The Joy of Community: in the words of Fr. Alvaro Corcuera LC

These are notes that I took from Fr Alvaro's homily last Sunday which marked his nine years as General Superior for the Legion of Christ. These are merely notes which I took during the Homily so I have not quoted Fr. Alvaro but just tried to get clear ideas across in the form in which he said them.

Bishop Brian Farrell LC, Cardinal de Paolis, Fr. Alvaro - Inaugural Mass of the General Chapter
(Copyright Legion of Christ\John Choi)

Since last Sunday John Allen Jr., the 18 year expert Vaticanista for National Catholic Reporter (and just in a few days, The Boston Globe), reported that our new General Director has already been elected and that we are just awaiting the Pope's green light. The General Chapter website (and since when did General Chapter's have Twitter feeds any way?) hasn't said anything and it seems that with final exams this semester everyone is one edge and we'd believe just about anything. Whatever the case is...Let's see what the Holy Spirit cooks up.

Homily Notes:

Fr. Alvaro giving the Homily
(Copyright Legion of Christ)

"Joy to be in Community"

He approached the ambo with no notes and looking into the eyes of the Fathers and Brothers present in the congregation he began an emotionally charged homily. In the past year he has gained weight and lost hair. He has lost the youthful look without. His eyes, however, still retain the Good Shepherd gentleness within and I don't think that it's going to go away.

• The most important event of our lives is the Eucharist.

• I've had a great desire to be here at home" (Fr. Alvaro was rector the Legion's Center for Higher Studies for over two decades before being elected Superior General).

• Thank you for your fidelity and your many messages. 

• I would like to apologize for the failures [in the past] that have made you suffer. 

• It's a Joy to be alongside Brothers, true Heroes.

He spoke about the great desire to be in community and the nostalgia he feels about being a part of this community in specific. He has mentioned in other times how much it had cost him to leave it to become Superior General leaving this Center of Formation. He also mentioned that we have been able to see the "Renewal" or "witness the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives". He also mentioned that in some ways all of us were part of the General Chapter that was going on near by.

• St. John the Baptist's call for conversion is a personal call to conversion in which we are called to bring a Theological dimension into each of the happenings of life 

• In the breviary St. Augustine comments that John the Baptist's calling was "to disappear". "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

• Often, when our peace is robbed by pride and hatred, we rob the peace of others too.

• John the Baptist disappeared for the Lord to appear.

• In the end, what's it all for? 

• To become Saints [that's what it's all for]!

• All of us have enough opportunities to become Saints.

• God detaches us from all things...even our hair"(he said this alluding to his own hair loss due to his brain cancer. Laughter in the congregation).

• Detachment is a gift...Detachment from our own projects and passions. He wants to strip us down so that we can be renewed clothed again and become the New Man [in Christ] (cf. 2 Cor 5:17). 

We had been awaiting some news on the General Chapter and were on the edge of our pews to get some news. 

• The General Chapter is going to go well. God will work. I'm sure that the Legion will go forward well.

• Today we want to renew our vocation. To return to the First Love and to the first time you heard that calling. 

• The "Yes" [to the vocation] must be sustained through freedom to do God's will. Yes, Lord, I desire it. Sometimes we don't feel great about ourselves. 

• The "Yes" is a marvelous gift that must be renewed. The Church, the Movement, the Legion is His. Our human assurances may fall apart. What remains [in the end] is God.

• Jesus was not a winner [on the Cross].

Fr. Alvaro greeting Br. Vazquez
(Copyright Legion of Christ\Joao Paulo Alves)

So nothing in particular about the General Chapter came out but then he did speak about himself even unjustly deriding himself "Egocentric" (egoista).

• God called me to be a Saint. God's calling me to be what I should be an it's a Joy.

• Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself". What would all this mean if we didn't love? Charity overcomes all things.

• It's not about us. We have to love much. Our vocation is very much present in Our Blessed Mother. 

• Think at times if what you do would please or sadden Her. 

• What are we doing if we aren't renewing our calling with the perspective of Heaven? This perspective takes away our problems. If we Glory then we glory in the Cross (cf. Gal 6:14). 

He concluded by explaining that he had been praying for the newly ordained priests of last December and that he continued offering his prayers for those who are to be ordained. He explained that he had seen a photo of the Pope looking at a panoramic group photo of Legionaries and Regnum Christi Members. 

