Foros congelados de Ágora Marianista [2001-2004]
| Enero 22, 2004, 02:30:19 Why Chaminade?  Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Founder of the Marianist Family 1761 - 1850 Beatified by Pope John Paul II September 3, 2000 Ever hear of the TV program “Meeting of the Minds?” The premise was that great people from various historical periods were gathered to discuss issues. I thought of this program when I was asked to comment on “What is still so great about Father Chaminade?” If I could just “gather” Father Chaminade in a room with our wisdom figures of today and eavesdrop! I bet he would hold his own! Not having that option, I’ll pose my answer to the question about Father Chaminade’s significance today. Can someone reach across time to touch us in ways that give direction and purpose? I believe so. Chaminade was gifted by the Spirit to address the needs of his time and ours. But, what are the specifics of the gift? Father Chaminade lived during a violent revolution. He knew change could happen quickly. He prepared Marianists to remain steadfast in Christ despite rapidly moving events. In Christ’s Mother, he found inspiration, motivation, and virtue required for the adaptations. In Mary, he found a person who could say “yes” in the midst of ambiguity; a woman who trusted her Son even though confusing events did not match her expectations. He found an individual who, as Bro. Peter Daino, SM, says, would stand at the foot of the cross in defiance to injustice. He told us that Mary formed Christ in her womb and she would form us to bear Christ throughout time. Father Chaminade was a practical man with a huge vision to rebuild the Church in France. He reflected on the early Christian Church—how the first disciples spread the Good News in sometimes hostile environments. He incorporated essential elements for Church—breaking bread, breaking open the Word, serving others, and sharing fellowship. Additionally, he developed spiritual practices to promote equality of members—lay, religious, and priests—and a sense of a missionary’s responsibility to take Christ into foreign places—not necessarily across oceans—maybe, just next-door. He said the goodness of a community would say more about Christ’s Gospel than the best sermon. These communities taught people then, and now, how to work for transformation of a world—not by separating ourselves from it, but by entering into the mess of it—just as Christ did. Does Chaminade reach across time to give direction and purpose? Through his models of community and his love of Mary’s constancy in God’s love, yes. Ms. Carol Ramey has had a background in Marianist Studies since her time as a student at the University of Dayton. A member of Marianist lay communities throughout her adult life, she joined the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) in 1988 as an editor and lecturer on Marianist history and spirit. Carol has been the Director of NACMS since 1993. In addition to the administrative duties, she teaches, writes, and develops programs for the comprehensive Marianist Family. She is married to David Ramey. Their blended families are growing—four grandchildren to date! Carol can be reached at carol.ramey@notes.udayton.edu |
Páginas: [1]