Category: Formation Friday

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FORMATION FRIDAY – What are the Admonitions of Francis?

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  

Ever wonder how to begin a good formation lesson about the Admonitions of Francis?  Well, today, the NFC gives us a great start on Admonitions 15- 18.    The first link takes us to the Franciscan Tradition website – full of free resources – All of the Sources, (Francis the Saint/Prophet/Founder, and much more).  And it also shows the translation of all in Latin (the language the devil hates according to exorcist!)   The simple lesson below is an easy way to get into a big topic and several big books.  The National Formation Commission breaks it down into small enough parts so that you can really discuss the admonitions and what they means to you.  Hope that you will share this within your fraternities.  Peace, Dona

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Focus on the Admonitions  (XV, XVII, XVIII) 

https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/the-admonitions/144-fa-ed-1-page-128

 

[XV: Peace]

1Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Mt 5:9

2Those people are truly peacemakers who, regardless of what they suffer in this world, preserve peace of spirit and body out of love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[XVII: The Humble Servant of God]

1Blessed is that servant Mt 24:46 who no more exalts himself over the good the Lord says or does through him than over what He says or does through another.

2A person sins who wishes to receive more from his neighbor than what he wishes to give of himself to the Lord God.

 

[XVIII: Compassion for a Neighbor]a

1Blessed is the person who supports his neighbor in his weakness as he would want to be supported were he in a similar situation. Gal 6:2  Mt 7:12

2Blessed is the servant who returns every good to the Lord God because whoever holds onto something for himself hides the money of his Lord Mt 25:18 God within himself, and what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.

 

To discuss or answer in your journal:

  • How does Admonition XV inspire me in my dealings with others? (Family; friends; on social media; in political discussions)
  • How does Admonition XVII speak to those of us who are servant leaders or those who aspire to offer service to the Order? What are the qualities of a servant leader who gives him/herself to God?
  • How does Admonition XVIII  encourage us in our outreach to those who are less fortunate than we are? Which Franciscan qualities do we need to fulfill this Admonition?                                   

 

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Enfoque en las admoniciones de San Francisco  (XV, XVII, XVIII)

http://www.franciscanos.org/esfa/adm-ae.html

[Cap.. XV: De la paz]

1Bienaventurados los pacíficos, porque serán llamados hijos de Dios (Mt 5,9). 2Son verdaderamente pacíficos aquellos que, con todo lo que padecen en este siglo, por el amor de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, conservan la paz en el alma y en el cuerpo.

[Cap.. XVII: Del humilde siervo de Dios]

1Bienaventurado aquel siervo (Mt 24,46) que no se exalta más del bien que el Señor dice y obra por medio de él, que del que dice y obra por medio de otro. 2Peca el hombre que quiere recibir de su prójimo más de lo que él no quiere dar de sí al Señor Dios.

[Cap.. XVIII: De la compasión del prójimo]

1Bienaventurado el hombre que soporta a su prójimo según su fragilidad en aquello en que querría ser soportado por él, si estuviera en un caso semejante (Gál 6,2; Mt 7,12). 2Bienaventurado el siervo que devuelve todos los bienes al Señor Dios, porque quien retiene algo para sí, esconde en sí el dinero de su Señor Dios (Mt 25,18), y lo que creía tener se le quitará (Lc 8,18).

 

Para platicar o contestar en su diario:

• ¿Cómo me inspira la Admonición XV en mi trato con los demás? (Familia; amigos; en las redes sociales; en discusiones políticas)

• ¿Cómo nos habla la Admonición XVII a quienes somos líderes servidores o quienes aspiramos a ofrecer servicio a la Orden? ¿Cuáles son las cualidades de un líder servidor que se entrega a Dios?

• ¿Cómo nos anima la Admonición XVIII en nuestro alcance a aquellos que son menos afortunados que nosotros? ¿Qué cualidades franciscanas necesitamos para cumplir esta Admonición?

 

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region
 
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Formation Friday – The Little Flowers

We all hear about the Little Flowers of St. Francis, full of beautiful stories of the miracles of St. Francis and Clare.  These are the wonderful stories that most people know about Francis and Clare.  But it might be a great time to read these stories in full.   
Please share with your local fraternity   Peace, Dona

What do you know about…?

