August 2008

Evangelization through a Life of Love

(photo of Fr. Michel Corriveau, CPM, receiving life pledge of William Eddy at Confraternity of Penitents Retreat Pledging Mass, 2008)

Our annual Confraternity of Penitents Retreat/Reunion/Conference was held at the end of July at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora NY. The retreat master was Father Michel Corriveau, CPM, whom I had not met until the day the retreat began. Father Michel is a priest with the Fathers of Mercy whose mission it is to evangelize and to conduct missions and retreats.

Of course, problems developed and the Order was eventually banned from France. It went to Belgium for a time and then relocated to the United States. There the Order became involved in teaching and running parishes. However, late in the 1900’s, the Order was refounded to return to its original charism which was that of evangelization and mission. So many of the Order’s members were in disagreement with this traditional vision that they left the Order until only 6 remained and, of them, two died. The Pope, thinking that the Order was dissolving, refused to allow the Fathers to accept new vocations, but year after year, he was petitioned to change his mind and eventually did. The Order is now growing with thirty-some members including those in formation and those already ordained. Headquartered in Auburn, Kentucky, the Fathers of Mercy consider their primary place of apostolate as the United States.

What does this say about the United States? Could the USA be as much a mission territory today as France was two hundred years ago? Looking at the rampant fad of atheism in the USA, that seems to be the case. We in the USA seem to be living among many who consider themselves self-sufficient, self-directed, and capable. On the other hand, they see God as an illusion, an intrusion, or an irrelevancy. As penitents, we are to live our lives in witness to Him Who created us and redeemed us. We are to show the world that God is not only real; He is also vital. How do we do that?

We do that by living as Christians, wearing our simple and modest clothing, and wearing a visible cross or crucifix. Saint Francis said that we ought to preach always and use words if necessary. At our retreat, the love of Christ was evident in our members, with some of the more able bodied helping others who needed a bit of assistance. This was done naturally with no one being assigned as helpmates. I am sure that these same penitents offer this sort of assistance to others wherever they find them. The life of penance (conversion) means nothing if it is not lived in love.

Penitents are to show the love and mercy of God to others and to be compassionate and forgiving, all virtues which the Fathers of Mercy promote and embrace. In addition to a large mission crucifix, the symbol of the Fathers of Mercy is an emblem of the prodigal son. The Father welcoming the son is a tender symbol of mercy that reminds us that God welcomes us back into His embrace when we return to Him. Penitents must exercise the same mercy and forgiveness to all. Like all the saints, we take as our model Christ Whose words and actions from the Cross echoed mercy, love, and forgiveness. When we are on our own crosses, may God grant us the grace to be merciful, loving, and forgiving to others. May what we saw, heard, and lived at the CFP Retreat be part of our lives in a world that is often unmerciful, unloving, and unforgiving toward us. If we do this, we will evangelize with our actions and words, even if we never talk about God. Our demeanor will be the tool that may lead others to Him Whose cross we are wearing.

Let us pray for one another and for all doing penance worldwide.

In God’s love with my prayers and asking yours,

Madeline Pecora Nugent