The One for My "Little Catholic Sister" Candace Owens
Candace, You’re in Our very large Catholic Family now
Dearest Candace,
You are now part of our Catholic family— a new family in the Lord Jesus Christ, and there are almost 1.5 +billion of us— across the seven continents and 5 oceans!
Pictured above, the Neocatechumenal Way, begun in Spain to help the poorest of the poor, and now celebrated all over the United States; their Easter all-night vigil, 2024, in South Bend, Indiana; photo/video: C.T. Young
So here are my precious words to my newest little Catholic sister in the Lord Jesus Christ, sweet Candace Owens.
And believe me I know about little sisters—
— I am the little sister to 8 — EIGHT! — older sisters and four — FOUR!- older brothers in our large blended Catholic and Christian family, and they have imparted their wisdom to me lo these last 5 1/2 + decades :
So, yes, I know about the goodness and wisdom a sanguine older sister can impart to a most beloved younger sister in the Lord Jesus Christ!
As to our beloved world-wide Catholic family, what’s a renowned Catholic poet say? And one published in a Catholic anthology of poetry, with John Paul II— and a protege of the good Jesuit priest Fr. Walter Ong, SJ?
“Catholics are the first “franchised” religion.” By this she means our mass, our spiritual meal, is the same wherever you go — whether you receive the mass and Eucharist in Uganda or Iceland or Russia or Boston, Massachusetts or New Zealand the same spiritual meal, the Body and Blood Christ, is on the menu!
(We’re like the Catholic McDonalds - same meal wherever you go across the world; but for the record our food franchise of choice? Popeyes — Why? It’s all Pope Yes!)
Regarding the ugly words of former colleagues and former bosses let me impart some wisdom:
First things first:
Get into the Word (as my Baptist Aunt Verna would say): Proverbs, the book of John, Isaiah, the Wisdom books, the Pentateuch, or the five books of Moses, and you’ll learn:
There are three kinds of people: those who can; those who can’t; and those who talk about those who can or can’t.
That group — the latter — will always spend an inordinate amount of time on gossip and even slander of their opponent.
You seem to be going through this ugly time right now, eh?
To you I say:
Ignore these people!
Second things second, here’s a tiny FYI:
We Catholics are more Jewish than Protestant or Christian in our history and traditions and rituals, yes?
Above, the Neocatechumenate Way singing the shema at their all-night Easter Vigil mass, 2024; video: C. T. Young
And that makes sense, yes, because our Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and all the first disciples and believers of The Way (see Acts) were also Jews — and, of course, trying to be more and more Christ-like means we try to be more and more like the good Rabbi and the good and humble Jewish carpenter Christ Jesus (knowing we have now grace and the Holy Spirit.).
Given that tenet, there is an entire teaching in the Talmud about gossip and slander called Lashon Hara1, or negative talk, that is, gossip or slander, about another person— so it’s quite wrong in the eyes of us Catholics and definitely among our Jewish brothers and sisters to malign the good name of another, eh?
In fact there’s a great expression: “Lashon Hara Lamed Hei, Go to He*l the Easy Way”
So, again, I say: ignore the gossips and slanderers — and most importantly pray for them.
It’s lamentable that people have resorted to such tactics, but ignore these people and pray for them as much as you can - give them to G-d.
Give them to G-d as you remember the adage: hurting people hurt others.
Third things third:
There are many Catholics and many Jews and many Christians and many Muslims who see you for who you are Candace — and who love you for who you are.
Pay attention to the love that’s around you— especially the love in your newfound family in the Catholic faith.
Fourth things fourth:
Read of all the good Catholics trying to walk the narrow path of the gospel - they’ve gone through even tougher circumstances than you! For example, read the biography of Mother Teresa by her right hand man Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC.
You’ll read that even mother Theresa was sued for her good works!
And if you read that biography, you will also learn that even mother Teresa had the most hateful and ugly words said of her— that she had an untoward relationship with a priest.
Oy vey! You cannot make this stuff up!
Candace, even your Catholic sister Mother Teresa — walked the same steps you are walking:
People said very ugly things about her, but what did she do?
She prayed.
She moved forward.
She continued the mission — she set her face to the plow and did not look back.
Do that as well, Candace!
Fifth things fifth:
Read the chapters on Susanna in the Book of Daniel2— look at what she endured!
Stand for the truth in deep humility- and all will be well.