The Little Flowers of St. Francis   FA:ED, vol. 3, 566 (FA:ED=Francis of Assisi: Early Documents)

(The background quotes below come from a much longer introduction to the Little Flowers as found on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition website. You can read all the chapters mentioned and many more at that same link–below.)

About the “Little Flowers:”

  • “The popularity of these preachers [the friars] and the curiosity of the people may well have inspired what quickly became known as The Little Flowers of Saint Francis.”
  • “Written between 1328 and 1343 by Hugolino of Monte Giorgio and an unknown collaborator, the Actus Beati Francisci et sociorum ejus [The Deeds of Blessed Francis and His Companions] was a collection of “little flowers” or anecdotes about Francis and his first brothers.”
  • “Many of the stories were rooted in both the written and oral Franciscan tradition.”
  • “In a sense, the Little Flowers epitomized much of the Franciscan hagiography of the fourteenth century.”
    (Hagiographieshave been written from the 2nd century to instruct and edify readers and glorify the saints.)
  •   Read the complete introduction to the Little Flowers and all of the stories at the link below.

https://franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-prophet/the-little-flowers-of-saint-francis/2467-fa-ed-3-page-566

Artwork – Josep Benlliure

The titles of some of the more famous stories about Francis and Clare found in the “Little Flowers”  are: 

Chapter 8: “O Brother Leo, write that here and in this is perfect joy.”  FA:ED, vol. 3, 579

Chapter 10:  “Why after you? Why after you?” (Bro. Masseo to St. Francis) FA:ED, vol. 3, 583

Chapter 15: How saint clare ate with saint Francis and his brother companions in Saint Mary of the Angels. FA:ED, vol. 3, 590

Chapter 16: How saint Francis, counseled by Saint Clare and holy brother Sylvester to preach and convert many people, formed the Third Order, preached to the birds, and made the swallows remain silent. FA:ED, vol. 3, 591
[For the history of the founding of the Third Order, please see the FUN Manual chapter on the Nature of the Secular Franciscan Order.”]

Chapter 21: The story of the Wolf of Gubbio   FA:ED, vol. 3, 601

Chapter 24: How Saint Francis converted to the faith the Sultan of Babylon and the prostitute who invited him to sin. FA:ED, vol. 3, 605

Chapter 33:  How Saint Clare, at the Pope’s command, blessed the bread that was on the table; and on every loaf there appeared the sign of the cross. FA:ED, vol. 3, 624

Chapter 35: How Saint Clare, while she was ill, was miraculously carried to the church of Saint Francis on the night of the feast of Christmas and heard the office there.   FA:ED, vol. 3, 626

For discussion or to comment on in your journal:

  • How do the stories of the lives of Francis and Clare and their miracles inspire you in your life as a Secular Franciscan?
  • How do these stories line up with biographies of Francis and Clare that you have read?
  • What is the purpose of hagiography?

 

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Para leer “Las florecillas de San Francisco” en español, visite el enlace abajo:

http://www.franciscanos.org/florecillas/menu.html

Para platicar o comentar en su diario:

  • ¿Cómo le inspiran las historias de la vida y los milagros de Francisco y Clara en su vida como franciscano seglar?
  • ¿Cómo se alinean estas historias con las biografías de Francis y Clare que ha leído?
  • ¿Cuál es el propósito de la hagiografía? (Las hagiografías se han escrito desde el siglo II para instruir y edificar a los lectores y glorificar a los santos).

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region

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Peace and blessings, 

Dona Gibbons OFS

Regional Formation Director

Juan de Padilla Region

Kansas~NW Missouri~Oklahoma

 

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Formation Friday – Oct. 2, 3030 – Profession Gifts

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Today we discuss the physical and spiritual gifts given to candidates during the Profession Ceremony.  Each of these gifts has great significance.  Let’s take a look at the meaning of these now. And once again, always share Formation Fridays with your fraternity.  Peace, Dona

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Did you ever wonder about… The gifts given at Profession?

