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Campus Scenes
A Miracle in Boston
Embracing the cross at Boston College.
I love the Jesuits. I pray for their conversion daily.
Maybe my prayers are going to be answered. While lounging in my hotel room last week, on a business trip to Boston, I was jolted, upright, by the TV news announcer who related that Boston College, a flagship of the Society of Jesus, i.e., the Jesuits, had placed crucifixes in 151 classrooms at the school over the Christmas break. This was done, reportedly, at the instructions of President Rev. William P. Leahy, as a means of reconnecting with the college’s “Catholic Mission.”
As one who attended a Jesuit high school, college and law school, during the long, slow downward trajectory of the 1960s and 1970s, who cringed at the once proud order’s flirtation with heterodoxy and secularism, this was an astounding turn of events.
Imagine: a Jesuit school embracing the cross. This was so un-hip, so un-modern, so un-American, so…Catholic. And I mean Roman Catholic.
I am the third generation of my family to attend Jesuit schools in this country. Between my father, my grandfather and me — forget about my uncles and cousins — we have close to 40 years logged in Jesuit institutions if you throw in medical school internships and residencies. We all owe a great debt to the many fine men of faith, who also valued knowledge, learning, and scholarship; who saw no inherent conflict between reason and revelation; and who were lived a distinctly Catholic form of pietas as first embodied by Virgil’s Aeneas about whom we all read in Jesuit prep schools.
I have known or known of Jesuits who worked on Indian reservations, in psychiatric wards, in the stacks of the Vatican library (my alma mater, Saint Louis University, had the whole collection duplicated on microfilm!), in classrooms, and laboratories. There was one who could spend a whole semester demolishing every rational proof for the existence of God, only to spend the closing weeks of class arguing for the reasonableness of Scripture (interpreted through Tradition, of course).
I knew another Jesuit, whom I never had in class, who coached high school debate and oratory, sort of. He really just asked penetrating questions, listened, patiently, to our obnoxious pontificating, and kept forcing us to learn through trial and error and honest self-criticism. He helped me put together a reading list for the summer between my first and second years of college that was better than any one syllabus I ever had thereafter.
But, as the dreary decades wore on, many prominent members of the order seemed to specialize in dissent and even outright opposition to the Church and its magisterium which they had vowed to serve. Moreover, following their issuance of the 1967 Land O’ Lakes (WI) Statement, the Jesuits turned over their colleges and universities to lay boards in order to curry favor with Caesar and make peace with the Zeitgeist. With the decline in vocations, the institutional and Christian culture of their schools was diluted even further.
There are many exceptions, individual and institutional. My old high school actually sends a good number of students to the local archdiocesan seminary.
Catholicism is a sacramental religion. Placing the crucifix at the center of its intellectual life, nay, amidst all its labors of both mind and body, is most appropriate since it reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice by the One who, to use a phrase common to the Jesuits, is truly a man for others.
So bravo for the Jesuits of Boston College! The Lord does work in mysterious ways.
About the Author
G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (52) | Leave a comment
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Catholic-in-NE| 2.16.09 @ 7:24AM
I wouldn't get too excited at this convenient 'conversion' by Jesuits at BC. They still support and honor abortionists, entertain students with the Vagina Monologues on campus and maintain a VERY active BC for Obama team. A crucifix in a classroom full of pro-abortionist, social justice spouting, moral equivalence teachers is simply irrelevant.
Kathleen| 2.16.09 @ 7:43AM
This is good news indeed!
Mary from St. Louis| 2.16.09 @ 8:04AM
Truly a miracle, and an answer to prayer! A few years ago, this would have been unthinkable. At a Catholic academic institution, the mission should begin with the message of the cross. But for decades, it appeared that some of these great institutions had lost their way. Bravo to President Rev. William Leahy for having the courage to return crucifixes to the classroom, and let's hope this happens at other great Catholic colleges and universities. As Mr. Mehan writes, "there is no inherent conflict between reason and revelation", and where better to learn this, and to teach this, than at a Catholic college?
Jerry| 2.16.09 @ 8:36AM
Is this why BC beat Duke yesterday
DON'T BE DECEIVED| 2.16.09 @ 8:50AM
A word of advice, sorry to shatter your bubble. Read the Book of Revelations, who do you think the whore of babylon is? the Church that sits on seven hills, in Rome.
