Three Brothers: A Novel About Change and Diversity in the Catholic Church

Copyright © 2007 by Steven H. Propp

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PROLOGUE THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Chapter 1: A TIME TO TEAR DOWN, AND A TIME TO BUILD

(1965-1968)

Chapter 2: A TIME TO PLANT (1968-1972)

Chapter 3: A TIME TO BE BORN (1972-1976)

Chapter 4: A TIME TO SCATTER STONES (1976-1984)

Chapter 5: A TIME TO BE SILENT (1984-1991)

Chapter 6: A TIME TO REND (1992-1995)

Chapter 7: A TIME TO EMBRACE (I995-I997)

Chapter 8: A TIME TO WEEP (1997-2001)

Chapter 9: A TIME TO BE FAR FROM EMBRACES (2001-2003)

Chapter 10: A TIME TO DIE (2004-2007)

EPILOGUE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

About the Author

Dedicated to the beautiful, loving spirit of my mother-in-law, Barbara Jean Slaughter (1934-2007).

Herself a faithful Catholic, who had three sons (not triplets, though), as well as two daughters …

Who lovingly nurtured and cared for a very diverse family …

And who was preceded in death by my mother, Dorothy S. Propp (1925-2003)

Both of whose loving memory will always be with us,

o help sustain and inspire us,

Through all of the tough times,

And during all of the blessed times.

There is an appointed time for everything,

And a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to tear down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;

A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

A time to seek, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, New American Bible)

Note on Bible translations used: Although he prefers the Douay-Rheims, Luke usually quotes the New American Bible, and eventually the NAB Revised New Testament; Matthew quoted the NAB until the Catholic Edition of the New Revised Standard Version came out. Mark is rather eclectic in his choice of translations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As always, with sincere love and gratitude for the help and support of:

My beautiful wife and soul mate Nancy,

The light and love of my life.

All the grandkids:

My best buddy Devonte;

My partner Joseph;

Mi amigo Dominic;

Angel Mariah;

Precious Kayla;

And the newest addition: beautiful baby Brea!

My brother-in-law Darrel Buzynski;

My absolutely perfect big sister Susan;

My niece Jennifer and her husband Brade;

My favorite nephew and upper-division college student Jason.

All the rest of Nancy’s and my changing, diverse, and always loving family.

To all of my friends and readers at work;

And to all my other readers everywhere.

PROLOGUE

THE GOOD OLD

DAYS

(June 1956)

Hurry up, boys; the program’s about to begin! their father called out.

Aunt Cathleen finished spooning relish onto the hot dog of the last of the three boys, and they grabbed their plates and rushed into the living room. Matthew! Mark! Luke! Don’t run in the house, she scolded them with a knowing smile.

Sitting down on the long couch with TV trays in front of them, the three boys—who were fraternal triplets—paid close attention as the small black-and-white television screen showed a dignified robed figure, who began by saying in a deep and authoritative voice: Friends: A visit to a hospital brings home the prevalence of pain …

Bet he talks about the Commies tonight, Luke predicted, as he prepared to take a bite of his hot dog.

Bet he doesn’t, Matthew replied. He talked about them last week.

I hope he talks about the Virgin Mary, Mark offered. I’m tired of him talking about Russia; it’s boring.

Quiet! their father commanded from his chair, and this brought silence to the room, except for the magnetic voice of the Bishop coming from the television, as his piercing eyes drew everyone to stare at him with fascination. Aunt Cathleen quietly took her own seat in a chair, and the family watched with rapt attention, until the first commercial break.

During the commercial—as the announcer extolled the virtues of the sponsor’s products—the boys hungrily finished their hot dogs and potato chips.

I like it when Bishop Sheen says an angel erases the chalkboard for him, Mark said, as he wiped his hands off with a napkin.

Cathleen asked her brother (the boys’ father), Kevin, did you make it to Mass this evening?

He nodded, and said proudly, And I was only two minutes late; Father didn’t even notice, I’m sure.

A worried expression on her face, Aunt Cathleen said, Now that you’ve gotten that promotion to line supervisor at the factory, I hope it doesn’t interfere with your attending Mass …

The Church comes before anything else to me, Cathleen; you know that, he replied, shushing her as the program resumed. All voices in the room (except for Bishop Sheen’s) were silent once again, as the bishop asked, Why do the innocent suffer? and proceeded to give his explanation.

When the program was over, Aunt Cathleen stood up, and said to her brother, You should take the boys with you to Mass. Now that school’s out for the summer, they should be attending Mass on a daily basis. They’re almost seven years old, and will be having their First Communion soon, you know.

We all rode our bikes to Mass this morning, Aunt Cathleen, Luke replied proudly. Then we came home and did our chores, until you came to fix our lunch.

I’m very glad to hear that; my sister-in-law would have been pleased to see that all three of her boys are being raised as good Catholics, Aunt Cathleen said with a satisfied smile, then added sternly, Do you all obey the sisters at school?

Yes! they all answered immediately.

I’m glad to hear that, too, Aunt Cathleen said, as she began to gather up the boys’ plates.

Their father Kevin made a firm gesture, and said to his sister, No, Cathleen; it’s the boys’ job to clean up and wash the dishes after supper. You’ve already done more than enough for us.

She nodded gratefully, and said, Well, in that case, I’d best be on my way. Since I’m not teaching during the summer, I’ve got to get up early to drive to my job at the cannery …

I’ll drive you home, Kevin said, getting up and taking his ring of keys from the wall.

Can we come, too, Dad? Mark pleaded.

With a stern but loving frown, his father replied, You three aren’t going anywhere until those dishes are done!

Aww … a disappointed Matthew replied, until his Dad came up quickly and gave him a playful bear hug, which led to a spontaneous outburst of wrestling in the middle of the room, with all three boys joyfully trying to pile on their father—but after letting them jump on his back ineffectually for a few seconds, he simply stood up as if he were a mighty bear, casually brushing some pesky hounds away from him.

Abu! their father shouted triumphantly, raising his hands above his head like a championship wrestler, while the boys laughed hysterically.

Aunt Cathleen smiled, and said, Now, Kevin, don’t tell me that you’re teaching your sons that silly ‘Abu!’ whoop.

"Of course I’m teaching it to them; they’re O’Sullivans, aren’t they? So they all need to learn the traditional family victory cry. Motioning for his three sons to come forward and give him a collective hug, he added, But I also teach them that they need to always stick up for each other as brothers, no matter what—right, boys?"

Yeah! they all shouted in unison.

So what do you say? their father asked them.

Brothers some first! the three of them shouted enthusiastically, putting their arms around each other’s shoulders, and grinning.

Well, I’m glad that my sister-in-law isn’t here to see that wrestling matches are being held on a regular basis right in the middle of her living room, Aunt Cathleen said, rolling her eyes.

Diedre wouldn’t have minded … too much, Kevin replied. "She wanted her sons to all grow up to be men, after all. Turning to his three sons, he instructed them, Now, line up to give your aunt a kiss goodbye," and they complied immediately.

Luke was blond, and he and Matthew were the same height, but Luke was somewhat huskier; Matthew’s dark brown hair and horn-rimmed glasses gave him almost a scholarly look, while Mark was the smallest of the three, with his light brown hair and eyes suggesting a deep sensitivity.

Aunt Cathleen looked at the three of them with a smile, and complimented, Your mother would be so proud: to see her three sons are all growing up to be such strong and handsome young men! The boys smiled happily, as she embraced and kissed each one in turn, then said, Good night, you three; I’ll see you tomorrow after I get off work at 2:00. Shaking her finger at them, she added "And no snacks until I get here! If you get hungry, you can have an apple."

And no playing or TV until your chores are done, their father admonished them, as he held the door open for their aunt. And they’d better be done by the time I get back.

Matthew said, Good night, Aunt Cathleen, as the three of them waved goodbye to her from the door, as she and their father walked to his car, which was parked in the driveway. Their father held the door open for his sister, and then got in the car, and they drove away.

As soon as the car had driven out of sight, Mark quickly closed the door, and Matthew and Luke immediately began wrestling playfully.

Mark sniffed at them, and said indignantly, Dad said to do our chores, first.

Okay, okay, Matthew replied, as Luke released his headlock on him. With practiced coordination, Luke gathered up all the plates, while Matthew folded up the TV trays, and Mark began running the water in the sink.

The doorbell rang, so Matthew quickly placed the TV trays back on the rack in the corner of the room, and then hurried over to answer the door.

A tall man with a thick walrus mustache stood at the door, and said genially, Evening, Matthew; is your Dad here? He was holding an unlit pipe in his right hand.

He’s driving our Aunt home, Mr. Reilly, Matthew replied.

Sheepishly, Mr. Reilly said, Rats; I was hoping I could borrow some pipe tobacco from him …

Sure, come on in, Matthew said with a smile, moving aside to invite Mr. Reilly inside. You know where he keeps all of his pipe stuff; right there by his chair.

Why, thanks, Matthew; don’t mind if I do, Mr. Reilly said, stepping inside, and walking over to the large overstuffed chair directly facing the television. He opened the drawer, found a package of tobacco, and filled his pipe. Tell your Dad I’ll have the wife buy him a whole pouch when she goes shopping tomorrow.

Matt! C’mon, you’ve got dishes to dry, Luke called out, as he stepped into the doorway between the living room and the kitchen. He smiled when he saw their visitor, and said, Hi, Mr. Reilly!

Hi, yourself, Lucas, Mr. Reilly said, coming over to playfully ruffle Luke’s hair. Did you boys watch Bishop Sheen tonight?

Sure did! Luke replied proudly, as he smoothed his hair down again. He was great!

Mr. Reilly smiled, and said, "That’s one thing you can count on in this neighborhood: on Tuesday evenings at 8:00, everyone on this entire side of the street is tuned into Life is Worth Living. He frowned, and then added distastefully, Except now we’ve got that Mexican family that moved in—that’s probably going to throw off the whole block. He shook his head, and added, I sure wish that Rogers and his wife hadn’t been in such a hurry to sell; if they’d waited longer, I’m sure they could have found a white family to sell to—and probably even an Irish family."

The Sanchezes are Catholic, Mr. Reilly, Matthew assured him, entering the living room. We saw them all at Mass last Sunday.

"But we didn’t see you there," Luke observed primly.

They’re Catholic? Mr. Reilly said, ignoring Luke’s comment, and relaxing a bit. Well, then, maybe that’s not so bad. I was afraid they might be some of those ‘Holy Roller’ types, who don’t speak any English …

They speak good English, Mr. Reilly; I talked to them while they were moving in last week, Matthew offered. They have a boy Juan who’s almost our age, and a girl named Theresa who’s three.

We all speak the same language in Mass on Sundays, anyway, Luke noted, sounding very grown-up.

That’s right, Mr. Reilly said, giving them a relaxed smile. Every Sunday morning at Mass, faithful Catholics all over the world join together in worshipping the Blessed Lord in Latin—and that’s the most important thing. He patted Matthew on the shoulder, and said, I guess if Lucille Ball can marry a Cuban, then I shouldn’t be worried if a Mexican family moves into an all-Irish block; after all, we’re ‘one nation under God,’ right? He thought for a moment, and then added, "I am glad to hear that they’re Catholics, though. He waved goodbye to the boys, and headed to the door as he said, I’ll let you boys get back to your chores; I know it’s almost your bedtime. Tell your Dad when he gets back that I’ll be out on my back porch, if he wants to come over and chat for a while after he puts you three to sleep."

Sure will, Mr. Reilly; good night, Matthew replied, softly closing the door behind their neighbor.

Mark came in from the kitchen and turned on the television, then jumped up on the couch.

Luke called out sharply, Hey! Dad said no TV until we were done …

I did my part while you were talking to Mr. Reilly, slowpoke, Mark replied, lying back contentedly, with his stocking feet up on the couch.

Luke looked at Matthew with exasperation, and said, Well, I can’t put the dishes up until you dry them …

Oh, be quiet, you big baby, Matthew said, giving his brother a playful punch in the arm, and running into the kitchen—with Luke in hot pursuit, as Mark contentedly watched his television program.

CHAPTER 1

A TIME TO TEAR DOWN, AND A TIME TO BUILD

(1965-1968)

(December 1965)

Did you hear what Father O’Casey said to Sister Margaret just before lunch today? Matthew said, as he swatted at the basketball that Luke was dribbling, but failed to steal it. The Vatican Council is finally over.

I wish they had never started it, Luke said, as he shot the ball over Mark’s outstretched hands, scoring a basket. There were no other students on the playground of the large Catholic high school, as the weather was too cold for all but the most dedicated. Luke continued, There was nothing wrong with the Church the way it was. I don’t know why Pope John thought he needed to mess with things …

"Because the Church needed some aggiornamento; change, modernization, Mark countered, dribbling the ball just out of Luke’s reach. I think that John XXIII had exactly the right idea when he said that he was going to ‘fling open the windows of the Vatican.’ It was high time to do some ‘updating’ of the Church; I mean, it’s 1965, for cryin’ out loud!" As he stopped dribbling for a moment,

Luke suddenly leaned forward and stole the ball from him, and raced toward the basket.

Matthew was guarding the path to the basket too carefully for Luke to get a clear shot, so Luke turned and passed the ball back to Mark, and then said, Well, from what I can see, they’re trying to destroy the Holy Mass, and make it into nothing more than a Protestant meeting! I mean, it’s bad enough that we have to say the Mass in English now, but …

It’s the same words we used to say in Latin, dumbbell; or didn’t you ever follow along in your missalette? Mark asked, before he cut to the basket and made a nice layup. As he retrieved the ball and passed it to Matthew, he said to Luke, "Most of the people going to Mass like to understand what it is that’s being said; not everyone goes to Catholic schools and studies Latin, you know."

But ever since the English liturgy was introduced, even our schools have cut way back on teaching Latin, Luke puffed, accidentally striking Matthew’s hand as Matthew went up to take a shot. I’ve heard that the early grades don’t teach it at all, any more.

As Matthew stood bouncing the ball at the free throw line, Luke lined up to the side, and said, But Father Clifton says that all of the radical theologians that completely took over the Vatican Council think they’re just getting started—they want to completely change the Church, starting with the Mass. They’ve already turned around the altar, so that it’s facing the congregation; and they’re trying to get rid of the communion rail, too. And I’ve heard from Father Bakon that next they want to change the words of the liturgy itself. Matthew’s free throw bounced around on the rim, before finally falling through.

Well, what’s wrong with that? Mark asked, as he retrieved the ball and tossed it back to Matthew for his second free throw. Maybe they can jazz things up a little bit, and make it less stuffy.

Matthew said, Luke, Father O’Casey told me that the Mass has changed lots of times over the centuries, and the only reason that current Mass has stayed the same for so long was because after the Council of Trent, they wanted to distinguish us from the Protestant Reformers. He made his second free throw, and Luke retrieved the ball and took it out of bounds.

Well, I’ll tell you just ‘what’s wrong with that,’ Luke said testily, as he passed the ball to Mark. If the Protestants want to sit in church in jeans and sing folk songs, let them; but I don’t see why we should change our beautiful Latin Mass just to be more like them. Putting his hands on his hips indignantly, he added, They’ve even started trying to get us to sing Protestant hymns during our Mass! What’s next? Letting Catholics eat meat on Fridays?

He stopped suddenly as he saw that Father Swanson, the parochial school’s principal, was walking toward them, wearing his usual black suit and his Roman collar. They all greeted him enthusiastically.

Afternoon, boys, he said, patting them each on the shoulder in a friendly manner. What were you discussing so fervently that I could hear your voices from clear across the playground? Girls, or sports?

Neither, Matthew replied. We’re discussing the end of the Vatican Council, and what it’s going to mean for the Church.

Ah, Father Swanson replied with a sigh. That’s something a lot of us are wondering.

Personally, Father, Luke said firmly. I think that the Council went too far, and way too fast; you shouldn’t just change the language of the Mass itself overnight and turn around the altar, without giving the faithful a chance to get used to the idea.

I don’t agree at all, Matthew objected. I think that the Council is only the first step of a continuing process of change, which needs to …

If you ask me, Father, Mark interjected, I don’t that that the Vatican Council seems to be having that much effect on anything. They wrote all these documents that people are supposed to read, but almost everything in the church seems the same to me, except for saying the Mass in English.

Father Swanson smiled, and said, My; with such different viewpoints, are you three sure that you’re all related? The three boys laughed, and Father Swanson added, Maybe you’re all just friends, not brothers, who just happen to live together? His eyes flashed with humor as he said this.

The three looked at each other, and Matthew answered for the group, saying, We’re not friends: we’re brothers.

We pound the heck out of each other in football, in basketball, in wrestling, and in everything else, Mark said, draping his arms across the shoulders of his two brothers, But at the end of it all, we’re all still there for each other.

’Brothers come first’ is the motto that our Dad has always taught us, Luke added proudly.

That’s wonderful to hear, Father Swanson said, appearing to be studying them carefully. He asked casually, How old are the three of you?

Sixteen, they all answered in unison.

Our birthday was last week, Mark clarified.

Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do after you graduate from high school? the Father asked. The three brothers looked at each other blankly.

Go on to college, if we can afford it, Matthew replied, and Mark nodded his head in agreement.

Otherwise, I guess we’ll just have to get a job, Luke added. Our Dad can probably get us all on at the factory, since he’s a Shift Manager now, and …

Have you ever thought of going on to seminary? Father Swanson asked suddenly.