Personally, I don't know who or when we will find out a General Director has been elected (and approved). God knows. I just know that whoever it is my desire is the same. I pledge allegiance to the Cross of Christ from which grace and mercy are poured out. Daily, as a community we have been praying for the Chapter Fathers who have the great responsibility to bring the Legion forward. God knows why, what, who and how things should him. One lesson I did learn from money was, "In God we Trust" and that expresses my attitude about it all.

Whatever happens my only desire is this: that the Legion always be authentically and wholly of Christ.

Professions Mass
(Copyright Legion of Christ\John Choi)

Learning Fatherhood (Part 2): Fr. Álvaro Corcuera LC, a Tribute in the Year of the Faith

"Learning How to become a Father" are reflections on Spiritual Fatherhood. They are not mature reflections on the theme and may be considered more "experiences" and meditations through which we come to Spiritual Fatherhood in the Priesthood. As a seminarian I know that this will be the identity and challenge I am called to take on especially in these last years of priestly formation.

(Spanish Version - 19 October 2013)

http://quovadisroma.blogspot.com/2013/10/padre-alvaro-un-tributo-en-el-ano-de-la.html)

Fr. Álvaro Corcuera LC

 

We have had the privilege of having in the past few days - someone we have simply called «Father Álvaro». It’s been almost a year since we received the sad news of his diagnosis – brain cancer – I imagine he received the news not much earlier than we did. Providentially, at the beginning of the Year of Faith (11 October 2012), he had resigned his commission as General Director due to health issues.

The Year of Faith is going by quickly and soon enough it will come to its terminus. Within this context I would like to offer a few words of thanks for this brother, friend, companion but above all, Father.

My intention is not to do a history lesson about the past years – years which in some ways have been “overcome” – but to remember this Father’s role in the midst of something we could call nothing less than a “nightmare”. I remember very clearly receiving the sad news about our Founder almost five years go. The facts are saddening and I doubt any one wants to return to them. We realized that the beautiful and great tree of the Church had grown a rotten branch and some of us grew to think that nothing from that branch could grow “good fruit…fruit that would last”. Nevertheless, seeing within it the betrayal of a “father”, another Father stood up to take up the reins and – probably without knowing it – become a victim of expiation. Fr. Álvaro.

Receiving applause in the Dining Room

Legion of Christ Center for Higher Studies – Rome

The Book of Genesis tells that Abraham was a man without a family. His wife was sterile. When God revealed to him that he would have a large family – a family so numerous that only the stars in the night sky and the grains of sand along the shore could compare – the Bible recounts that Abraham did the counterintuitive: “Abraham Believed” (Gen 15:6). In this moment the History of Salvation saw another branch appear. The People of Faith, the People of God took their first baby steps. The Bible speaks of other moments of the paradoxical nature of our faith. The faith of Moses and that of David are telling. Moses, an exiled stutterer went to encounter, Pharaoh - the King of Kings of his time – to redeem his people. David, the young shepherd “pleasing to the sight” (handsome) faced the giant Goliath with five stones. Each of these characters asked the same question “Lord, what are you going to give me?” (See Gen 15, Exodus 3, 1 Sam 17). Each of them, in their own way, asks about the recompense to be had.

The “in the beginning” of the New Testament begins this time with the faith of a woman, that of Mary. “Let it be done to me according to your Word – Fiat” (Luke 1). This was the road through whom we received the Light of the World, Jesus Christ and with him New Life. He revealed – ‘unveiled’ – a whole new panorama of God - a God merciful and loving that “thirsts” to forgive and accompany us so much so that he becomes one among us just as He is with his Father. He said, “Remain in me and I in you” (Jn 15). And those who “remain” with him live-with Him and with a hope, an absolute and indestructible trust. The grace that comes down from God is capable of making of each of us a part of the vine and the branches (Jn 15) of our Lord. There is no doubt that His “Father is the vinedresser” and prunes his vineyard, clearing off the excess – all to make it grow bigger, more healthy and more beautiful - and in this way God can take our littleness and make it Great.