There is nothing CHRISTIAN about the Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church is the mother of all Harlots, the false PROPHETS, dress in bright colours. The false prophet, the Antichrist, and Satan, the UNHOLY TRINITY. They have been clearly identified in Revelations.
This false Church seem so close to the real thing that many have been deceived, even the chosen ones.
If anyone says they are the christ don't be deceived, because many will come on the basis of my name and will deceive even the elect.
Nick| 2.16.09 @ 8:52AM
Catholic-in-NE,
The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, no? Did I get that right?
And Praise the Lord for this first step! Thank You God!
david murphy| 2.16.09 @ 8:54AM
DON"T BE DECEIVED, you are hilarious. Please - give us more! I thought self-described "Christians", as I presume you are, gave up this kind of nonsense a long time ago. All know that the Roman Catholic Church is actually the one true Christian Church of substance in the West. Only Orthodoxy in its various forms has as legitimate a claim to be the true follower of Christ. But keep banging your head against your wall of hatred, as our Church continues to gain adherents around the globe. 1.1 billion and counting. Probably all secretly worshippers of the anti-Christ, though . . .
Nick| 2.16.09 @ 8:56AM
Deceived,
Because you surely are. Are you from the 17th century? I pray for you. May the Blessings of Christ be upon you!
S.L. Toddard| 2.16.09 @ 9:07AM
DNFTT, DBD is another alias for Daphne. The poor thing should have been committed years ago.
John| 2.16.09 @ 9:38AM
I'm with you Nick, I'll take this news as a possitive. We have to start somewhere
Marx| 2.16.09 @ 11:06AM
Wait...I thought all institutions of higher learning were evil conspiracies against truth, justice, and the American way. I thought that universities is where the ultimate horror of the War Against Christmas is planned and carried out.
Any chance you guys ever suspect you jump the gun with your blanket condemnations?
Hey, news flash: there are religious scientists and journalists too. Even some Democrats attend church.
Marx| 2.16.09 @ 11:08AM
"Don't be Deceived" --
You're another great example of the bigotry inherent in all reactionary groups.
You all should remember "Deceived." The Klan didn't just hate the blacks you "real Americans" are so worked up about: they hated Jews and Catholics just as much.
One day, the worm turns, and suddenly, you are the hated one.
Nick| 2.16.09 @ 11:36AM
Marx,
Is that like in Karl? Who said anything has changed in academia? This is one bright spot in the sad history of the left wing capture of higher learning. Any other straw men you'd like knocked down?
And if they're democrat politians, they're not Roman Catholic.
J.C. Eaton| 2.16.09 @ 12:05PM
Tracy,sorry,I'm going to need a bit more.My Jesuit high school had crucufixes in all the classrooms(albeit, in 1964) and my Jesuit Law School had the occasional authentic Blackrobe on the faculty. But the high school's latest mailing boasted a blurb about how the students voted narrowly for McCain but the faculty and staff voted convincingly for the most abortifacient president in history. Glad you're encouraged though. Best, Judge E p.s. Re: Decieved, isn't there SOME limit to the whackjobiness that your site will tolerate?
Jim in St. Louis| 2.16.09 @ 12:48PM
Good news! Saint Louis University did this years ago, although probably after Tracy and I attended.
Marx| 2.16.09 @ 12:56PM
Nick --
So, is "Nick" your given name or the name you adopted when they made you pope?
Nick| 2.16.09 @ 1:20PM
Marx,
I believe everything the Holy Father and the Magisterium teach is actually true, and try to obey those teachings as best I can, but I'm not perfect.
Unlike those who claim to be Catholic but reject whichever teaching is to hard to obey or conflicts with their good time. Or because they couldn't get elected, like democrat polititians.
67OLDS| 2.16.09 @ 1:52PM
Luke 9:26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
Andy| 2.16.09 @ 3:10PM
DON'T BE DECEIVED should take a lesson in geography at Boston College. The Vatican is not located on the seven hills of Rome.
Pingback| 2.16.09 @ 3:46PM
Crucifixes, icons return to Boston College | Civil Religion | STLtoday links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Matthew 24| 2.16.09 @ 4:28PM
Matthew 24
VS.3 when will these things be, and the sign of your presence. VS,4 And Jesus answered look out that nobody missleads you, vs 5, for many will come on the basis of my name, saying I am the Christ, and will mislead many.
Nick| 2.16.09 @ 5:16PM
The Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 24, contains Christ's prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. It is also known as "the Little Apocalypse."