And pray for your former employer and your former colleagues as you remember what my wise engineering sister Michelle Stark says:
“The worse they say about you the better! For once they meet you they will realize how wrong they were!”
(I grew up with some very incredible women and men— truly walking saints — so I know this is a tough action to take!)
And here’s a great American cinematic moment from the lovely and elegant Cecily Tyson in The Help to remind one of that point: “Are you going to believe all the mean things those fools say about you?”
(And here I’m the wise old Cecily Tyson character to your young up and coming Catholic Emma Stone character.)
(Dream works Productions 2011 copyright and all rights reserved)
Six things sixth, and finally:
I will just say this Candace:
“Take the hit.”
That’s the Catholic way— Take the hit.
Thomas Moore was mis-understood and vilified; St. Lawrence of Brindisi was mis-understood and vilified; Boniface of Tarsus was mis-understood, but stood brave and still got vilified.
All of these men took the hit — and in their case it was death, martyrdom.
(So did Edith Stein, Joan of Arc, Black Mary, Black Madonna, and St. Claire).
What you’re going through? We call it the "white martyrdom" as explained here by Pope Francis FIVE YEARS AGO!
With red martyrdom blood is shed - with “white martyrdom” one’s character is maligned; one’s job is threatened; one’s family is victimized.
We who have followed you lo these many years, Candace, well, we understand that you are today — and have been in the past — just trying to do your best.
What’s that great phrase in Hebrews 12:14:3
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
Today you have a whole family that is praying for you — and we wish, and we will, and we pray for your good and the good of your little family.
Be at peace.
What are the brilliant words of Teresa of Avila 4— who herself was gossiped about and slandered:
“Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”5
And what did Saint Francis de Sales6 say in The Devout Life to Philothea, the beloved?
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset"7
Seven things seventh — and last things last:
It’s a big world.
Focus on what God has asked you to do and ignore the meanness of those who are so frightened that they seek to malign your good name and your character.
And also:
Go on retreat.
Ask Catholic nuns, sisters, priests, and monks to pray for you- put yourself on their prayer lists AND put your “enemies,” so called on the list, too.
We all need prayer.
Forgive the people who are, for now, kinda acting like jerks. Why? Because we recognize we’ve been jerks.
We humans are stupid because of original sin and our weak ontological nature, yes? I’ve been foolish, vindictive, vicious -and so have you and every person who walks this beautiful planet — if they’re honest with themselves — so forgive your trespassers in the light of your own trespasses, yes?
Say the Divine Office.
Take the sacraments.
Ask people in your new Catholic family to pray for you.
Love your enemies — by prayer.
Move forward.
It’s a new day.
Get after it.
Oh and listen to some great Matt Maher, a beloved Catholic singer:
All rights reserved Matt Maher “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)”, 2024.
pax Christi, Ave Maria,
Carol the Catholic
your older Catholic sister in the Lord
p.s. Keep reading the lives of the Saints on the Augustine Institute podcast - especially focus on
Boniface of Tarsus and his mistress
St Boniface
Joan of Arc
Teresa of Avila
St Catherine of Sienna
Read Quo Vadis the book
The Devout Life by St Francis de Sales
The Story of a Soul, Therese of Lisieux
And check out all the many beautiful ways we Catholics from all over the world celebrate in our various languages, cultures, customs the Eucharist and the Mass:
Neocatechumenate Way, Easter all night vigil, South Bend, Indiana; video by Carol Young; the movement began in Spain as a ministry of faith, ministry, mission for the poorest of the poor and its tradition follow the very earliest church in its first instantiation: at home, around a table, evangelizing and loving those in one’s closest community.
Chabad, library, Lashon Hara, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/922039/jewish/Lashon-Hara.htm (accessed June 5, 2024).
USCCB, Bible, Book of Daniel, Chapter 13. See https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/13. (accessed June 6, 2024).
USCCB, Bible, Book of Hebrews, chapter 12. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12 (accessed June 6, 2024).
Aleteia, Simple Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila, https://aleteia.org/2018/06/05/this-simple-prayer-of-st-teresa-of-avila-can-calm-your-nerves-when-youre-afraid-or-anxious (accessed June 5, 2024).
Ibid.
Oblates, St. Francis de Sales, https://www.oblates.org/st-francis-de-sales (accessed June 5, 2024).
Ibid.