Sheer beauty can look inadequate for repairing violent storm damage, such as COVID-19, our new global visitor. \u00a0But I doubt it. \u00a0The work of beauty is to remind us that deep down, under the exhausting burdens of our adult commitments, lives a wellspring of grace.<\/p>\n
Dom Helder Camera,\u00a0Fortaleza<\/a>,\u00a0Cear\u00e1<\/a>,\u00a0Northeast Region<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0Brazil<\/a>\u00a0\u2013February 7, 1909 \u2013 August 27, 1999: \u00a0He was archbishop of Recife and Olinda Brazil from 1964 to 1985 during a severe military dictatorship. \u00a0He\u00a0interpreted Catholic teaching with a consistent, fierce attention to the violence of systems that maintain brutal poverty. \u00a0Not surprisingly, he made serious enemies who worked to silence him. \u00a0 It is said that some of Dom Helder\u2019s enemies hired a hitman to assassinate him. \u00a0Like the professional he was, the hitman stalked the archbishop for some time, learning his habits, seeking a place and time most apt for killing. \u00a0 In the process, he listened to Dom Helder Camera speak a number of times until, one day, he fell at his feet, weeping, and begged for the grace to change his profession and his life.<\/p>\n Dom Helder\u2019s\u00a0unblinking attention to the violence of poverty was matched by legendary playfulness. \u00a0Here is one story among many; this one I witnessed. \u00a0Once Dom Helder was speaking to about 1,500 people who sat on the St. Louis levee overlooking the Mississippi River (by the Arch). In the middle of his talk, a helicopter took off right behind him filled with tourists taking a ride for a bird\u2019s eye view of the river and the city. \u00a0 It made so much racket that it was impossible to hear what the Dom Helder was saying. \u00a0He paused, and turned around toward the\u00a0helicopter which flew at that moment just above him, and offered the helicopter pilot and the tourists a puckish little wave. \u00a0When the helicopter got a little farther out on its trip, he turned back to us and blew our minds as we listened.<\/p>\n This Monday in March, my Lakota daughter Mary Tobacco reminds me that even snow, rain, and mud following last night\u2019s heavy snow can be beautiful.<\/p>\n Have\u00a0a blest day,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n john sj<\/p>\n p.s.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here\u2019s my favorite DH photo. \u00a0Alas, I\u2019ve never found one of him waving to the helicopter.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s Post- \u00a0a saying of Dom Helder<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt is possible to travel alone, but we know the journey is human life The good traveler cares for weary companions, grieves when we lose heart, Dom Helder Camera<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dom Helder Camera\u2019s voice and eyes \u201ca good traveler cares for weary companions\u201d \u201c\u2026 but we know the journey is human life and life needs company. Companion is the one who eats the same bread.\u201d Posted on\u00a0March 20, 2020, 1st … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/poetry\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/170\/2021\/03\/Mary-Tobaccos-Home-Winter-Snow.jpg\")
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\nPhoto from Mary Tobacco\u2019s home after yesterday\u2019s snow<\/p>\n
\nand life needs company.
\nCompanion is the one who eats the same bread.<\/p>\n
\ntakes us where she finds us,\u00a0 listens to us.
\nIntelligently, gently, above all lovingly, we encourage each other to go on
\nand recover our joy
\nOn the\u00a0 journey.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/poetry\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/170\/2013\/12\/Dom-Helder-Camera.jpg\")
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