Canyons
have always captured the fascination of humans, being both overpowering
yet protective. They possess a seemingly mystical quality which
attracts while imbuing a sense of awe. Still, with increased familiarity,
they bestow a unique sense of comfort and refuge.
Much the
same can be said of a founder, be it of a religious group or a
secular enterprise. At first glance, the individual appears to
tower over all, overshadowing everything, possessing an air of
mystery, and yet, at the same time, the very presence of the person
creates an atmosphere of security and safety. More than fifty
years ago, such a figure came to our Jemez Canyon.
This yet
unknown Catholic priest, Rev. Gerald Michael Cushing Fitzgerald,
driven by a dream and a mission, and surrounded by these seemingly
impenetrable walls, sensed he was home. Thus began an interplay
of man and nature that would leave neither unchanged.
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The
Beginning
The odyssey
which brought Fr. Fitzgerald to this spot is almost as fascinating
as the canyon itself. Born on October 29, 1894, in South Framingham
to Michael Edward and Mary Elizabeth Brassil Fitzgerald, he was
the second of eight sons and was raised in Massachusetts. In Weymouth
High School and at Boston College, his leadership qualities and
literary talent came to the fore. He entered St. John's Seminary
in Brighton, Massachusetts, in 1916, and was ordained for the
Archdiocese of Boston in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on May
21, 1921, the feast of Corpus Christi.
For twelve years he would
work in parish ministry, gaining a reputation as a zealous priest
who was extraordinarily kind. His charity was renowned, especially
to the many poor whom he encountered, and gave rise to many stories
which are still recounted. One of the favorite tales is the one
which tells of his giving to some poor men, not only his own black
suit, but also the suit of the pastor of the parish who had not
yet been consulted about the donation!
It was this
consuming charity, which also led to his encounter with a priest
who had left the ministry and was living as a beggar on the streets.
While Fr. Gerald, as he is commonly known, was imbued with a grand
sense of charity, he was also moved with an overwhelming love
and devotion to the priesthood. The gift of priesthood was the
focus of his life, his prayer and his heart, and would remain
so until his death.
While still
a parish priest at Presentation Parish in Brighton, Massachusetts
on a bitterly cold winter's evening during the depression, a homeless
man knocked at the kitchen door of the rectory. Fr. Fitzgerald
prepared a warm meal for him and gave his pastor's coat, plus
some of his own clothing to the man in the rectory kitchen. As
the man was leaving, he turned to Fr. Fitzgerald and said, "I
used to be a priest" and disappeared into the cold winter's
night. The experience left an indelible mark on the priestly soul
of Fr. Fitzgerald, one he carried for years, if not for life.
His meeting
with this man who had abandoned his priesthood haunted Fr. Gerald.
He was dismayed that someone would give up such a grand calling,
and Fr. Gerald's heart ached that nothing was being done to restore
and save this man. This was the first, but not the last incident
which would so touch and pain the heart of this man of God. He
would do whatever he could for such individuals when he met them,
but he knew this was not enough. He could relieve some of their
physical needs, but he could not restore them to their proper
place within the Church.
During these
early years of priesthood, Fr. Gerald felt a great desire to spend
even more time in prayer, and he felt that this could only be
done by joining a Religious Order. He soon approached Cardinal
O'Connell, then Archbishop of Boston, for permission to leave
the Archdiocese and become a religious. This was not easily done,
especially when there is a dire need for priests to care for parishes.
Time and time again, his request was denied. Finally, the Cardinal
could no longer deny this patient yet persistent priest. The Cardinal
realized that as hardworking as Fr. Gerald was in parish ministry,
he had a right to follow this calling from the Holy Spirit within
his heart.
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Calling
from the Holy Spirit
Remaining a diocesan
priest for twelve years, he later entered the Congregation of
Holy Cross in November of 1933. After one year at St. Joseph's
novitiate, St. Genevieve, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, he
made his first profession of vows on December 8, 1934. Thus this
conscientious and devoted parish priest took the habit of the
Congregation of Holy Cross, best known to most people as the priests
and Brothers who administer and teach at the University of Notre
Dame. Here, his soul found the nourishment it had longed for.