During the Rite of Profession, candidates often receive three gifts (sometimes four) given by the fraternity to remind them (and us) of their commitment.                         (See p. 25 Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order)

  • THE NEW TESTAMENT:  Of course, the New Testament includes the Gospels. As Secular Franciscans, we have promised to live the Gospel, going from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel. We have promised to live out the teachings of Christ every day of our lives. This means that we must be very familiar with what the Gospels say. Reading Scripture is an important part of our prayer life. We take what we learn there and bring it to life. At the same time, we take our daily challenges and look to the Gospels for inspiration in how to handle life. Living the Gospel is risky—have you ever taken a good look at what it says we are to do?
  • CRUCIFIX – THE PROFESSION CROSS:  This cross calls to mind and helps us to remember the sacrifice made by our Lord and Savior. St. Francis was in awe of the Incarnation. His devotion to the crib and the cross is part of our lives as Franciscans. We are always mindful, as St. Francis was, that God emptied himself to become one of us and to die a horrible death on a cross out of love for us and for the sake of our salvation.
  • THE PROFESSION CANDLE: Just as we received a candle on the day of our Baptism, we receive one at profession. This is to remind us that we have re-committed to the promises that were made for us at Baptism and the promises we made at Confirmation. We are to be a light to others making the light of Christ present in the world through our actions and our prayers.
  • THE RING: At profession we promise to be united more intimately with the Church. The ring represents the special covenant of union we enter into so that we may be faithful witnesses and instruments of the Church’s mission.

As Secular Franciscans, we live a life of fraternity—this is RELATIONSHIP

  • With God; With one another; With all of creation

     This is the commitment and life of every Secular Franciscan—of every Franciscan.

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 Durante el Rito de la Profesión, los candidatos a menudo reciben tres obsequios (a veces cuatro) dados por la fraternidad para recordarles (y a nosotros) su compromiso. (Ver p. 25 Ritual de la Orden Franciscana Seglar)

  • EL NUEVO TESTAMENTO: Por supuesto, el Nuevo Testamento incluye los Evangelios. Como franciscanos seglares, hemos prometido vivir el Evangelio, yendo del Evangelio a la vida y de la vida al Evangelio. Hemos prometido vivir las enseñanzas de Cristo todos los días de nuestra vida. Esto significa que debemos estar muy familiarizados con lo que dicen los evangelios. Leer las Escrituras es una parte importante de nuestra vida de oración. Tomamos lo que aprendemos allí y le damos vida. Al mismo tiempo, tomamos nuestros desafíos diarios y buscamos inspiración en los Evangelios sobre cómo manejar la vida. Vivir el Evangelio es arriesgado. ¿Alguna vez ha mirado bien lo que dice que debemos hacer?

 

  • ELCRUCIFIJO – LA CRUZ DE PROFESIÓN: Esta cruz nos recuerda y nos ayuda a recordar el sacrificio hecho por nuestro Señor y Salvador. San Francisco estaba asombrado por la Encarnación. Su devoción por el pesebre y la cruz es parte de nuestra vida como franciscanos. Siempre estamos conscientes, como lo fue San Francisco, de que Dios se despojó de sí mismo para convertirse en uno de nosotros y morir una muerte horrible en una cruz por amor a nosotros y por nuestra salvación.

 

  • LA VELA DE PROFESIÓN: Así como recibimos una vela el día de nuestro Bautismo, recibimos una en la profesión. Esto es para recordarnos que nos hemos vuelto a comprometer con las promesas que se hicieron para nosotros en el Bautismo y las promesas que hicimos en la Confirmación. Debemos ser una luz para los demás haciendo presente la luz de Cristo en el mundo a través de nuestras acciones y oraciones.

 

  • EL ANILLO: En la profesión prometemos estar unidos más íntimamente con la Iglesia. El anillo representa el pacto especial de unión que celebramos para que podamos ser testigos e instrumentos fieles de la misión de la Iglesia.

 

Como franciscanos seglares, vivimos una vida de fraternidad: esto es RELACIÓN

  • Con Dios; Uno con el otro; Con toda la creación

 

     Este es el compromiso y la vida de todo franciscano seglar, de todo franciscano.

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region

 

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Formation Friday September 18, 2020 – Graphic attached

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  Today’s lesson is a quick synopsis of the main points of Franciscan Spirituality.  As we journey through this life as Franciscans let us rely upon our Seraphic Father as our model.  Please share with your fraternity. 

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What is at the CORE of Franciscan life and spirituality? Take a look at what was important to St. Francis. There you will find a good roadmap. The words and ideas below are exemplified by our Seraphic Father. Have you noticed how often they are repeated in initial and ongoing formation? (Not necessarily in order of importance.)

  • The INCARNATION– the CRIB–we think of the humility of God, of His self-emptying. Francis was in awe of the Incarnation. Meditate on the story of Francis creating the first Nativity scene at Greccio.

