Category: Formation Friday

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Formation Friday – Things to Remember About Profession – July 31, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Some of you are having professions coming up soon.  Today’s formation lesson helps us to refresh our commitment to our vocation.  Please be sure to share with your local fraternities (en español abajo) Peace, Dona

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Things to Remember about Profession  

(Refer to the For Up to Now Manual, “Profession.”)

•       As professed Secular Franciscans we are to place ourselves at God’s disposal.
•       The grace of profession helps us to live out our Baptismal Commitment.
•       The professed Secular Franciscan shares the call to rebuild the Church with St. Francis.
•       We exist as “rebuilders” of the Church

 Not the structure but:
·        The Heart of the Church
·        The relationships that make up the fabric of the Church

•       Our Profession is lived out in everyday life
•       We are called to rebuild ourselves each day

•       We are asked to offer, constantly and in all circumstances, the supreme truth of our fidelity to God*
•       There is no time or place when we are excused from living out the Rule.
•       The professed Secular Franciscan is at God’s disposal.
•       We are transformed from within through the grace of Profession.

    *Fr. Felice Cangelosi, OFM Cap – See FUN Manual “Profession.”

To Ponder or to answer in your journal
·        How do you place yourself at God’s disposal? What interferes with that effort?
·        How do you help to “rebuild the Church?” How does your fraternity help you to do this?

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Cosas para recordar sobre la profesión (Consulte el manual For Up to Now, “Profesión”).

• Como franciscanos seglares profesos debemos ponernos a disposición de Dios.
• La gracia de la profesión nos ayuda a vivir nuestro Compromiso Bautismal.
• El profeso franciscano seglar comparte el llamado a reconstruir la Iglesia
con San Francisco
• Existimos como “reconstructores” de la Iglesia

  No la estructura sino:
• El corazón de la iglesia
• Las relaciones que conforman el tejido de la iglesia

• Nuestra profesión se vive en la vida cotidiana.
• Estamos llamados a reconstruirnos a nosotros mismos cada día.

• Se nos pide que ofrezcamos, constantemente y en todas las circunstancias, la verdad suprema de nuestra fidelidad a Dios *
• No hay tiempo ni lugar cuando se nos exime de vivir la Regla.
• El profeso franciscano seglar está a disposición de Dios.
• Somos transformados desde adentro por la gracia de la profesión.

     * P. Felice Cangelosi, OFM Cap – Ver el Manual FUN “Profesión”.
Reflexionar o responder en su diario
• ¿Cómo se coloca Ud. a disposición de Dios? ¿Qué interfiere con ese esfuerzo?
• ¿Cómo ayuda a “reconstruir la Iglesia”? ¿Cómo le ayuda su fraternidad a hacer esto?

Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Chair, National Formation Commission

 

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Formation Friday – Peace Prayer with attachment

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  
St. Francis is one of the most beloved saints.  Most know of St. Francis and his love of animals and nature.  He is most often standing in our gardens.  The real Francis was that but much more.  Today, we look at facts and legends.  I am sending this to all members since most are still not gathering.  The formation team is hoping that you, as always, will share with your local fraternities.  Peace, Dona
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We are all part of a history and a story. We are part of the story of our families, of our religion, of the time in which we live. As Franciscans, we are also part of the Franciscan story. There are traditions, stories, devotions, prayers, and sayings involved with all of these groups. Knowing about them helps us to be part of the family. 
But, SOMETIMES what appears to be part of our tradition comes from another source.
 
Every so often, Formation Friday will highlight one of these important parts of our story.
 
This week: The Peace Prayer is ATTRIBUTED TO St. Francis, but it was most likely written in France in 1912. It then gained popularity during WWI when Pope Benedict XV had it reprinted in L’Osservatore Romano in 1916.
 