Jugunthi| 2.16.09 @ 5:24PM
to Catholic-in-NE
Straiten up man, a crucifix can not be irrelevant, to the students suffering the bombardment it will be a source of hope, to those students playing along it will be an accusation.
Alan Brooks| 2.16.09 @ 6:34PM
Daphne (Dont be Deceived) is living proof that Hell does indeed exist. no matter how much evil is in the Church, outside is in fact Hellish.
Alan Brooks| 2.16.09 @ 6:40PM
even if you if you can't commune with those at Church
at least you don't have to associate with a Daphne Kenward-- you can choose Barney the Purple Dinosaur as an associate instead.
pj3.| 2.16.09 @ 9:39PM
Deceived:
It's Revelation (singular), not Revelations.
Can't expect anyone to trust your interpretation if you can't even get the title right.
Wee Willie| 2.17.09 @ 9:31AM
EZE 37:4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, `Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
ruth| 2.17.09 @ 7:01PM
Don't Be Deceived can't be believed--it's that crazy Canadian, Daphne, again.
Newportson| 2.17.09 @ 11:25PM
Well, thank the Lord for small favors! To say that it took "courage" for a Catholic priest to place Crucifixes in every classroom of an institution that offers its Catholic heritage as a major selling point to its potential matriculates is really damnation by feint praise. I welcome the placement of the symbol of Victory over death. Long in coming, in my view. Ashamed should the priest and his comrades be for denying its rightful place in the school. The law school I attended, another blasphemous institution clinging to its Catholic tradition yet antagonistic in every manifestation to the teachings of the Church actually put in writing, in response to my request for the placement of Crucifixes in the law school, that they would not do so because "it may offend some of the students." This took place at the same time Georgetown was fighting with a group of its Catholic students because they dared to request the placement of the Crucifix in each classroom. These schools generally pay lip service to their faith, while raking in the dough on her back. Catholic institutions throughout the country give place of pride to homosexuality, abortion mongers, and moral relativism. They deny Christ every day in every way they possibly can, all in the name of tolerance. They establish special places on their campuses, with institutional funds, for Christ denying religions to proselytize and worship. So, I will accept as a true act of faith that undertaken by the Boston College Jesuit. Now, we need to stand back and watch to see if the Jesuit will live up to the faith, in union with Rome, obedient to the Supreme Pontiff, as all Jesuits are obliged to do; or if it is again a cynical act on the part of this Jesuit, in an effort to keep the scary Catholics--ie those who believe and obey--quiet and placated. After all, who could complain about the greatness of this priest, he replaced the Crucifix across campus.
ruth| 2.17.09 @ 11:35PM
Jesuits I've know were a rebellious lot. Smart, too.
Nick| 2.17.09 @ 11:48PM
If anyone ever says to me a Crucifix "might offend someone", I will tell them the only ones offended by Crucifixes are vampires!
And liberals! Who are just modern day vampires. They're both bloodsuckers!
whiterb| 2.19.09 @ 2:01PM
Look you still have a lot of old fart Catholics alive with a BC connection, and a ton of money. The church wants to dip its beak and drink as fully as possible. The people in charge do not want to offend these old time believers. Once they die and the last check clears, they'll ban the crucifix.
Pingback| 5.25.09 @ 12:18PM
Вибровагины из серии Magic Flesh™ заказать, купить, доставка почтой России links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Louis Vttion handbags | 12.9.10 @ 2:03AM
Nick - Fascinating post. The space-time postulate is absolutely fascinating, though I admit I'm no Einstein and find it hard to get my brain around the concepts. I don't take the 6 days account literally so don't feel the need to search for a way to reconcile it with what we have come to know from science.
On evolution, my readings convince me of the soundness of the concept. Though I reject utterly his atheism, Richard Dawkins' books on evolution as a process are utterly persuasive. They're worth a read.
There are many leading scientists who are believers on a rational basis. One of my favorite is a fellow named Francis Collins, who headed the Human Genome Project. He has written two wonderful books, The Mind of God and The Language of God. In the first, he marvels at how the human brain developed the abstract mathematical reasoning capacity, which really serves no purpose --- except to understand the mathematical way God constructed the universe.
I believe that as God's creation unfolds, He provides humans the capacity and the means to understand more profoundly the wonder of what He has created. He is the author of the evolutionary process that made us into the creatures we have become.