comments on a new movie that has come out in the US – it’s called “Religiulous”.  Here I won’t include a clip or a reference, because I really was not just disheartened by what I saw, but very much frightened by it.  It has become apparent to me that our society has lost a sense of wonder.  I have never considered myself a religious fanatic.  (I know, that’s pretty funny to hear coming from a nun!)  Though I have dedicated my life to Christ, I hold very tightly to human reason, and believe that using this reason, we can arrive at the fact that there is a being who is more powerful than us.

So I was concerned about the state of humanity, especially the agnosticism, or maybe even the indifference to God I see growing in our country.  I was intrigued, today, when I happened upon a video on a site that a Sister friend of mine recommended, www.TED.com.  The piece below shows the intellectual humility of A.J. Jacobs, a man who lived a year following every Bible rule he could find.  It’s twenty minutes long, but well worth your time:

 

I was impressed by many things, but some of the things I liked most were his comparison of the Bible to Wikipedia – since it was written over time, and with the contribution of so many authors.  I think of all the things he said, especially this remains with me:

“I couldn’t believe how much my behavior changed my thoughts…I almost pretended to be a better person and I became a little bit of a better person.  I had always thought you change your mind and you change your behavior, but it’s often the other way around. You change your behavior and you change your mind….the Bible actually talks about cognitive psychology (very primitive cognitive psychology) in the Proverbs, it says that if you smile, you will become happier, which, as we know, is actually true.”

This fact made me reflect on some of the key tenets of our Salesian Preventive System ~ like the belief that every young person wants to be good, and a desire to bring out the goodness within the young by helping them to grow closer to Christ.  This is achieved mostly by involving them in the good work that the Salesians undertake througout the world in favor of poor youth.

So, yes, humanity is good, and by doing kind acts and striving to BE good, we can change our ATTITUDES.  Begin, today, with me, to give humanity a new face, to see the good by being good; to recognize the love in our families by loving whole-heartedly. 

more about “A.J. Jacobs’ year of living biblicall…“, posted with vodpod

Welcome to the Family!

I celebrate with Our Lady of the Rosary today, as our Sisters welcome six new postulants.  These young women are an inspiration to so many others who are searching for God’s call, but perhaps fear answering Him.  I ask you to join me in praying for those who you see here ~ the brave souls who stood up and said, “I will see what it means to follow Christ more closely…” and also, I ask you to remember in your prayers those who are unsure or afraid.  Pray that they can have light and courage to clearly know God’s will and to follow it!

Postulants with Sisters

Sr. Patricia King, FMA

Let us pray for fidelity!

Janet read at the ceremony

Sr. Teresa Sironi, FMA

Sr. Joanne gives Alina her medal.

Brigette receives her medal.

Brittany’s medal is given

Guerline smiles as she receives her medal

Janet’s laugh at receiving her medal

Juliett kisses her medal before receiving it

Prayer and song together

Welcome, little Sisters

The formation group – minus six!

Formation group with Sisters

Postulants, first official step in the Institute!

Postulants again..

How often we complain…

Today, I got this email.  It was titled, “the best email ever”.  I don’t know if it is the best or the worst or what, really…but I know one thing ~ it made me reflect on my life, on my hot meals, on my warm, comfortable bed….

If  you think you are having a hard time then  just look at  them

If  you think your salary is low, how about  her?

If  you think you don’t have many  friends…

When  you feel like giving up, think of this  man

If  you think you suffer in life, do you suffer as  much as he does?

If  you complain about your transport system, how  about them?

If  your society is unfair to you, how about  her?

I don’t know about you, but these pictures made me think quite a bit.  They make me reflect on how I accept what I have  ~ my attitude toward all that is given me.  My thoughts went to those things we say, like “people are starving in Africa…” but the truth is that so much of humanity is worse off than you or I…as we sit at our computers, and get ready for a meal or for a night’s sleep in a comfortable bed.  Some people say it’s stupid to compare yourself with others, but sometimes, I really think it gives us a sense of what we have, and how lucky we are.

Smile! – (anyway, it makes you look better…)

One of the most attractive aspects of our Salesian life is the joy that it brings, the joy that is contagious!  I often thank God for this aspect of our spirituality.  Of course, this joy comes from various sources – from the community life we share, from our relationship with Jesus, from knowing that you are doing your best to do His will… 

Sometimes, I want to share that joy – I want to spread it around with those I come in contact with on a dailyfound online.  They are not only nice, but offer quite a variety ~ of course my favorite is the one with the halo!

Have you ever been on phatmass?  Now, there’s a set of smiley faces!  I hardly know which one to choose, and sometimes even just post them for fun…

But in truth, besides being part of our spirituality, and being great,  if you look at many before and after photos, you will see that usually the “after” picture is one of a person with a full smile.  They say that smiling takes fewer muscles than frowning.  I think it also does a world of good for your overall image.  So no matter who you are…smile!

 

See the difference a smile makes?

One of my favorite stories is of Don Bosco, telling a young Salesian to look in the mirror and practice smiling.  In fact, though smiling was not “in fasion” for pictures taken in the late 1800’s, most of the pictures we have of Don Bosco show his smiling face!  So, today, take a minute, look in the mirror, and “put on a happy face!