Why a new Ritual? From the National Executive Council

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue #113)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have heard the question, “Why a new Ritual?”, and it deserves an answer.
The 1985 Ritual is out of print and has been for several years. We are often asked “Where do I get a copy of the Ritual?” Used copies found online were very expensive and the online version from CIOFS is not as comprehensive as the 1985 Ritual book.

chart explaining the changes We recognize that a transition from a Ritual that has been in use since 1985 and the expense of purchasing a new Ritual may be difficult for some members. However, the first printing of 2,200 copies of the updated Ritual sold out in 60 days indicating the change was welcomed. Many fraternities have subsidized the cost of the new Ritual for those who cannot afford it.

To assist with this transition, the NEC is not mandating use of the new Ritual and is offering free, customizable downloads of key ceremonies and rites.

In summary, it was necessary to reissue the book. After nearly 40 years, changes were needed, and the cost of printing a book is significantly higher. Simply reprinting the 1985 Ritual would have come close to the cost of this new book.

You can order the new Ritual on our National Website from the link on the home page.

images of the new Ritual and the booklets available for important ceremonies and opening and closing prayers to print

Why a new Ritual? From the National Executive Council

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FORMATION FRIDAY – National Priorities (cont) – Vocations, Communications, & Relationships – February 14,2025

 

At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 would be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For several weeks, Formation Friday has been exploring each of these priorities.

Relationships in the Secular Franciscan Order: Part 2

Relationships in Fraternity

 

Prepared by Francine Gikow, OFS, Member, National Formation Commission

 

 

“The vocation of the OFS is a vocation to live the Gospel in fraternal communion. For this purpose, the members of the OFS gather in ecclesial communities which are called fraternities.” (GC. 3.3)

 

Fraternal communion, commonly described as “relationships” within a fraternity, identifies a key element in our spiritual Franciscan charism- for we cannot be a Secular Franciscan without a fraternity. We are meant to be in relationship with each other and it is how we “do” our mission of building up the church. It takes the concrete experience of living in fraternity to teach us what true “communion” really means.

 

 Here are some key concepts in Franciscan relationships within a fraternity:

 

·        As discussed last week, the model of our relationships is the Holy Trinity– the relational love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This unity of the Trinity should be reflected in our own relationships.

·        We are all mothers, brothers, sisters and spouses of the same God (1LtF:8-11) and our relationships (in fraternity) should be reflective of our God of LOVE.

·        Fraternity, then, is a call to unity as a model of Christ’s love to the whole world, all of whom are children of the same loving God.” (Rule Article 13)

·        It is a privileged place for us- a place that nourishes ongoing conversion (GC.13) and imitates Christ’s relationship with his disciples and Francis and Clare’s relationship with their followers. This privileged place includes our different “levels” of participation and relationship: local, regional, national and international fraternities.

·        Our relationships within the wider Franciscan Family (Friars, Poor Clares, and Religious Sisters) provide “vital reciprocity:” a life giving union with each other to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the mission of the church.(Rule Article 1) Each branch of the Franciscan family brings to the greater Franciscan family their own experiences to enrich and enliven the other branches leading to greater unity.

·        Fraternity  is “an ecclesial community” for a lived experience of being “church” and a visible sign of the Church, a community of faith and love.(Rule Article 22)

·        Fraternity is also, a “school of love.”(GC40, 2-3)  It is how we learn about relationships: giving and receiving, learning and teaching, forgiving and asking for forgiveness.  It is a sign of Christ’s love to the whole world which is a “call to unity and harmony with all our brothers and sisters, all of whom are children of the same loving God. (Rule Article 13)

·        Our purpose of our relationships in Fraternity is: “together with all people of good will, to be called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world as Franciscans, so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively.” (Rule Arrticle 5). We do this through our relationships.

In summary, Franciscans are all about relationships and fraternal communion. However, relationships do not end with just our experience within our fraternities and the Franciscan family- they extend into viewing all of creation and the world in which we live, while being in a “relationship and community of love.” This is called “Universal Kinship,” and in Part 3, the last of our series in “Franciscan Vocation as Relationship,” we will meditate on what it means to extend our concept of relationship to creation and the world.

 

Questions for reflection in your journal or to discuss with a prayer partner or small group:

·        Look up the full references from the above citations of the OFS Rule, General Constitutions and the First Letter to the Faithful and discuss with a partner, what you have learned.

·        What struck you from this article? Identify what drew your attention.

·        What description of fraternal relationships challenged you and why? Share your thoughts with another.

·        Bring to prayer the results of this review and ask God to enrich your relationships in fraternity.

 

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Formación 14 de febrero 2025 Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local.

En nuestro Capítulo Nacional en octubre de 2022, el Consejo Nacional decidió que las prioridades para 2022-2025 serán Vocaciones, Comunicaciones y Relaciones. Durante varias semanas, el Viernes de Formación ha estado explorando cada una de estas prioridades.


