Holy Week meditation for youth, written while returning to the United States in 1946, on board a cargo ship

This 30-day voyage by ship from New York to Valparaiso has been a gift from my heavenly Father. Thanks to the generosity of the Captain, I was given a bench on the Captain’s bridge, next to the helmsman where I would be able to work with tranquillity, light, fresh air and a beautiful view… The only distraction has been the sound of voices giving orders with respect to the ship’s course. I have learned from the Captain that the helmsman holds our lives in his hands in guiding the ship’s course. In navigation, the course of the ship is the most vital element. A pilot is permanently verifying the course, following it step by step on the navigation chart, checking it by calculating the angle of the sun and the horizon; on cloudy days he is restless due to the difficulty of verification. The course is written on a slate in front of the helmsman and he is given orders, each of which he must repeat to assure that these have been understood. “Starboard, larboard, easy as she goes”, orders once learned, never forgotten.

Each time I climbed to the bridge and saw the work of the helmsman I could not help but reflect on this the most fundamental task of all, steering a course through life.

In New York I saw numerous ships of every kind. What fundamentally differentiates them? The course they will ultimately take. The same ship Illapel, while in Valparaiso was headed for New York or Rio de Janeiro; here in New York it is destined for Liverpool or Valparaiso.

It is necessary to appreciate the need to take the course seriously. If the pilot or helmsman of a ship becomes careless, he is fired without pardon for failing to take such a sacred function seriously. And as for our lives, are we fully aware of the course they are taking?

What course is your life taking? If it is necessary to give this more thought, I would beg each one of you to give it the highest consideration because being correct in this regard is tantamount to success; to err is quite simply to fail.

A magnificent ship, the Queen Elizabeth, 70,000 tons (while the Illapel fully loaded weighs only 8,000). If her beauty tempts me and I board her without taking into account the destination, I run the risk of landing in Manila rather than Valparaiso. And of seeing Filipino faces rather than yours.

How many set out in life without a course and forfeit their lives… wasting them miserably, squandering them senselessly, without benefiting anyone, without happiness for themselves and after a time, face the tragedy of a life without purpose. Some eventually get back on course; others capsize on the high seas or, having gone astray, die of starvation or end shipwrecked on a lonely shore.

The tragic problem of a lack of direction or course is the most tragic problem of a life. It is responsible for the loss of more lives and for the majority of failures. I think that if moral difficulties were physical reefs and if our conduct were like a ship of iron, no matter how solid the construction, there is little doubt we would have nothing but shipwrecked remains.

If faith helps us set our course and our experience points out the obstacles, let us take them seriously. Grasp the helm firmly and since the waves and currents deflect us from the true course, correct, correct constantly, day and night, get back on course… Not in the direction of the beckoning coastlines but our true course. Ask God for the great grace of being men always on course.

First point: The port of departure. This is the first basic element to be determined. And here I must fasten my soul firmly in the basic fact: God and myself. The first solid fact of all philosophy, of every life system: I come from God, yes. From Him and from Him alone. Nothing is more certain, and upon this fact I will build my life, upon this first fact I will set my course.

And here as always, arises the question: Is this true? Is this a fact? Because religion is founded on facts, not theories.

Take these truths seriously: They must serve as a foundation for my life, to set my course. One is a Christian in so far as he infers and assumes the consequences of the truths he accepts. As a result of this, our faith gives us a sense of courage, serenity and confidence. We do not base our decisions on quibbling or splitting hairs but on a solid truth.

Second point. The port of destination. This is the other point that sets the course. Valparaiso or Liverpool? The airplane carrier Liberty left the port of New York together with us… Where are they headed? From the University of Chile or from the factory, where to? The culmination of my life’s journey is God.

Third point. The journey. I have both navigation points, both ports. Where must I direct my ship? To the port of destination, along a course which is the will of God. The concrete fulfilment of what God desires. Here lies the greatest wisdom. All the work of a life of wisdom consists in this: in knowing the will of my Lord and Father. One must work to discover this, work seriously, during one’s whole life, every day of one’s life, Lord, what do you want from me? One must work to fulfil it, to serve Him at every moment. This is my great mission, better than working miracles. God wants us to be saints. This is His will: not mere mediocrities, but saints.

What is the course of my life? The will of God: that I sanctify myself, collaborate with God, and fulfill his plan. Is there anything greater, more worthy, more beautiful, more capable of inspiring? Dropping anchor finally at our destination!

And to arrive safely in port, this is the only suitable course… The others lead to other ports that are not mine. And here is the whole problem of life. To arrive at the port that is the fulfilment of my existence. The person who gets it right, gets it right and the one who doesn’t is grossly mistaken though he be a millionaire, a Hitler, a Napoleon or lucky in love; if he fails here, his life is worthless; if he succeeds it means happiness forever more. So be it!
Where do I come from? Where am I going? What an adventure! What path will I follow? Face the route head-on. The helm firmly in my hands and when the winds become stronger: head for God, and when siren voices call from the coastline: head for God; and when I tire, head for God!

Alone? No. Together with all the crew that God has entrusted me to lead, to nourish and to help cheer along the path. What a wonderful life mine is! How full of meaning. With many paths to heaven. To give to men the most precious of all gifts: God, and to give to God what he loves most, those for whose sake he gave His son: mankind.

Lord, help me to hold tightly to the helm till heaven, and if I am about to let it go, fasten me to my course through the intercession of your holy Mother, Star of the Sea, sweet Virgin Mary.