Where: St. Sabina Parish, 1210 W. 78^th St.

Why: Established "Association of the Living Word," a secular institute.

Vera Avery is a remarkable woman. She decided at age 6 that she wanted the extra insurance of Purgatory, so she joined the Catholic Church. Six years ago, she joined the Community of St. Sabina as a divorced Catholic grandmother. Today she says, “I’m happier – much happier. I’m without defenses. I’m just freer and crazier. I pray out loud anywhere and don’t care. I’m back to where I need to be. I’m dancing out of a genetic memory, which just wells up and bubbles over.” She belongs to every liturgical ministry (4) her parish has except dance, but one day she might participate in that. Right now, she’s too busy working fulltime as a radiation therapist and attending the Catholic Theological Union to obtain a master’s in divinity.

Most people get an annulment so that they can remarry, but Vera chose to explore the avenue of secular institutes, a way of life for lay people to live in the world and still take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. She first learned about one from an article in America in 1977. She became a member and stayed until it disbanded. Later she found out that others existed in the archdiocese and participated in them until 2000 when she felt “led to establish [the only] one within the African American tradition.” Although it is not limited to black women, like St. Sabina it is based on an “African American spirituality and focus.” She calls it the Association of the Living Word, which is recognized by the archdiocese. Vera hopes that as it grows, the pope will also recognize it.
Women interested in more information about the association may e-mail Vera at livingwrd@aol.com.
 
Black Catholic Chicago: What does a secular instititute involve?

Ms. Avery: Spiritually, one must commit to Jesus by vows, a determination to follow Christ most closely, but more than this, a passion to bring Christ to the marketplace by how one lives, works, prays and plays in the world.

Materially and practically, one must have a just and reputable means to support oneself. The ideal is to have what is sufficient to one’s life and an overage that is shared with others. This includes tithes, offerings and gifts.

Physically, one should be in reasonably good health and be willing to live a celibate lifestyle for the love of God and His kingdom.
 

Black Catholic Chicago: Why did you choose the secular institute over a religious life?

Ms. Avery: I think we can and must be holy in the world. In the Association of the Living Word, by being attached to God’s Word in Scripture, we live to embody that in the world – at home, at work, in the boardroom, in the bedroom, wherever we are.
I felt led to the secular institute way of life because of what Jesus said in John 17: “My prayer is not that you take out of the world, but that you protect them from the Evil One. They are not of the world even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself that they too may be truly sanctified. I have made you known to them and will continue…in order that the you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
 

Black Catholic Chicago: What is the format of the monthly Living Word meetings at St. Sabina?

Ms. Avery: The meeting usually lasts two hours. We start with Scripture and a prayer. The heart of the meeting is the sharing. First, we give a presentation on a theme. Then we share from our own experience.
 

Black Catholic Chicago: What is the age range for members of the Living Word?
Ms. Avery: We don’t have an age limit. Younger women must be spiritually mature and have established themselves, so they should probably be at least 24. Older women should be young at heart.

 
Black Catholic Chicago: How have you changed since you followed the secular institute way of life?

Ms. Avery: There is much more of a focus on my relationships with the people at work, and there is much more awareness that I actually bring the body of Christ in my own life. [Contact with me] may be one of many times that Christ is encountered by the people I see. I just want to love them with the love of Jesus.