 

  • TheCROSS – is the sign of God’s love made concrete. What do we see/experience when we GAZE on the cross? Meditate on Francis’s experiences with the Cross of Christ.
  • The EUCHARIST- CHALICE/CIBORIUM –– “O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! The Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under an ordinary piece of bread!” (St. Francis-Letter to the Entire Order)
  • TRINITYFranciscan life focuses on the Trinity. Francis saw that God is so generous that his love not only flows among the persons of the Trinity, it overflows to us. And we participate in the life of the Trinity.
  • CONTEMPLATION – We spend time with Jesus, and we LISTEN; we desire not only to imitate him. Our goal is to be TRANSFORMED so that we are like him from the inside out.
  • CONVERSION/METANOIA – We are people of penance-This means that we strive for daily spiritual improvements and changes that will bring us closer to Christ. “Let us begin, for up to now, we have done little…” (St. Francis quoted in The Life of Blessed Francis: FA:ED, vol. 2, p. 640 by St. Bonaventure)
  • CREATION/CREATURES– God is absolute LOVE, BEING AND CREATIVITY. Francis saw all creation as being marked with the imprint of the Father. Creation is God’s great gift and is dependent on Him to exist.
  • RELATIONSHIP– Francis saw the relationship of the Father and the Son through the love of the Holy Spirit. We are in relationship with God, our brothers and sisters and with all of creation – UNIVERSAL KINSHIP. 
  • FRATERNITY springs from the relationship we have with God, our brothers and sisters and all creation. “The Lord gave me some brothers…” (St. Francis)
  • CHARISM – Like St. Francis, we strive to make Christ present in the world by living the Gospel in HUMILITY and SIMPLICITY. As Secular Franciscans, we do this while living in the world. “The Rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this…” (OFS Rule: Article 4)
  • SCRIPTURE – In order to live the Gospel, we need to make it part of our lives through reading, meditation and study. “…going from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.” (OFS Rule: Article 4)
  • TRANSFORMATION – We use the gifts God has given us to become more Christlike. The Divine Spark never changes.  We cooperate with the grace given us, and we become conformed to Christ.
  • PRAYER – none of this is possible without prayer. We pray together, we pray alone, we pray with our voices, we pray silently and without words. (Our prayer is liturgical, personal and communal)

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¿Cuál es la esencia de la vida y la espiritualidad franciscanas? Fíjese en lo que era importante para San Francisco. Allí encontrará una buena hoja de ruta. Las palabras e ideas a continuación están ejemplificadas por nuestro Seráfico Padre. ¿Ha notado la frecuencia con la que se repiten en la formación inicial y permanente? (No necesariamente en orden de importancia).

La ENCARNACIÓN – el CUNA – pensamos en la humildad de Dios, en Su auto vaciamiento. Francisco quedó admirado ante la Encarnación. Medite en la historia de Francisco que creó la primera escenificación de un pesebre  en Greccio.

La CRUZ – es el signo del amor de Dios hecho concreto. ¿Qué vemos / experimentamos cuando CONTEMPLAMOS la cruz? Medite sobre las experiencias de Francisco con la Cruz de Cristo.

La EUCARISTÍA- CÁLIZ / CIBORIO –– “¡Oh sublime humildad! ¡Oh humilde sublimidad! El Señor del universo, Dios y el Hijo de Dios, se humilla tanto que para nuestra salvación se esconde bajo un pan ordinario! ” (Carta de San Francisco a toda la Orden)

LA TRINIDAD – La vida franciscana se centra en la Trinidad. Francisco vio que Dios es tan generoso que su amor no solo fluye entre las personas de la Trinidad, sino que nos desborda. Y participamos de la vida de la Trinidad.

LA CONTEMPLACIÓN – Pasamos tiempo con Jesús y ESCUCHAMOS; deseamos no solo imitarlo. Nuestro objetivo es ser TRANSFORMADOS para que seamos como él de adentro hacia afuera.

LA CONVERSIÓN / METANOIA – Somos personas de penitencia. Esto significa que nos esforzamos por lograr mejoras y cambios espirituales diarios que nos acerquen más a Cristo. “Comencemos, porque hasta ahora poco hemos hecho…” (San Francisco citado en La vida del beato Francisco: FA: ED, vol. 2, p. 640 de San Buenaventura)

CREACIÓN / CRIATURAS – Dios es AMOR, EXISTENCIA Y CREATIVIDAD absolutos. Francisco vio toda la creación marcada con la huella del Padre. La creación es el gran regalo de Dios y depende de Él para existir.

