By Fr. Dominic Winter
Hispanic Ministry
Assistant Pastor, Cristo Rey in Lincoln
At the Nebraska Walk for Life, most of the Hispanic Catholics gathered on the east side of the rally, listening as best they could to the English-speaking politicians and activists. I was so proud of their presence there, with their lovely Guadalupe banners flying and their strong devotion visible to everyone there. They, too, were visibly encouraged by my presence as well, both as a priest and as a translator.
For example, a group of shirtless Pius boys with letters painted on their bodies showed up nearby, and I was able to translate their torsos for my rather confused parishioners: “Nosotros amamos a los bebes” (“We love babies”).
At first, I was rather appalled that my people had all gathered right next to the pro-abortion protesters, bearing the brunt of their hoarse shouting. But then I realized how appropriate it was, remarking to my parishioners that they will be the least affected by it: the pro-aborts were screaming in English. A good strategy, I decided.
The whole event always has a certain political and even military quality about it, but this year I felt my part as a leader of my “platoon” more than ever: leading Christ’s soldiers to spread the Gospel of Life. “The weapons of our battle are not of flesh, but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses” (2 Cor. 10:4).
I have often reflected on the Church Militant (that is, the Church here on earth) in a rather literal way, considering the Catholic Church as a great military organization. As the Army has recruits, privates, and privates first class, the Church has the Sacraments of Initiation for the “rank and file” faithful. As the Army has corporals, specialists and sergeants as “Non-Commissioned Officers,” the Church has parents and lay leaders who advance the mission of Christ in their families and apostolates. As the Army has lieutenants, captains, majors and generals, so the Church has deacons, priests, pastors, and bishops as the “officers” of the Church.
As the military has bases all over the world, some territorial and some for special operations, so the Church has our “bases,” the parishes, throughout the world. Really, the analogy could go on quite a bit further, but I’ll leave that to imagination. As it happens, my assignment is at one of these “bases” for special operations: Cristo Rey in Lincoln.
The role of an officer often is to let the soldiers know by his presence they are not alone, that their work is part of the plan, that they matter to a greater whole. In the case of Cristo Rey, my troops are all over Lincoln, sometimes very isolated in their faith and surrounded by uncertainty, fear, superstition, hostility, indifference and poverty. Just by showing up, a captain can give focus and confidence to his soldiers in such situations. That is precisely how I felt at the Walk for Life, and often how I feel when I come to meetings of various parish groups, such as the Knights of Columbus, Matachines Dance group, Guadalupanos, Bible study, OCIA, CCD, Nocturnal Adoration Society, Comunidad Maria Mediadora and youth group, or the Renovados charismatic group. The presence of a priest is powerful, most especially when there are faithful Catholics there to advance the work of salvation with him. As Paul said to Timothy, “Bear your share of hardship with me, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3).
Any officer knows the “real Army” is the men in the field, fighting the battles and building the bases for the Nation, for the Flag. Any priest knows that the “real Church” is the vast array of the faithful, spreading the Word of God into every corner of the world, where no priest could go alone.
For the priests, then: be present to your faithful. It’s a big world out there, and the troops need to see Christ the King’s banner in you.
For the lay faithful: there is no Church without you. Your work in the world is truly the flesh and bones of the Mystical Body of Christ the King. That’s what it means to be the Church Militant. In part, it is by doing battle with the world’s temptations, but even more it is to march as a Church in our battalions, companies, platoons and squadrons, to spread the Gospel of Christ the King.
