Three degrees in the practice of virtue

St. Gaspar wrote to the seminarians in his 11th Circular Letter, “In the practice of virtue there are three different degrees. The first is that in which a person sometimes performs acts of virtue. The second is that in which he tries to exercise himself in such virtues on every occasion. The third is that in which he aims at perfection in them. Let everyone examine himself in this regard.” I think of Gaspar’s words when I reflect on Newton Lih’s article in the monthly newsletter. 

Newton states in the Messenger, “Marc is bright and vivacious, courageous in learning English. I am a bit grumpy and solitary, though I try to reach out for community. Reconciliation was the hallway between us, and a willingness to come together no matter the friction. When you cannot pass by without bumping into each other, peace was the natural turn in our shoulders as we passed one another.” Newton wonderfully captures in his statements the sentiment of Gaspar’s advice on living the virtuous life. 

One of the areas of growth we cover in formation of our candidates is skills for living quality community life. Developing skills for other-centeredness focuses a candidate to ask the question, “What enables you to enter the reality of another?” More significantly relevant in Newton’s case with Marc is the development of hospitality skills. How are you willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of welcoming others? What prevents you at times from being hospitable? When are you territorial in your use of common space and goods? How are you attentive to the “little things” that can cause some friction in a shared living space? These are all questions we explore in the formation house. 

I now bid farewell to being a formation director. However, I realize that trying to set a good example of living authentic community life with virtue is an ongoing responsibility of all of us named Missionaries of the Precious Blood. We seek to do it for the rest of our lives. I sought to try to set a good example for Newton, and it was a joy in the process. 

Please pray for our formation directors, Fr. Tim McFarland, Fr. Vince Wirtner, and Fr. Hao Pham, that they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the most important work they are given to do. Keep in prayer also our candidates in formation both here in the United States and in Vietnam. 

Br. Daryl Charron, C.PP.S.