Archive for daniel p. horan

« Older Entries

On Another ‘Note’: Introducing the Mass of the Holy Name

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , on July 5, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

So, these days most people know me for my writing, whether on this blog, or my book Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis, or because of several dozen articles in various publications. What most people, I think it’s safe to presume, don’t know about me is that I occasionally minister as a liturgical musician. Opportunities for me to serve as a piano accompanist have dramatically decreased since my ordination as a priest (it’s rather difficult to preside and play the piano, although I did play an opening hymn once at Long Beach Island when I had daily mass), nevertheless, when the chance arises when I can help out behind the ivories, I’m glad to do it. When I was in college, and even more recently in graduate school while working on my MA and MDiv degrees, I was able to play percussion: both the timpani and drum set in various settings. You might recall that while teaching at Siena College during the 2010-2011 academic year, I also played the drums in the student pep band.

The reason I mention this aspect of my life today is that earlier this year I composed, rather quickly and simply, a Mass setting to be used with the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal for my local Washington, DC Franciscan community. We faced an interesting challenge. We would often celebrate our community liturgy rather early in the morning, which is not the most opportune time for thirty men to sing just any musical piece, particularly if that setting is written in a key a bit higher than an early-morning-religious man’s voice could handle. Range was an issue with a number of the new settings.

We had also decided early on not to use one of the more familiar revised settings both at the personal recommendation of some of the composers and out of fear that it might be too confusing, at least for now. We tried a few settings and found that Tony Alonso’s Mass of Joy and Peace was one of the better or at least more intuitive settings. We used that for a while, but the repetition (which could be initially helpful in getting the changes down) and the key (D major) made it difficult for us to use long-term in our particular community.

And so, somewhat randomly, I decided in January that I would compose a very simple setting in a key that would be easy to sing early in the morning, particularly by a large group of religious men. Over the course of two days I hammered out what is ultimately still a work in progress, the Mass of the Holy Name.

Almost immediately it became clear that it would work, at least for us. People seemed to have no trouble picking up the melody and singing within the limited range. Even the “Lamb of God” is apparently so catchy that I would hear people humming it around the friary later in the day.

Since its intentional and rather private use in our local community in Washington, it has been used whole or in part (the “Lamb of God” used most regularly, including at my ordination and elsewhere) in a variety of settings and in different locations. Although not widely used, I have been receiving an increasing number of requests from people for information about how to get ahold of the setting and the permission to use it.

After some thought, I decided to post it on my website under a new page titled “Music,” to make it accessible for those who are interested. It is not an entirely complete setting. It consists of the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, and Lamb of God. I do intend to finish writing the Gloria, Kyrie, and Gospel Acclamation, but for many obvious reasons, I have not yet had the time.

So, I offer my work here for your use. The only request I have is that you properly identify the Mass setting, credit the composer and note the copyright holder in your reprinting. Please also feel free to send me feedback about your experience with it and how it’s received in its use. Keep in mind the context out of which it arose, that it is deliberately simple and in a key that is relatively easy for people to sing (B-flat Major), especially men in the morning. The accompanying C-Instrument parts were written with the intention of adding diversity and interest to the rather straightforward and intuitive settings, so when possible add a flute or the like. Enjoy!

Link to: Mass of the Holy Name (Piano/Vocal/Guitar/C-Instrument and Congregational settings)

Photo: Stock

2 Comments »

“Spirituality and the ‘Millennials’”

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on March 15, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

I was recently informed of a column that appeared in the newspaper The Catholic San Francisco that discussed a lecture I recently gave in Washington, DC, titled “Navigating the Spiritual Landscape of the Millennial Generation.” This article, written by a Paulist Priest, Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP, does a good job presenting a survey of my presentation as well as that of the other presenter in addition to his own reflections. One note of clarification — Fr. Ryan describes me as a Franciscan Father, I haven’t yet been ordained a priest, but I am scheduled to be in May.

Spirituality and the ‘millennials’

March 13th, 2012
By Father Thomas Ryan, CSP

My engagements during the past month afforded opportunities to speak with students at universities in Ohio, Tennessee and Minnesota. “The millennial generation” they’re called, born between 1982 and 2002, the majority of them in their late teens and twenties now.

On my return home, in leading a discussion in a parish on one of the presentations, “The Mystery of God,” in Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” series, I was struck by the fact that there was no one under 55 in the room.

Soon after, the Washington Theological Union sponsored a symposium titled “Attending to the Spiritual Landscape of the Millennial Generation.” Presenters were Franciscan Father Daniel Horan, a millennial and author of “Dating God,” and Patience Robbins, who has served as a spiritual director for the past 25 years with the Shalem Institute.

Statistics indicate that there is a significant increase in the number of young adults who are interested in religious practice. Often their putting off of commitments such as marriage or having children is ascribed to delayed maturity or to irresponsibility.

But, according to Horan, there are other factors involved, economic and career-related, such as employment opportunities or the requirement of travel in a job.

This also explains, he said, why they don’t settle into other commitments. “They oftentimes lack roots or stability, are always on the run – and not necessarily by choice.”

When it comes to engaging in faith practices, they’re expressing their interest in different ways than the traditional ones of Sunday mass, Benediction, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the rosary. Recent surveys show that while two-thirds of them acknowledge the importance of these practices, only 18 percent are coming to church to participate in them.

What does draw them are service-oriented immersion programs like Peace Corps or Americorps or spring break trips to places where they’ll do something like help to build homes or assist in cleaning up an area after a natural disaster. Praxis is first for them.

There is also a curiosity about practices in other religions, like Zen meditation or Muslim fasting or Hindu chanting. While many are interested in the traditional forms of spiritual practice in Christianity, it’s necessary to think outside the box in relating to millennials, said Horan. “They are interested in questions of deeper meaning, but the ways they express their faith are going to be very different. You’ll have to meet them where they are.”

Spiritual director Patience Robbins expanded on that theme. “Millennials want genuine, authentic mentors and spiritual guides. Meet and accept them where they’re at, and they’ll come back. Be open and flexible around forms of prayer and names for God. Let it emerge rather than imposing a top-down traditional model of practices.”

Robbins said the three themes she emphasizes in spiritual direction with millennials are: One, you are beloved of God. Two, cultivate listening for God in your life. Why am I here? What’s my role? Three is generosity. Be open; let the divine love flow through you to others.

“Such an approach is countercultural,” she said, “in the face of the current cultural emphases on ‘more’ and ‘faster’ because neither favors being grounded in the ‘now.’ What am I rushing for? There’s nowhere to go and nothing to ‘get’ – it’s here! And the next question becomes: If you’ve already got this deep connection with God, how do you want to cultivate it?”

Her words reminded me of something I saw happen in our family after my father died and my mother lived alone. One of her granddaughters, a nurse working in another state, liked to come and spend days at a time with her. She joined her for her meditation at the beginning of the day, and then accompanied her to daily Mass, and prayed the rosary with her at the end of the day.

And along the way I became aware that this granddaughter had begun going regularly to Mass at her local parish. Her grandmother was her mentor. She accepted her granddaughter where she was, but continued to live her own faith with integrity and conviction, to carry it in living form and to manifest its fruits. Her peace and serenity made of her life a living word. Her granddaughter saw it and, over time, reached out for it.

There is instruction and encouragement in that for us all.

Paulist Father Thomas Ryan lives in Washington, D.C., and has written several books on spirituality. www.tomryancsp.org.

Photo: Stock

Leave A Comment »

Speaking in Hartford Monday Evening and Tuesday

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on March 12, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

For those in the Hartford, CT, area, I will be speaking at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church and Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry this evening on the subject of Thomas Merton. The talk, titled, “Thomas Merton: A Modern Prophet and Model of Contemplation and Action,” is a combination of presentation on the life and work of Thomas Merton, the late American Trappist Monk and best-selling spiritual writer, as well as an opportunity for discussion and Lenten prayer. Working with the text of Merton, I will provide some context and insight about the writing and then share selections of his work on four particular themes: Identity, Silence, Contemplation and Action. The evening’s events begin at 5:00 pm. Consult the website above for more information.

I will also be speaking for a much briefer session the next day, Tuesday March 13, as part of the Lenten Nourishment Program at noontime. As always, for information on speaking events, conferences, workshops and retreats, visit DanHoran.com/events

3 Comments »

It Has Arrived! Get Your Copy Today

Posted in Dating God Book, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2012 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

Well, the day has come and the book is shipping. As you can see from this photo to the left, I received my copy of Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis yesterday and was delighted to hear from so many friends that they’ve received email notifications from Amazon.com that their pre-ordered books were shipped or scheduled to ship shortly. Many people have asked about Kindle and Nook versions of the book and I’ve been told by my publisher that those editions are forthcoming and should be available very soon. These large booksellers, Amazon and B&N, take a long time to update their digital storefronts and have all the options available. Be patient, it will arrive shortly — in the meantime, if you’re eager to check out the book, pick up a hard copy for one of the insanely low prices that these booksellers are discounting the new book!  Amazon.com is offering it for 33% off the retail price and now so is B&N (although yesterday, for a short time, they were selling it at the awesome 40% off price of $8.80, that seems to have ended).

Here are links to where you can buy the book and pre-order the audio version!

Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis [Amazon.com]

Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis [B&N.com]

Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis [Franciscan Media/SAMP]

Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis [Online Catholic Store]

…and from your local independent and Christian bookstores (if they don’t carry it, ask for it!)

It is exciting to have the book on its way to so many folks, I look forward to hearing what you think about it. I should also say that I have very little shame in promoting the sale of this book and encourage you to do likewise. Purchasing this book is a great way to support the Franciscan friars. All the royalties (what little the author gets, and other authors can relate to that reality) go to Holy Name Province and supports the ministry and community of friars on the East Coast, while the rest of the profit goes to St. Anthony Messenger Press/Franciscan Media, the publishers of the book, which is a non-profit Catholic book publisher founded by and maintained as a ministry of the Cincinnati Province of Franciscan friars. So it’s a great way to share the gift of Franciscan spirituality and support the good work of Franciscans in the US.

I’m off tomorrow to Cincinnati for a couple days in a recording studio to record the audio version of the book — more details to come on that trip!  Peace and good!

1 Comment »

Website Gets a New Look

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on October 24, 2011 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

For several reasons, not the least of which is the upcoming change in website-hosting services, a new iteration of DanHoran.com was launched today. It is a sleeker, simpler layout that features clear organization and access to the most important information. Like the old site it includes a menu bar that lists the sections of the website most often viewed — the “About,” “Speaking Schedule” and “Selected Publications” pages are among the most popular. There are some changes including an absence of extraneous photographs and information, a deletion intended to streamline information on the site in favor of simplicity and ease of access. There are some new additions including the rotating information on the “Home” page. The color scheme of the text and borders reflects a similar white, black and red theme in the cover design of Dan’s forthcoming book, Dating God: Franciscan Spirituality for the Next Generation (January 2012) — more to come on that in the future!

We hope that you like this page and encourage you to return often to catch up on news, updates and biographical background. The site is integrated with the DatingGod.org blog so the menu on the right-hand side of DatingGod.org will take you directly to the pages of DanHoran.com.

Feel free to share your thoughts about the new design and layout! Enjoy!

Leave A Comment »

A Catholic Call to Abolish the Death Penalty

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on September 26, 2011 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

The following statement, first published on the website CatholicMoralTheology.com, is signed by a number of Catholic theologians, church leaders and other scholars, in an effort to speak out against capital punishment. Br. Dan Horan, OFM, of DatingGod.org, is among those who signed the statement. Here is the full text:

There were two state-sanctioned executions in the United States on September 21, 2011. In Georgia, Troy Anthony Davis, an African American man, was put to death for the 1989 murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. In Texas, Lawrence Brewer, a white supremacist, was executed for his participation in the racist hate crime dragging murder of James Byrd in Jasper in 1998. As theologians, scholars, and social justice advocates who participate in the public discussion of Catholic theology, we protest the state-sanctioned killings of both of these men, and we call for the abolition of the death penalty in the US.

Davis’ execution is particularly troubling for it shines a stark light upon many longstanding concerns about capital punishment in the US. We mourn the death of Officer MacPhail and express our deepest sympathies to his family for their tragic loss. However, we believe that a grave miscarriage of justice took place with Davis’ execution. As many legal experts have pointed out, including former FBI Director and federal judge and prosecutor William S. Sessions, serious doubt remains about Davis’ guilt. Until his last breath he maintained his innocence. The failure of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, a Federal Appeals Judge, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court to grant Davis a new trial reveals a deeply flawed justice system. We therefore call upon lawmakers and President Obama to immediately repeal the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, which created the legal conditions for executing a man whose guilt was not established beyond reasonable doubt.

Even those who do not share our faith convictions ought to recognize, as Justice William J.  Brennan put it, “the death penalty is imposed not only in a freakish and discriminatory manner, but also in some cases upon defendants who are innocent.” The horrific legacy of lynching in the US casts its evil shadow over current application of the death penalty. Studies have shown that black defendants are more likely to receive the death penalty. In many states with capital punishment, defendants are from 3 to 5 times more likely to be executed if their victim was white. In states that retain the death penalty, 98 percent of district attorneys are white and only 1 percent are black. Execution is also irrevocable, and innocent people have likely been victims of it. Since 1973, 138 persons have been exonerated from death row, most of whom were people of color and economically poor.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops stated that “the sanction of death, when it is not necessary to protect society, violates respect for human life and dignity…Its application is deeply flawed and can be irreversibly wrong, is prone to errors, and is biased by factors such as race, the quality of legal representation, and where the crime was committed. We have other ways to punish criminals and protect society.” In earlier eras, Roman Catholic tradition acknowledged the necessity of capital punishment, in rare cases, to protect citizens from threats to the common good. In recent times, with more secure prison facilities that give us the means to offer such protection without executions, our church leaders have affirmed the need to eradicate the death penalty.

There are, moreover, theological reasons for this stance, and here we speak especially to our sisters and brothers in faith. In calling for the abolition of the “cruel and unnecessary” death penalty, Blessed Pope John Paul II argued that “[t]he new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate, and serve the Gospel of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.” Our theological tradition recalls that our Lord Jesus Christ was unjustly and brutally nailed to a cross to die. The great 20th century theologian Karl Barth put the matter this way: “Now that Jesus Christ has been nailed to the cross for the sins of the world, how can we still use the thought of expiation to establish the death penalty?” The Eucharistic celebration calls Catholics to remember all crucified people, including the legacy of lynching, in light of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His Gospel message of forgiveness and love of enemies presents a difficult challenge, especially to those who have lost love ones at the hands of a murderer. Yet, the Gospel teaches us how to become fully human: love, not hatred and revenge, liberates us. We need to forgive and love both in fidelity to the Gospel and for our own well-being. The experience of groups like Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights, who advocate against the death penalty, attests to this.

Therefore, in concert with our recent popes and bishops, we oppose the death penalty, whether a person on death row is guilty or innocent, on both theological and practical grounds. While we especially deplore and lament the killing of Troy Davis, we also decry the death sentences of the more than 3,200 inmates on death row and the 1,268 executions since the death penalty was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 1976. We urge our nation to abolish capital punishment, and we also implore our churches to work unwaveringly to end it as well as all other threats to human life and dignity.

Signed:

1. Gerald J. Beyer, Associate Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Saint Joseph’s University

2. Alexander Mikulich, Research Fellow, Jesuit Social Research Institute, Loyola University New Orleans

3. Emily Reimer-Barry, Assistant Professor of Theology & Religious Studies, University of San Diego

4. Tobias Winright, Associate Professor of Theological Ethics, Saint Louis University

5. Maria Pilar Aquino, Professor of Theology & Religious Studies, University of San Diego

Read more »

3 Comments »

Two SBU Graduates Profess Solemn Vows

Posted in Franciscan Spirituality, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on September 9, 2011 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

This article appeared yesterday in the official news publication of Holy Name Province, HNP Today (vol. 45, no. 18), describing the solemn profession of DatingGod.org author, Br. Dan Horan, and his classmate, Br. Steve DeWitt. The article also includes an overview of Brs. Dan and Steve’s ministerial experiences in recent years as well as the note that they were both ordained to the diaconate one week later in Washington, DC.

Two SBU Graduates Profess Solemn Vows

by Jocelyn Thomas

NEW YORK — Stephen DeWitt, OFM, and Daniel Horan, OFM, professed their final vows as Franciscans on Aug. 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan, despite the pending arrival of Hurricane Irene late that day. A week later, on Sept. 3, they were ordained deacons on a day with quite the opposite conditions — pleasant weather.

“The spirit of the people attending the profession was very upbeat despite the threat of the approaching hurricane,” said Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM.

Stephen and Daniel, both graduates of St. Bonaventure University in Western New York, came to New York City from Maryland where they are living while completing their master’s in divinity degrees at Washington Theological Union. They arrived just before transportation in and around New York City was shut down because of the storm.

The Aug. 27 solemn profession Mass began with a bit of levity. The Provincial Minister reminded Steve and Dan of the saying, “That it is good luck if it rains on your wedding day, so it must mean that Dan and Steve will have incredible good luck as a hurricane will happen on their profession day.”

John said that the small crowd, reduced because many guests were not able to travel, did not dampen the joy and enthusiasm. “I was very grateful for the fact that rougly 60 friars attended, considering that most forms of transportation in the city were suspended.”

Because some were not able to travel to New York, changes to the program were made and others substituted for people who couldn’t get there.

Dan’s brother Sean Horan presented the first reading in place of Andrew Kneller, a postulant classmate of Dan and Steve. In addition to Dominic Monti, OFM, the Province’s secretary for formation and studies, and Thomas Conway, OFM, HNP director of post-novitiate formation, Andrew Reitz, OFM, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, General Vicar of the Order of Friars Minor, were also vested and gave communion. Bishop Capistran Heim, OFM, also sat in the sanctuary. “Otherwise, everything went according to plan,” saidTimothy Shreenan, OFM, who with Christopher Coccia, OFM, served as a master of ceremony.

Making it Official
In his homily, John challenged Steve and Dan to reflect on what their lives mean and what messages their words and actions communicate to others.

“I reminded them that as Franciscans we are called to be messengers of the Gospel, to be, as our General Minister has reminded us, messengers of peace and reconciliation, to enter into dialog with others,” said John. “I explained that this is a real challenge, for we live in a world where there is too often a lack of dialog, a lack of civil discourse, a world where people will, at times, resort to labeling or attacking other persons when they disagree with them on the issues. I told them that living the Gospel values is the more difficult road to travel and it can involve both pain and gain, but it is indeed the road Christ calls us to, and the road our Father Francis followed.”

Vocation director Brian Smail, OFM, said: “When friars like Dan and Steve make their final profession, they are saying ‘Yes’ to a permanent commitment to our way of life. To men who are either looking at our way of life (like the postulants) or in formation like our student friars, taking final vows means, ‘Yes,’ I believe in this Franciscan life, I believe it is a life worth living. I wish to devote my entire life to this mission to heal wounds, unite what has fallen apart, and to bring back those who have lost their way. It is a witness to years of preparation and perseverance. I think witnessing this event must be tremendously encouraging to the postulants and student friars.”

“Dan and Steve were very excited and pleased, and the prolonged standing ovation that they received was a tribute to how highly respected they are in the Province,” John said. “I thank the friars who helped nurture their vocations.”

After ordination next spring, Dan hopes to pursue graduate studies and eventually teach. Steve will likely use his Spanish skills to minister in a mission or in a U.S. Hispanic ministry.

Looking Back
Steve, 29, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., graduated from St. Bonaventure in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in history and theology and studied for a year at the University of Dayton in Ohio. An alumnus of Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y., DeWitt completed an internship at St. Anne’s Parish in Lima, Peru, last spring.

“What attracted me to the friars was my experience of community, both in my interactions with friars at St. Bonaventure as part of a vocation group there and my experience as a summer intern at Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Retreat,” Steve said.

Dan, 27, who grew up in Utica, N.Y., earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Bonaventure in 2005 and a master’s degree in systematic theology from the WTU in 2010. As part of his Franciscan formation, Dan served an internship at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., teaching in the religious studies department.

“I have felt for several years now that this was what God was calling me to live and my response was affirmative. What this occasion means to me is a very special time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating that vocation with my brother friars, family and friends. It is a time to celebrate God’s gift of religious life and the many blessings that comes with that.”

In the solemn profession program, Dan and Steve thanked their families and friars. “We wish to thank our brother friars of Holy Name Province. The Order of Friars Minor is a way of life and you have welcomed us with open arms into this fraternity to which we now give our lives. Without your friendship, wisdom, support, and prayers we would not be here before you professing our life to this shared venture we call Franciscan life. We both look forward to many years of fraternity and ministry with all of you.”

Dan and Steve were ordained deacons at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Sept. 4. The Most Rev. Martin Holley, auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C., celebrated the Mass, which was also attended by John O’Connor. Both Dan and Steve expect to be ordained to the priesthood in May 2012.

— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.

Photo: Octavio Duran, OFM

Leave A Comment »

The Memory of 9/11: An Anniversary Reflection and Christian Response

Posted in Franciscan Spirituality, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2011 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

The following is an excerpt from my essay, “A Franciscan Millennial and the Memory of 9/11,” which appears in the book, Franciscan Voices on 9/11 (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2011), and is now available for the Amazon Kindle. The book also includes essays from Richard Rohr OFM, Joe Nangle OFM, Mike Guinan OFM, and others.

Approaching the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we are called to remember, commemorate and mourn. Each of these practices is an engagement with memory. The first (remember) is to “call to mind,” to “bring forward” a concept or experience. This “thing-to-call-to-mind” can be positive or negative, but it remains in the past or in the realm of the imagination. The second (commemorate) is a communal engagement, to remember with others usually in a public way. The third (mourn) is to bring to mind in order to let go or reconcile. But what is this memory that we are asked to engage?

In one sense it is a very subjective reality. So much of my memory is cast, edited, recast, forgotten and so on by “me.” Yet, there remain public or shared factors that inform much of a memory I claim as my own. The constant repetition of “the story of 9/11” in the news, in political-campaign speeches, from sermon pulpits and around the patriotic hearth of American households seems to convey a sense of objective truth that “this story” is “the story.” However, this is not the case.

So much of the shaping of this memory has been done by language that is constricted by the discourse of American nationalism and vengeance. It is a memory of attack and violence that has been crafted to justify the retributive action of the United States across the globe. Two wars, thousands of deaths, trillions of dollars and lost civil liberties later, one must only allude to 9/11 to justify violence, discrimination and abuse. As such, the memory of 9/11 becomes not a token of solemn reflection fit for remembrance, commemoration or mourning, but a pawn in the game of global power.

Recently I was eating lunch with some other Franciscan friars and two employees who work for the friars in Albany. Having just returned from an academic conference in another part of the country, I shared my frustration about the loss of civil liberties exemplified in the highly invasive procedures of airport security. One of the employees said she would rather feel violated (as I had that week) and be open to further restrictions in order to “be safe.” When I and some others at the table explained that studies often show such actions are simply theatrical and reactionary and in fact were not making anybody safer, she admitted that either way she would support the surrender of her rights. Her memory has been so shaped by the popular language of the possible and the collective narratives of violence that she could not see the contradiction inherent in sacrificing one’s rights to “protect” these very same rights.

