Our Mantra: SEE-JUDGE-ACT.
Merry Christmas and my thoughts for 2025.
For decades, our mantra has focused on the SEE-JUDGE-ACT.
I use it in all my teaching, keynote addresses, and workshops.
Sometimes, I use it subtly; others, it is more like a call to arms.
As we approach the new year, I'm excited to share that our mantra, which has been a guiding light for decades, will evolve in my posts. This evolution, inspired by the philosophy of Louis J Putz CSC (1909-1998), is a testament to the adaptability and growth of our teachings.
Louis J. Putz, CSC, a follower of the Jocist method and advocate for Joseph Cardinal Cardijn's work, tweaked the mantra without changing its original intent. For Louis, he called the JOC "a miracle of the 20th century."
When Louis started working with the formation of young students at Notre Dame and the Christian Family Movement (CFM) in South Bend and Chicago, he started using the mantra Observe-Discern-Act. There was a reason for this, as he told many, subtle but distinct. Later in life, he used the mantra to create new ventures, and he found himself as the Superior of Moreau Seminary during the 1960s. Because of his exposure in France to the many theologians who taught there and who now were the brain trust of Vatican II, it was ideal for him to take the job and prepare young men for ministry with the understanding and know-how of Vatican II.
Lous was also the Diocesan Director of Family Life Service and the Director of Harvest House and Forever Learning Institute. He worked with senior citizens at Casa Santa Cruz in Phoenix for a while. These projects became models for similar initiatives in Phoenix, Houston, Galveston, Texas, Wichita, Kansas, and California's Coachella Valley.
He saw life as a chain with three links: the age of learning, the age of earning, and the age of returning. Being one himself, he focused on the third generational stage because it is when one can use one's knowledge, talent, and experience to serve others.
His work with Young Christian Students prodded Notre Dame to admit people of color, re-cycle books for student use, open avenues of communication and publicity, and revise the residence hall system—all with the over-riding purpose of forming young men and women as lay apostles, that is, people whose lives radiated the gospel. While doing this, he published the ground-breaking Seminary Education in a Time of Change, which proved to be a beacon for many religious congregations and dioceses.
In my posts for 2025, I will focus on the subtle differences in the mantra. Given the current atmosphere of US society and culture, these differences may be a bit more helpful in helping people learn to innovate, educate, and collaborate as we all work towards bringing the kingdom of heaven here and now.
So here is my thinking about the terms: The terms "see" and "observe" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings:
See: This term refers to the fundamental act of perceiving something with your eyes. It is a passive process, meaning it occurs automatically without conscious effort. For example, "I can see the stars in the sky." It relates to the essential visual perception of something and often suggests a quick, casual, or involuntary noticing without considering all the factors.
Observe: This term suggests a more active form of engagement. To observe something means to oversee it, usually to gain information or understanding. Observing is a more active and purposeful process of examining something carefully and attentively. It typically involves analyzing, studying, or noting specific characteristics, which necessitates attention and thought. For instance, 'The scientist closely observed the behavior of the humans.'
The terms "judge" and "discern" are terms that are also often used in similar contexts but have distinct meanings:
Judge: This involves forming an opinion or conclusion about something or someone, often formally or authoritatively. Judging usually involves evaluation or assessment, sometimes implying a finality to the decision or opinion. For example, "The court will judge the defendant's actions."
Discern means perceiving or recognizing something, often involving a subtle or nuanced understanding. Discernment is more about detecting differences or understanding and evaluating something's merit, worth, or appropriateness. It frequently applies personal or societal standards and may carry moral or ethical connotations. Discernment means to perceive or recognize something with clarity and discrimination. It requires careful perception and intellectual or intuitive insight. In essence, to judge is to make a decision or form an opinion, while to discern is to perceive and understand subtle differences or meanings.
Finally, I would like to add an appendix to the ACT function. When formulating our action plans, we should include what I call PBM's: Policies, Measurements, and Behaviors. Policies guide our choices and actions, measurements provide data and insights, and behaviors are the actions of individuals or groups that can be influenced and analyzed. They often interact to shape outcomes in various contexts.
Policies are guidelines, guardrails, or rules organizations, governments, or institutions establish to direct actions and decisions. They serve as frameworks for consistent and appropriate decisions to achieve specific objectives and help ensure that all members of an organization or society follow a set of agreed-upon principles.
Measurements refer to quantifying or assessing variables, characteristics, or outcomes. This can involve numerical data, statistical analysis, and various tools and methods to evaluate performance, progress, or the effectiveness of certain activities or policies. Measurements are crucial for informed decision-making and tracking improvements or changes over time.
Behaviors are the actions, reactions, or conduct of individuals or groups. Policies can influence behaviors and measure their impact. Understanding and analyzing behaviors are essential for developing effective strategies and interventions in psychology, sociology, business, and public health.
In summary, policies guide decisions and actions, measurements provide data and insights, and behaviors are the actions of individuals or groups that can be influenced and analyzed. They often interact to shape outcomes in various contexts. PBM's PREVENT INERTIA!
Saint Joseph Cardijn, pray for us.
Merry Christmas to all who work so hard to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here and now.