The Francis Option

Many of us traditional Catholics, grieved at the negative cultural and political trends so dominant in our society, are drawn to the "Benedict Option" of Rod Dreher. As the Roman civilization was crumbling into chaos in the forth century St. Benedict retreated from society to form small, monastic communities. These flourished, quietly, throughout the so-called dark ages; they preserved learning as well as liturgy and faith; developed agricultural techniques; and eventually became the basis for Medieval Society. And so we are drawn to withdraw our hope from the political parties as well as mainstream institutions (business, courts, media, etc.) to build strong, local, intimate communities of faith and value. Some actually retreat to rural, distant locations but the crucial idea is not escape from the city as much as focus on family, faith and local community. The hope is that eventually the value fostered there reaches out to lighten and strengthen the macro-society. I offer a variation in imitation of St. Francis of Assis (and maybe our Pope Francis as well):  Find the poor, become close to them, identify with them, and embrace them as a sacrament of our Lord Jesus. So, this is most easily done in the city but can certainly be done anywhere:  the poor we always have with us, everywhere. It could be one person, or a group or a population. This is really classic Catholic practice: Dorothy Day, Mother Theresa, Catherine Dougherty, Mother Cabrini, and the list goes on. This is NOT social activism in the sense of political advocacy to use the state to achieve justice and equality. It is not opposed to such. But it is really just standard, old-fashioned Christian charity...it cannot be beat...the corporal and spiritual works of mercy..."whatsoever you did to the least..."