Archbishop Harris’ homily at the historic Mass at Westminster Cathedral, London, on March 27 struck a chord in the hearts and minds of those present. He urged us to use the Lenten season to cultivate good habits which would help us to become better people. He asked T&T nationals living in the UK to ensure that they did good works in their communities so that they will become known as a loving people.
As you may have read, the Mass was arranged by His Excellency Garvin Nicholas, T&T’s High Commissioner to the UK, to raise awareness of the fact that our Cathedral is in the process of being restored and to make an appeal for financial support. Fr Emmanuel Pierre concelebrated Mass with His Grace. I was fortunate to be in London in time for this event as I embark on my annual lecture series here.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, addressed the congregation at the end of the Mass, stating, inter alia, that he was pleased to host Archbishop Harris and to support the restoration of T&T’s Mother church. He greeted everyone as we left. It was good to be able to congratulate him in person on his appointment to the College of Cardinals. I have known him for many years, going back to the days when I worked with the late Cardinal Hume and when I was a member of the Committee for Community Relations of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. There was a good turnout for the Mass and I had an opportunity to meet many old friends.
We must all act, within our spheres of influence, to implement the Third Pastoral Priority in our Archdiocese. Moral character development takes time and begins in the home. Church, school and community must play a part in this process also. I note that a number of other religions in T&T are embracing the Archdiocese’s Common Sense Parenting Programme and adapting it to suit their needs. The challenge for us is to ensure that all our schools develop strategies to motivate parents to attend this programme which is offered by our Family Life Commission.
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Here in London I have been discussing character formation with some teachers, one of whom spoke about programmes offered by Totus Tuus Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO), based in Minnesota in the US. This organisation seeks to build families and form youth in Christian virtues and values. As is stated on its website: “There are a number of factors which may affect one’s character development such as one’s parents, teachers, peer group, role models, the degree of encouragement and attention one receives, exposure to different situations and situations of varying degree of difficulty, etc. Our natural tendencies, the ‘raw material’ we are born with, are shaped and developed through a long and gradual process of education and habituation…The student of virtue must develop the right habits, so that he/she tends to perform virtuous acts. Thus, his/her behaviour is, to an extent, reliable. However, virtue is not itself habit. Habituation is an aid to the development of virtue, but true virtue requires choice, understanding and knowledge. The virtuous agent doesn’t just act justly out of habit, an unreflective response, but has come to recognise the value of virtue and why it is the appropriate response. Virtue is chosen, chosen knowingly and chosen for its own sake.” So, “although habituation is a tool for character development it is not equivalent to virtue, virtue requires conscious choice and affirmation…Virtue requires the right desire and the right reason.” (http://www.totustuuscyo.com/theology.html)
Paragraphs 1803–1845 of our Catechism remind us of the cardinal and theological virtues, and of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Virtues allow us not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of ourselves – at all times, and in all circumstances. And, as we strive daily to do good and avoid evil, let us remember that “the moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit” (C1830).
As Pope Francis said on May 8, 2013 at his weekly general audience to over 80,000 people gathered at St Peter’s Square, the Holy Spirit is the living water that “quenches the thirst in our lives because he tells us that we are loved by God as his children, that we can love God as his children and with his grace we can live as children of God, like Jesus…The Holy Spirit is an inexhaustible well of the life of God in us.”
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to deepen our faith and lead us to know the will of God in every situation. And while we pray, let us not forget to ACT. As Pope Emeritus Benedict said: “You are called to exercise the Spirit’s gifts amidst the ups and downs of your daily life…In accepting the power of the Holy Spirit you can also transform your families, communities and nations. Set free the gifts! Let wisdom, courage, awe and reverence be the marks of greatness!
