By Brother Michael Phipps, FSC
Called for by the 46th General Chapter, this Year of Lasallian Spirituality focused on highlighting the integral space spirituality holds in the Lasallian mission. Across the Lasallian Region of North America, Lasallians were asked to consider (and continue to consider) how the spirituality of Saint John Baptist de La Salle impacts our lives.
“There can be no Lasallian mission without people who live a Lasallian spirituality.”
The above quote from “Lasallian Spirituality Today” centers spirituality as the soul of the Lasallian educational mission, stating clearly the relationship between the two. For me, Lasallian spirituality manifests in three distinct ways: faith, zeal and community, each standing on their own, and yet integrated in the ministerial and spiritual lives of we who call ourselves Lasallian. This integration, in turn, inspires and enhances our ability to witness through education the salvation of the world and those entrusted to our care.
Faith
Amid numerous interpretations of faith lie the way in which De La Salle understood this ancient act, a continual turning toward the will of God, relying on prayer and personal and communal discernment as guideposts for listening and responding to the pull of the Spirit.
This year, I have come to more deeply understand the presence of faith in my life and journey as a Brother and Lasallian. When thinking about this deepening, I have seen it most evident in my prayer life. Prayer, so integral to the life of the Founder, is an opportunity for me – for us – to connect and communicate with divine around me. In June, a group of Lasallians gathered for a workshop on prayer writing.
It was an inspiring experience. The faith with which participants entered our time together offered a bright reminder that I am called to witness to my faith, through prayer, in all spaces and at all times: in the calm of reading a passage from Scripture, in a prayer offered before a staff meeting, or in the silence of a candle-lit chapel. Each of these prayers, and many more, beckon me to deepen my relationship with the sacred, to more fully trust in God’s providence.
Zeal
The first time I heard the word zeal used in the Lasallian context, I felt a fair amount of confusion. Prior to entering formation with the Brothers, I associated zeal with a negative extremism, bordering on obsession. It was not until I lived with Brothers full time as a Lasallian Volunteer that I truly began to understand the deep-seated passion and joy with which so many Brothers and Partners approach their ministry and spiritual development. In turn, it was not until I entered initial formation with the Brothers that I began to recognize that zeal within myself.
During the past year, I have rediscovered how zeal enhances my spiritual life most profoundly through the Brothers’ vow of stability. In this vow, we Brothers commit to the long-term vitality of the Institute, a vitality that remains grounded in spiritual practice and inspiration.
Zeal crystalized for me this year in the practicality of radical availability. Over three weeks in the fall, I had the opportunity to share community and minister with the De La Salle Blackfeet School community in Browning, Montana. A reasonable stretch of my comfort zone, this experience reinvigorated my love of school counseling, of working with and walking with young people. The surprising piece of this renewal was the spiritual aspect of my time on the Blackfeet Nation. I experienced a burst of zealous energy that touched my soul, reminding me of the joy found in realizing one’s vocation.
Community
Faith and zeal, bonded together, find their realization in community, the space in which we collectively animate the Lasallian educational mission.
“Union in a community is a precious gem, which is why the Lord so often recommended it to is apostles before he died. If we lose this, we lose everything. Preserve it with care, therefore, if you want your community to survive.” (Meditations of St. John Baptist de La Salle 91.2)
These poignant words from De La Salle’s 91st meditation draw us together, encouraging and challenging us to embrace the communities we are a part of, whether chosen or given. An essential element for building and sustaining community lies in how we offer and take rest and repose. Certainly, we band together in times of abundance and tranquility. How, though, do we maintain our communal ties in times of challenge and struggle?
Time is a luxury not often included in the list of gifts we are thankful for, despite the recognition by most of us that we could use more of this vital commodity. In the past year, I have come to recognize time for rest and retreat as an incredibly important part of preserving community. When we gather to reflect, as a group of nearly 20 Lasallians did at Encountering Lasallian Spirituality: A Retreat, we recognize our need to pause, to step away from the busyness of the work and the world. Stepping away together offers the opportunity to grow as a spiritual community and setting aside the time to do so is a hallmark of Lasallian spirituality. In the quiet of Lutz, Florida, I was reminded of the life-giving potential of retreating, entering the silence with the hope of reconnecting.
Hope for the Future
In the last couple of months, I have reflected extensively on the idea of spiritual leadership, specifically with De La Salle as a model. The Founder offered spiritual direction and guidance, formal and informal, to the early teachers, Brothers, and countless others in his circles of influence. Our schools and ministries serve as spaces for spiritual accompaniment for our students, colleagues, and all who we serve. How do we transform our schools and ministries into spiritual communities? How do we grow into spiritual leaders, inspired by the legacy of De La Salle?
As we move forward together toward a future grounded in hope, I pray that faith continue to light our individual and collective paths, zeal continue to inspire fire and passion for ministry, community continue to serve as oases of belonging, and spiritual integration continue to lead us and those entrusted to our care toward salvation.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever.
Brother Michael is a school counselor at Cretin-Derham Hall in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