In 1936, Fr. Gerald was appointed the superior of the seminary
for the college-age members of the Congregation, an assignment
which would once again bring to the fore his concern for men who
have left the priesthood.
Surrounded
by these young men who were just beginning their preparation for
the priesthood, he was so struck by the loftiness and purity of
their vision and convictions, a true priestly spirit. That joy
of first love, he realized, was what these other unfortunate men
had lost!
While with
the Holy Cross Congregation, Fr. Gerald wrote the life of Fr.
Basil Moreau, C.S.C., the founder of Holy Cross Congregation.
Indeed, when reading "Juxta Cruem," the book that Fr.
Gerald wrote, it is amazing how similar the parallels of their
lives are as priests and founders.
On August
15, 1937 Fr. Gerald took final vows as a Holy Cross religious.
During his twelve years as a Holy Cross priest, Fr. Gerald experienced
ministry as a member of a Mission band, namely conducting clergy
and parish retreats, retreats for sisters. He also served the
Congregation as seminary rector and spiritual director at the
major seminary in Stonehill, Massachusetts. He was characterized
by his zeal for souls, a profound sense of the presence of God
in the Eucharist, a filial devotion to Mary and a deep conviction
of the intercessory power of the prayers of his favorite saints.
While a member
of Holy Cross Congregation, he was noted as a confessor and spiritual
director for priests and sisters. However, after trying in vain
to open a home for priests in distress, while remaining a Holy
Cross religious he became restless and he was dreaming a dream
that demanded a response.
When the
United States was drawn into World War II, and after five years
at the seminary, Fr. Gerald, always a proud American, volunteered
to be a military chaplain. In 1943 at the age of forty seven he
became a military chaplain serving in the Army. Here again, his
devotion to duty became evident. It seemed his heart went out
to all those he met. While he had continued his literary efforts
through the years, the outpourings of his heart at this time earned
him the accolade of "soldier-poet." One of his superior
officers even noted that he was "the holiest priest I have
ever met."
He was an
extremely gifted writer, and he would use this gift for his entire
life to educate and inspire countless thousands. Many of his books,
written under the pseudonym of "Father Page," nourished
the spirituality of three generations.
Still, even
in his military chaplaincy during the war, he again found himself
deeply touched by the personal plight of some of his brother priests-chaplains.
The war was indeed a terrible curse and destroyed so many, not
just through death, physical pain and injury, but also morale.
He became acutely aware of the devastation of alcohol. Fr. Gerald
saw first hand the perils that can befall a priest who has no
support from his peers, faith tested, feeling the pain of being
human and becoming spiritually bankrupt. He had, of course, seen
this problem before, but it was during the war that he saw its
true destructive force. Now, more than ever, he was convinced
that something more could and had to be done for his brother priests.
At the war's
end, Fr. Gerald returned to the Congregation of Holy Cross, and
because of his reputation as a very fine orator, he was assigned
by his superiors to the group of priests who went around the country
preaching at various churches for special events and devotions.
During this ministry, he once more had the opportunity to meet
priests who were suffering with problems; often there was an involvement
with alcohol. This, combined with his previous similar encounters,
almost totally overwhelmed Fr. Gerald. He began to plead with
his superiors to develop a special ministry to care for priests,
to do something to help them.
It is easy
to become enthusiastic about some lofty ideal or pursuit. Humans,
almost by nature seem inclined to do so. When it comes to addressing
the difficult dark side of human nature however, the response
is not always so quick or impassioned. Concern for image or reputation,
even if only by association, is a very powerful force and one
that can easily override the best of intentions.
No one denied that these men who were troubled, or who had abandoned
or been dismissed from the priesthood, should be of concern, but, as in most of life, winners are always preferred to losers.
Fr. Gerald's
request for this unique ministry was readily acknowledged, but
it was suggested that he establish another religious congregation
to do this work. In theory, this decision was quite appropriate.
The ministry proposed did not properly fit the designated work
of the Congregation of Holy Cross. They were meant to be preachers
and educators.
With the
permission granted by his superiors to undertake this special
pastoral service, Fr. Gerald began his search for a place and
a bishop amenable to his dream. He had met many bishops in the
course of his priesthood, and after much deliberation, four names
emerged. Clearly and concisely he wrote to the four, sharing the
heavy burden on his heart and his dream to alleviate the dire
plight of some of his brother priests. He then prayerfully waited
for a reply. Only one reply came. It was from the Archbishop of
Santa Fe, Edwin V. Byrne. Fr. Gerald left for New Mexico immediately.
Upon his arrival he had a two hour meeting with Archbishop Byrne.
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Birth
of a New Congregation
In November
of 1946 the Chancellor of the Archdiocese showed Fr. Gerald two
locations in the Archdiocese where he could establish a house.
One was in Pecos and the other in the Jemez Mountains. Fr. Gerald
fell in love with the "Jemez Inn" which was located
directly across the road from a ruined Franciscan mission. It
was here that he know the work of rebuilding the lives, dreams
and hopes of priests and Brothers would begin. Four days after
receiving Archbishop Byrne's reply to his letter, two days after
arriving in New Mexico, the inn and grounds in Jemez Springs were
bought and the formal contract signed on December 8, 1946. Fr.
Gerald's dream was now a reality; his now legendary ministry began.
On January 5, 1947 he would celebrate the first Mass in Jemez
and the life and ministry of a new Congregation in the Church
would take root. He celebrated the first Mass there on January
5, 1947.
Archbishop
Byrne was indeed supportive, and the beautiful Jemez canyon location
offered the isolation and quiet conducive to prayer and reflection.
Furthermore the State of New Mexico, already a haven for sanitariums,
had an ideal climate of four distinct seasons, none excessively
harsh. It is interesting to note, however, that it was the local
people who played an important role in Fr. Gerald's decision.
He found them to be warm and non-judgmental, two characteristics
he saw as important and conducive to his planned ministry.
Another factor
was the ruins of the old mission church across the road from this
first foundation. Here he saw a symbol of the men he hoped to
help, and a constant reminder to pray for them.
A few men
whom he had been assisting soon joined Fr. Gerald. And so, by
early 1947, his little home became a viable monastery. These and
all the priests who would later come to the canyon were called
"guests." Fr. Gerald invited them as such and treated
them as such. His approach was quite simple. As he had observed
during his seminary days, it was the emphasis on prayer and faith
which was the source of the Spirit, and this was what these men
needed. Given the opportunity to renew their faith and to develop
a healthy and holy prayer life, they would eventually recapture
that love and priestly spirit that had once been theirs. Because
of the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the priest,
Fr. Gerald emphasized the Mass, and also encouraged prolonged
prayer of adoration before the exposed Blessed Sacrament which
the Congregation continues to treasure as part of its patrimony.
Also, they would live as a community sharing together their journey
to recovery. This truly exemplified another of Fr. Gerald's persistent
beliefs, namely, "priests helping priests."
Before long,
other priests became interested in this new ministry and joined
Fr. Gerald. They were not there just for moral encouragement,
they demonstrated their own concern by also doing the work that
was needed to care for the house. They cooked and cleaned, and
above all, helped these troubled priests to feel welcomed and
at home. Through their presence and prayer life, they assisted
in rekindling the true spirit of the priesthood in them. Thus,
their name was quite fitting: "The Servants of the Paraclete."
Paraclete is another word for the Holy Spirit, that Spirit of
God which not only comforts and consoles but also inflames the
heart.
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Handmaids
of the Precious Blood
Being a practical
man, Fr. Gerald realized that he would need the constant support
of prayer for this new ministry, and assistance in caring for
the physical well-being of these men. Thus, in the spring of 1947,
he gathered some devoted and pious women to assist him and called
them the "Handmaids of the Precious Blood." If priests
brought to humankind the salvation which Jesus Christ purchased
by his precious blood, then these women were indeed the handmaids
or helpers in this august ministry. On May 25, 1947, their Foundation
Day, Fr. Gerald celebrated Mass in their temporary convent and
appointed Mother Ancilla as their first superior.
While the
Handmaids primarily devoted their days to praying for the guests
and all priests, since a number of these women were nurses or
had medical background, they soon established a clinic to care
for the guests. Not blind to the needs of their neighbors, before
long, this medical service was extended to people living in the
area. For many years, this would be the sole medical facility
in the canyon area.
Pained by
the poverty of many in the area, Fr. Gerald, began sharing food
and extra clothing to those in need. This practice continued for
many, many years. He did not envision this as charity, but rather
as a family sharing. This spirit pervaded his on-going relationship
with his canyon neighbors.
The number
of guests quickly increased, and with this began Fr. Gerald's
lifelong work of begging Catholic Bishops, brother priests and
laity for financial support. He bought land in the area to expand
the facility and provide privacy. At the same time he provided
land for homes for some of the local people who helped him in
the ministry.
As the numbers
grew, so too was there a need for facilities which did not exist
in the canyon. Thus, the Servants of the Paraclete came to operate
the telephone switchboard and the Post Office for the area, something
quite unique. This was, however, not unusual for Fr. Gerald. In
taking charge of the local church, he envisioned the village and
the people who lived nearby as a part of his special family. He
always wanted them to benefit from his presence.
For the most
part, there was a pleasant and beneficial interaction with the
local community. The one somewhat humorous exception being Fr.
Gerald's strong efforts to replace the local bar with a bowling
alley. Because alcohol played such a devastating role in the lives
of most of the guests, he feared the proximity of such a temptation.
Eventually however, they learned to co-exist.
From these
humble beginnings, Father Gerald's Servants of the Paraclete and
the Handmaids of the Precious Blood quickly prospered and grew
in numbers. God indeed was blessing these young religious communities
with numerous vocations, men and women who felt called to share
in this healing ministry. At the very beginning of its founding,
Father Gerald asked for and received affiliation with the Discalced
Carmelites. The Superior General accepted Father Gerald's request
by officially aggregating the young Congregation to the Teresian
Carmelite Family.
On June 1,
1952, Pentecost, the feast celebrating the descent of the Holy
Spirit on the apostles, the Servants of the Holy Paraclete, as
they were first called, were recognized by Rome as an official
religious community of the Catholic Church. Father Gerald was
named the first Servant General on July 5th that same year. On
August 22, 1956, the Sisters, The Handmaids of the Precious Blood,
were also recognized by Rome, and Mother Dolorosa Shanley was
named their first Superior General.
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Spread
of the Ministry
Within the
brief span of twelve years, over nine hundred priest-guests had
come to "Via Coeli." Soon, Houses of Prayer were founded
in Vermont, Minnesota, and Ohio. In the 1960's the Paracletes
would be in Italy, France, Scotland, England, Argentina, Bolivia,
the Caribbean and Africa. Bishops who had previously questioned
such a ministry were now seeking its healing presence in their
own areas. Though there were now over a hundred members of this
new religious Congregation, the requests for their services exceeded
their human resources.
While many a man might have been
pleased with this, for Father Gerald, it was agonizing to his
priestly heart to not be able to fulfill every request. Here was
a man who frequently gave up his own bed to make room for a wounded
priest, and still there would be many whom he could not help.
Though he realized the impossibility of responding to every request,
nonetheless it pained him to have to say no.
It was also
in this decade of growth that, in 1962, he built, in honor of
Mary, Mother of Priests, the shrine church which to this day stands
as a focal point of the canyon and a singular reminder of the
undying need for this ministry.
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Death
of Father Gerald
Death came
to this Holy Servant of God on June 28th, 1969, while he was giving
a retreat at Marlboro, Massachusetts. He was buried in Jemez on
July 4th, with military honors, in Resurrection Cemetery of the
Servants of the Paraclete. His little canyon retreat was now known
throughout the world. In the Catholic Church, Jemez Springs had
become a by-word for "healing." An era of upheaval was
fast engulfing the nation, and in the decade following his passing,
Father Gerald's spiritual sons would face new challenges and make
dramatic changes.
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To
the Present
Great strides
had been made in the study of alcoholism, and the disciplines
of psychology and psychiatry garnered many new insights. A new
generation of men were joining the community and they brought
with them the vision of these new studies. The Very Reverend Joseph
McNamara, s.P. was elected to succeed Father Gerald as leader
of the community. Becoming the second Servant General, Fr. McNamara
was a man formed by the early ideals of the founder, and yet at
the same time a sublime mediator. A man of great warmth and compassion,
he was indeed God's gift to the Congregation during turbulent
times. He could read the signs of the times, and for twelve years,
strove to remain committed to Father Gerald's ideals, while at
the same time maintaining an openness to current developments.
Thus, in a daring experiment, in 1978, The Servant's first psychotherapeutic
center was opened in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 1981,
The Very Reverend Michael E. Foley, s.P., one of the youngest
and most forward looking members of the Congregation, was elected
the third Servant General. His term of office would see the ministry
and the prayer life of the Servants revolutionized. By 1982, Jemez
Springs was home to what was to become one of the most outstanding
centers of its kind in the United States.
The Servants
were in the forefront of holistic therapeutic treatment for numerous
psychological issues.
In 1987, I ,
Liam J. Hoare, s.P. was elected as the fourth Servant General.
We continued to not only maintain but to develop our ministries
in Cherry Valley, CA, Albuquerque, NM and Dittmer,
MO. We expanded our holistic programs in St. Louis, MO and
Brownshill, Stroud, England.
We also worked
to promote increased communication and cooperation with many other
centers who had a similar work in this country and Canada. We
brought the meeting of the International Conference of Consulting
and Residential Centers to New Mexico.
Blessed with
these advances, nonetheless, this decade has brought suffering
to the Paraclete family. The public and we ourselves, became more
aware of the damage that some psychological conditions and certain
behaviors could cause to others. We all rightly became more sensitive
to the need to protect others.
However,
the media in its reporting did not always avoid sensationalism
and inaccuracy, and this coupled with a prevailing litigious spirit,
ultimately led us to close the therapeutic program at our Mother
House.
In fact,
nearly all of these cases which were coming to light, went back
to the early days before the seventies. At that time, little or
nothing was known about these problems. Intentions were good,
but from the perspective of the nineties, mistakes were made.
Today's knowledge and standards were applied to the past. Being
in the eye of the storm was painful, and there were consequences
on every level, including financial. Also, because of associations,
many men hesitated to come to our New Mexico facility as they
feared they would be labeled.
Throughout
all of this, however, we have been sustained by our belief in
this ministry and by the unwavering loyalty and support of those
who know us best. In the darkest days, our neighbors, friends
and benefactors have always had a kind word, publicly and privately.
They have always had a ready prayerful reassurance.
For now,
we have consolidated our holistic programs to St. Michael's in St. Louis, MO and to Our
Lady of Victory Trust in Gloucestershire, England. These programs
continue to thrive and develop. We have developed our Jemez facility
as a residential community not only for retired priests and religious,
but also for those who may need special care or who may be going
through a difficult transition.
To us, the
Jemez Canyon is just as hallowed a place as when Fr. Gerald first
laid eyes on it in 1946. This canyon still inspires us as it did
Fr. Gerald.
In his Pulitzer
prize-winning novel, House Made of Dawn, Dr. N. Scott Momaday
writes of the Jemez Canyon as "...a ladder to the plain."
It is an appellation which echoes the canyon's sacred role in
the oral history of the local pueblo people, recounting the original
descent of man to what is now their village. Momaday speaks of
the many artifacts to be found throughout the canyon, "...as
if the prehistoric civilization had gone out among the hills for
a little while and would return; and then everything would be
restored to an older age, and time would have returned upon itself
and a bad dream of invasion and change would have been dissolved
in an hour before the dawn."
The canyon
indeed encompasses one's thoughts and inspires a sense of renewal,
a desire to return to a long-lost primordial innocence. In fact,
at almost the very time period of which Momaday was writing, Fr.
Gerald stood in this very canyon and in the depths of his soul
felt that this is where God would inspire and restore lives.
His bones
are now interred in this sacred land, and he and the elders of
long ago have re-ascended that ladder and now know the peace and
beauty of which they sang and longed for.
As their
memory and presence hovers over us all, my prayer and hope is
that fifty years of presence have been noted and celebrated. The
Servants of the Paraclete will remain as an enduring sign of God's
healing and restoration.
Postscript:
In August of 1999 Rev. Peter Lechner, s.P. was elected the fifth
Servant General and assumed office September, 1999.
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