Seminary? they all replied, with genuine expressions of puzzlement on their faces.

You mean, like priests go to? Luke asked.

I mean, like fine young Catholic men like you go to when they think that God may be calling them to serve Him, in His Church, Father Swanson corrected. Seeing the looks of confusion in their eyes, he added, "Going on to seminary doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to end up as a priest; but it’s the ideal place for discernment—that is, for discovering whether or not God is calling you to the priesthood." The three brothers all looked at each other, their faces reflecting uncertainty.

I don’t know, Father Swanson, Luke finally replied, starting to bounce the basketball nervously. All of us are pretty involved with sports; I don’t think that we could just give that up like …

Oh, so you think that being a priest means that you have to give up athletics, do you? Father Swanson asked with a gleam in his eye, and his hand suddenly darted out and stole the ball from Luke.

Hey! Luke exclaimed in surprised embarrassment as Father Swanson immediately sprinted toward the basket, and made a neat layup.

The boys applauded with broad grins, and Matthew said appreciatively, Pretty slick move, Father.

Luke’s grin turned to a look of determination, as he moved to pick up the ball from underneath the basket. Dribbling the ball defiantly, he said to Father Swanson in a challenging tone, Bet you can’t do that again.

Bet I can, Father Swanson replied with a confident smile, and the four of them played two-on-two for a few minutes—Father Swanson impressing them with his athleticism and skill.

After he swished a long shot over Mark’s frantically waving hands, Father Swanson puffed, and said, Well, I think that’s about all for me today, gentlemen. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead, and said, But I just wanted to show you that being a priest doesn’t mean that you can’t still participate in athletics.

We see what you mean, Father, Luke said admiringly. I never knew you could play like that.

Father Swanson said proudly, As a matter of fact, while I was attending my old seminary—St. Christopher’s, just about fifty miles northeast of here—our basketball team was so good, that we regularly played the local community college varsity team, and beat them about half the time.

Really? Matthew asked, and Father Swanson nodded with a smile, adding, As a matter of fact, I still get together and play with some other priests once or twice a month, just to keep ourselves in some semblance of shape. He raised an admonishing finger, and said, So don’t ever think that serving God means that you have to give up all of your fun activities, or that being a priest means you have to be some kind of a fairy, and all three brothers laughed. Father Swanson then waved goodbye, and turned and walked back to his office.

Father Swanson is a pretty cool guy, isn’t he? Mark commented, after the priest was out of hearing.

He’s not just a ‘cool guy,’ you idiot, Luke replied sarcastically. He’s not only a priest; he’s the principal of our school.

I meant it as a compliment, Mark replied defensively, suddenly poking the ball out of Luke’s hands, but Luke didn’t appear to care, as the ball bounced away.

What do you think about what he said? Matthew asked with uncertainty. I mean, about us going to seminary after high school?

I’d never even thought about it, Luke said seriously. You think we could?

It might be a cheaper way to go to college, Mark observed pragmatically. Even with his new promotion, Dad probably can’t afford to send all three of us, you know, and I think the Church pays for most of it when you go to seminary. Shrugging his shoulders, he added, And besides, like Father Swanson just said, going to seminary doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to end up a priest.

All three of us became altar boys as soon as we were old enough, Luke pointed out. "So I know we’ve all wondered what it would be like to be priests."

But being a priest—I mean, that would be kind of impossible, don’t you think? Matthew objected. I mean, I really like girls!

"So what? So do all priests—they aren’t fags, you know! Luke countered. You’re still a virgin, aren’t you?"

Matthew said, defensively, So what? So are …

I’m not making fun of you, dodo, Luke explained patiently. "I just mean that since none of us are engaged or anything yet—and I don’t think that any of us has done anything more sinful with a girl than make out a little bit at the mov-

ies—all of us really could go to a seminary, to try and see if that’s what God wants us to do."

I’ve thought about being a priest before, Mark agreed, and a nostalgic smile came over his face as he said wistfully, When we used to put on our acolyte robes in the sacristy before Mass, I sometimes would look at myself in the mirror, and have a kind of vision of myself serving as a priest, someday.

So did I! Luke said, excitement creeping into his voice. How about you, Matt?

Way back then, not really, he replied. "But now that I’m older, I’m starting to see that being a Catholic means more than just going to confession on Saturday and Mass on Sunday. For example, I’ve really been impressed by people from the Catholic Worker like Christopher Kearns, David Miller, James Wilson, Roy Fisher, and Tom Cornell burning their draft cards publicly to protest the war in Vietnam …"

It’s not a ‘war’—it’s a ‘conflict,’ Luke replied sharply.

Matthew said with exasperation, "Luke, will you face facts? Vietnam is a war, and unless we get out of it quickly, we’re going to get stuck there until …"

So what do you think we should all do? Luke asked, adding sarcastically, "Burn ourselves to death over it, like that other Catholic Worker guy Roger LaPorte did?"

"I think that the Church has to take a stand, Luke! Matthew replied passionately. How can the Church not be in the forefront of the civil rights movement, for example? That’s the most important issue of the whole century for this country! Just look at all of the priests and nuns who are participating in the civil rights movement, like Father James Groppi, or like Father Philip Berrigan in 1962 becoming the first Catholic priest to participate in a Freedom Ride, for example. If I were ever to become a priest, I would do it to be able to stand up for civil rights and oppose stupid wars, because being a priest would make your voice count that much more …"

Personally, it makes me sick to my stomach when I see priests and nuns standing on picket lines, Luke said, a distasteful expression on his face. That’s not what God called them to do—He called them to serve Him and His people, not to get thrown in jail! I say, let the Protestant ministers like Reverend King be the ones that go to jail!

I agree with Matt that Catholics need to take a stand with the Negroes, Mark replied. The KKK hates Catholics as much as they hate Negroes and Jews, after all.

Well, if that’s the kind of attitude the two of you have, Luke said grimly, tucking the basketball under his arm and heading for the gate, "I hope you don’t go on to seminary after high school!"

