During the Year of Lasallian Spirituality, Christian Brothers Conference is publishing reflections to provide spiritual inspiration and stir continued dialogue around Lasallian spirituality.
By Brother Michael Phipps, FSC
Each year, the Triduum arrives with an element of anticipation, a deep breath in with the hold so often found in meditative practices. The promises of Easter – redemption, love, life, hope – echo in Lasallian spirituality, embedded deeply in our call to accompany those entrusted to our care on the road to salvation. Personally, this anticipation stems from the affinity I feel for the distinct rituals encountered in the Masses and prayer experiences throughout this sacred time.
Water. Fire. Incense. Each of these play a part in the rituals of the Triduum, adding depth to the commemoration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. The water of Holy Thursday washes the feet of those invited, offering spiritual renewal. The fire of the Easter candle, lit at the vigil Mass, illuminates the darkness as we listen to the history of salvation in Scripture. The presence of incense, ascending to the heavens throughout the services of Holy Week, reminds us of our proximity to the Divine. Through movement, each of these elements symbolizes a transformational power.
Pope Francis, in his reflection on the 11th Station of the Cross (Jesus is nailed to the cross), wrote the following: “Nothing frightens us more than being unable to move. Yet here you are, bound, nailed, held fast. Still, you are not alone, but in the company of two others, resolved to reveal yourself even on the cross as ‘God with us.’ Revelation never stops; it is not nailed to one place. Lord, you show us that in every situation there is a choice to be made. That is the amazing reality of our freedom. Not even on the cross are you stripped of your freedom: You decide why and for whom you are there.”
A poignant personal memory of the power of ritual movement comes from one of my years as a postulant. For the Triduum, the Brothers of the Midwest District would gather for retreat, bringing together an intergenerational mix of ministerial and communal experience for rest, reflection and celebration. The Brothers asked me to offer a piece of movement to introduce the veneration of the cross during the Good Friday service. While my movement was individual, it occurred in the context of community, amid the Brothers I have come to know.
Pope Francis’ words resonate deeply with the part of me that requires movement; for decades, dance has infused my spirituality, an ever-present example of sustained ritual. At this point, I find it difficult to imagine my life without dance. Marked by juxtaposing times of stillness and action, this Triduum I spent a significant amount of time reflecting on how my connection with the ritual of physical movement impacts my spirituality and ministry. Spiritual dance and movement gifts me a freedom I don’t always recognize in my day to day. As a school counselor, I am constantly on the move, each day (and often, each hour) bringing new conversations and experiences. My training as a dancer contributes to the flexibility with which I approach walking with students and colleagues. Often, when I face a difficult decision or complex situation, I use dance as a primary avenue for getting “unstuck.”
Woven into this movement are the rituals of education. Orientation and the first day of school. Mass and retreats and prayer services. Assessments and exams. Breaks and long weekends. Service opportunities. Baccalaureate and commencement. Each day, Lasallians have the opportunity to walk with young people through these milestones. May we find the grace to embrace freedom and creativity in our spiritual lives, our ministries and our communities.
In writing this reflection and as I continue to move through this Easter season, a couple of questions come to mind:
- Where and when and how do I experience freedom?
- How do I experience the Presence of God?
Brother Michael Phipps, FSC, is the spirituality project manager for Christian Brothers Conference, the office for the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN). He is a school counselor at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota.