December 16, 2006
When compared to Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit with religious leaders in Turkey, my visit to an upstate college could hardly be called “an unprecedented historic event.” Unlike the pope, my three day visit didn’t entail extensive planning, sensitive diplomacy, or massive security. It didn’t catch the attention of the international media; in fact, it didn’t even make the local news. Nonetheless, in its own way, I believe my visit could indeed be considered “historic,” and I’ll tell you why. But let me first give you a bit of a background.
My relationship with Houghton College began in 1989, when Doctor Michael Lastoria, director of the college’s counseling services contacted Father Benedict Groeschel. After reading Father Benedict’s landmark work, “Spiritual Passages,” Doctor Lastoria wanted Father Benedict to address his students on the topic of religious and spiritual development. Unfortunately, Father Benedict was unable to find even the tiniest window in his busy schedule, so he recommended me to Doctor Lastoria. While I am far from an expert in either psychology or spirituality, I thought I could offer something helpful to the students. That was the first of several visits I have made to Houghton over the years.
Houghton College is located in the western reaches of rural upstate New York—“right next to nothing,” as one student said with a big smile. However, the college’s humble surroundings doesn’t mean that it’s “backwoods,” in fact, compared to some ivy league schools, Houghton just may be on “the cutting edge.” What this college may lack in size and notoriety, it certainly possesses in stature and integrity.
Houghton College was founded by devout Methodists, and is still deeply rooted in the rich spiritual heritage of John Wesley. However, today both the student body and faculty represent a very wide array of Protestant denominations and Christian traditions. This fact was clearly brought home to me when, during lunch, I threw this question out on the table: “So, tell me what church or denomination you belong to?” The students sitting around the table answered in turn: “United Methodist!” “Presbyterian!” “Lutheran!” “Baptist!” “Free Methodist!” “Non-denominational!” The last student smiled, shrugged, then threw up his hands and said with a laugh: “I don’t know!”
When I first came to preach at Houghton years ago, no one bothered to inform me that I was the first member of the Catholic clergy ever to address the faculty and student body. Thank God I found this out after my presentations, because human nature being as it is, I might have felt a bit anxious or insecure. Yet from that day and continuing with my subsequent visits, my experience with the students and faculty has always been characterized by warmth, hospitality, and Christian charity.
Personally, the high point of my Houghton visits is when I celebrate “an instructional Mass” for the students, many of whom have never been to a Catholic church. I explain the origin and meaning of the vestments, the incense, and the various parts which make up the Mass. If only you were there to see the attention, respect, and reverence—especially at the consecration. Of course, only the small handful of Catholics present can receive Holy Communion, yet I carefully explain the pain we all feel by not sharing from the same Eucharistic bread and consecrated cup. I explained the pain of our division should motivate us to diligently work and pray for full and complete unity. That’s when I see a number of nods and tear-filled eyes.
My friends, after every visit I make to this special place, I receive the same interior sense, that is, something special, something very special just happened. Deep within me I sense that the open wounds still borne on the body of Christ were quietly being cleansed and completely healed. Like Pope Benedict, we all must do our part in reaching out towards others. It may not make the news, but it just might remake history!
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
________________________________________________
send us your questions/comments
(you must re-type or copy and paste this address into your email):
franciscanscfr@yahoo.com