Review for Religious

Review for Religious

January 15, 1943

IN MY CAPACITY of spiritual director, I have been I asked several times for advice by newly appointed religious superiors. I have always considered these requests very seriously before God; and the advice given, simple though it was, appears to have been helpful to the superiors who asked it. The points they seem to have appreciated most are the following.

Humility

Ecclesiastics tells us: "The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things" (3:30). In another place (32:1), the same sacred writer admonishes us: "Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them." Similar advice our Lord gave to His disciples: "You know that those who are regarded as rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wishes to become great shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the slave of all; for the Son of Man also has not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45). Behold your model, who was in the midst of His disciples as "one who serves" (Luke 22:27); there is no better model than Jesus.

Justice and Kindness

"And even as you wish men to do to you, so also do you to them" (Luke 6:31). There is your rule of action according to the maxim of Christ. Treat your subjects now as you wanted to be treated by your superior when you were a subject. Be a father (or mother) to them. Let your love and good will be equal towards all; beware of favoritism, which is a source of discord in a community. Be kind to the sick, have regard for the aged, be considerate with the young. Be sincere with your subjects, "knowing that their Lord who is also your Lord is in heaven, and that with him there is no respect of persons" (Ephesians 6:9).

Never betray their confidence, so that they may always trust you; for confidence once lost will seldom be fully regained. If you should make a mistake or unwittingly wrong a subject, do not hesitate to admit your mistake and to undo the wrong, for no one is infallible. Thus you will give your subjects an example of humility and of justice, and it will increase their esteem for you and their confidence in you. Provide generously for all their needs; never be niggardly with them on the plea of poverty. Try to produce a cheerful spirit in your community especially in time of recreation. This is the time for religious to relax after the strain of the day's work; it is not to be a wake. Don't do all the talking yourself, and let not your presence be a damper on your subjects' joy. "Be among them as one of them." Let all join in to make the recreation religiously pleasant. The result will be a greater spirit of recollection during the time of silence.

Prudence

Avoid extremes in all things. Virtue takes a middle course. Be slow to judge and slower to condemn; hear both sides with equal patience and charity. Make no important decision without mature deliberation. Lean not too much on your own wisdom; take counsel with a competent, unbiased, trustworthy and experienced person. If necessary, get the approval of your higher superior. But— what is more important still—have recourse to the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, that He may enlighten you to choose what is best.

Firmness

Be firm, but with a firmness always tempered with charity, prudence, and mercy; a firmness free from harshness and severity. Be meek, but with a meekness that is not weakness. Rule your community by your example rather than by your words. "Even if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual instruct such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1 ). Do not reproach your subjects or nag them, but charitably call their attention to what ought to be corrected. Never act on the spur of the moment, especially under the influence of any passion, lest you commit a graver fault than the one you are trying to correct; but go first to consider the matter before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Prayer

Cultivate a spirit of prayer. Often betake yourself to the Tabernacle, and there lay your problems before Jesus, saying to Him in the words of the Psalmist (69:1), "O God, come to my assistance ;O Lord, make haste to help me." Keep in touch with God at all times and under all circumstances in a spirit of Faith. And in your prayer, examine yourself from time to time on the various bits of advice given here.