The Pillar writes about L'Arche; March is the month of St. Joseph
Laura DeMaria
Happy March, one and all! Here in the DC, a mild winter and early warm days have begun to bring about the beginning signs of spring. Everywhere, daffodils are exploding in bobbing pops of yellow, some pear and cherry trees are showing their full pink glory, and otherwise the irises and spring flowers are bringing their first green blades up from the ground. March is dedicated to St. Joseph, one of the greatest saints of the Church, as his feast day approaches on March 19. You can bet your buttons I will be doing a novena to him, and in the meantime, entrusting to him my needs around work, housing, and relationships, as he so deftly attends to these. Plus, he is the terror of demons! Go on, St Joseph!
In other news, the best, most impartial form of Catholic journalism out there is happening at The Pillar. I am a monthly subscriber, and you should be, too. I was grateful, and not surprised, that they recently took on the new revelations of Jean Vanier’s abuse in the L’Arche community, which he founded. I was honored to be asked by the excellent Pillar journalist Luke Coppen to share my experience as a member of the DC L’Arche community in light of the recent revelations in a story called “L’Arche after Vanier: ‘We’ve moved on from Jean’.” L’Arche Greater Washington, DC Executive Director Luke Smith also provided thoughtful context on how core family members themselves have, and are, processing the revelations, going back to the initial report in 2020.
It is true that, as I say in the interview, I cried all day. There was a Saturday in particular I remember feeling so utterly betrayed. But, I also mean it when I say - that really has nothing to do with us. Who L’Arche is, is not Jean. Better people than him were able to make something glorious and miraculous out of his strange form of “spirituality.” Everything I have encountered at L’Arche is very real. This news does not change that. And most importantly, it is example 1,000,000,000 of how nothing is ever over with God; He brings good out of bad and it is one of his defining characteristics. Life goes on, thanks be to God. He makes all things new.
Other things on my mind as Lent progresses: why ought we to add something, rather than take away something, during this time? Also, what is the value of going on a retreat, and why should more people take a spiritual retreat? More coming on these fronts for you.
May your Lent continue to be blessed and meaningful.