Artwork by Bro. Mickey, McGrath, OSFS
“What’s in your wallet?” This is the tagline we hear in TV commercials for a popular credit card. For St. Francis de Sales, the question may have been, “What’s in your backpack?” In a letter written to a young nun in 1603, he suggests the practice of the “little virtues” found in the backpack carried on the hike through the spiritual life:
“…practice those ordinary virtues suited to our littleness – little peddler, little pack – these are the virtues which are better practiced in going downhill than in climbing, and suit our legs better: patience, forbearance toward our neighbor, service of others, humility, gentleness of heart, affability, tolerance of our own imperfections, and similar little virtues.”
With this image, our patron reminds us that the ordinary done well is all we need to do, step by step. The resources needed are already with us, and we apply them as needed.
This past fall, when the Oblates gathered for our Provincial Chapter, the retreat portion of our gathering was given by our confreres Fr. Lou Fiorelli and Fr. Mike Newman. They highlighted how, in our Constitutions, our founder Blessed Louis Brisson emphasized five essentials to being an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales: living Jesus; being faithful to the will of God; reprinting the Gospel; respecting the person of one’s neighbor; and, being in solidarity. For our prayerful consideration, Fathers Fiorelli and Newman “unpacked” these essentials through stories and quotations from our Salesian patrons and Oblate founder.
Inspired by the backpack image, Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, took to his iPad and created the image of Francis de Sales, Jane de Chantal, Louis Brisson, and Leonie Aviat, carrying their backpacks as they hike along ready to Live Jesus in their daily living and ministry. I can only imagine what else we could find in these backpacks: concretely, perhaps the Introduction to the Devout Life or letters of spiritual direction yet to be mailed; or, more spiritually, the Direction of Intention and the present moment. In Bro. Mickey’s picture, we see the Holy Spirit accompanies these holy men and women as their spiritual guide, who may be whispering in Francis’s ear, and ours too: “What’s in your backpack?”
Recently, schools across the country celebrated Catholic Schools Week and highlighted many essentials to Catholic education: parishes, communities, students, nations, vocations, faculty and staff, parents, and families. One could imagine each of these being figuratively loaded into a student’s backpack (or maybe on a school bus!) to take along with them on their educational journey in our Church, society, and world. In my ministry visiting the many schools where Oblates minister and remain associated, I see myriad ways the mix of these Catholic school essentials demonstrate joy-filled collaboration aimed at providing quality teaching and learning infused with the Gospel.
This leads me to reflect on my own answer to the question: “What’s in your backpack?” In reflecting on the various people discussed above and what they may be carrying in their satchels, I think I hold onto a selection of their essential items: my Oblate vocation to live Jesus and reprint the Gospel, the little virtue of patience, and my relationships with family, friends, confreres, and colleagues. So often, I unpack these essentials, all of which are rooted in love. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Divine Love, says it best in my favorite chapter on friendship in the Introduction (III:19): “How good it is to love here on Earth as they love in heaven and to learn to cherish one another in this world as we shall do eternally in the next!”
So, I encourage you to answer the question: “What’s in your backpack?”
Brother Dan Wisniewski, OSFS
Assistant Provincial & Director of Oblate Education
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*A note from Bro. Mickey, McGrath, OSFS:
If any Oblates and Oblate apostolates would like to reproduce this artwork, please email Dottie for a larger image and the consent form. The image will be provided free of charge. Thank you! V+J
