Running Scared the Call of Pilgrimage by: Tom Maddix

Running Scared: the Call of Pilgrimage
Tom Maddix
October 2005
Novalis
174 pages

The back of this book markets it as: “Part guidebook, part personal journal, part prayer book, Running Scared takes readers to key pilgrimage destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia.” From that, I was expecting much more from the book then received. The book should be biographical. There are few descriptions of the places and sometimes not even any details.

Yet the book does have an immense power. In walking with Tom through his journey, we can see our own journey in a new and clearer light. Maddix examines many aspects of pilgrimage: The Call to Pilgrimage, The Ins and Outs of Pilgrimage, Chance Encounters, Heights and Depths, How the Spirit can Nudge, and Listening and Life Lessons on the Path.

Maddix in some ways is a professional pilgrim - as one who has traveled the world over many times and visited pilgrimage sites, religious communities and shrines around the world, he is in some ways an expert on the topic.

Even though the book was not what was expected it was an excellent read and opened my eyes to many places of pilgrimage hereto unknown.

(First Published in 'The Impint' as "Running Scared runs astray" 2006-02-24)

Religious Nuts Political Fanatics: U2 in Theological Perspective by Robert Vagacs

Religious Nuts Political Fanatics: U2 In Theological Perspective
By: Robert Vagacs
Cascade Books
December 2005
95 pages

Vagacs does many unique and intriguing things in this little volume. He examines the collective works of U2 through the theological lenses of Walter Brueggemann to interpret their albums and specific songs. The categories he borrows from Brueggemann are the themes of hope amidst despair, social justice and eschatological anticipation, exile in a scorched land, and finally grace and resurrection.

Vagacs was drawn to undertake this endeavor after attending a U2 concert, which raised a number of questions in his mind. He states: “They prompt me to ask what is it exactly about U2’s music that captivates people from such a diverse demographic, not to mention geographic, diversity? Is it their consistency, or their cohesiveness as a band? Is it their commitment to the music and each other? Is it U2’s concern and involvement with social justice issues? Perhaps it is simply the fact that they generate great music?” (p.ix)

Vagacs believes that there are 4 categories of readers for this book:

1. You are neither a U2 fan nor a Christ follower.
2. You are a U2 fan with no real connection to Jesus Christ.
3. You are a Christian with no real connection to U2.
4. You are both a U2 fan and a Christ follower.

No matter which category you are in, this book can be informative, both on the history of U2 and the progression of thought through their music, and the spiritual imagery and implications of their work album by album. No matter which of the four you are, this book will open your eyes.

Brian Walsh in the introduction states: “Rob Vagacs does not come to worship at the shrine of U2. That would be a blasphemy to his own faith and a terrible disservice to the band. Rather, this book opens our eyes to light that is shining in the midst of the darkness of a postmodern world.” (p.xvi) I believe it sums up the book well. This book will not herald U2 as the light, but as light bearers in a darkening world. This book will help you see light around you, whether in other people, music, or even theology.

Robert Vagacs is a local K-W author and his book is available at Words Worth Books (Waterloo), KW Books (Kitchener) and Book Express (Cambridge Centre) or through amazon.ca.

(First Published in Imprint 2006-02-10 as ‘If Bono met Jesus”.)
(Repirinted in Beyond Ordinary Living January/February 2007 as 'If Bono Met Jesus".)

Icons

It surprises me more and more how catholic I am to my core. A few months back at a conference I picked up a gift card of an Icon of Blessed Damien the Leper, after watching the film Molokai I wanted the image to remind me of his service and his life. Yet since then I have been bombarded with icon’s and books about icon’s. I have been trying to read through the works of our new Academic Dean at St. Jerome’s University and have been trying to track down his one book, How to Pray with Icons by Myroslaw Tataryn.

Then a few weeks after that I am at a friends and he has started painting images that remind me of icons. At 16 he is doing some amazing work, I cannot wait to watch his art develop over the next few years.

Later while searching for Tataryn’s book I come across one called A Brush with God: An Icon Workbook by Peter Pearson a book about painting icons, so of course I mentioned it to my friend Brahm. But while still searching for Dr. T’s book I found one more, by the artist that painted my Icon of Damien, his book is called Christ in the Margins by Robert Lentz, Edwina Gateley: Lentz painted the 25 Icons and wrote biographies of the different people and Gateley wrote meditations on each group of biographies. To check out some more of Lentz’s images visit http://saintvictor.org/saints/damien.html where there are many of his images.

I also have just found this one Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying With Icons by Henri Nouwen, I will have to track it down and check it out.

Brahm's Icons

Brahm gave me permission to post his painings.

Robert Lentz's Icons

The Images come from http://saintvictor.org/saints/damien.html
or from http://www.bridgebuilding.com/catalog/icons.html where you can order prints cards ...

