Over the past sixty years the documents of Vatican II, and indeed the council itself, have become emblematic of a sort of Catholic ideological divide. Opponents and proponents site problems and progress that don’t necessarily originate in the Council, which closed on the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1965.
Pope St. John XXIII opened the council with words that should reassure those who doubt the continuity of its teachings:
What is needed at the present time is a new enthusiasm, a new joy and serenity of mind in the unreserved acceptance by all of the entire Christian faith, without forfeiting that accuracy and precision in its presentation which characterized the proceedings of the Council of Trent and the First Vatican Council. What is needed, and what everyone imbued with a truly Christian, Catholic and apostolic spirit craves today, is that this doctrine shall be more widely known, more deeply understood, and more penetrating in its effects on men’s moral lives. What is needed is that this certain and immutable doctrine, to which the faithful owe obedience, be studied afresh and reformulated in contemporary terms…
Hopefully we can all agree that the main reason for the Church’s existence is the salvation of souls. But if the font is not accessible, the light not visible, that reason for Her existence will not be realized.
The Universal Call to Holiness
Chapter V of Lumen Gentium, a central document of Vatican II, is entitled, “The Universal Call to Holiness in the Church.” For the Church and Her members to be an accessible font, a visible light, no one is exempt from this call.
…everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness, according to the saying of the Apostle: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification”…(the) holiness of the Church is unceasingly manifested, and must be manifested, in the fruits of grace which the Spirit produces in the faithful; it is expressed in many ways in individuals, who in their walk of life, tend toward the perfection of charity, thus causing the edification of others…
Answering this call to holiness requires a deep union with God, a union aided by the choices we make and the way we live our lives.
The Structure for Answering the Call: A Rule of Life
A Rule of Life is a framework that encourages discipline yet gives freedom, by supporting our truest human growth towards deeper union with God and all things eternal. It is not a turning of our backs on the world God gave us. Instead, this framework reorients our life away from a secular way of living to the original way God designed us to live, grow, and flourish.
In his recently published book, The Pathway to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: A Rule of Life, Fr. Robert I. Bradley, S.J. offers three levels of development and an “agenda” common to all three for progressing along the path to holiness.
The three levels of development describe progressive stages of the interior life, ever deeper into union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Along these stages we increasingly surrender more of our time and our lives to that pursuit, according to the holy will of God as given to us through our state in life. Time becomes available as we gradually let go of activities that are not helpful to our vocation and perhaps distract from it.
The agenda, or list of components of this rule, are:
Mass and Holy Communion: The source and summit of our Faith which is common to us all is also the most intimate and important part of our individual spiritual lives. Progressing along the stages will include more frequently availing ourselves of the Mass and reception of the Blessed Sacrament.
Prayer/Spiritual Reading: Outside of Mass, we will feed our souls through devotions, our conversation with God, and our study of God. As we follow a rule, we will make time for this by letting go of activities that have less eternal importance.
Mortification: With purposeful acts of self-denial, our flesh will gradually come under the rightful authority of our wills. Our souls will benefit from a gradual loss of taste for the things which were once so hard to let go of and an increased longing for the things of God.
Works of Mercy: Similarly, as we look more to the needs of others and the Church than to our own desires, we will grow more deeply in union with Christ and come to resemble Him. There is perhaps nothing that shines the light of the Church, makes Her font more accessible, than serving others through the Works of Mercy.
Apostolic Action: By our membership in existing apostolates, such as the third orders, we contribute to the strength of the Church herself. As we follow God’s individual call in this area, we ourselves are built up as well. Discerning this Apostolic Action will be aided by our deepening prayer life.
Guidance: From regular confession with the same priest, to spiritual direction, to annual retreats, this is time set apart to review our progress with the help of a trusted guide. Problems are gently revealed and adjustments can be made.
As Individual as Each of Her Members
When in place, our unique framework of a Rule of Life will be somewhat hidden within our daily life. Once construction is completed on a home, we don’t keep staring at the blueprints. Periodic inspections may be made and needed repairs discovered. But the building functions without thinking much about the foundation and framework.
A Rule of Life that fits the user will be the same. It should be flexible and nearly invisible most of the time, allowing God’s will, revealed to us in the duty of the moment, to come to the fore. We don’t have to think about it too much because it is a part of who we are.
Living a rule should yield freedom from the things it excludes. It should be akin to a completed home which needs regular care, attention and maintenance. If we find it has more in common with a battering ram which requires heavy effort to hold back the world, the flesh and the devil, it may be time to reevaluate with that trusted guide.
Chances are many of the agenda items are already a part of your informal rule of life. This can be viewed as your onramp to a more explicit Rule. Through prayer, take the next step, follow the Holy Spirit’s lead, and entrust the endeavor to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we individual members of the Church answer the Universal Call to Holiness trough practicing a Rule of Life, our brothers and sisters in the world will be more able to access Her font and see Her light.
Author’s Note: For much more on the importance of the Universal Call to Holiness for Catholics today, as well as deep theology on the Sacred Heart, the Eucharist, and the foundational aspects of the Faith, you can find Fr. Bradley’s book here.
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