Profiles in Catholicism
May 27, 20183 min
by Brandon Vogt
Reviewed by Carmen Julia Rodriguez
We read in (Acts 8:26-40): “the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying: Arise, and go…” Yes, our life is a journey with no map. Yet for those among us who choose to seek a relationship with the Creator, there are guides we could rely on as we journey one step at a time. The most evident is the Book of Nature for “the Creation – Nature - speaks of the virtues of the Creator.” Then, for those of us who strive to be Christians, there is the Bible, the Word of God - the eternal I AM through Whom everything was created. Finally, for those of us who are Catholic, there is the Community of Saints.
We read in the Bible: “may all be One; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21) The Community of Saints is the living testimony of the God Spell: “For God so loved the world He surrendered His only begotten Son so that whoever believes, will have life everlasting.” (John 3:16) By virtue of the mission embraced by the Members of this body, the Community of Saints is a transformative force in the world. Saints and Social Justice: A Guide to Changing the World by Brandon Vogt( a concise, powerful account of fourteen Members of this body representing seven principles proposed by the Catholic Church as guide for our life’s journey towards God.
While reading the book and after learning more about the life’s journey of the author. , I could not help but to remember the words of my guiding saints, my three Teresa’s:
“Be not afraid. Be not alarmed.” Santa Teresa de Avila;
“Everything is Grace!” Saint Therese deu Lisieux;
I was attracted to this book because its young and charismatic writer, Brandon Vogt, has dedicated the income from its royalties to support the essential work of Catholic Charities USA (www.crs.org/). As a teacher in a small catholic school – Saint Therese of Jesus in Aurora, Illinois – I will forever be - more than word can ever express - indebted to the ministry of this organization. They not only ministered to our children, but to me as well. Thank you!