A New Year's Resolution
December 31, 1995
Brother Craig Driscoll
I have been called in this week to be Brother John's understudy.
You see, he's studying for exams. He's taking courses in theology at
Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Of course, as readers of both our columns know, our writing
styles are different! But this time I will try to limit my use of
quotations, poetry and I won't even mention Emily Dickinson. But I
can't help but be chatty when I write__must be from all the British
authors I've read. Though Brother John and I have been together for
ten years and get along very well, we are very different! About the
only two things we agree on are the Faith and the importance of
exercise. Brother taught math and physics, worked with computers,
has a brilliant mind and__I'm convinced__was the first person in
cyberspace. I'm a book person__literature, poetry, love for England
and a great interest in gardening. Perhaps our differences are why
we get along so well. Of course when Brother John writes he stays on
the subject. When I was thinking of what to write for Brother John I
immediately thought of the Blessed Sacrament. Brother has a great
love for Eucharistic adoration. Of course, that's why he joined this
community. It is also why Brother gives talks encouraging Perpetual
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Brother promoted this even
before becoming a monk.
Surely when we Catholics think of prayer we should think of
praying before Jesus present in our churches. What better place to
pray? As the Venerable Charles de Foucauld said__"Why should I pray
in my room when Jesus is in the chapel?" True, we cannot always get
to church and sometimes churches are locked but we should value
greatly praying before the Blessed Sacrament. We should try to do
this as often as we can.
Jesus is pleased when we visit Him in our churches. He really
likes this. So when we can visit Him and don't make the effort isn't
He__what word should I use__disappointed? It's really quite
simple__Jesus is Really Present in the tabernacle and we should make
the effort to go and pray before Him.
Brother John has made a video talk called "Meeting Jesus in the
Holy Eucharist." He is always a fine speaker but I think this is his
best talk ever. I can remember when it was filmed. I was in the
production room watching it on a monitor absolutely fascinated by
the talk. He talks about Holy Communion, Adoration, etc. You'll love
it. It's VHS, 65 min. - $15.00 plus $1.50 postage. It comes in an
audio version for $4.00 plus $.55 postage. Order from: The Cloister
Shop, 2241 Englewood Road, Englewood, Florida 34223.
We might consider bringing in the New Year a little different
this year__how about bringing the New Year in with Jesus? Some
parishes have all night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament__now
that's the way to get the New Year off to a good start! But perhaps
no such church exists nearby. Well, as St. Aloysius Gonzaga used to
do, face the Blessed Sacrament in the nearest church wherever you
may be and place yourself before Jesus. Adore Him and ask Him to
bless the coming year for yourself, your family__the world.
Especially ask Him to watch over the many people who will abuse this
night, possibly through drinking too much, that they may get home
safely.
Praying more before the Blessed Sacrament should be one of our
New Year's resolutions__I'm sure that's what Brother John would say.