Courage

One of the dangers of familiarity is a lack of appreciation. When things become too familiar, we fail to appreciate or notice them. Take this chapel, for example. Our students and faculty fortunately walk in it many times throughout the year and will sit and hopefully pray, but fail to ponder its beauty. I’m not saying they didn’t at one point, but it becomes too familiar. Just this Saturday, I baptized several children of alumni who had not seen the chapel. They were amazed. They couldn’t help but walk around slowly and notice the art and architecture. Every single one of them had to comment on its beauty. 

Take these paintings as an example. They have hung here from the very beginning. Not only are they incredible works of art, but each one tells a magnificent story of faith, courage and love.

Let me point one out.

Of all the saints and blesseds who surround us tonight, this man is the most subtle yet most courageous. Rene Goupil was born in 1608 in Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Anjou, in the Kingdom of France. He was a medical doctor, working chiefly as a surgeon in Orléans before entering the Society of Jesus in Paris. Unfortunately, he had to leave the seminary because he had gone deaf.

But Goupil didn’t let adversity stop him from fulfilling his desire to serve God. In 1640, he volunteered as a layman to assist the Jesuit priests in their mission in New France, the area in North America colonized by the French. He served first at the St. Joseph de Sillery Mission near Quebec, where his work primarily consisted of caring for the sick and wounded. 

In 1642, Goupil accompanied several Jesuits, including St. Isaac Jogues, to the Huron missions near present-day Auriesville, New York. It was here the group was captured and tortured by the Mohawk Indians and sent to the village of Ossernenon.

It was during this time of captivity that Goupil asked the Jesuit superior to be allowed to enter the Society of Jesus again. Because of his commitment to the missions, his devotion, and courage, the superior agreed. Goupil professed his religious vows as a Jesuit brother. A few days after this, he was killed on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel on September 29, 1642, by a blow to the head with a tomahawk for teaching an Indian boy the sign of the cross. 

This week-old Jesuit became the first martyr of the territory that is presently the United States. Pope Pius XI beatified him on June 21, 1925, and later canonized him, along with seven other martyrs, on June 29, 1930.

Goupil’s story is one of incredible courage. 

But another image in our chapel, again all too familiar, depicts a person of extraordinary courage and faith… the Blessed Mother. Today’s gospel (John 19:25-34) tells us the story of how Mary stood at the foot of the cross. St. John says, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother.” These words capture a moment of immense sorrow and yet incredible strength.

Imagine the scene: The Blessed Mother, witnessing the crucifixion of her son Jesus, enduring the agony and suffering not just as a follower of Christ, but as His mother. Her heart must have been breaking, her spirit wracked with pain, yet she stood there, unwavering, a beacon of faith and courage. Mary's presence at the cross exemplifies the courage to face unimaginable suffering with grace, the strength to remain steadfast in faith even when everything seems lost.

Members of the class of 2024, as you stand on the threshold of a new chapter in your lives, you will undoubtedly face challenges, uncertainties, and moments of deep sorrow. Life will present you with crucibles that test your resolve and faith. In those moments, I urge you to remember Mary at the foot of the cross. Her courage did not come from the absence of fear or pain but from a profound trust in God’s plan, a trust that allowed her to stand firm in the face of despair.

Remember, courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to move forward despite it. As you embark on your future endeavors, take with you the courage of the Blessed Mother. When you encounter difficulties, let her example inspire you to stand firm, grounded in your faith, convictions, and values.

But let me be clear about one thing. Mary’s courage was not without cause. It was not the consequence of mere human strength that stemmed simply from some form of maternal instinct or rush of maternal adrenaline. No, Mary’s courage was deeply rooted in her relationship with God. It was grace. It was the grace the Angel Gabriel told her she was filled with when he first announced in Nazareth, she had been chosen to be the mother of God. From a very young age, Mary knew who she was and to whom she belonged. 

Similarly, your time at Belen Jesuit has been a period of academic and personal growth and spiritual formation. From the very beginning of your life here at Belen, you have been told by many angels of the grace you are filled with. It has been announced to you time and time again that you have been chosen to be disciples of Christ, to be companions of Jesus. You have been nurtured in a community that values faith, service, and excellence… that’s the magis. These foundations will serve as your north star in the storms of life. While fear will unquestionably rear its ugly head in your life, remember ships anchored in the harbor are very safe, but that’s not where ships are meant to be. It is now time for you to set sail, but do not be afraid; do not let your hearts be troubled. Cast your nets in deep waters.

Let us, for a moment, consider the implications of Mary’s courage for our daily lives. Standing by the cross was also an act of immense love. She was there for her son, demonstrating that true courage is often intertwined with love and compassion. As you move forward, let your actions be guided by love—love for God, love for others, and love for the world around you. 

It is love that serves as the greatest measure of all. As you move forward, measure every decision with love. Before deciding what to study, who to marry, what job to accept, or where to invest your money, courageously ask one question: will this decision help me love God, love others, and love the world more and better? Trust me, it is this love that will empower you to act courageously in the face of injustice, to stand up for what is right, and to extend a helping hand to those in need.

In a world that often values success and power, the courage to stand by your principles and show compassion is a rare and precious gift. Embrace it. Let the spirit of service, a hallmark of our Jesuit education, be your guiding light. Remember the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola: "Go forth and set the world on fire." This is a call to make a difference, to use your talents and education to create a more just and loving world.

As you leave Belen Jesuit, carry with you the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the deepened faith. Know that you are part of a legacy, a community that believes in and supports you. You are equipped with the tools to face the future with confidence and courage. Do not let the familiarity of your family, friends, faith, and God's presence in your life dampen the appreciation you need to have for them. God is so awesome that every day can be a new beginning, a new adventure, a new discovery.

I encourage you to keep God and your commitment to Him at the forefront of everything you do. Never say you don’t have time, you don’t know how, you don’t know where. Every college campus you will attend has a Catholic center or Catholic Church. Find it and attend it. And don’t forget Mary. Let her courage infect you. 

I want to leave you all with a gift. At the end of the Mass, you will all receive this rosary. It is called a combat rosary. Given to soldiers first during World War I, it was meant to be sturdy and strong to survive the battlefield. Keep it in your pockets at all times. Like your faith, it will not break. Pray for her intercession. May her example of courage and faith be ever present in your hearts. May you stand firm in your beliefs, face challenges with grace, and always act with love and compassion. May you go forth with the strength and courage to set the world on fire, just as you have been called to do.

Click here to view the Mass. Click here to view the photo album.