VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Often, as I drive to work in downtown Honolulu, I see people standing out on the street mixed in with the fast-paced successful business personnel and wonder, “What is his or her circumstance? Probably, he or she is homeless.” There are others that can be seen pushing carts filled with their belongings or groceries oblivious to the surroundings. These people literally live on the edge of society and can be very much forgotten. Working with seminarians, it is the spirit of minority that I would like to impart to them.
As a former Capuchin Franciscan, I still carry the Franciscan spirit of minority with me. St. Francis of Assisi, although born in wealth, chose to live in poverty not only by giving up his material possessions, but by his life. He followed Jesus’ example who gave himself for us. St. Francis had a dual interest in a contemplative lifestyle and an active one. He loved all people, especially the poor. He had an incredible sensitivity to the poor, in particular to those plagued with leprosy and the homeless. Whenever he saw anyone in desolate need, his heart was always touched and he was drawn to minister to them in a kind and understanding way. It is through his love of people, prayer and the Blessed Sacrament that the spirit of minority was lived.
In my position of being semi-retired and the director of seminarians, I actually move around quite a bit. Thus, it is necessary to have a mindset of listening to people and not classifying them immediately as a problem. Listening entails seeing what their needs are, what their situation is like. When I was involved in parish work, I tried to get to the heart of what was really going on. For example, in baptismal preparations when the parents have been away from the church for a long time, it is important to not just talk about the baby, but to learn more about their other children, their current situation, deployment, etc. and to listen to their story. It should be a listening that is characterized by a sense of compassion, mercy and patience.
I feel I have come full circle in life now. Before working in formation work for the Franciscans in my earlier years, I taught and worked in administration. As an administrator, I travelled from parish to parish and saw that some priests were very effective. I learned a lot from the examples of these good and holy men who were very effective at compassionately listening. Of course, there were others who did not quite have the patience or mindset to be as skillful. Nonetheless, 20 years after, here I am working with the seminarians of the diocese in their formation.
Once again, I am reminded of the spirit of minority. A biographer of the Franciscan St. Clare said that she was ill much of her life and moved very slowly. However, by carrying her cross, she was very sensitive to those around her carrying their crosses. Thus, a key part of my spirituality lies in the asking, “What is your story?” and taking the time to listen. There is great need to follow Jesus’ example.
Father William Shannon is the diocesan director of seminarians. He is 45 years ordained and was incardinated in the Diocese of Honolulu 20 years ago. A certified scuba diver and underwater photographer, he also enjoys mountain biking and going to the gym.
