Laity and the charism of Betharram

Given by God, the charism always coming “from on high”. But how does it move about? While telling us her story of a Betharramite Lay Associate and her affection towards our religious family, June is giving us the beginning of an answer.

My own involvement with the SCJ community goes back about 27 years. At that time I was preparing children for their First Holy Communion in school and I was in the habit of taking them on an outing each year as a spiritual experience and to develop their understanding of the sacrament.

One year someone suggested taking the children to Garicoits House in Worcester. I had never heard of the place, of St Michael Garicoits or the SCJ Community, but I made enquiries and planned a visit with my little ones. The children spent a wonderful day there assisted by Father Austin Hughes and Brother Michael Richards. Father Austin led the day spiritually and entertained with his guitar and Brother Michael attended to the children’s domestic needs by providing them with drinks. For about three years I continued to take the children to Garicoits House in preparation for receiving Holy Communion.

Then unfortunately the Priests and Brother’s left the house. Strangely, this coincided with Fr Brian Boyle arriving at my parish of St Joseph’s, Whitnash. Fortunately Father Brian agreed to lead the day for the children and he led their special day for a few years.

Soon after Father Brian arrived at Whitnash the Companion group was formed (1991). In the early days we met weekly – a group of about twelve of us. Father Brian introduced us to the life and spirituality of St Michael Garicoits.The written work we followed had been collated from his letters and sermons. In 1997 we visited Betharram for the 200th anniversary of the birth of St Michael. It was a lovely celebration enjoyed by all.

In 1998 Lennie (my husband) and I went to Thailand and we visited the seminary in Sampran. We were made very welcome on our brief visit there. It felt like meeting with part of the extended family. This feeling was prevalent again about 2 months later when we arrived in Uruguay. We were in Montevideo and investigated a cross we could see from a distance. It turned out to be one of two on the top of the parish church of The Immaculate Conception. We went inside the church and were amazed to see an altar of Our Lady of Betharram. At the back of the church we found windows associated with St Michael Garicoits – his image and his birthplace, which we had previously visited. I was very excited. It felt as if I was visiting long lost relatives – there was a bond!

During his time at St Joseph’s Father Brian was renowned for his care and attention to anyone in need and particularly to the sick. He made frequent visits to the hospital both day and night, and he even visited the sick in neighbouring parishes to comfort them in their illnesses.
I have been a lay member of the SCJ’s for 24 years now and in my various meetings with members of the Priests and Brothers I have always been warmly welcomed and felt very much an inside member of a large family. I have also been very impressed with the care and concern for others which is very much part of the Betharamite spirituality.

As a lay member I feel very much part of the lay community. The relationship with the Priests and Brothers is very special. It has always been warm and welcoming and as a group we feel drawn to support the Priests and Brothers whenever possible and to share in a small way their spirituality through the teachings of St Michael. In spite of Father Brian retiring and leaving the parish a year ago our SCJ companion group continues to flourish. Father Brian in his generosity comes back to the parish for our meetings which we hold monthly in members’ houses.

The Companions from many SCJ parishes gather on several occasions each year. Around St Joseph’s Day we have a day retreat for Companions. We also meet on a day near to the feasts of St Michael, the Sacred Heart and The Holy Cross. The feasts of Our Lady of Betharram and Blessed Miriam are celebrated in our own parishes as these feast days occur during the summer holidays when many Companions are away from home. We also hold a sponsored walk on the Clent Hills at the end of September each year to support the SCJ Missions.

We look forward to all of these occasions to meet with the Priests, Brothers and lay members of the SCJ. They are great spiritual and social events.

I would say the SCJ spirituality has a great effect on our lives. For over twenty years we have been ‘fed’ on the writings and spirituality of St Michael. We feel very fortunate to be able to discuss aspects of the faith at all of our now monthly meetings. We also follow aspects of St Ignatius’ spirituality, which was very influential in St Michael’s life. I think the aspects that have most influence on our everyday lives are that we try to stay close to God in prayer, we try to live daily discerning God’s will for us and we try to emulate the care and concern for others which is shown by the Priests and Brothers.

I have noticed that as the years have passed we have become very much at ease in the company of the Priests and Brothers. I have also noticed how much this becomes obvious to new members who join us. They are immensely attracted to this warm, comfortable, friendly atmosphere. I have not yet mentioned charism but that is exactly what it is. It is almost tangible and very infectious.

June Arran