What makes it seem like it could have been written by St. Francis? Check out the references on the website: https://franciscantradition.org/  (We give you a few, see how many more you can find by using the search tool provided. (FA:ED means Francis of Assisi: Early Documents)
 
LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE:
[“May the Lord give you peace!” Legend of the Three Companions 26]
[The Assisi Compilation: “He makes peace between the bishop and mayor of Assisi adding a verse to the canticle. 84]
[“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.” Admonition XV  FA:ED, vol. 1, 134]
 
WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE;
[…he was not afraid to present himself to the sight of the Sultan of the Saracens…57 The Life of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano: FA:ED, vol. 1, p. 231]
[1The Lord says: Love your enemies [do good to those who hate you and pray for those who persecute and slander you]. Mt 5:44
2For that person truly loves his enemy who is not hurt by an injury done to him, 3but, because of love of God, is stung by the sin of his soul. 4Let him show him love by his deeds. Admonition IX]
 
WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON;
[True and Perfect Joy  FA:ED, vol. 1, 166
 
WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH;
WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, HOPE;
[See the Prayer Before the Crucifix FA:ED, vol. 1, 40]
 
 
WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT;
[See The Major Legend of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure FA:ED, vol. 2, 525 – “His companion said to the holy man: ‘Pray, father, that we may be saved from these threatening dangers!’ Full of confidence, the man of God answered him: ‘God is powerful, {snippet Lk 3:8} if it pleases him in his sweetness, to disperse this darkness and give us the benefit of light.’
 
WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY.
[“3Where there is poverty with joy, there is neither greed nor avarice. an Admonition XXVII FA:ED, vol. 1, 136]
 
Now you try looking up some references.
 
O DIVINE MASTER, GRANT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK
TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE,
TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND,
TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE.
FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE,
IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED,
AND IT IS IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE.
AMEN.
 
 
Diane F. Menditto
 
Chair, National Formation Commission
Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Regional Fraternity

 

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FORMATION FRIDAY! – CALL TO CONVERSION

Dear Brothers and Sisters,   We are all called to conversion.  Today’s formation addresses our path to conversion through our vocation as Secular Franciscans.  Hope that you find this formation helpful and as always, please share with your fraternities.  Peace, Dona

 
Secular Franciscans are called to conversion:
 
OFS Rule: Chapter 2: Art. 7
•       United by their vocation as “brothers and sisters of penance,”  and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ through that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls “conversion.” Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion is carried out daily.
•       On this road to renewal the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace.

Also, see Article 13 of the General Constitutions
 
•       Conversion is symbolized as a JOURNEY of TRANSFORMATION led by the Spirit of God
•       Communal experience—encouragement and witness
•       On-going process celebrated in stages with Eucharist as the highpoint
•       Conversion is a lifetime experience of transformation
 
5 Fundamental Elements of Penitential Lifestyle
  1. To love God
  2. To love our neighbor
  3. To resist sinful tendencies of our fallen nature
  4. To receive the body of Christ in the Eucharist
  5. To act or live in conformity with our conversion
 
See FUN Manual -Penitence and Conversion
 
How will we live out our conversion?  (To ponder and discuss)
•       What goes into our “conversion?”
•       What is the meaning of the phrase, “that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls ‘conversion?’
•       What is the focus of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? How important is this for us as Secular Franciscans?
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Los franciscanos seglares están llamados a la conversión:
Regla OFS: Capítulo 2: Art. 7 7
• Unidos por su vocación como “hermanos y hermanas de la penitencia,” y motivados por el poder dinámico del evangelio, confórmense sus pensamientos y acciones a los de Cristo mediante ese cambio interior radical que el evangelio mismo llama “la conversión.” ” La fragilidad humana hace necesario que esta conversión se realice diariamente.
• En este camino hacia la renovación, el sacramento de la reconciliación es el signo privilegiado de la misericordia del Padre y la fuente de la gracia.

Véase también el artículo 13 de las Constituciones generales.

 

• La conversión se simboliza como una JORNADA de TRANSFORMACIÓN dirigida por el Espíritu de Dios.
• La experiencia comunitaria: aliento y testimonio.
• El proceso continuo, celebrado en etapas con la Eucaristía como punto culminante.
• La conversión es una experiencia de transformación por toda la vida.
 
5 elementos fundamentales del estilo de vida penitencial
1. Amar a Dios
2. Amar a nuestro prójimo
3. Evitar las tendencias pecaminosas de nuestra naturaleza caída.
4. Recibir el cuerpo de Cristo en la Eucaristía.
5. Actuar o vivir de conformidad con nuestra conversión.

Ver el manual FUN –“Penitence and Conversion”
¿Cómo viviremos nuestra conversión? (Para reflexionar y discutir)
• ¿En qué consiste nuestra “conversión”?
• ¿Cuál es el significado de la frase, “ese cambio interior radical que el evangelio mismo llama conversión”?
• ¿Cuál es el enfoque del Sacramento de la Reconciliación? ¿Qué tan importante es esto para nosotros como franciscanos seglares?
 
 



Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

 

 
 
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Formation Friday!! True & Perfect Joy: Franciscans & Suffering – 2 attachments

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today, we will study Franciscan Joy, which was to be the theme of our canceled (due to the coronavirus) Summer Gathering this year.  We are all learning to suffer from the turmoil going on in the world today.  What a great opportunity to really learn the real meaning of Franciscan Joy.   Let’s not allow our suffering to go to waste.  Offer your sufferings for peace, protection, healing, and conversion of all hearts.   Pax et Bonum, Dona
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Please share with your local fraternities. (En español abajo)
 

True and Perfect Joy: Franciscans and Suffering

 

Even in suffering, Francis experienced confidence and joy from:
+ the experience of the fatherhood of God;
+ the invincible faith of rising with Christ to eternal life;
+ the experience of being able to meet and praise the Creator in the universal fraternity of all creatures.
 
(From the FUN Manual “Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order”-Theresa Baker, OFS)

Questions to Ponder  (for discussion) 

+What were some of the sufferings St. Francis endured in his lifetime? What
can we learn from his sufferings?
+Would you know how to explain
“Perfect Joy?” (Read about “Perfect Joy” attached or in the Little Flowers.)
+What role does suffering play in our lives?
+How do you view suffering?
+Is suffering a punishment or an opportunity to enter into the sufferings of Christ?
 
 TRUE AND PERFECT JOY
 
 
One day at Saint Mary [of the Angels] blessed Francis called Brother Leo and said: “Brother Leo, write.” 2He responded: “Look, I’m ready!” 3“Write,” he said, “what true joy is.”
4“A messenger arrives and says that all the Masters of Paris have entered the Order. Write: this isn’t true joy! 5Or, that all the prelates, archbishops and bishops beyond the mountains, as well as the King of France and the King of England [have entered the Order]. Write: this isn’t true joy! 
6Again, that my brothers have gone to the non-believers and converted all of them to the faith; again, that I have so much grace from God that I heal the sick and perform many miracles. I tell you true joy doesn’t consist in any of these things.”
7“Then what is true joy?”
8“I return from Perugia and arrive here in the dead of night. It’s wintertime, muddy, and so cold that icicles have formed on the edges of my habit and keep striking my legs and blood flows from such wounds. 9Freezing, covered with mud and ice, I come to the gate and, after I’ve knocked and called for some time, a brother comes and asks: ‘Who are you?’ ‘Brother Francis,’ I answer. 10‘Go away!’ he says. ‘This is not a decent hour to be wandering about! You may not come in!’ 11When I insist, he replies: ‘Go away! You are simple and stupid! Don’t come back to us again! There are many of us here like you—we don’t need you!’ 
12I stand again at the door and say: ‘For the love of God, take me in tonight!” 13And he replies: ‘I will not! 14Go to the Crosiers’ place and ask there!’ 15“I tell you this: If I had patience and did not become upset, true joy, as well as true virtue and the salvation of my soul, would consist in this.”
 
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La alegría verdadera y perfecta: los franciscanos y el sufrimiento

 

Incluso cuando sufría, Francisco experimentó confianza y alegría en:
+ la experiencia de la paternidad de Dios;
+ la fe invencible de resucitar con Cristo a la vida eterna;
+ la experiencia de poder conocer y alabar al Creador en la fraternidad universal de todas las criaturas.
 
( FUN Manual “La regla de la Orden Franciscana Seglar”-Theresa Baker, OFS)
 
Preguntas para reflexionar (y discutir)
 
+ ¿Cuáles fueron algunos de los sufrimientos que experimentó San Francisco en su vida? ¿Cuáles eran algunos?)
¿Qué podemos aprender de sus sufrimientos?
+ ¿Sabrías cómo explicar La “Perfecta alegría?” (Lea sobre “Perfect Joy” adjunto o en Las florecillas).
+ ¿Qué papel juega el sufrimiento en nuestras vidas?
+ ¿Cómo ves el sufrimiento?
+ ¿Es el sufrimiento un castigo o una oportunidad para entrar en los sufrimientos de Cristo?
 

