Paulist historian Father Paul G. Robichaud reads the spiritual notebook of Paulist Founder Father Isaac T. Hecker in the library of St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C.

Paulist Historian Father Paul G. Robichaud thought he had literally read it all when it came to the writings of the community’s founder, Father Isaac T. Hecker.

But Father Robichaud made an unexpected but delightful discovery a few months ago when he was organizing the Servant of God’s unpublished writings: Father Hecker’s 1854 diary. Father Hecker was at that point 34 years old, a Roman Catholic for 10 years and a Redemptorist priest for five years.

In 1854, Father Hecker was a busy member of the Redemptorist mission band, and it is obvious the materials were meant as a personal resource for spiritual direction at retreats and conferences, according to Father Robichaud. Included in the notebook are quotes from saints and theologians as well as Father Hecker’s own reflections.

“The diary shows the development of his spirituality and how amazingly well-read he is on the traditional spirituality of the Catholic Church as well as the contemporary spirituality of his time.”

The cover of Father Isaac T. Hecker’s 1854 spiritual notebook.

That base of faith and contemporary connection may have been the reason why a large number of Protestants were in attendance at Father Hecker’s missions. In 1854, Father Hecker was given time off from the mission band to write his first book, Questions of the Soul, published in 1855.

“The book was an invitation to Protestants to become Roman Catholic,” Father Robichaud said. “It became in a sense a best seller, and led Hecker to be viewed as an expert in his own time in terms of apologetics and catechesis.”

Hecker’s spiritual notebook is now significant in another way: it could be a critical addition to the materials to be examined in the cause for Father Hecker’s saintly canonization. Father Hecker’s published writings will be scrutinized by two theologians in terms of their adherence to the doctrines of the church, according to Father Robichaud, while his unpublished writings will be studied by a historical commission and can include his personal reflections.

The table of contents of Father Isaac T. Hecker’s 1854 spiritual notebook.

As part of his role as the postulator for Father Hecker’s cause for canonization, Father Robichaud has begun preparing weekly excerpts from Father Hecker’s diary as well as a contemporary adaptation or response written by him or another Paulist.

“The topics include personal happiness, selfishness, personal suffering – all talked about in a spiritual context,” Father Robichaud said.

Several of the approximately 25 expected 1854 Hecker reflections and accompanying contemporary responses have been posted on paulist.org. Click here to read them now, and don’t forget to log on to paulist.org for a new reflection every Monday!