Tuesday, March 27, 2012

It's nice when I get a chance to remember that Staunton, though home to a Catholic Church on whose property I refused to set foot, is equidistant between two great priest - Father Rolo Castillo at my regular stomping ground St. John's and Father Jim Curran at JMU. I understand Dan and Amanda like going to St. John's, but I admit I'd really like to get over to the Catholic Student Center there more often. There's something about Mass at a college campus. The energy is always so joyful.

Also, I had a conversation with Father Jim that reminded me of the one I had with Erin over Christmas: why is the Church fighting the battles it's currently fighting rather than attending to the works of charity? I need to look up the stuff he gave me, but the idea of primacy of the poor seems perfectly in line with my opinion - which took awhile to catch up to Erin's. So, Erin, you were right about the new mass parts. I am converted to your side. Also, in the words of Father Jim, "Find me a priest who doesn't feel the same way!"

Which made me wonder about Catherine of Siena and Avignon. In fact, it could be a great conversation to slip into the play. Probably using Lapa again, something along the lines of:

LAPA

And what will you do when you get there?

CATHERINE

I will do little. God will speak through me, He will direct my path.

LAPA

You will speak, and the Pope will listen.

CATHERINE

He'll listen to God, not to me -

LAPA

Say he will. Other men have, Catherine, I'm not blind. I see that you matter in the Church. I know who my daughter is. I know you think that I do not understand, but I know who you are to them. I know who you are to the Church, even to the Holy Father. But I know who you are, Catherine. You are the girl who nursed a leper in the hospital with your own hands when no one else would touch her. You are the girl who nursed and prayed for that dreadful Andrea woman even as she spread malicious lies about you. You are the reason your brothers and sisters keep all of their possessions locked up lest you give them away to beggars in the street. Why are you going to Avignon, Catherine? Do you really think that is the battle worthy of your skill and influence?

CATHERINE

The head of the Church belongs in Rome.

LAPA

Say he does. You understand such things more than me, and by now I know better than to go toe to toe with you on doctrine. All of Siena and half of Italy knows better than to go toe to toe with you on doctrine. So why fight this fight? Why not draw their attention back to the works of charity? Why not build a convent dedicated to true discipleship rather than the dumping ground for lusty extraneous daughters that it is now? Why not marshal your soldiers to build a new hospital? Why travel to France and argue with His Holiness about what city he rules from?

CATHERINE

I have never neglected charity, but the fish rots from the head. Avignon is a place of rot. There are many who can tend to the poor. There are few who can do this.

LAPA

Why is it that those with the power to make things better always have better things to do?

CATHERINE

Because everyone has the power to make things better, and no one thinks so. The Pope is lost. He is our shepherd. With God's help, the little sheep is going to go find her lost shepherd. Or the whole flock is doomed.

LAPA

As you say, Catherine.

--

Again, needs work.