Sr. Regina Bechtle, a Sister of Charity of New York, counts many of our Vincentian Family saints as “organizationally savvy saints” who understand the way of “both-and,” who have navigated times of institutional collapse, who excelled in creative collaboration, and who struck a balance between “holy stubbornness and holy suppleness.” Such spirit-friends can mentor us “to find grace around the table of societal and ecclesial institutions.”
The quote is from her chapter in Lay Ecclesial Ministry: Pathways Toward the Future, a new collection of essays edited by Zeni Fox. Sr. Regina’s essay, “Spirit Guides and Table Companions: Saints as Models for Lay Ecclesial Ministers,” explores the wisdom of Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rosalie Rendu, Frederic Ozanam and others.
She writes: “How does one uncover the face of grace? How does one discern the Spirit’s leading? How does one distinguish social sin from social grace? How does one determine the concrete choices that lead persons and communities toward, not away from, God? How do we collaborate with God to create communities and institutions that look and act more like God’s dream? And how do we do that in organizations that are anything but perfect, and with persons who are anything but ideal?” (124-125)
Lay ministers in today’s church, she suggests, can turn to saints not just as “wisdom guides for personal piety,” but as “companions and coaches” for addressing questions like these.
Other contributors include theologians and pastoral practitioners like H. Richard McCord, Jr., Richard Gaillardetz, Emil Wcela, Thomas O’Meara, OP, Edward Hahnenberg, Catherine Vincie, RSHM, Sharon Euart, RSM, Juliana Casey, IHM, William Johnston, Michael O’Loughlin, Michael Brough, and Zeni Fox.
Lay Ecclesial Ministry is published by Rowman & Littlefield.
Tags: Bechtle, saints-general, Vincentian
