An Admiring Applause for a Brilliant Performance

Thoughts about June 17, 2008: closing of the complementary diocesan process in the cause for beatification for Joseph Engling

El 17 de junio, la iglesia aplaude a José Engling... y a su director espiritual On June 17, the church aplaudes Joseph Engling... and his spiritual director Am 17. Juni zollt die Kirche Josef Engling einen ersten Bewunderungsapplaus… und damit auch seinem Seelenführer Foto: Archiv © 2008

By Fr. Elmar Busse

The 5^th Ruhr Marathon took place on May 18^th. This time it began from Oberhausen (half marathon with 8,500 participants) and from Dortmund (complete marathon with 3,500 participants) to the goal, Essen. Approximately 720,000 spectators cheered the runners along the way. A reporter commented:

"In a marathon, there are different types of applause: the applause of admiration for a brilliant performance; the applause of motivation, and – for those who arrive last – the applause of solidarity. Without a doubt, the last one is the most loving." Even when this classification demonstrated the obvious, I would never have thought of putting the applauses under the microscope. Also in the Church there is applause when a choir sings well, when a band plays well, or when a Bishop preaches well. Even when sacred music is played for the greater glory of God, the participants in a concert want to express their gratitude and recognition.

Aside from this, I would like to also ask: Why and for what do we applaud in Church? On the different occasions in which I have observed this, I had the impression that as of late, in the Church, there are many applauses of solidarity and few of admiration. For certain, behind this is the growing culture of mercy, since it is more common today than before, to see mankind in its weakness. This also helps the individual to recognize his/her mistakes. He/she does not need to hide them. The Church as a whole no longer creates a taboo list of sins and omissions since John Paul II had the courage to recognize the sins of the Church on the framework of the preparation for the 2000 Jubilee Year.

Church of the saints

We must congratulate this development, but we must not keep from seeing the other side of the reality. The Church is not only a church of sinners, it is also a Church of saints. Almost daily we find in the liturgy or on the calendar, a Christian who encountered Christ and overcame himself/herself. This Christian has earned our applause of admiration. I frequently hear from adults who teach confirmation: During the time of preparation, how can we cultivate an atmosphere in which these young Christians can also be proud of the Church? Athletes are admired, T-shirts of football stars are sold expensively, the fever of the superstars who appear in business and entertainment grows. In these areas, the inner process functions with no problems. Successful talent fascinates the masses. The desire grows in them: I wish I could do this some day! Or, I would also like to be like this!

Frequently, confirmation catechesis has an anticipated resignation when dealing with the saints and the personal relationship with them. The human greatness seen in them would seem less of motivation and more as pressure. But, would it not be equally possible in this area – in sports as in music – for the reciprocal interaction between the brilliant performance of some and the fascination of many? After all, it is the same life process.

What he causes

On June 17^th, the actions of the process of beatification for Joseph Engling will be closed in Treveris. They will be ready to be sent to Rome. With this action, the diocesan process will end.

Father Kentenich repeated many times that in the personal development of Joseph Engling, the ideal of the Schoenstatt pedagogy and the efficacy of the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother radiates irrefutably. To know Joseph Engling has been and is something classic when working with youths. The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and the Schoenstatt Fathers who work with youths have confirmed that the personal encounter and identification with Joseph Engling motivate an astonishing dynamism in the souls of the individuals.

On June 17^th at 4:00 P.M., all of the admirers and friends of Joseph Engling are invited to participate in a Eucharistic celebration in the parish church of St. Anthony, Hindenburg Strasse 7, Treveris.

Looking at Joseph Engling allows us, in the confines of the Church, to again applaud for admiration and, with it, once again balance the different possibilities for applause.

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 061108