Humor us

St. Joseph Sister Anne Bryan Smollin will speak to our community today at 3 p.m. in the Spellman Room on Humor, the Joy of Healthy Aging, Wellness, Spirituality and Stress. No joke.

Alas, I will only be able to chuckle for the first half hour because the All-Important Centenary Liturgy Committee for the Opening, June 29th and Closing Massses will meet at 3:30, and no doubt will be producing comic relief for months to come.

The 10 seminarians return from Enders Island Retreat Center today and the five new guys will be officially welcomed at a special Hour of Happiness at 5 in the Third Floor Rec Room.

I still feel we need an Office of Maryknoll Traditions and Customs, for which I would willingly volunteer. In years past, a cassock, cincture and Chi Rho marked one's progress through the Formation process; Now we got nothing. I suggest guys in the first year should get a rosary; and when they take first oath they should receive the official Maryknoll lapel pin with the coat of arms of the Society; after that maybe one of several articles of clothing (Tee shirt, cap, polo shirt etc. with the Maryknoll logo on it, perhaps with different colors designating different years).

Too bad the sems won't be back in time today to attend the Humor seminar. because from what I hear, Formation is no laughing matter. Around the salad bar I do hear from multiple sources that two mistakes Formators make (and this has been true since I was in the seminary back in the 19070s) was acting in what appears to be an arbitrary manner and not treating their charges as adults.

Might I be so bold as to suggest that this tendency also plagues men in leadership? (Hey, if I get called in because of this, I'll claim I was just kidding. Get it?)

Providentially today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of our co-founder, Father Thomas F. Price, and we all know what a jokester he was. He also entered the seminary on his birthday when he turned 16. Another piece of the puzzle.

Laughing with God

FR. JIM MARTIN, S.J., packed the main chapel this afternoon with 400+ eager people who came from miles around to have a good laugh.

Martin, cultural editor of America magazine and author of several books, including Our Exile (Orbis) and My Life With the Saints spoke about the joy, humor and laughter that marks authentic Christian theology. A superb story-teller and speaker with impeccable comedic timing, Martin had them rolling in the aisle—at least they would have rolled in the aisles had the SRO crowd any room to roll.

He numerated ten points of humor for a Christian spirituality:

1) humor evangelizes. Nothing breaks down barriers of hostility faster than a shared laugh.

2) humor is a tool of humility. It disarms our would-be adversaries and critics.

3) humor can shock listeners with reality. A situation can be presented to show its incongruity or illogic,

4) humor speaks truth to power. This is why dictators are so intolerant of satire.

5) humor shows Christian courage. St. Lawrence asking to be turned on the spit because he was "done on that side."

6) humor deepens our relationship with God. Sarah laughed. (Who wouldn't?)

7) humor welcomes. Ask any cocktail party host.

8) humor heals. It releases endorphins that physically stimulate healing.

9) humor opens our minds. It forces us to make unexpected connections.

10) It's fun! Remind me to tell you about the time I fell into the Korean outhouse...

I will update this post as soon as I decompress from the retreat with 65 high school students. Now THAT was funny!