I am a graduate of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia. It is where I met the Oblates. I also had the privilege of serving there as principal from 2003-2008. Marguerite Scafati was the Vice Principal for Academics at BI for many years. She also was a cancer survivor. After she endured breast cancer and reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy, she returned to school with a wig and a scarf to cover her scars. One day she decided to take off her wig and to leave the scarf at home. She was a very proud woman, and her appearance was always impeccable. Her hair looked fine. It was short but very attractive. Her scar was apparent at the neckline of her dress, but she did not try to hide it.
In fact, when people seemed to notice or stare (especially the students) she would talk about the scar and her surgery and her battle with cancer. She wanted to put people at ease.
That is my sense of the beauty of scars. We are all wounded; we are all scarred. Yet it is our ability to be at ease with our wounds and scars and try to share them with others to put them at ease. Since we all have wounds and scars, they can be a source of strength and comfort to help others come through their woundedness, knowing that others are there for them.
Henri Nouwen was one of last century’s great spiritual writers. One of his books captures this theme beautifully. It is called Wounded Healers. When we realize the strength and courage that come with healing, we can be very powerful messengers of hope to those who are suffering. Wounds and scars are not to be hidden but displayed as part of a full, human life. They are what make us wounded healers.
