Healing the rift

Today is the liturgical memorial of Saint Teresa of Avila, who was known simply as Teresa of Jesus. This Carmelite nun, who lived in the sixteenth century, is perhaps best celebrated as a promoter of reconciliation, especially during a time of great turbulence.

Reconciliation is one of those things that people shy away from, but strangely enough, it is often the most sought after of truths.

In the United States of America, today is an annual day of remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. This is one of the least recognized sources of tension in the lives of those who mourn, silently at times, the loss of unborn children by violent and other means. All those who devote their lives to helping these grieving souls to find peace should also be the focus of our thought and prayer on this day.

Speaking of healing rifts, the news has just recently hit the wires that discussions between the Society of Saint Pius X and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei are set to resume as of Monday, October 26 of this year. Whereever there is the promise of hope, discussion and advancement, even of issues which seem the most improbable, we find the face of truth, the face of God, calling and encouraging us to be brave, to take the necessary steps, and to move (albeit carefully) toward the promotion of peace.

Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Gerard Majella, pray for us.