This memory is highly selective. The images and emotions evoked by the way people discuss 9/11 perpetuates the belief that “justice” means vengeance and “peace” is attainable only by a war on terror. This sort of rhetoric draws on religious symbolism, blatantly contradicting the core of Christian belief, which so many of those who willingly capitulate to this narrative claim as their own. If the memory of 9/11 were not limited to the language of the possible, more people might see that what we passed off as “the memory of 9/11” is really just a tiny sliver of the fuller story. Its use has not been to authentically remember, commemorate or mourn a tragedy, but to perpetuate injustice and violence in our world.

The 13th-century Franciscan saint, theologian and doctor of the church, St. Bonaventure, explains that memory is not only shaped by our own experience and the influences of the community, but it can be informed and shaped “from above” by those things that cannot be perceived through our senses. In other words, our memory also can be affected by the divine light of God, illuminated and made clear through the Spirit. What the selective memory of 9/11 has done is preclude the memory of the tragedy from receiving the light of God. Instead, it remains in the shadow of worldly wisdom. St. Paul reminds us how Christians are to approach the wisdom of the world.

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demanded signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength (1 Corinthians 1:20-25, NRSV).

A Christian response to worldly wisdom, to the factors of popular, civil and political influence on memory, is to question what at first might seem wise and appropriate in order to allow God to illuminate the true wisdom.

St. Paul and St. Bonaventure challenge the conventional notion of the memory of 9/11 by reminding us to examine what has shaped and informed it. Is this how God sees what happened on 9/11? Is this how Jesus Christ would respond after such an event?

To speak with a Franciscan voice, to remember, commemorate and mourn as one who lives the gospel would, we must be willing to step back and challenge the individual and collective memory of that fateful day ten years ago. We must be willing to ask about what factors have come together to produce the story that is passed along as the memory, challenging the conventional wisdom as Jesus himself had. “You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). Though to many a Franciscan voice will sound foolish, it is nevertheless rooted in the wisdom of God.

To read the full text and other essays on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, read Franciscan Voices on 9/11 (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2011).

Photo: Stock

Leave A Comment »

One More Diaconate Ordination Photo

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on September 3, 2011 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

This photo just came in from Br. Octavio Duran, OFM, the provincial photographer. While there are many other images from this morning’s liturgy floating around the internet, between here and Facebook there is an impressive array, I have to share this one — I think Octavio captured a really neat moment. Enjoy.

1 Comment »

Two Upcoming Lectures: Louisville and New York City

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on September 1, 2011 by Daniel P. Horan, OFM

This post is just a little bit of a practical notice for those who happen to be located in or around two metropolitan areas in the next few weeks. I’ll be giving a paper as one of the invited lecturers at a conference at Bellarmine University titled, Contemplation in a Technological Era: Thomas Merton’s Insight for the Twenty-First Century on September 23-24, 2011 in Louisville, KY. The speakers are an outstanding lineup — and I’m not saying that because I’m one of them, on the contrary, I am saying that in spite of the fact that I’m one of them. I am humbled to have been invited to give a presentation alongside such excellent scholars and authors. To learn more about this conference, sponsored by the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University, visit: The Conference Webpage or Sr. Kathleen Deignan, CND’s webpage. Oh, for those who are interested, my title is: “Digital Natives and the Digital Self: The Wisdom of Thomas Merton for Millennial Spirituality and Self-Understanding.”

Additionally, word has begun to spread about the 2011 Francis Week Lecture sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street in Midtown Manhattan annually. I am this year’s lecturer, scheduled to deliver a talk titled: “Finding Francis on Facebook: Franciscan Spirituality and Mission in the Digital Age,” on the evening of Sunday October 2nd. As with the Merton Conference, I am incredibly honored to have been asked to be this year’s speaker, I hope that those who live in or near the Metro NYC area might be able to come and celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, if not just at Sunday’s lecture, then at some other point during the week-long celebration. For more information, visit: St. Francis Week 2011.

As always, you can keep an eye out for the latest information and schedule of events on the speaking schedule page of my website.

Photo: Peter Jordan

Leave A Comment »

« Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 391 other followers

%d bloggers like this: