Many students at the
University of Dallas participate in the Rome program, possibly one of the most
phenomenal study abroad programs out there. As students, we live in
close quarters on the Rome campus, sharing each other’s physical, mental, and
emotional space for nearly four months. Needless to say, nerves begin to wear a
bit thin as time passes, and each person struggles to remain patient and understanding
of their peers.
My experience abroad
was a life changing event. Not due to anything monumental, although travel in
itself can bring about some unique and wonderful experiences. Though I will
cherish those memories for the rest of my life, I would trade them in a
heartbeat for the lessons in Faith and especially in Charity that I have been
given perhaps unwittingly by Sister Catherine Joseph Droste, professor in
Theology and Dominican Sister.
In her class, Western Theological Tradition, we
learned about the longstanding Tradition of the Church. That's Tradition with a
capitol "T," as she reminded us again and again. Under her teaching I
learned not only dates of influential Popes and heretics, but I learned just
how much God loves his people. He never left us alone, in all the time since he
departed from us here on earth. He guides his Church, and loves her as his
Bride.
Upon seeing the Pope for the
first time, I was struck by his spiritual beauty, and the beauty of what he
represents. As I looked up at him in his balcony at Castel Gandolfo, the scene
from the Bible when Jesus was sitting on the Mountain teaching the people came
to my head. My heart felt overfull, for not much has changed since then. Christ
still teaches us, through Divine Revelation and the representation of his
Popes. He never left us alone, we have no reason to feel abandoned by him.
Sister taught us how Aquinas, through
both reason and faith, argued for the basic beliefs that we hold today, and
provide us with a no nonsense guide to the nature of man and the existence of
God, among other things. Faith is not blind belief, despite what critics may
tell us, reason and faith blend beautifully as they were created to, to reveal
to us our true end: eternal happiness with God.
Sister Catherines' best lessons were not inside the classroom. The lessons closest to my heart were the
ones she taught just by being filled with Christs love. She was always present, I don't
mean just existing in space, Sister Catherine is actively present, ever ready
for a theological debate or discussion, or even just a game of cards or Ping
Pong. Her presence brought light and peace into a room, and I could not help
but feel tranquil when I was with her. Her
compassion and love spilled from her gaze and in her smile. She was never short
on advice, and nothing escaped her attention. In a circumstance as tightly
wound as the Rome semester, I cannot tell you how valuable her care was to me,
and I'm sure to many other students who sought her advice.
One particular instance sticks out to me in my mind. On the second or third day of the semester we were broken into small groups to be shown the layout of the city. Sister was one of the group leaders and showed us how to use the transit and some useful phrases for buying food and finding the bathroom. She was walking down the road when a homeless woman jumped out at her and swung a bulging trash bag at her, hitting her square across her body. Those with her were horrified and unsure of what to do next. Sister dispelled the discomfort by looking at the woman, smiling and saying simply "Excuse me." As though they had done no more then bump into each other by accident. She explaied as we continued, "Many people have had bad experiences with the Church, we must respond with love." I was struck by her simple beauty, and her immense patience and compassion.
I had the opportunity
to spend the day with the Dominican Sisters the day before our last final; it
was also the last day we would be able to go into Rome before we headed back to
the states. The stress of studying in close quarters with 100 plus students who
were also all stressed was really getting to me. I decided to tag along with a
couple of girls who were going in the morning to Sister Catherine’s Convent for Morning Lauds and mass for the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception. My plan was go to mass, drop in to St.
Peters Basilica for the last time and say good bye, then go back to campus to
study, possibly all night. We arrived and Sister was waiting outside for us
with her ready smile. After mass we ate breakfast with the other sisters. I was
not sure what to expect, I knew some sisters ate in silence, but I knew nothing
of the Dominican rules. The breakfast table was anything but silent. There was
laughter and jokes and stories. Mother Superior ribbed us to tell her something
of Sister Catherine and what she was like as a teacher. There was a genuine joy
in that house, a joy that penetrated deep into me, making me feel light for the
rest of the day. After breakfast Mother Superior came over to us and thanked us
for coming, and I felt that she was truly sincere, not just mouthing words of
polite niceties.
Upon learning of my
plan to see St. Peters and then study, Sister Catherine offered to let us study
at the convent. I was so at peace there, and it was so beautifully quiet that I
could not bear to even entertain the idea of returning to campus. I returned
after my farewell to St. Peter. Sister let me use the drawing room. I studied
there for a few hours, hearing nothing but cars drive by outside and the laughter
of the sisters in the other room. Sisters hospitality was so touching to me,
having been so far from home for the longest time in my life. She insisted on
bringing me lunch, and made me a perfect cup of tea.
At three Sister
invited me to come see the Pope on his way into Piazza de Spagna to bless the
new crown the statue of Our Lady received there. I readily agreed, I could not
tear myself away from the peace I felt when I was with the sisters. Sister
Catherine and three others (Sister Joan, Sister Norbert and Sister Ruth) and I
all piled onto a bus. We talked of silly things mostly, lighthearted and happy
to be on our way to see the Pope. I hadn't laughed so much in a while. We did
end up seeing the Pope in his Pope Mobile, just a stones throwaway. The streets
were choked with people, or as Sister Norbert would say
"Choc-o-bloch." Once he passed us Sister Catherine invited me to join
them in a small celebration held by the Poor Sisters of Our Lady, who invite other
orders over to celebrate the Immaculate Conception with tea and tarts.
I met so many new and
wonderful people there, and despite being the only non-religious in the room, I
never felt out of place. Everyone made me feel so welcome and loved. My cup was
never empty, the Sisters served with such attention and joy that to refuse
would have disappointed them, as though I were robbing them of a chance to
serve me. That day will forever stick out in my memory, despite the many
wonders I saw that semester. I will never forget their kindness, and the
genuine spirit of those whom I met. It was a joy and a gift to realize that
there are people in this world who are mirrors of Christs love. I felt bathed
in it all day. When I returned to campus nothing could bring me down, though I
had a very difficult final to study for, and I got kicked out of my room to
sleep in another so that my roommates could study. I was full of the light and
happiness that had been poured into me all day.
Sister Catherine and her peers taught me a valuable lesson. In service
you receive and simultaneously give Christ's love, and even very small actions
have big consequences. Serving others doesn't always have to involve soup kitchens. One of the most meaningful things Sister did for me this semester was
just to notice I was upset and ask if I would like to talk. She never pushed
me, just asked how I was now and again, telling me in her
discreet way that she knew something was going on, and that she cared enough to
ask.
Let us strive to be that kind of person for others. Let us not
overlook small acts of kindness and compassion! A smile, a sincere thanks, these little things
add up and are too often cast aside as not useful, not important. Train
yourself up in small acts of Charity and they will be the building blocks for
true greatness.
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