It’s beautiful to speak of the spiritual life and contemplate the greatness of God – what God’s able to do with the little that we are. On the other hand, this same God that forgives (with no limits) and loves, also prunes and cleans us – so much so that his own Son learned to obey “in suffering” (Heb 5:8) - the Cross. The Dark Night through which the Regnum Christi Movement went through was our Cross. These have been, and still are mysterious times. Only God understands and can explain the happenings step-by-step and throughout this purification so as to “give more fruit” there is a communion of Fathers, Brothers, Consecrated Men and Women, and Lay People that believe in God and therefore also in his Church, the Movement and the Legion. But from this multitude one stands out. One that doesn’t pretend to be perfect but desires to be just one among many. One without whom the Legion and the Movement would have been lacking very much. His was to believe firmly that “all things come together for the good of those who love God” especially for those “that have been called according to his plan” (Rom 8:28). We could hypothesize what God’s plan is for Fr. Álvaro.

I don’t really have a judgment. Jesus and his Vicar canonize people – I do not. I don’t have any delusions that he is perfect. I have no doubts that – as all of us do – he feels guilt, shame and failure from the past. Nevertheless, if it wasn’t around many of us would feel that someone were missing in our lives. When this Father said “yes” – whether his children liked it or not – this fiat has been the paradoxical hope, “to hope against all hope”(Rom. 4:18) and because of this hope we are here. Our Lord said that having done what we committed ourselves to do that “we should call ourselves ‘useless servants’” (Luke 17). Though many may call Him “useless” judging him for the worst – I believe that it is not for history nor for anyone to judge a human person – but for God alone.

When “the Word of the Lord was rare in those days and visions were not frequent” (1 Sam 3) there was someone who believed and changed designs that seemed impossible. Today I give a tender and filial thanks on my behalf as friend, brother, and son to Father Álvaro. I know that he returns to the US for chemotherapy treatment. Let’s accompany him. He’s not alone. I know that it’s not probable that he will be present at my Priestly Ordination nevertheless, I would like to invite you, Padre Álvaro, to accompany me for my First Mass. I ask that you accompany me and guide me step-by-step as I ascend the steps of the Altar and that you firmly hold my hand.

 

Brother John
jchoi@legionaries.org
 

Padre Álvaro - Un Tributo en el Año de la Fe

Durante los últimos días hemos tenido entre nosotros alguien conocido entre nosotros simplemente como «Padre Álvaro». Hace ya casi un año recibimos juntos el diagnóstico diagnóstico grave que tenía cancro cerebral (Imagino que recibimos la noticia poco más tarde que él). El había - prácticamente - renunciado su encargo providencialmente el día del inicio del Año de la Fe, 11 de octubre de 2012.

El Año de la Fe se nos va pasando y dentro de poco terminará. En este mismo marco quisiera ofrecer palabras de agradecimiento por este hermano, amigo, compañero pero sobre todo «Padre».

Aunque mi intención no es ser histórico contando los sucesos pasados (y en algunas estancias - superados) me acuerdo hace casi cinco años el haber recibido la fea noticia sobre nuestro Fundador Marcial Maciel. Los hechos son tristes. Muy amargos y nadie quiere recordarles de cerca. Cuando figuraba la pesadilla que había un ramo podrido en el gran árbol de la Iglesia era en ese instante casi imposible para algunos imaginar que ese ramo podría producir «fruto bueno, fruto que perdura» para años y siglos. Sin embargo cuando humanamente la pesadilla no podría hacerse peor viéndose en ella las traiciones de un supuesto «padre» un otro Padre que se levantó para tomar las riendas y probablemente sin saberlo - ofrecerse como víctima expiatorio. Me refiero al P. Álvaro.

 

P. Álvaro Corcuera LC

 

Génesis narra que Abrahán era una persona sin familia. Su mujer era estéril. Al revelarle Dios que iba a tener una familia numerosa que sólo los astros de los cielos y la arena de la playa podían expresarla hizo Abrahán lo que cuenta en dos palabras la Biblia, «Abrahán Creó» (Gen 15,6). En este momento la Historia de la Salvación vio otro ramo aparecer. Comenzó un pueblo de la fe, Un Pueblo de Dios. Habla la Biblia en otros momentos de la contrariedad o realidad paradoxal de la fe. La fe de Moisés y la de David son emblemáticas. Moisés, un tartamudo exiliado fue al encontrar el Rey de reyes de ese entonces para redimir su pueblo. David, pastorcillo con nada más que cinco piedrecitas fue al encuentro con el gigante Goliat. Sin embargo los tres personajes del Antiguo Testamento hacen a un punto u otro la misma pregunta: «¿Qué me vas a dar?» (Cf. Gen. 15; Exo. 3; 1 Sam 17). Y ¿por qué no, no merecemos algo de nuestros esfuerzos?

