The Christophers: The Light of a Single Candle

Fr. Ed Dougherty, M.M.

The Christophers’ Board of Directors

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” This line, commonly attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, highlights the immense power of hope and the light of truth to overcome darkness. It reminds us how important it is to stay positive in trying circumstances because sometimes it is only our positive attitude that gets us through.

Another line that pertains to the importance of staying positive in the face of trial comes from Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch woman who hid Jews from the Nazis during the Holocaust. She wrote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

Anxiety is a common first reaction to difficulties that we experience or simply anticipate based on logical expectations in trying circumstances, and it’s normal to experience the emotion of anxiety. But we must guard ourselves from entertaining anxiety to a degree that it overwhelms our ability to hope.

Father James Keller, M.M., founder of The Christophers, once wrote these timeless words about hope: “Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst. Hope opens doors where despair closes them. Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot. Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of mankind. Hope ‘lights a candle’ instead of ‘cursing the darkness.’ Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities. Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism. Hope sets big goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks. Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit. Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that ‘the longest journey starts with one step.’ Hope accepts misunderstandings as the price for serving the greater good of others. Hope is a good loser because it has the divine assurance of final victory.”

The motto Father Keller chose in founding The Christophers 80 years ago, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” evokes Saint Francis of Assisi’s line about the power of light to overcome darkness. It’s an idea that points to an enduring mindset that spans the centuries of Christian thought and traces directly to Christ.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

These words show us the path to a hopeful and positive mindset because it is only in turning to Christ and following in His footsteps that we can truly unburden ourselves from the worries of this world. In so doing, we free our minds to focus on the characteristics of hope that are only seen when we look on the bright side of life.

As Father Keller points out, hope enables us to look beyond negativity to see the potential for good in people and situations. When we see these things, we become problem solvers, capable of cultivating seeds of hope to inspire others and begin to heal even the deepest of wounds. This is the glory that Christ calls us to, and it goes far beyond any worldly achievement, uniting us with the great mission of God’s love for humanity.

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