Senior Spirituality Renewed at Campion Center

by Dick Matulis

On Wednesday, March 24, several pilgrims from Sacred Heart Parish journeyed to the Campion Center in Weston for an annual Lenten Day of Recollection. On this beautiful spring morning, the group was greeted by Rev. Al Agresti, S.J., retreat master, while coordinator Andy Boschetto provided hot cross buns to supplement the coffee and tea that awaited the group.

In the Avila Room, Father Agresti then outlined the program for the day, stating that it would highlight similarities between St. Ignatius Loyola, S.J. and Julian of Norwich, particularly with respect to their concepts of the Holy Trinity. St. Ignatius was born in the Basque country of Spain in 1491, while Julian had been born a century earlier in England.

Much like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius was a gentleman from the wealthier classes and like St. Anthony of Padua, he was a warrior. Both Ignatius and Anthony aspired to work in the missionary field. During the Battle of Pamplona in Spain (yes, the same city that has its annual running of the bulls through the streets), Ignatius was injured by a cannonball and was hospitalized. During this period, he envisioned working with God and he received several signs, including the simultaneous pealing of bells whose harmonizing notes seemed to depict the Trinity. In addition, he experienced divine visions in which he heard the words, “Take this man as your servant,” and “It is our wish that you serve us.” This became Ignatius’s inspiration for founding a group called “The Companions of Jesus.” His followers would eventually evolve into the Society of Jesus. They would later be designated as the legions of the Pope.

The first assumption which Father Agresti put forth was that God is active in the world, not merely looking on from the clouds. In fact, the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises stress God’s desire to interact with people. For God, creation, incarnation, salvation, and redemption are all happening simultaneously in contrast to human beings who are accustomed to measuring time in units of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. For God, creation is still happening and humanity is constantly being perfected through the Holy Spirit.

Father Agresti noted that there were two Annunciations, one by the Angel Gabriel to Mary proposing that she be the Mother of God. The second was to her spouse Joseph telling him that Mary was already with child through the Holy Spirit and there was no reason for him to divorce her as he had contemplated doing. In each case, Mary and Joseph said “yes” to the Divine Plan. The Ignatian Exercises conclude with a conversation with Jesus. In it, the person asks himself or herself, “What have I done for Christ; what am I doing for Christ; and what will I do for Christ?” Mary became the mediatrix between us and Jesus to reach God the Father through the Holy Spirit who gives us the necessary grace to pursue this goal. Through those exercises, Ignatius became an administrator rather than the missionary of his earlier desire.

Julian of Norwich regarded Jesus as being closely involved in our lives. To her, God is truth and wisdom, and Jesus is always pointing to the Father for the fulfillment of creation. She believed that all humanity shares in the humanity of Christ. God chose to hide power and majesty as he was manhandled, was crucified and died. Our part in creation is our being, our increasing, and our fulfilling. Our lives are gifts from God through Mary and the Holy Spirit. We work out our salvation as we deal with others. Our God is intimate and very much alive.

Free time for meditation in the beautiful chapel, as well as the opportunity for counseling was provided. A tasty buffet luncheon was served in the dining hall. A visit to the cemetery on the lovely grounds was marred by the un-melted snow that had accumulated, making it extremely difficult for me to pay my respects to my former professors who are interred in those hallowed grounds.

I did have the opportunity to greet an old friend, Rev. Ernest Passero, S.J. who presented me with a copy of his most recent biography undertaken through the Jesuits’ Oral History Program. It detailed Father’s nineteen years of service as a Navy chaplain prior to his serving as pastor in several parishes in rural Vermont. He is now in residence at Campion Center and does volunteer work in the Center’s bookstore. His cousin, Rev. James Mattaliano, S.J., is assigned to the Center as a Director of Retreats.

In the afternoon, Father Agresti celebrated Mass with readings appropriate for the subject matter of the Day of Recollection. Once again, all were given spiritual nourishment as Father reminded us that there must be a Good Friday if we are to celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Father Agresti concluded by wishing all Godspeed on the journey home. It was indeed a day that the spiritual doctor had ordered!