El «En el principio» del Nuevo Testamento comienza esta vez con la fe de una mujer, la de María. «Hágase en mí según tu palabra – Fiat» (Lucas 1). Y de este modo recibimos la Luz del Mundo, Jesucristo y en él una nueva vida. Él nos reveló – como que desveló - toda una nueva panorámica de Dios. Dios misericordioso y amante que «tiene sed» de perdonar y acompañarnos, tanto es así que quiere «ser uno» con nosotros como es con Dios Padre. Misterio Insondable. «Quédate en mí y yo en tí» (Juan 15), decía El. Y los que se quedan con el conviven con la esperanza de una confianza absoluta e indestructible. La gracia que baja desde Dios es capaz de hacer de cada uno -una parte integrante de la viña del Señor. No hay duda que «el Padre poda», limpia y nos hace crecer más sin embargo, somos uno con Dios. Los grandes profetas del Antiguo Testamento se hacen chicos ante este acontecer. Ya cada uno es uno con el árbol más grande, fecundo y hermoso. Dios hace de nuestra poquedad – una grandeza.  
 

Recibe aplauso en el comedor del

Centro de Estudios Superiores en Roma 

Es hermoso hablar de vida espiritual y contemplar lo grande que es Dios (y lo grande que nos puede hacer de nuestra pequeñez). Sin embargo, el mismo Dios Padre que nos perdona y quiere, nos poda y limpia. Tanto es así que su propio hijo aprendió a obedecer «con sufrimiento» (Heb 5,8). La Cruz. La Noche Oscura por la que pasó el Movimiento durante los momentos más pesados era Nuestra Cruz. Eran y son tiempos misteriosos. Sólo Dios comprende y puede explicar los sucesos paso por paso. Y durante esta limpia donde Dios poda «para que diese más fruto» (Jn 15) hay un cuerpo de padres y hermanos que creen en Dios y consecuentemente en su Iglesia, el Movimiento y la Legión. Entre la multitud sobresale uno que no pretende ser perfecto sino uno entre muchos. Uno sin el cual seguramente la Legión y Regnum Christi hubiera faltado mucho. Lo suyo era creer firmemente que «todas las cosas interviene Dios para bien de los que le aman» especialmente para los «que han sido llamados según su designio» (Rom 8,28). Podemos hipotetizar el designio de Dios para el P. Álvaro. No tengo juicio ninguno. Jesucristo y su Vicario canonizan personas – no yo. No tengo ilusiones que es un hombre sin fallo ninguno, sin mirar hacia atrás con vergüenza alguna. Sin embargo si no fuera por El muchos de nosotros hubiéramos faltado a alguien importante en nuestras vidas. Cuando un padre nos dejaba otro dijo «Sí» quiéranlo o no sus hijos. Este sí, este fiat de parte del P. Álvaro, ha sido el esperar paradoxal – un «esperar contra toda esperanza» (Rom 4,18). Y por esta fe estamos.

Nuestro Señor hablaba de que terminando de haber hecho lo que prometimos hacer «nos debemos de llamar “siervos inútiles”» (Lucas 17). Aunque muchos lo llaman «inútil» juzgándole por lo peor creo yo que no es ni para la historia ni nadie a juzgar a una persona sino Dios.

Cuando «La palabra del Señor era rara en aquellos días, y la visión no era frecuente» (1 Sam 3) había sí alguien que creía y cambió un designio que parecía imposible. Le doy un agradecimiento cordial y filial de parte de un amigo, hermano, e hijo al Padre Álvaro. Sé que vuelve a los tratamientos de quimioterapia el lunes que viene. Le acompañaremos. No está solo. Sé que es poco posible tenerle presente para mi ordenación sacerdotal. Sin embargo le invito, P. Álvaro, a acompañarme para mi cantamisa. Le pido que me acompañe y me guíe paso a paso al ascender los grados del altar y tenerle al lado con mano firme.