YOU CAN HELP TO CHANGE THE WOULD

A SUCCESSFUL effort to change the world has been made by those who follow the Communist ideal.
In workshops, factories, shop. offices and universities, zealous Communists are recruited.
Rich or poor they creep silently and swiftly into key positions and on awakening some morning. it is not unusual to read in the daily Press that a Government, army or trade union is no longer controlled by Christian men, but that a few Communists are shaping a new policy in these associations affecting the life of the " man in the street," without his approval or cooperation, for, of course, a Catholic will not believe his apathy has cooperated to bring about this strange state of affairs.
Why is the work of changing the world, for better or worse, left to Communists or non-Christians on the one hand and to religious (whose influence is restricted to their particular vocation) on the other ?
The Communist approach is direct and personal; the sincere Com
munist is an extremely active missioner and does not despise a victory, however insignificant; nor is he chosen from the elite of society.
Christian missioners had already adopted these tactics from apostolic times. Nevertheless, today. their nets are not wide enough to include a variety of souls, unapproachable owing to religion, unbelief, education or other circumstances.
Therefore, the Good Shepherd sometimes employs a dog to chase the lost sheep into the fold., This is none other than the "Christopher 'S or Christ-bearer.
Modern apostle
THE Christopher is a modern apostle; a member of a movement which has no meetings; no rules; no subscription.
To understand his work in the world and the qualifications he must possess it is necessary to read the Gospels for there is found the first Christopher, Mary Immaculate.
It was Mary, who, having heard of her cousin St. Elizabeth's need, went into the country at some inconvenience to visit her, carrying in her virginal womb Jesus, Whose presence blessed St. John the Baptist with a sinless birth; restored speech to his father Zachary and rejoiced St. Elizabeth.
It was Mary who brought her Divine Son. on what is now the feast of Candlemas, to the temple where Holy Simeon took him into his arms and revealed to the world the future sorrows of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Mary is, therefore, the patroness of all Christophers, even of those who do tot know her yet.
In the public life of Christ, the first apostle was, strange as it may appear, the Samaritan woman, to whom Jesus revealed her sins. "Come and see a man who has told me all that I have done; is not He the Christ ?" is her invitation.
Thus was this sinful woman chosen out of all the world to bring the knowledge of Jesus into hcr country.
For everyone
IT is clear, therefore, that every
one may become a Christopher, who has the. goodwill and wishes to bring to others the precious gift of true religion, or even a spark of light from the Divine fire which Christ came on earth to kindle, for religion is nothing less than the bridge between earth and heaven over the abyss of hell.
Many are held back from the study of religion by the apathy, indifference, unscrupulousness and tack of charity and brotherly love of socalled Christians.
The Christopher is expected to possess qualities by which all men shall know that he is a disciple of Christ and to exert himself to provide a remedy for the insidious poison of Godlessness which is the breeding ground for Communism and other heresies.
Doubtless many new secular religious institutes provide a weapon which is used brilliantly and efficaciously by theLegion of Mary, yet they are insufficient to stem the Red tide which is sweeping across the world. Individuals must act.
The new approach to the problem is as old as the Gospel.
It is " love one another" and is splendidly explained by the Director of the Christopher Movement, Fr. Keller, M.M., in his book, You Can Change the World, recently published by Longmans, of New York.
This movement is under the auspices of the Catholic Church and while it is best practised by Catholics, it is not confined to them.
If a Jew believes in God he may pass on this belief. The non-Catholic is privileged to give to anyone he can whatever remnant of the truth he possesses.
A match may light a room sufficiently to discover where the candle is kept or the electric switch, so every little helps.
Planning the day
THE Christopher, too, need not wait until he is a saint to begin helping to Christianise the world, commencing with his own world, of course.
The more he makes Christ and the religion founded by Him known, the better he becomes. especially if he develops his own spiritual life alongside tactful and gentle missionary endeavour.
Thus his day should be planned for prayer, Mass, Communion, rosary, Stations, a few minutes' meditation with devotions to the Holy Spirit and Our Lady.
