Vocation – Saint Rafael

Vocation – Saint Rafael.

St. Rafael Arnaiz Baron ocso. La Trappe, Abadia San Isidro

The Introduction of the Mass this morning gave us an insight to the particular calling to the community of San Isidro.

When we say a "special vocation", it expresses not something divisive but the calling to God, God Alone, as Rafael was fond to name it.

From the conclusion of the book,, God Alone, Dom Gonzalo, sometime Abbot of Abadia San Isidro, clarifies that “His was an exceptional vocation” against all the odds – the time of the Spanish Civil War, illness and final diabetic coma, at 27 years.

Gonzalo, acquaintance encountered in the Cistercian Order, makes the happy connection with St. John of the Cross’s mystical understanding. ("Saint John of the Cross says that people who have reached intimate union with God do not leave this life because of illness or old age (even if they die of illness or of old age), but by the force of their love").

It is the wonderful pattern of CALLING or VOCATION seen in the saints known and unknown.

God Alone It seems right to conclude this point by stating that Rafael returned repeatedly to the monastery in answer to God's particular call to him; a special call, outside the usual norms. He was not meant to live the life of his La Trappe; he was meant to live in his La Trappe, and, it may be added, to suffer and die in his La Trappe. His was an exceptional vocation, but it was acknowledged and accepted by those responsible in the monastery, even if it meant nonconformity with the normal life prescribed by the Rule. And it was accepted above all by Rafael himself, who answered it, fully aware that by going to the monastery he was shortening a life already impaired by illness, which is why it seems right to regard him as a "martyr to his vocation." And doubtless, a martyr to his love, the love that killed him, just as he himself had desired and declared over and over again. Saint John of the Cross says that people who have reached intimate union with God do not leave this life because of illness or old age (even if they die of illness or of old age), but by the force of their love. ( The Living Flame of Love, Stanza 1,30). So, although the death certificate signed by the Abbot states that "a diabetic coma" was what snatched Rafael's life away so soon, all those in the know were quite sure that it was more the fire of his charity and of his great love for God than his illness that did it. And thus the parchment that was kept in the casket containing Rafael's remains after their exhumation and removal in 1965 stated, "He breathed his last consumed by love for God." It would seem that Rafael at the end of his days could have made his own those lines from Saint John of the Cross that he was undoubtedly aware of and that reflect so well the high altitude of his spiritual flight: In a wonderful way I flew A thousand flights in one, For by heaven-sent hope is won Whatever is expected and true; I gambled on this one chance, And my hope did not belie, Since I went so high, so high, That I up to the prey did advance" In view of what his life was like it seems right to apply to him these words of the Book of Wisdom: "With him early achievement counted for long apprenticeship; so well did the Lord love him that from a corrupt world he granted him swift release" (Wis 4:13-14). Yes, Rafael was a man pleasing to God, one whose purpose was to love God as fully as possible, God alone, as expressed in his oft-repeated cry: GOD ALONE! Like all the saints Rafael was a "friend of God," which was acknowledged by the Church at his recent (… canonisation in October 2009). Gonzalo Fernandez, ocso. pp.119-120. God Alone, Monastic Wisdom Series, Cistercian Publications 2008.