Passionist Institute Sydney June 2006 - by Greg Murphy

The more we hear about Paul of the Cross, the more our understanding of the nature of being Passionist becomes clearer.

We all arrived at Marrickville, in dribs and drabs. Some were from Terry Hills, some from other parts of Australia, most being from Marrickville, Sydney. Also to the surprise of some there were five from New Zealand. (Greg and Anne Murphy, Pat & Lynda Steiner, MaryAnne Hall, all from Huntly)

The venue was perfect. Accommodation was superb. Most of all the hospitality was beyond anything we expected. Each of those three factors left us all in a receptive space, so that we could absorb the maximum from the presentations given to us. If there was to be a drawback, it was that we had to leave the safe, caring and absorbing environment, and go back to our lives at home.

For us from New Zealand, we were blessed with our accommodation. It was "on site" and we shared a three bedroomed unit which was ideal. It gave us the chance to get to know each other better, not only in a day to day sense but also in a spiritual sense. We have become quite a close unit. Being together for the weekend was long enough to benefit many aspects. It would not have been of value to us to have been shorter. On the other hand, we probably could have benefited if the Institute had been longer. With busy everyday life, most would find a weekend Institute the easiest to fit into their schedule. That is recognised totally. However it would be great if some of the future Institutes retained the longer format.

The content was significant.

During the session on Saturday morning, presented by Brian Traynor CP, a session on Paul of the Cross, something fell into place for me. Having been present at a number of sessions on this topic, I had thought the subject was going to be repetitious. That is not a bad thing for me, but during this session it became increasing clearer to me, how Paul had dealt with aspects of the development of the new Congregation. The difference between knowing something and realising it, happened. The presentation Brian made was very clear, easy to understand and yet it held so much meaning for many of us. In fact it touched the odd tender spot for several.

The afternoon session took a more in-depth look at Paul and was given by Chris Monaghan CP. Being a lecturer in Scipture studies, gives Chris a presence that inspires. Out of this session came not only facts on Paul and his new Congregation, but an insight into how Paul must have viewed the world around him while it was happening. During this session the resolve in me, produced Paul as one of the Saints to be placed on my list of role models. In fact it was a small list. Paul the Apostle being another on it.

The two sessions gave us a whole day of Paul of the Cross. It was not too long and not too short. It has left many of us wanting to learn more on the subject. Incidentally Chris has produced a CD database on the Letters of Paul of the Cross. Most purchased one. Significant work has gone into preparing the CD and purchasers will not be disappointed.

The balance of the input worth noting were two different sessions. The first was from Kevin Tuit’tu CP, on the relics of Saints he has known. This was something right out of the norm. It was a session that gives meaning to the expression "Thinking outside the square". We were looking at actual relics of mainly dead Saints, however some relics related to Saints still alive. Some were from Canonised Saints and others Kevin believed to be Saints. What this session gave me, was an understanding of how Kevin interpreted the Cross he was to bear and the best way for him to achieve that. For me he is living Saint himself.

The second was a session given by the Provincial, Dennis Travers CP, on how the Passionist Congregation is extending it's "Standing at the foot of the Cross" mission, to lay people. His description of how the Passionist Companions fit into this spirituallity, was significant for all who heard him. We are indeed fortunate to have been there and to have heard the call to be Passionists ourselves.

The facilitator for the weekend was Tiernan Doherty CP. Maybe New Zealand organisers could extend an invitation to him to lead the next NZ Institute, or even attend one of the Passionist Companion gatherings as a thank you and a chance for him to continue to promote the Passionist Charism in a country that has no resident professed Passionist.

Saturday evening was for socialising. Have you ever seen a real illusionist? We did. Brother Jeff Daly had us spell bound. What the rest of those living at Marrickville with him, put up with is something else. I really thought my watch was a goner, but he gave it back to me whole and still telling the time accurately. The evening meal was superb too.

The support from Brian Traynor, to the New Zealand group is sincerely acknowledged. We are whole again.

One final impression that I personally was left with. The whole Church throughout the world could follow the example the Passionist Congregation shows, in the relationship between laity and professed. I pray that I will see the day when the worldwide clergy acknowledge that the laity are no longer an audience and that they will accept the laity as proactive participants.

Special thanks to all who participated in the Institute, organisers, presenters, workers and attendees. We came away refreshed, committed and once again, closer to God.

Being Passionist means standing at the foot of the Cross, along with all that entails.

There is some excellent information about past Institutes and other Passionist information on the Passionist web site www.passionists.com Interested people may also like to speak to someone who has attended a previous Institute.