Opening Remarks and On the Origin of Cultural Integration (DVD)
By Brother André Marie, M.I.C.M.
Theme: Toward an Integral Catholic Culture: Variations on a Theme of Father Feeney
2009 Opening Remarks
For several years, Brother André had been giving an introductory talk, by way of a news update, at the Open House held here at the Center the day before past Conferences began. This year, since there was no Open House, Brother launched the two-day Conference with a spirited commentary on the theme: Toward the Restoration of an Integral Catholic Culture, Variations on a Theme of Father Feeney. With his usual flair for making what is unclear clear, Brother explained the meaning of what integral Catholic culture is, and how Father Feeney and the early founders of Saint Benedict Center lived that integral Catholic life in the educational setting of the school, which the Center grew into, in Cambridge. He also gave an optimistic overview of key events currently going on in the Church regarding a return to tradition, a “hermeneutic of continuity” as applied to doctrinal ambiguities raised by Vatican II (vis-à-vis, the discussions going on between the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the SSPX), and the encouraging sign of a potentially huge wave of traditional-minded Anglicans coming into the Church, and, hopefully, adding new strength to the anti-liberal forces which are gaining momentum within the Church every day.
By Sister Marie Thérèse, M.I.C.M.
Title: On the Origin of Cultural Integration
Using the Holy Rosary and its mysteries, the Miraculous Medal, and the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as exhibits for her thesis, Sister brought out beautifully how an integral, or complete, Catholic Culture can be built around these sacramental gifts from God. These sacramentals are original, she said, in the sense of causal starting points from which a living Faith draws spiritual nourishment, as in the proper order of first things first. If good Catholics do not use them properly they are not going to have a foundation upon which to nurture a Catholic culture, because one cannot give what one does not have. She developed the point that only those who live these devotions can foster a culture that is integrally Catholic. One ought not merely recite the Rosary, she stressed, but meditate on the mysteries. This “prayer” of meditation will give one the grace to live out in daily life the many lessons of the Rosary. Life is vibrant, and so should be the meditation on each mystery. Employing richly relevant anecdotes Sister then drew the same lesson from the Miraculous Medal and Scapular devotions. One ought not to merely wear the sacramentals, but live according to what they signify.
Watch a preview on YouTube here.
2009 SBC Conference
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