The Simplicity that Preaches

Ordinary Life in the Chapter

One of the brothers recently told me that, on the one hand, he feels that this Chapter has only just begun, and on the other, that it has been going on for a very long time. Another mentioned with a smile that he had finally stopped getting lost and now knew all the entrances to the priory. As a resident of this castle, I decided not to correct him—he certainly does not know all the nooks and crannies yet. Yet another, when asked after Wednesday’s lunch (on Wednesdays, the kitchen serves traditional Polish dishes) how he liked it, replied that he warmly appreciated the local flavors and that he would gladly return here someday on vacation. I asked if the provincial had any time for a vacation at all, to which he laughed and replied that the provincial has a duty to take a vacation.

I am writing about all this because what resonates most strongly here is ordinariness. Everydayness. Simplicity.
Yes, the brothers know languages, have seen many places, carry responsibility, and their schedules are bursting at the seams. And yet, there is ordinariness, normality.

Perhaps it is this simplicity—the fruit of a long journey, experiences, and perhaps wounds—that allows them to believe today. And to speak with simplicity about the most important things.

A Call for Pastoral Renewal

Today, Brother Ricardo Guardado from the Province of St. Vincent Ferrer in Central America said in his homily to the brothers that we need:

“The path of pastoral renewal and/or the renewal of the Dominican preaching project that allows us to go where faith has become an empty custom, a practice of stale and empty rites, beginning in our own home. In this way, we will succeed in igniting the spark in the Nazareths of this 21st century: monotonous parishes, tired religious communities, young people disillusioned in our educational centers, friars wearied by their own brothers, non-religious and agnostic friars. We must approach these places and people, emulating the tenderness that Dominic of Guzmán showed among heretics and the poor, being clear that rejection can occur, as well as persecution and martyrdom itself. Jesus already said to his disciples: “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.” This pastoral renewal demands that we be men and women of audacity and compassion, who must learn from Jesus of Nazareth.”

He said it was necessary. And he sounded as if he truly believed it was possible.

For, as he added:

“Our theology must engage with the cries of the world, the climate crisis, dictatorships, wars, and injustices so that no one may say, “Where does this friar, this nun, this sister, and these lay Dominicans get this wisdom?” But rather that they may recognize Jesus Christ in our words and actions every day.”

Faith that Moves Mountains

“Brothers and sisters may this Chapter restore to us the simple faith of the first preachers: the faith that moves mountains, that works miracles, that believes that even in the most arid land, God can make the truth flourish. We are here to preach this..”