Damien The Leper & Guardian Angel

St. Therese de Liseux & Edith Stein of Osweich

Christ of the Desert & Steven Biko of South Africa

Molokai: The Story of Father Damien

Molokai
1999

This biography of Father Damien, the Catholic priest who in 1873 volunteered for service on the Hawaiian leper colony of Molokai. For 15 years Damien ministered nearly single-handedly to the quarantined community, supplying what medication he could procure while struggling against the red tape from organizations (religious and governmental) that would rather have forgotten all about the thousands of people dying in primitive conditions. He won some battles and lost others, finally succumbing to the disease himself in 1888.

The films earnestness led to the who's-who supporting cast (Sam Neill, Derek Jacobi, Peter O'Toole, Leo McKern, Kate Ceberano and Kris Kristofferson), but it is David Wenham who must carry the film as Damien, which he does spectacularly and with a touching humility, but with the spirit to fight for those he serves, in the midst of such conflict. Director Paul Cox was inspired in his choices of choosing scenes to highlight 15 years in a single film not two hours long. He uses amazing cinematographic tools to convey the story and the passage of time, a tree stand planted by Damien, the many construction projects he carries out, and watching ‘Little Bishop’ grow up and pass away. Pay particular attention to the music, and the use of the sound of the wind as the film progresses.

This is a story of faith and of service. If you want a film that will challenge your spirit and cause you to examine your own life in the light of the service given by others you could not pick a better film.

The Toronto Globe and Mail stated about the film “A Triumph of the Human Spirit!” Though this film did well at the film festivals it had little or no mainstream release in North America.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0165196/ Is the IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) site about the film.

After seeing this film I have been driven to track down books about Damien and the situation there on Molokai. In watching this film be prepared to be challenged.

(Make sure you get the Letterbox or Widescrene version to get the most out of this masterful film.)

Reviews of Books and Movies about Saint Damien:
Apostle of the Exiled St. Damien of Molokai - Margaret Bunson & Matthew Bunson
Pilgrimage and Exile: Mother Marianne of Molokai by: Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, O.S.F.
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien by: Paul Cox
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien
Father Damien de Veuster Apostle to the Lepers - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Saint Damien of Molokai - Virginia Helen Richards and D. Thomas Halpin
The Life and Letters of Father Damien, Apostle of the Lepers - Edited by Pamphile De Veuster 
Father Damien's Letters

Father Damien And The Bells - Arthur and Elizabeth Sheehan

...

Prayer of the Day - Saint Damien Prayer

Opus Dei

Over the last few years I have been hearing more and more about Opus Dei. Especially the bad light that Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code has shed on this organization. A number of years ago at Queen’s University I knew some people who were involved with the organization and I had nothing but respect and trust for this couple.

So in light of the recent proliferation of material both for and against Opus Dei, I have decided to do my own research. There are books against and for Opus Dei, and websites galore on both sides.

I decided that my research should return to the beginning. So I have been working my way through the complete works of Josemaria Escriva the founder of Opus Dei. (The Centennial Edition collects together St. Josemaría Escrivá's complete published works in honor of his canonization and the one hundredth anniversary of his birth. This set is essential for libraries and perfect for individuals seeking trustworthy guidance on how to follow Christ in every detail of their daily lives.

The Centennial Edition contains the complete texts of St. Josemaría's much-beloved books of aphoristic wisdom: The Way, Furrow, and The Forge. Also included are his three books of homilies: Christ is Passing By, Friends of God, and In Love with the Church. Lovers of St. Josemaría's writings will particularly cherish his two devotional guides, The Way of the Cross and Holy Rosary, and the hard-to-find collection of the saint's illuminating interviews about the nature and purpose of Opus Dei, Conversations with Josemaría Escrivá.) As well as working through In Conversation With God the devotional readings encouraged to members of Opus Dei written by Francis Fernandez. This devotional series of seven volume’s had readings that follow the Common Liturgy http://www.easterbrooks.com/personal/calendar/index.html It has a 6 or 7 page a day reading for each day of the church year and volume’s #6 and #7 are the special feasts that have calendar days.

I am now working through Michael Walsh’s Opus Dei: An Investigation Into The Powerful, Secretive Society Within The Catholic Church and John L. Allen JR.’s new book Opus Dei: An Objective look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church.

I have not come to any final conclusions yet, but I can only say that I do not understand what all the controversy is really about. From the Escriva books I have read and the month’s devotionals I have read so far, I only see a faith that is true and strong being encourage. A Faith that challenges one not to remain the same, but to ever be striving for more.

Don’t trust all the rumors check it out for yourself.

This Article is continued as Opus Dei Part II!

(For more reviews of Opus Dei books or books by Opus Dei Authors and authors they encourage a person to read. 0… 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10... 11... 12... 13... 14... 15... 16... these reviews include the works of Josemaria Escriva, The Pope's, Peter Kreeft, Scott Hahn and many others.)