RELACIÓN– Francisco vio la relación del Padre y el Hijo a través del amor del Espíritu Santo. Estamos en relación con Dios, nuestros hermanos y hermanas y con toda la creación: PARENTESCO UNIVERSAL.

La FRATERNIDAD surge de la relación que tenemos con Dios, nuestros hermanos y hermanas y toda la creación. “El Señor me dio unos hermanos…” (San Francisco)

CARISMA – Como San Francisco, nos esforzamos por hacer a Cristo presente en el mundo viviendo el Evangelio en HUMILDAD y SIMPLICIDAD. Como Franciscanos Seglares, hacemos esto mientras vivimos en el mundo. “La Regla y la vida de los Franciscanos Seglares es esta ….” (Regla OFS: Artículo 4)

La ESCRITURA – Para vivir el Evangelio, debemos hacerlo parte de nuestras vidas a través de la lectura, la meditación y el estudio. “… Pasando del Evangelio a la vida y de la vida al Evangelio”. (Regla OFS: artículo 4)

La TRANSFORMACIÓN: usamos los dones que Dios nos ha dado para ser más semejantes a Cristo.. La Chispa Divina nunca cambia. Cooperamos con la gracia que se nos ha dado y nos conformamos a Cristo.

La ORACIÓN: Nada de esto es posible sin la oración. Rezamos juntos, rezamos solos, rezamos con nuestra voz, rezamos en silencio y sin palabras. (Nuestra oración es litúrgica, personal y comunitaria)

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region

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Formation Friday – The Stigmata of St. Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 
The feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis is coming up on September 17th.  Has your fraternity thought much about this mystical event in St Francis’ life? Did you know that St. Francis was the first known person to receive the stigmata?  Please read the lesson below and share it with your fraternities.  Peace, Dona
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As members of the Franciscan family, our culture includes important events in the life of our founder. We will celebrate one of these important moments next week.

What do you know about the Stigmata of St. Francis?

·        Around the time of what feast did St. Francis receive the   

         Stigmata?

·        Where was he at the time?

·        Who else was present?

·        How did he receive the Stigmata?

·        What had Francis asked of God?

·        On what day do we commemorate this event in Francis’s

          life?

     Who received the wounds of Christ prior to St. Francis?

 

+ St. Francis received the Stigmata around the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross in  

   September of 1224–two years before his death.

 

+ He was praying on Mt. La Verna preparing for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel.

 

+ Brother Leo was nearby.

 

+ While praying, Francis saw a Seraph with six wings. (Seraphs are angels of the highest order who are closest to God and most passionate in praising Him.) Between the wings was the image of a crucified man. When the vision disappeared, Francis was marked with the wounds of Christ. (St. Francis’s encounter with the Seraph and his passion in praising the Father has caused the Franciscan Order to be called the Seraphic Order and Francis our Seraphic Father.)

 

+ Francis had asked to experience the love Jesus felt for us and also the pain he suffered for

   us.

 

+ We celebrate the Feast of the Stigmata on September 17th

 

+ St. Francis is the first person in recorded Christian history to receive the Stigmata.

 

O St Francis, stigmatized on La Verna,

 

the world longs for you,

 

that icon of the crucified Jesus..

 

It has need of your heart,

 

open to God and to others;

 

of your bare, wounded feet,

 

of your pierced hands raised in supplication.

 

It longs for your voice so frail

 

yet forceful with the power of the Gospel.

 

Francis, help the people of this age

 

to recognize the evil of sin

 

and to seek purification from it in penance.

 

Help them to become free from the very structures of sin

 

that oppress today’s society.

 

Rekindle in the consciousness of those in government

 

an urgent need for peace between nations and peoples.

 

Instil in young people your freshness of life

 

that is capable of withstanding the snares

 

of the many cultures of death.

 

To those injured by every type of evil

 

teach, O Francis, the joy of being able to forgive.

 

To all those crucified by suffering,

 

hunger, and war,

 

reopen the doors of hope. Amen.

 

Pope St, John Paul II (On a visit to Mt. La Verna in 1983)

 
The attached photo was taken of a poster at Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappinger’s Falls, NY
 
Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region

 

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