Oh, so you think you’re better than us, Mr. Smart Ass? Matthew teased, as he suddenly shoved Luke from behind, knocking the ball from his grasp. Matthew picked up the ball quickly and sprinted for the gate, with Luke and Mark in close and spirited pursuit.

(June 1968) Discernment

The three brothers were playing their own unique three-man version of football in their back yard—where one player was the quarterback, one the defensive rusher, and the third player was either a receiver (if the quarterback wanted to pass), or else a tackler (if the quarterback chose to run).

Matthew threw the ball over Luke’s arms to Mark, but Luke nevertheless tackled Matthew roughly, as Mark caught the ball and sprinted for the goal line (the area in-between two garbage cans placed at the edge of their lot).

Hey! Matthew said angrily, as he shoved Luke off him. I’d already released the ball, asshole!

Aw, don’t be such a baby, Luke said with a grin. I couldn’t stop in time, OK?

Matthew bounded back up quickly and brushed himself off, then teased Luke, You couldn’t stop because you fullbacks are so slow-thinking; whereas we tight ends have much faster thought processes.

The only thing that fullbacks know how to do is to have the quarterback hand them the ball, and then run straight forward with it, until they get creamed, Mark said with a laugh as he returned with the ball, tossing it to Luke.

Aw, shut up, you pussy, Luke sneered. You’re only a place kicker, so you’re the one who only knows how to do one thing.

But I do it so well, Mark replied immediately, a smug expression on his face. That’s how I made twelve of my last thirteen field goals, and hit the game winner in the conference semi-final!

You only became a kicker because you’re afraid to get hit, Matthew said with a grin.

"Correction, dear brother: I am not afraid to get hit—I just don’t like to get hit," Mark replied cockily, tossing the ball from one hand to the other.

Ah, who cares, anyway? Luke snorted contemptuously. The football season ended months ago, anyway, and we’re about to graduate from high school. I’ve got more important things on my mind.

Like what? Or maybe I should ask, ‘Who?’ Matthew said with a sly smile. Like maybe that cute little blonde in our third-period Civics class …

"I don’t have girls on my mind, Matt, for the love of Pete," Luke snapped, but then remained silent.

Then what is it? Matthew asked, realizing that Luke was serious, so both he and Mark turned and looked at Luke intently.

I’ve talked with Father Clifton and with Father Swanson again, and they’ve talked it over with Bishop Daugherty, and I’ve come to a decision, he replied with gravity. I’m going to St. Christopher’s this fall: I’m going to study to become a priest.

You’re what? Matthew exclaimed with astonishment, and Mark looked equally amazed.

What’s the matter? Can’t you believe that God would be calling your brother to be a priest? Luke sneered. Stubbornly, he added, I’ve got a strong recommendation from our parish priest, I have no debts whatsoever, I’m in good health …

No, that’s not it, Matthew said, shaking his head and moving closer to Luke. "I’m just surprised because I’ve been talking to Fathers O’Casey and Swanson—and I’m going to St. Christopher this fall, to become a priest, too!"

Luke looked crestfallen, and said weakly, You? But I thought …

They’ve all been talking with me, too, Mark interrupted. I told them I’d give them my final answer tomorrow, but I’ve already made up my mind: I’m enrolling at St. Christopher in the fall, too.

The three brothers stared at each other in open-mouthed amazement for a long moment, and then suddenly Luke exclaimed in wonderment, All three of us? You mean that all three of us are going to become priests?

Mark looked suddenly unsure of himself, and he asked, Is that … well, allowed? Can three brothers become priests? Or is there some kind of ‘one-son-per-family’ limit …

This is the Church, not the Army, you idiot, Matthew said firmly. Fathers O’Casey, Clifton and Swanson have obviously been talking to all three of us, so they must know what they’re doing.

Look, guys: this is dead serious, Luke said urgently, motioning for the other two to come in closer. He put his hands on their shoulders, and said in a hushed tone of awe, Have you two been feeling more and more like God is calling you? Like He’s been telling you that this is what He really wants for your life? Both Matthew and Mark nodded their heads gravely, and Luke exclaimed in a tone of wonderment, "Then God must be calling all three of us to the priesthood! This is fantastic!"

An amazed grin came over Mark’s face, and he said, "I’ve heard about God calling several people from one family to become a priest, nun, or religious; but I’d never heard of it happening with triplet brothers before!"

Matthew suddenly looked concerned, and asked, But what about Dad? How is he going to be able to afford to send all three of us to seminary?

I talked with the diocese Vocation Director last month, Luke said confidently. "For a diocesan seminary like St. Christopher’s, the diocese pays most of the costs of your education—we are performing a benefit for the diocese, after all, because we’ll be coming back to here to serve once we’re ordained—but of course, we and our family are expected to kick in whatever we can. I bet that if we all got jobs during the summer, we could use the money we earn to help pay for …"

Mark interrupted, saying urgently, You know that, as his only sons, Dad probably expects us to carry on the family name.

Not if God’s calling us to do something different, Luke replied with confidence.

Let’s go ask him! Matthew suggested excitedly, and the three of them all raced to the back door of their house, and let themselves in.

Their father was sitting in his chair filling his pipe with tobacco and watching television, when he looked up and saw his three sons enter the room side-by-side. He said warily. Uh, oh; when the three of you come at me all at the same time, I know that something’s up. He sighed and reached in his back pocket for his wallet, and said, So how much is this going to cost me …

Dad, it’s nothing like that, Matthew said as he respectfully knelt down by his father’s chair, and his two brothers followed suit.

Surprised, their father put down his pipe, then picked up the television remote control, and turned the set off. He looked from one son to the next, impressed by the looks of determination he saw on all of their faces.

Dad, we’ve made a decision; all of us, Matthew said. And …

But we need to ask your permission, first, Luke interjected.

What decision? their father asked, suspiciously.

We all want to become priests, Mark said quietly.

Priests? their father replied, astonished.

