The Book of Nature

The thought occurred to me that nothing more beautiful had ever happened in this place. Twice that week, the words “I am the God of the living,” kept repeating themselves joyfully in my head during meditation, and here He was in Person, surrounded by life in a national park.

Welcome to article 4 of a weekly series on the formation journey of Br. Josh, MIC, a second-year seminarian at the Marian House of Studies in Steubenville, Ohio. It is the continuation of Br. Josh's previous column, "Novice Notes." Watch for a new column every Friday.

By Br. Josh, MIC 

Father Thaddaeus Lancton, MIC, the superior at our Marian House of Studies in Steubenville, Ohio, stood on a rocky cliff in a white priestly robe called an alb, with a purple stole over his shoulders. Green and red autumn leaves surrounded his makeshift altar on a large rock, trees sprouting on every side and above like the walls and roof of a shrine. 

Over the edge of the cliff, a dense forest of pine trees spilled down steep slopes into a ravine. 

Six seminarians and novices stood nearby, dressed casually, most of us wearing shorts, jeans, and t-Shirts. We were in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, a three-and-a- half hour drive from our religious house. It was about 3:00 p.m. We had only hiked about four miles so far in distance; ours was a 5-mile hike in total distance. However, we climbed up and down a lot of boulders, slopes, and ladders, which added substantially to the workout. 

I was standing a few inches from the edge of the precipice, without any tree branches or other obstacles between me and the wonderful view of the green ravine. I was delighting in it; this was one of the most beautiful views so far, for me, due to the lack of obstructions. 

I imagined that I was floating down the slope among the trees, like a spirit without a body.

Day of rest
My first week at Franciscan University was a big workout for one muscle: my brain. By the end of the week, I was eager to turn it off, to go find a corner where I could be completely "stupid." 

Today was Sunday, and I didn’t have to work. I had enough time to make a day trip with the guys at New River Gorge.

I heard Fr. Thad’s quiet voice behind me. “Let’s say Daytime Prayer before Mass.”

We began. Appropriately, the liturgy started with Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me . . .” We happened to be near a river with white rapids. Not necessarily the most restful of waters if riding them, but pleasant for us to look at from above.

We were surrounded with greenery on all sides. 

Great joy
Most importantly, I was rejoicing in being at seminary. Being at the Marian House of Studies and at Franciscan University was a great joy, and I was learning a lot. Interiorly, I was enjoying green pastures. 

“You, O Lord, are resplendent,” the next Psalm declared. “More majestic than the everlasting mountains.” 

We were surrounded with low but beautiful forested mountains. I glanced at them appreciatively, as we said these words. 

Saint Bonaventure, a Doctor of the Church, called nature a book through which God makes Himself known.

Turkey vultures soared in the distance with their brown wings spread wide. They look elegant when soaring and circling slowly in the sky.

God of the Living
When our midday prayers ended, we went on to the Mass. It was my first Mass so deeply enveloped in nature. We were off of the main trail, having taken a slender path between thick trees on the edge of the ravine. 

The way the trees framed and overshadowed the boulders and rocks Fr. Thad was using as an altar made the place feel like a chapel, and natural light played on the red and green autumn leaves around us. Instead of paintings and stained-glass windows, we had a ravine and a vista.

When Fr. Thad consecrated the bread and it became the Flesh of Christ, he paused, holding up the host in silence for several seconds. The sunlight touched the Host. 

The thought occurred to me that nothing more beautiful had ever happened in this place. Twice that week, the words “I am the God of the living,” kept repeating themselves joyfully in my head during meditation, and here He was in Person, surrounded by life in a national park. 

I was taken from contemplating His truths in my mind through books and gifted professors to seeing Him in the Mass, with the Book of Nature wide open. 

Next week: "David and Goliath."
Previous entry.
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JOEG

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