Hitherto, the Catholic has sat back in his own little niche, inter., fering with none and perhaps leading a fairly good life. his example doubtless exerting some influence.
When he becomes a Christopher he must do more than think on wider lines. He must exercise his apostolate everywhere. always. and on everyone.
From Fr. Keller's books many suggestions may be gleaned. It may be permitted to mention a few, commencing with the less important.
When choosing Christmas cards, why should they not be about the One Who has made Christmas a fact, the Infant Jesus.
A Christopher in his speech avoids criticism of priests in whose sermons there is much that the listener will never be able to practise. The Christopher. too, will avoid plays and films which are an insult to the faith or violate modesty. On the other band he will help the box office of good and Christian productions.
If he lives in the country he can show initiative by organising plays and superior film productions.
A nun in a Western town sponsored a play on Fatima expecting a small audience. -1 his play had to be run for a long time to accommodate
all those who wished to see it. So too have the plays of Henri Gheon and others drawn vast crowds to the steps of Notre Dame in Paris.
If the Christopher can write it should be a gift dedicated to the principles taught by Christ not necessarily using a religious theme.
The zealous Christian writer will seek by his articles and stories a place in the secular Press, where formerly other writers exercised a non-Christian influence.
Leadership
UNIVERSITY students should
take the lead in debates and discussions, by getting on cornmittees and raising their voice courageously on behalf of truth, philosophical or scientific.
A Catholic medical student was the sole person to speak at a biological meeting against race suicide and kindred subjects. She was listened to with respect, attention and surprise.
In clubs the Christopher has tremendous influence by acting on committees and not refusing responsibility, and so safeguarding youth from evils like the drink craze.
In the factory the Christopher gains influence by kindness and charity, showing his affection for his fellow workers (who will sec in him a lantern showing the Divine Light within), and becoming a leader where formerly as Catholic worker he was uninterested and silent.
If you are a Christopher, in country towns and suburban areas. open small libraries of Catholic and general good literature. If you don't, others will promote undesirable reading and Communistic teaching,
If you are a teacher, use every opportunity to uplift by prayer and extra instruction the children under your care and make them future a postles.
Does your country need your service in local or general politics ? Be courageous and generous; seek election and as a representative of a Christian people, keep the teachings of Christ in the foreground; insist on their practical application; consecrate effort to the advancement of religion. learning and constructive activities for the welfare of workers in particular.
How do you use your vote; is it cast for a Christian representative ?
Join the social services and take the lead. These are often a bait to draw the destitute away from the faith; prevent this.
Dedicate yourself to Christ.
We read that Werfcl, the Jew, who wrote The Song of Bernadette. vowed that " he would evermore and everywhere in all he wrote magnify the divine mystery of the holiness of man." The result of this resolution was a Catholic book and a Catholic film.
If you cannot write Catholic books you can read them and lend your copy to others. Matt Talbot acquired a large library of books which he read carefully although he had not enjoyed an advanced education; he was advanced in the ways of God.
In the home
AS the Christopher movement is also one of prayer, the shut in through illness or duty has no less power than the active worker.
The prayer and penances of St.
Teresa of Lisieux at fifteen years of age converted the greatest French criminal of her time, although she never spoke to him. She spoke of him to God.
In the home a mother's influence is paramount, for she can mould future apostles. All her children must he for Christ, for " he that is not with me is against me."
The head of the home may insist on the family rosary after the evening meal when all are gathered together.
"I he worker may get a few friends to join in the rosary at the lunch interval, if possible before the Blessed Sacramen I.
The successful Christopher avoids cliques; snobbery has no place in his life. I.ike his Divine Master he must go out into the byways and hedges to bring in the lost sheep.
If people see that they are liked, love will draw them to that rare love which emanates from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which burns in the heart of the Christopher and which he enkindles in the world.
The harvest indeed is great but the labourers few; let down your nets for a draught; let your light shine before men. . . that they may glorify your Father in heaven.
Be a Christopher.