Sister Barbara McIntyre, MSBT

As the Cenacle Spirit manifests itself there is a simplicity about it and persons with the Cenacle Spirit are simple persons. They do not have recourse to deceptive methods, they are straightforward. Their simplicity begins with purity of intention. They are doing everything for the love of God. Thomas A. Judge, CM (MF 8480-81)

For some reason the virtue of simplicity is something I equate with clarity. Those who have made progress in the Cenacle virtue of simplicity have a certain clarity about them so that you can see the love of God straight through them. They are free to be themselves and in their presence you feel free to be yourself. You can depend on them to be up front and honest with you without fear that you are being manipulated. I believe such simplicity is evident in those persons centered in God.

            As a Vincentian Fr. Judge was well- schooled in the virtue of simplicity, which was St. Vincent de Paul’s favorite virtue. Our spiritual grandfather was quite clear on this.

In his [St. Vincent de Paul] writings and conferences he repeats that being real and genuine is uppermost among his personal values and that in fact he has spent a lifetime pursuing this trait. His word for it? Simplicity. ¹

            Being real is very much in harmony with our Missionary Cenacle call to be witnesses to the truth. Fr. Judge felt that simplicity was not lack of intelligence or prudence. “What is a simple spirit? It is a spirit straightforward and frank, not one of those foolish, sputtering spirits who blurt out everything.” (MF 8732)

            In the Missionary Cenacle Family we’ve been blessed with many who can serve as our models for growing in the virtue of simplicity. Mother Boniface, the first General Custodian of the MSBT, exemplified simplicity in her words and actions. For Fr. Judge she was “extraordinary” in many virtues and gift. He said of her, “Mother Boniface never acted a part... there was nothing of affectation in her. Mother Boniface was extraordinarily simple.” (MF 12254)

            In Led By The Spirit, by Sister Mary Tonra, MSBT, we can see ample and regular evidence of simplicity in Mother Boniface’s treatment of those people with whom she came in contact.2

“She was so simple, so just, so human. We just felt she was not a stranger and we knew her right away. She was so absolutely unaffected. She did not try to impress us.” (Sister Mary Simon)

“She was so easy to approach, so unassuming. Her kindness was known in every way. You could go to her at any time.’’ (Sr. Magdalen)

            Simplicity or being real is a much needed virtue today. We can be overwhelmed with the “spin” or dissimulations of advertising, news, so-called reality shows and political double-talk.   The goal of simplicity is to free the self from whatever may divert from loving God, our neighbor and self. To cultivate simplicity, like any virtue, requires two things: God’s grace and human commitment–the kind of commitment that involves our everyday choices and responses, that are based on our everyday centering in Our Triune God.

Reflection Questions:

1. Think about someone in your life who is an example of simplicity. Consider the qualities that you connect with simplicity in that person.

2. What truths do I find difficult to accept about myself?

3. When do I find myself tempted away from being real?
4. What are the nonessentials in my life that I need to pare away in order to be more simple?

1. Mc Kenna, Thomas, “Vincentian Challenge to Simplicity,” posted at www.famvin.org, Mar 14, 2003.

2. Tonra, Sr. Mary, MSBT, Led by the Spirit, New York: Gardner Press, Inc., 1984, 353.