(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
Still others, like Franciscans and Dominicans, have become known for their spiritual work in giving parish missions and retreats throughout the country. Their founders may not have originally intended certain ministries. However, through the years, these ministries have been found to support the founders’ charisms and desires and have been most beneficial for the Church’s growth.
As we enter the new millennium, the charisms of religious communities may be expressed differently. The Passionist Fathers and Brothers, the Congregation of the Passion, have been known for their outstanding ministry in giving parish missions and retreats, helping parishes everywhere spread the Word of God during several days of intense spiritual activity and renewal. Knowing that there are some newer means of spreading the good news, the Passionists have established the Passionist Research Center at www.passionist.org.
In their own words, their mission is: “to image the Passion in traditional and new ways through the Web pages so that the memory of the Passion can enter peoples’ lives in a redemptive way.” In today’s society, it may be difficult to forget the cross. Many may often wear the cross as jewelry, but this decorative use may not help us to see and appreciate the redemptive value of the cross. This Web site has a wonderful gallery filled with cyber images of Christ and the cross. Viewers can merely look at the different images or, with a click of the mouse, gain a greater understanding of the particular art form. These are truly religious images. They were designed to tell a religious message, not merely to serve as decoration. At the present time there are 13 galleries, each with four or five images, all of which can be downloaded following the procedures for the browser being used.
Another fantastic section contains interviews and stories about several religious artists. These artists have translated into various artistic media their religious and spiritual journey. Their works of art reflect their personal stories. In addition, the Web authors have added several pages about very interesting and undoubtedly prayerful shrines centered on the passion of Jesus Christ. These places would be worthy of a visit, but for those who cannot go, a cyber visit is the next best thing.
A popular Lenten devotion is the Way of the Cross. Many booklets contain prayers appropriate for this devotion. However, their very brief prayers and meditations on the Way of the Cross were very striking and could help users see and endure the cross in daily life. Check this out even if this is not the Lenten season. After all, the Way of the Cross is a way of life. Also, some beautifully composed scriptural meditations, called a “cyber retreat,” can help the devout Catholic reflect on the spiritual realities of our faith at any time of the year. The spiritual beauty of this Web site is found in words, but also in some “meditations in movement,” images of Christ that change along with written reflections.
Finding the right words to describe this Web site has been difficult. As contemporary Christians we may like to dwell on the glorious Christ rather than the suffering Christ of the cross. The resurrection does not make much sense without a profound understanding of the passion of Jesus Christ. The Passionist Research Center has provided Christians with an outstanding resource. Visit this site and gain a revitalized sense of the Paschal Mystery.