Yes, Matthew replied, a bit defensively. We’ve all spoken with Fathers Swanson, Clifton, and O’Casey, and they’ve spoken to the bishop. Our diocese runs St. Christopher’s seminary up in the hills, and … He stopped in mid-sentence, surprised to see tears suddenly begin rolling down their father’s cheeks.

Mortified, Mark said softly, Dad … we know that you were probably expecting us to have kids, so that someone will be able to carry on the family name, but sometimes …

Their father suddenly leaned forward, and tried to put his arms around all of his sons at the same time. Amazed by this sudden display of love from their normally reserved father, they moved forward until they were all embracing each other, their arms tightly interlocked.

Releasing the three, their father said in a hushed tone of great seriousness, My sons, there’s something that I must tell you now, that I have never revealed to anyone—not even your Aunt Cathleen … The three brothers were deathly silent, as their father continued quietly, When your dear mother—God rest her soul—was giving birth to you three, it was … a very difficult delivery, and the doctor—who wasn’t a Catholic, may God have mercy on his soul—wanted to … save your mother, God rest her soul …

"It was … a choice? Between saving her, or saving us?" Luke gasped, his face ashen, and his father nodded his head, tears of sorrow running down his cheeks.

Because the doctor didn’t think she would survive our births? Matthew breathed, and their father nodded his head miserably.

Their father said sadly, The choice was hers; your mother—God rest her soul—and I discussed this many times during the pregnancy, which was very hard on her. And it was her firm wish to save the life of her children rather than her own, if it came down to that. So as soon as she entered labor, we clearly instructed the doctor that he must, at all costs …

We would have gone to the Limbo of unbaptized children! Luke exclaimed, understanding dawning on his face, and their father nodded his head. Automatically, almost as if he were reciting a passage from the Baltimore Catechism, Luke added, If we had died during childbirth without being baptized, we couldn’t have gone to Heaven, or experienced the Beatific Vision of God …

Their father suddenly sat up straight in his chair, and looked urgently at each of his three sons in turn, and said solemnly, "Your mother was a saint, my sons; she was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of her own life, so that you three might live."

In a broken tone, Matthew gasped, But Dad, she shouldn’t have .I mean, she could have … but their father just shook his head slowly and negatively.

There was no priest in the operating room, Matthew, even though we had called for one; only the doctor and the nurse were present, their father said. So you couldn’t have been baptized.

But even in an unbaptized condition, we still would have enjoyed an endless state of natural happiness, Matthew objected desperately. "It wasn’t necessary for our mother to die for …"

But it’s what she chose—right, Dad? Luke interrupted, and their father nodded his head sadly. Luke solemnly crossed himself, amazed by this devastating revelation from their father.

Their father then mustered a smile, and put his hands on the shoulders of Mark and Matthew, then looked around at them all and said confidently, Do not weep for your mother, my sons: she is in Heaven! Or she will be, as soon as she has finished paying the temporal punishment for her sins in Purgatory. Her sacrifice was not in vain, for all three of you have grown up into fine young Catholic men. Tears again came to his eyes, and he said, "But now, you’ve just told me …

We’ve decided, Dad, Luke said gravely. It’s been discussed with Bishop Daugherty, and he’s approved it. This fall, we’re all enrolling in the St. Christopher Seminary in the hills just outside the county lines.

It’s an eight-year program at St. Christopher’s, Mark added. We’ll get our college degrees in four years, and then continue on for our ordination after four more years.

But don’t worry about the costs, Luke said quickly. There’s no up-front charge at all, and we’ll all get jobs during the summer to help pay for …

I would work twenty-four hours a day to pay for the three you to become priests, if that’s what it required, their father interrupted. His face was deadly serious, and he added, But you must each first make a solemn promise to me: that the three of you will always watch out for each other, as brothers should! He made a fist, then shook it and said, In the seminary, you will be tested by the devil—severely tested! So you must always remember what I taught you …

The three brothers nodded their heads, and repeated in unison (as if making a solemn vow), Brothers come first.

Their father gave them a tight-lipped smile, and then motioned for them to all place their hands together, and he said, My sons, what I am going to tell you now, I have never revealed to a single soul on Earth—not even a priest. Their hearts racing with excitement, their father continued, When your mother’s life ended, I made a solemn vow to the Blessed Virgin: that if she would watch over my beloved wife’s soul in Purgatory, that I would never remarry, and I would consecrate all three of my sons to the service of God. He squeezed their hands, and added in an awed tone, And now, I see that the Holy Virgin has indeed answered my prayers …

That’s amazing, Matthew breathed.

May God be praised, Luke affirmed in a tone of wonder.

Amen, Mark added. Our Lady has been merciful on all of us.

Their father nodded his head, and said, When the Holy Father declared the truth of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother less than a year after you were born, I knew that it was a sign of God’s blessing on my vow. And now that you have told me of your plans to become priests, I know for certain that it has been miraculously fulfilled. He stood up from his chair, and then announced to his sons, And now that you know the truth, I have a present that I have been waiting to give to you. Saying this, he walked over to the statue of Mary that sat on a small stand in a corner of the living room—and was normally ignored by them. His sons followed him with great anticipation.

He crossed himself, then gently opened the drawer on the stand, and removed three small black boxes from it, handing one to each of his sons, in turn. Each one of these belonged to your mother, he said with obvious pride, as his sons opened the small cases, to reveal a beautiful set of Rosary beads, with an ornate silver cross. The three sons each gently picked up the Rosary and fingered it lovingly. Dreamily, their father added, She wanted her sons to have them … once they could truly appreciate them.

It’s like … this is a gift to us, from our mother that we never met … Matthew said, tears coming to his eyes. And we’re now going to be fulfilling her dreams, by becoming priests.

Glory be to God, Luke whispered.

Kneel down, my sons, their father instructed, and all of them solemnly knelt down in front of the statue of Mary. The father said, We must thank the Holy Virgin, for her many blessings upon us. Let us first remember how the Virgin was astonished when the angel Gabriel came to her, saying, ‘Hail, Mary, full of grace; blessed art thou among women.’

