"Destroyers and Builders..." by St. Theresa of the Andes

Historical background

In 1918, the young Juana Fernandez Solar, a history student in Chile, entered 3 essays in the General Writing Contest promoted by the Vicariate of Santiago.

She later joined the Carmelites of the Andes as Theresa of Jesus. Today we honor her as Saint Theresa of the Andes.  Here is the first of her 3 compositions, titled "Destroyers and Builders."

Its content reveals little-known and admirable traits of her thinking and personality.

Her viewpoint of crucial historical events, her grasp of theology,  philosophy and history, and her faith in the Church is an encouraging example, an admirable lesson to those who fight in defense of the values of Christian civilization.

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"Darkness and Light in the Modern Age" by Juana Fernandez Solar (1900-1920)

Destroyers and Builders

There is a power always prevails, a dynasty that knows no sunset, a light that never ceases, and this power has always been fought, this dynasty endlessly pursued, this light has been continuously surrounded by darkness.

This is the story of the eternal power of the Church, the dynasty of the Papacy, the light of truth.  While things come and go and vanish at its feet, the Church is always the same because it is sustained by power from on high.

But lift the curtain on the stage of the modern era, and we will see that in every century, the sons of the Church have had to sound the warrior's trumpet

This struggle will not end because it is the eternal enmity between darkness and light.  While the children of darkness destroy, the children of light build.  That is why I call this essay, "Destroyers and Builders."

What happened in the sixteenth century?  The countries of Europe were consumed by the fire of war.  In Germany a sinister star stood between souls and the sun of truth.

Luther and his followers give the war cry, the target of their attacks is the authority of the Church:  Believe what you want!  What is the fruit of this rebellion?  The destruction of the unity of thought.  The nations are flooded in blood; souls are wrapped in the darkness of error; heresy, like a raging river , drags away the masses, nobility, thrones and even clergy.

The channels through which God pours grace on souls is poisoned.

So, is it possible that the world should perish?

No, a new star emerges on the horizon -- Ignatius of Loyola.   He falls injured in battle at Pamplona, the soldier of an earthly king and gets up as a warrior of the King of heaven.

He recruits a company that uses not gun or sword.  What is their weapon?  The Crucifix!  His motto?  The greater glory of God!

Ignatius' soldiers go everywhere, carrying the light of truth.  They leave behind a shining footprint.  They spread light in  Europe -- it enters the debates, preaching, teaching, even reaching India where Francisco Javier regenerates millions of souls in the waters of baptism.  The soldiers of this new militia spread light wherever they go.

Let's turn the page of the sixteenth century and go into the next century to see the same spectacle of light and darkness of destroyers and builders.

In the seventeenth century, there stands out among the darkness a figure, rigid and severe: Jansenism they sows ice and darkness in its wake.

The flame of love falters and is ultimately extinguished with the wicked cry: Christ did NOT die for all! 

Flee the God of the Sacraments, since you can be deceived by your unworthiness.

Flee, flee!, cry the destroyers of the seventeenth century; souls flee in terror and are frozen and lost!

God was wounded in the most delicate character of His love, but the Word pronounced again that building word that makes light pierce the darkness: a magnificent and life giving sun rises at Paray-le-Monial.

Jesus Christ shows a humble nun his heart, consumed in flames of love.  He complains of man's neglect and insistently calls all to Him.  But the Jansenist Legions shout: Flee, flee!

The voice at Paray-Le-Monial says: Come, come!

The black flag of terror interrogates the beautiful banner of love - is that it?

No, then comes the great apostle of charity, St. Vincent de Paul, who in imitation of the Divine Master, called the poor, the sick and the children -- there is room for everyone in his heart.

His beautiful legion of Sisters of Charity steal thousands of souls from hell at the supreme moment of death.

The revival of love encourages souls.  The Divine Heart of Jesus and the deified heart of Vincent de Paul, speak of love: the first of infinite love, the second of compassion and heroism.

The fight is not over, however.  The enemy always seeks a way to attack the church.

The storm is more terrible than ever in the 18th century.  

The men of malice appear, Voltaire and Rousseau; the first has a burlesque smile on his lips and blasphemy in his pen; the second spreads sophism and confusion of ideas.  Both are corrupt at heart.

(To be continued tomorrow).