G.K. Chesterton was known for his shrewd common sense. For instance, he once said that original sin can be proven by reading the front page of a newspaper.
However, this blunt realism went hand-in-hand with boundless good cheer and fundamental optimism, rooted in his conviction that Christ has conquered sin and death, a triumph that will be manifested in due course. Thus, he quipped that although the faith sometimes appears to have gone to the dogs, it is invariably the dog, not the faith, which dies.
Today, many are sorely tempted to say that the faith has gone to the dogs. And there is reason for genuine concern. But, as Chesterton ever maintained, there is much more room for confidence: confidence that the Holy Spirit will guide the church through its trials by raising up saints, known and unknown, to reinvigorate the faith.
It is our intention to cooperate with the Holy Spirit toward this end. At Our Lady of Hope, we don’t shy away from confronting the troubles of our age. But we enter the fray with a smile. Like our patron, we are “happy warriors”, enlivened by the “joy of the gospel”, to use the lovely phrase of Pope Francis.
We hope that many of you will choose to be our friends and companions as we work tirelessly to fulfill our mission, which is a heavy burden made light by the grace of God.
