In April, Fr. Richard MacDonald invited people in Raymondville and Lyford, Texas, to come for an informal introduction to Dehonian spirituality. Although the SCJs had been a strong presence in the Diocese of Brownsville for many years, he had no idea as to whether there would be an interest among people to learn about the spirituality behind the community.
Fr. Mac was pleasantly surprised. Over 100 people came to those first meetings in Raymondville and Lyford (about 50 at each location).
“These first meetings are an introduction,” he continued. “In April I spoke about the Sacred Heart, focusing on the person of Jesus, his humanity and divinity and why the Church has taken the Heart of Jesus as a great image and symbol of His unconditional love for our redemption and forgiveness. I talked about Fr. Dehon and told the people about how these talks are part of the effort of the SCJs to share his charism with the laity and deepen their love for the Sacred Heart in carrying out their mission in the Church.”
In May, Fr. Mac held a second introductory meeting. “And they came back!” he said. “I gave the second presentation to the people of Raymondville and Lyford using resources provided by David Schimmel [Director of Dehonian Associates for the US Province]. The talk this time focused on what Fr. Dehon wrote about oblation. That was challenging for me because some of the ideas are difficult to make practical. So, I spoke of the life of Jesus fulfilling the will of His Father and constantly reaching out to those who are ignored or rejected in society.
“It was not so hard to present the idea of ‘Ecce Venio’ [Behold, I come to do your will]: to see Jesus identifying with the sinner and sick. Fr. Dehon’s words to the SCJs to ‘get out of the sacristy and be with the people’ rang well with the those who came and found the founder’s invitation to be available to others and to look for opportunities to reach out to the person in need as a practical way to say ‘Behold I come to do your will.’”
Fr. Mac said that it was Bishop Virginio Bressanelli, when he was superior general, who inspired him to share the Dehonian charism.
“I heard him speak about how we, as professed SCJs, should share the gift of Fr. Leo John Dehon,” said Fr. Mac.
At the May presentations Fr. Mac said that he once again had about 100 people between the two talks. “Adults of all ages,” he added.
He’ll do a third introductory presentation in June with a focus on baptism. In fall, Fr. Mac hopes to begin a more formal Dehonian Associates formation program.