 

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

Minister, Our Lady of the Angels Region
 

 

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Formation Friday – Baptism & Profession – no attachments today!

Dear Brothers & Sisters, 

Hope that you and your families are doing well this July 4th weekend.  Let us pray that the Precious Blood of Jesus will cover all hearts and souls and that reign of Jesus, King of All Nations will reign forever in our land.  Peace, Dona

Formation Friday 7/3/2020

Please share with your local fraternities  (En español abajo)
 
Baptism and Profession  7/3/2020
See Franciscan Journey “A Rebuilding Task” Ch. 14  (En español abajo)
 
•       The effects of Baptism
•       Consecrates a person—Profession helps us to reach this goal
•       Configures us to Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection—Profession helps us to be similar to Jesus.
•       Makes us living members of the  Church—Profession helps us to understand our status
•       Consecrates: the Sacrament makes us holy—puts us on the path of attaining holiness
•       Configures: Profession aids us in our faithfulness 
•       Connects: The liturgical act of Profession makes the connection with Baptism clear (Connects us with the Church)

•       The Rite of Profession is a “confession of faith.” Our words and actions show that we are true followers of Christ and His Gospel.

 

•       Profession memorializes Baptism
•       Revitalizes our promises
•       Allows us to draw new strength from the promises that were made for us years ago
•       Profession acts upon Baptism:

•       Seals and develops it; produces a new outpouring of the Spirit.

 

Keep in mind that after Baptism and before Profession we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. This sacrament is deeply tied to Baptism. It strengthens the connection of the baptized to the Church, Christ and the Holy Spirit.
We become “soldiers of Christ.” We are to spread the faith by our words and actions.
Confirmation is the second “infusion” of the Holy Spirit which strengthens us and sends us on mission.
Profession strengthens us and calls us to mission a third time.
 
The last question asked in the Rite of Profession is: “Do you wish to bind yourself more closely to the Church and to work intently to rebuild the ecclesial community and fulfill its mission among all people?” (Brown Ritual p. 22)
If you are professed, how have you been working to help the Church fulfill its mission? If you are not yet professed, what do you plan to offer to the Order to help fulfill this mission?
 
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•Los efectos del bautismo
• Consagra a una persona: la profesión nos ayuda a alcanzar esta meta
• Nos configura para la pasión, muerte y resurrección de Cristo: la profesión nos ayuda a ser similares a Jesús.
• Nos hace miembros vivos de la Iglesia: la profesión nos ayuda a comprender nuestro estado
• Consagra: el sacramento nos hace santos, nos pone en el camino de alcanzar la santidad
• Configura: la profesión nos ayuda en nuestra fidelidad
• Vincula: El acto litúrgico de la profesión aclara le vínculo con el bautismo (nos conecta con la Iglesia)
• El Rito de la Profesión es una “confesión de fe.” Nuestras palabras y acciones muestran que somos verdaderos seguidores de Cristo y Su Evangelio.
 
• La profesión conmemora el bautismo
• Revitaliza nuestras promesas.
• Nos permite sacar nuevas fuerzas de las promesas que nos hicieron años atrás.
• La profesión actúa sobre el bautismo:
• Sella y desarrolla; produce un nuevo derramamiento del Espíritu.
 
Tenga en cuenta que después del Bautismo y antes de la Profesión recibimos el Sacramento de la Confirmación. Este sacramento está profundamente ligado al bautismo. Fortalece la conexión de los bautizados con la Iglesia, Cristo y el Espíritu Santo.
Nos convertimos en “soldados de Cristo.” Debemos difundir la fe con nuestras palabras y acciones.
La confirmación es la segunda “infusión” del Espíritu Santo que nos fortalece y nos envía a la misión.
               La profesión nos fortalece y nos llama a la misión por tercera vez.
 
La última pregunta formulada en el Rito de la Profesión es: “¿Desea unirse más estrechamente a la Iglesia y trabajar intensamente para reconstruir la comunidad eclesial y cumplir su misión entre todas las personas?” (Ritual USA p. 22)
Si eres profeso, ¿cómo has estado trabajando para ayudar a la Iglesia a cumplir su misión? Si aún no se ha profesado, ¿qué planea ofrecer a la Orden para ayudar a cumplir esta misión?
 

 

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Chair, National Formation Commission

 

 
 
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