Amen, Mark said, solemnly closing his eyes, and the four of them were silent for a few moments, and then crossed themselves and began to recite with great dignity, I believe in God, the Father almighty …

(July, 1968) Humanae Vitae

I can’t believe it, Matthew said, shaking his head as he read the newspaper while sitting on their front porch. This encyclical is going to set the church back fifty years.

Mark nodded, and added, "And the Pope even rejected the advice of his own theological commission—like they reported in all the papers last year—who had concluded that artificial birth control was not necessarily evil, and that it should be left up to the married couple whether they used it or not. Which is unbelievable, because it was Paul VI himself who appointed the vast majority of the people on the commission; John XXIII only appointed a half-dozen or so."

Well, it’s not ‘left up to the married couple’ anymore, Luke said, with a look of genuine satisfaction on his face, as he took the newspaper out of Matthew’s hands, reading it and saying, The Pope has now spoken, clearly and unambiguously: artificial birth control is wrong—’each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life.’ Handing the newspaper back to Matthew, he added, "This isn’t really anything new; Pope Pius XI said the same in his encyclical Casti Connubii, and Pius XII reaffirmed the teaching again."

Matthew began, "Luke, John Rock—one of the doctors who developed the birth control pill—is himself a fervent Catholic, and he also said in his book The Time Has Come that the decision to use or not use oral contraceptives should be left up to the couple …"

I didn’t realize that Dr. Rock had been elected Pope, Luke replied sarcastically.

Luke, don’t you see that the old-fashioned ‘sex is for procreation only’ position is archaic, now that reliable birth control pills exist? Mark said. "I mean, doesn’t the Pope think that sex within a marriage has any other purpose than making babies? Such as serving as an expression of love between the partners, for instance?"

The Pope knows more about the purpose of sex within marriage than either of you ever will, Luke replied quickly. You know as well as I do that the invention of the birth control pill has only led to sexual licentiousness on the part of many people, by freeing them from having to live with the consequences of their sinful actions …

Oh, so you’d rather that a couple that is having illicit intercourse bring a baby into their sinful household? Wouldn’t that be punishing the baby, more than the parents? Mark shot back. "You sound like one of those pious 19th century Catholics who opposed anesthesia and modern surgical techniques, on the grounds that ‘God must have intended for the victims of injury or disease to suffer.’"

Looking over the newspaper article, Matthew said reasonably, Actually, Luke, there were some things that Paul VI said in the encyclical that I liked, such as about birth control resulting in widespread ‘marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards,’ and his worrying that it might lead to some men thinking of their wives as being ‘a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection.’ Folding up the newspaper, he concluded, So I think you’re dead right that some people are using the pill just as a means to make it less risky for them to fool around.

Luke nodded his head with satisfaction, and said, Well, I’m glad that we finally agree about something.

Matthew thought for a moment, and then went on, "But I can’t see any reason for prohibiting married couples from being able to regulate their numbers and timing of children—especially if they already have children. We’ve all seen families in church that have sixteen kids or even more, who are really having a hard time financially. And even if they’re surviving economically, how will the parents ever be able to provide for a college education for so many kids? And how can they give their children the kind of psychological attention they need, when they have to spread out their love and attention over sixteen kids? In those kinds of cases—where the couple really has already been ‘open to the procreative act,’ maybe even sterilization should be an option …"

"You two need to bear in mind that we’re only talking about sexual activity; it’s not like the Pope is asking the couple to abstain from eating, or breathing. Practicing periodic continence certainly wouldn’t harm any married couple; in fact, the encyclical said that using our reason and free will to control our natural drives is very much to be desired, and is an important part of responsible parenthood, Luke said with a smirk. Besides, if a married couple feels they have a legitimate reason to ‘space’ their children apart, they can always take advantage of the natural cycles in the woman’s reproductive mechanism, and only engage in intercourse when the woman is infertile."

Luke, you’ve got to be kidding, Matthew said. The so-called ‘Rhythm Method’ is incredibly unreliable.

Mark asked, Haven’t you heard that old joke? ‘What do you call a couple that uses the Rhythm Method?’ He paused for a moment, and then added with a grin, Parents! Matthew laughed loudly, but Luke’s face turned red with indignation.

With an attitude like that, you should just forget about ever becoming a priest, Luke said sharply, looking Mark directly in the eye.

Says who? Mark shot back. Who died and made you Pope?

No one—but God, working through the College of Cardinals, made Paul VI Pope, Luke replied. And those of us who want to be priests of God need to learn to submit to the inspired decisions of his Vicar on Earth!

Luke, haven’t you been reading the papers or watching the news? Even priests and theologians are protesting against the encyclical! Matthew objected. Didn’t you see that Charles Curran from the Catholic University of America wrote a statement opposing the encyclical that was signed by more than 600 other theologians?

Curran is a heretic, who has no business teaching at a Catholic University; he was kicked out of St. Bernard’s Seminary in 1965 for his heretical views, and he’s been in hot water at Catholic University ever since his first semester, Luke replied immediately. I’ve heard that he even wrote a doctoral dissertation advocating abortion!

Only in the case of rape, Matthew corrected. "But no one here is advocating abortion—it’s allowing birth control for married couples that’s the issue. To me, it seems that even if you use the Rhythm Method, your intention is the same as someone taking the pill; in both cases, you’re deliberately trying to avoid pregnancy. Doesn’t that make the principle the same either way?"

Luke shook his head vigorously, and grabbed the newspaper Matthew was holding, and then frantically scanned it to find a particular quote. After he located it, he quoted, As the encyclical itself said, ‘these two cases are completely different. In the former the married couple rightly use a faculty provided them by nature. In the latter they obstruct the natural development of the generative process.’ Luke handed the newspaper back to Matthew, and said, You dissenters need to just accept the fact that this time, you lost the argument. The ban on birth control is here to stay, so you need to learn to accept it!

But the theologians like Charles Curran point out that this teaching about birth control isn’t even an ‘infallible’ teaching; I mean, it’s not like Pius XII’s declaration about the Assumption of Mary, for example, Matthew insisted. "So that means that faithful Catholics can disagree with it, without being labeled ‘hereintics.

Nearly all of the Protestant denominations allow birth control, and it doesn’t seem to be hurting them, Mark suggested.

Since when does God’s Church follow what the Protestant denominations do? Luke sneered. And for your information, Protestants themselves never allowed birth control throughout all of their history—not until the Anglicans changed their position at the Lambeth Conference in 1930; and since then, all of the other large Protestant denominations have followed suit, like obedient little puppets, Luke added, rolling his eyes. I’m so sick of that tired old argument that since Protestants allow something, therefore Catholics need to do the same. We were here long before they were, you may recall.

"But that’s what the whole Vatican Council was about, and what John XXIII meant by his use of the term aggiornamento, Matthew countered. Instead of simply dismissing automatically what the Protestants do and think, maybe sometimes we as Catholics really need to take what they say seriously. The Vatican II documents Decree on Ecumenism and the Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity now call Protestants ‘separated brethren’ and not ‘heretics’ any more; in fact, I think the only Catholic left who still interprets the phrase ‘Outside the Church, there is no salvation’ in the old-fashioned way is Father Leonard Feeney—and he was excommunicated for it."

And besides, Lucas, Mark suggested. Is this encyclical really the way that you want the Church to bring about obedience? By force?

Personally, I’m delighted that Pope Paul VI is finally starting to flex his papal muscles; I was starting to think that he was going to be too passive, Luke observed with a satisfied smile. "First he issued the encyclical Sacerdotalis Caeliba-tus last year, strongly reaffirming celibacy for priests, and now he’s come out strongly against artificial birth control. Now, maybe he’ll start reining in some of those bishops and priests who are wreaking so much havoc with our liturgy. He made a face of extreme distaste, and added, We’ve lost the entire spirit of the Mass; the reverential, almost mystical feeling you used to get from the chanting, the smell of incense, and the complete dignity with which the whole liturgy was conducted. He shook his head and added, I swear, if I have to sit through another so-called ‘Folk Mass,’ I think I’m going to puke," and Mark and Matthew both laughed.

Matthew added reasonably, "Luke, the congregation now understands what the priest is saying without having to read a missalette, and you can tell that they’re responding to it more! In fact …"

Oh, so that’s why our churches are half-empty now, Luke replied with scorn. Because of the huge enthusiasm everyone has for your wonderful Vatican II innovations.

Church attendance is down in Protestant churches, as well, Matthew replied defensively.

Mark suggested, That probably has more to do with the fact that more and more stores are starting to stay open on Sundays, than with anything else.

"I think it has more to do with the fact that our churches don’t emphasize that missing Mass is a mortal sin, like we used to, Luke suggested. Once I’m a priest, I’m going to really emphasize that point in my homilies."

But who’s going to hear those homilies if everyone’s skipping Mass? Mark asked with a smile.

I think the drop in attendance at Mass is because the institutional Church is too slow at getting involved in the important issues of our times, and the faithful can see that the Church is getting left behind by our society, Matthew argued. "For example, here and now in California, we’re right in the middle of a grape boycott led by César Chávez of the United Farm Workers of America in a struggle they call La Causa, or ‘the Cause.’ César Chávez is a committed Catholic, for God’s sake! He just finished fasting for 25 days to reemphasize nonviolence in the movement, and his broke his fast at a Mass, that was attended by Senator Robert Kennedy—who would have been our next President if he hadn’t been assassi-nated—and where Kennedy called Chávez ‘one of the heroic figures of our time.’ How can the Church not get involved in a struggle like this? People are turned off by our refusal to take part in the struggle."

The grape growers are Catholics, too, Luke replied dryly. This has always been the Church’s policy: it doesn’t ‘take sides’ in intra-Catholic disputes.

Then take the Vietnam war, Matthew countered. We’re in the middle of this ridiculous war in Vietnam that’s tearing our country apart! President Johnson isn’t even running for reelection because his policies are so unpopular. But at least there are a few courageous priests like Philip and Daniel Berrigan who are trying to do something about it, by opposing the draft, and burning draft files …

And that action gave Philip Berrigan the shameful ‘honor’ of being the first American Catholic priest to be jailed for political reasons, Luke replied sarcastically. And Baltimore’s Cardinal Lawrence Shehan sternly censured Berrigan for his actions, and took away his right to say Mass publicly, to preach, or to hear confessions.

To me, that’s better than being considered irrelevant, because of refusing to get involved in the most fundamental issues of our day, Matthew replied firmly. "Personally, I think that priests like Phil and Dan Berrigan are pointing the way,

showing us the kind of things that Catholic priests all need to be doing in the future, if we’re not going to become archaic!"

I’m not as ‘political’ as Matt is, Mark seconded, But I agree absolutely that the Church needs to change, or die!

Luke looked suspiciously at his two brothers, and said in clipped tones, "I’m starting to have some real doubts about what the two of you are going to do, when and if you become priests!"

Matthew crossed his arms, and said confidently, I plan on developing a socially-involved and committed congregation, where people are free to discuss matters, and to form their own consciences on serious issues—but where the love of God for all of us sinful human beings remains constant, no matter what.

In other words, you’re going to let your congregation run wild, Luke replied cynically. "In my church, we’re going to stress doctrinal orthodoxy, as well as fidelity to the Holy See." The two brothers stared at each other balefully.

Mark said, "Personally, I plan on attracting people to my congregation by providing the most aesthetically pleasing worship service available anywhere!" Both of his brothers looked at him and shook their heads.

The three of them stood in a circle, looking warily at each other in silence. Finally, Matthew said in a conciliatory tone, "Well, in just over one