By Sr. Fiat Marie, C.K.
A religious sister and a priest saw each other across the room. There was a joyful flash of recognition. It had been a long while since their last encounter. They had both aged. The priest greeted Sister with playful surprise: “We’re still alive!”
At the Mass of thanksgiving for the 50th Jubilee of the School Sisters of Christ the King Sept. 12, we can greet everyone with playful surprise and say, “We’re still alive!”
But at a 50-year health check, would that be a satisfactory report? Does alive mean that I am barely hanging on or that I am vibrant? In the document on religious life from the Second Vatican Council, Perfectae Caritatis, a vibrant religious community is described as one that has Jesus and the community’s charism as their sure foundation and constant reference.
A charism is a particular gift that the Holy Spirit bestows on a founder that is then shared and recognized within all the members. The charism of joyful fidelity to Christ the King seen in our founder, our first Sisters, and all my Sisters today is a sign that indicates fullness of life.
Our founder was Bishop Glennon Patrick Flavin, the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln. He desired that Southern Nebraska be filled with “apostolic laity.” He wanted Catholics in the Lincoln Diocese to know the goodness of Christ the King and be filled with his joy. Then, living out of this joy, they would be a witness to all.
Connected to this desire he had two priorities, Catholic education and religious vocations. The School Sisters of Christ the King are a fruit of the desire and priorities that the Holy Spirit stirred in Bishop Flavin’s heart. He was called to live the charism of joyful fidelity to Christ the King as a bishop and spiritual father to us. We are called to live joyful fidelity to Christ the King as his spouses and as spiritual mothers.
Desire for an apostolic laity
We often turn down invitations to homes, evening events, parish functions, and traveling opportunities. We are present to the laity during the day and often absent in the evenings. Physically this is true, but with healthy spiritual vision, a deeper truth is clear. We are convicted of the reality of our spiritual motherhood. Our faithfulness to liturgical prayer, our efforts to form a family spirit in community, and our personal response to Jesus’ invitation to entrust our lives to him are done because we love you. We confidently plead for grace that you may know the joy of living for him.
Priority on Catholic education
We do not really have careers, and we would not even say that our apostolate is the primary focus. Rather, it is our consecration through the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience that sets us apart for God. Fidelity to him is our foundation, and from this flows a special way of loving. We are entrusted with the precious gift of opening eyes and hearts to the truth, goodness, and beauty of our King.
Priority on religious vocation
By living our spousal relationship with Christ, we strive to witness to the beauty of the great gift of a religious vocation. We cherish it with joy and humility. To young women and men (and if you are not one, please pass this on), if you have not considered religious life as a possibility for you, it is worth considering. To ask God, “For what vocation have you made my heart?” will not leave you disappointed.
Joyful fidelity to Christ the King
Bishop Flavin was drawn by the words fidelity and loyalty. Many of the Sisters have a leaning toward another phrase he often used, “total belonging.” All that we are, all that we have, and all that we hope to be are entrusted to our King. A total gift of self is the fidelity that Jesus desires and the total belonging that fills us with joy.
Though manifested in a different vocation than ours, the desire and priorities of Bishop Flavin help us to see, with joy and gratitude, that we’re still alive. All praise to the King! We ask you to join us in begging the Lord for more grace that the goodness of his reign may enliven us more and more.
