Vancouver’s archbishop is the latest Catholic prelate to take a crack at the popular Ask Me Anything or AMA trend on social media.
After celebrating Mass before a video camera and 58 students from nine educational institutions, Archbishop J. Michael Miller sat down to take their questions on any subject at all. They took him up on the offer, asking about everything from his favourite comfort food to advice for discerning one’s vocation.
One question he devoted significant time to was how young people can become better evangelists.
“You’ve got to have the desire to be an evangelist, to know that you are called, and to equip yourselves for some of the practical ways in which evangelization is best carried out,” he said.
He pointed to some practical ways mentioned in Pope Francis’ Evangeli Gaudium: “talking about the essentials, probably not beginning first of all with moral questions, using simple and direct language, engaging with people, understanding what their questions are, not imposing your own scheme.”
Key qualities of an evangelizer include being a good listener and knowing one’s faith well.
“Evangelization can be a very slow process and it really is about listening to the other and knowing the faith and what points are going to first of all find an echo in the person.”
When it came to vocational discernment, Archbishop Miller offered this advice: don’t do it alone.
“You have to find somebody, a spiritual director, or someone with whom you are sharing your heart and can help you navigate the inevitable questions you would have,” he said. “It’s important not to try to keep it all to yourself but speak to someone, and not just a peer.”
On the topic of the pandemic, the archbishop was asked what message he has for people deprived of being physically present at Mass since Nov. 19, when worship services were banned in B.C.
“It’s no doubt that it’s a huge sacrifice. Last year was pretty much like a long Lent that became tougher as of mid-November,” he said.
While there is “no way we can make up for the lack of Eucharistic Communion,” he said young people can still live fruitful spiritual lives and make spiritual communion.
“It’s not normal and it’s not what we want, but it doesn’t mean that we are bereft or without the presence of God and of his grace. We want the sacraments. We are sacramental people … but it doesn’t mean our spiritual life should collapse.”
He added there are many people across the globe, including in Canada, who under normal circumstances can only access the sacraments once a month or every few months due to persecution or lack of access to priests in remote areas.
“I’m hoping that we will be able to have some people back in Mass sooner rather than later, but that’s not my decision.”
He urged students to keep their faith alive by holding on to Catholic friendships or joining Catholic associations at their respective universities. He also expressed hope that when in-class learning is back in full, students will make up for the social connections and experiences they have missed in the last year.
“University isn’t about staying at home and staring at a computer doing courses. It should be a lot more of a richer experience than that.”
Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron was the first Catholic bishop popularized the AMA trend, taking questions from thousands of complete strangers on the social media platform Reddit.
Other famous individuals who have joined the AMA trend include Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, former U.S. President Barack Obama, singer Madonna, various actors, and people with interesting achievements or lives. Reddit users have called for Pope Francis to hop on board the trend, but so far he hasn’t taken them up on it.
Archbishop Miller’s favourites
Novel:
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, set in medieval Norway
Hymn:
O God Beyond All Praising
Other music:
Baroque, Neil Diamond, and the Broadway musical Evita
Comfort food:
Cheeseburger, hot fries with vinegar, and a chocolate shake
Way to pray:
Lectio divina, in silence
Summer pastime:
Travel, especially in Europe
Piece of art:
Fresco of the Annunciation in the convent of San Marco in Florence
