Fr Stephen Langridge had an evening of recollection today at the Holy Ghost parish, Balham with Fr Benedict Groeschel giving a talk on "The New Psychology of Virtue." Although there is a lot on my desk to get through, I took the decision a couple of weeks ago to book this evening into my diary because I have never met Father Benedict and I was very keen to see the man who has done so much wonderful work for the renewal of the Church.The full Church was treated to a spiritually enriching, witty and down to earth talk on the problems of 20th century psychology and the importance of the concept and practice of virtue. After the talk, Fr Stephen Langridge celebrated Vespers and Benediction. As ever on these occasions, it was a pleasure to meet people who have read this blog as well as many old friends from Faith and from other contacts in Catholic London. A good number of seminarians from Wonersh were there too and I know that their presence is valued - they also benefit from such occasions where there is a real joy in the faith among lay people from every walk of life. At these events at the Holy Ghost, one always comes away reaffirmed in Pope John Paul's exclamation (taken up by Pope Benedict) "The Church is alive! The Church is young!
I picked up a copy of the book that Fr Benedict has published on the theme he was speaking about tonight:
9 comments:
What a lovely photo !
i can't believe you met Fr Benedict. How amazing! i love his 'Arise from Darkness'& love the book he wrote about the young seminarian ordained Priest hours before dying, 'A Priest Forever'.Fr Benedict's psychological qualifications are so authentic that i will read some more of his books. The one Fr Tim suggests seems to be a good place to start.
I met Fr Benedict at the Linacre conference last week, having also picked him up from the airport and spent the afternoon with him. I really should blog about it! He is an exceptional man, with all sorts of insight about life, and all in a spirit of charity and humour. He was ready for the Motu Proprio, and will hopefully get his brothers into 'Spirit of Summorum Pontificum' very soon!
May I be forgiven for saying I’M JEALOUS!
Fr Benedict is a living saint and apostle who radiates God’s glory even more brightly in the way he lives after his debilitating accident. I hope that one day, I might manage to meet him, or at least, see him in the flesh.
Thanks for posting about this.
Matt, your comment makes me really excited! Father, did you happen to discuss Summorum Pontificum with him? I think orders like his are going to be where the Extraordinary Use really begins to grow--I personally don't see how a priest who loves the Pope can read that document and not think that he seriously needs to work on brushing up on Latin and learning how to say the Old Mass, if not for the immediate future, then for the long-run of his priesthood (especially if he's young).
Fr Benedict looks and sounds amazing! I'll order the book. Do any of his other books critique the therapy culture? Which would you recommend for starters?
Papa Pius VII - I agree with you that the "new movements" may well be the place where the MP really bites. Many good priests and laity have been shy of the old rite but will not feel that it is OK to go ahead and support it.
Anon - sorry to say that I am not familiar enough with Fr Benedict's corpus of works to make specific recommendations. I am most of the way through "The Virtue Driven Life" and would certainly recommend it.
When Fr Benedict was hospitalised a few years ago it was like a darkness had covered the earth for orthodox catholics in the US - every Sunday was filled with repeated questions and comments about his health - often with tears in their eyes. I remember him recounting the story of St Philip Neri and the Gossip [the chicken feathers on the doorstep] - nobody was more unsettled than my Parish Priest who spent the next few weeks uncommonly quiet - the man understands people's hearts ; and loves them enough to prick their consciences with the caring concern of a parent. There are few priests more worthy of being called 'Father'.
I saw Fr. Groeschel give the same lecture at the Mission Church here in Boston several weeks ago---though he added a lot of Boston-specific commentary. It was unforgettable. I got to chat with him briefly as he signed a copy of his book for me. The crowds of people, among whom were no small number of young habited nuns and young tonsured brothers, were enraptured. He received so many ovations, and I loved how at the end he implored us not to clap in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. His speech ended in silence, though hundreds of people, unable to contain themselves, waved at Fr. Benedict instead.
I would love to find a recording of that lecture somewhere.
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