Relaciones en la Orden Franciscana Seglar: Parte 2

Relaciones en Fraternidad
Preparado por Francine Gikow, OFS, Miembro, Comisión Nacional de Formación

“La vocación a la OFS es una llamada a vivir el Evangelio en comunión fraterna. Con este fin, los miembros de la OFS se reúnen en comunidades eclesiales, que se llaman Fraternidades”. (CCGG. 3.3)

La comunión fraterna, comúnmente descrita como “relaciones” dentro de una fraternidad, identifica un elemento clave en nuestro carisma franciscano espiritual, porque no podemos ser franciscanos seglares sin una fraternidad. Estamos destinados a estar en relación unos con otros y así es como “realizamos” nuestra misión de edificar la iglesia. Se necesita la experiencia concreta de vivir en fraternidad para enseñarnos lo que realmente significa la verdadera “comunión”.

Aquí hay algunos conceptos clave en las relaciones franciscanas dentro de una fraternidad:

  • Como se discutió la semana pasada , el modelo de nuestras relaciones es la Santísima Trinidad : el amor relacional entre el Padre, el Hijo y el Espíritu Santo. Esta unidad de la Trinidad debe reflejarse en nuestras propias relaciones.
  • somos madres, hermanos, hermanas y esposos del mismo Dios (1CtF:8-11) y nuestras relaciones (en fraternidad) deben ser reflejo de nuestro Dios del AMOR.
  • La fraternidad: “El sentido de fraternidad les hará felices de colocarse a la par de todos los hombres, especialmente con los más humildes, para los cuales se esforzarán en crear condiciones de vida dignas de criaturas redimidas por Cristo”. (Regla Artículo 13)
  • Es un lugar privilegiado para nosotros, un lugar que alimenta la conversión permanente (GGCC.13) e imita la relación de Cristo con sus discípulos y la relación de Francisco y Clara con sus seguidores. Este lugar privilegiado incluye nuestros diferentes “niveles” de participación y relación: fraternidades locales, regionales, nacionales e internacionales.
  • Nuestras relaciones dentro de la Familia Franciscana más amplia (frailes, clarisas y hermanas religiosas) proporcionan una “reciprocidad vital”: una unión que da vida entre nosotros para hacer presente el carisma de su Padre Seráfico común en la misión de la iglesia. (Artículo de la Regla 1) Cada rama de la familia franciscana aporta a la gran familia franciscana sus propias experiencias para enriquecer y animar a las otras ramas y conducirlas a una mayor unidad.
  • La fraternidad es “una comunidad eclesial” para una experiencia vivida de ser “iglesia ” y signo visible de la Iglesia, comunidad de fe y de amor. (Regla Artículo 22)
  • La fraternidad es también, una “escuela de amor” (CCGG40, 2-3). Es así como aprendemos sobre las relaciones: dar y recibir, aprender y enseñar, perdonar y pedir perdón. Es un signo del amor de Cristo al mundo entero que es un “llamado a la unidad y armonía con todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas, todos los cuales son hijos del mismo Dios amoroso. (Regla Artículo 13)
  • Nuestro propósito de nuestras relaciones en Fraternidad es: “junto con todas las personas de buena voluntad, ser llamados a construir un mundo más fraterno y evangélico como franciscanos, para que el reino de Dios se realice con mayor eficacia”. (Regla Artículo 5). Hacemos esto a través de nuestras relaciones.

En resumen, los franciscanos tienen que ver con las relaciones y la comunión fraterna. Sin embargo, las relaciones no terminan solo con nuestra experiencia dentro de nuestras fraternidades y la familia franciscana, sino que se extienden hasta ver toda la creación y el mundo en el que vivimos, mientras estamos en una “relación y comunidad de amor”. Esto se llama el “Parentesco universal”, y en la Parte 3, la última de nuestra serie en “La vocación franciscana como relación”, meditaremos sobre lo que significa extender nuestro concepto de relación con la creación y el mundo.

Preguntas para reflexionar en su diario o para discutir con un compañero de oración o un grupo pequeño:

  • Busque las referencias completas de las citas anteriores de la Regla OFS y las Constituciones Generales y la Primera Carta a los Fieles y discuta con un compañero lo que ha aprendido.
  • ¿Qué le llamó la atención de este artículo? Identifica lo que llamó su atención.
  • ¿Qué descripción de las relaciones fraternales le desafió y por qué? Comparta sus pensamientos con otro.
  • Lleve a la oración los resultados de este repaso y pida a Dios que enriquezca sus relaciones de fraternidad.
 
 
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Vice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USA
Listen – Discern – Go Forth  National Theme 2022-2025

Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Award, 2024

by Joe Makley, OFS
National JPIC Animator

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue #113)

Our JPIC Award recipient for 2024 is Michele Dunne, OFS. Michele is minister of the Mount Saint Sepulchre Fraternity in the Margaret of Cortona Region. Since 2021, she has served as executive director of the Franciscan Action Network. What follows is a brief interview with Michele:

JM: Michele, the arc of your work reflects so many elements of our Rule, and you are currently the Minister of your OFS fraternity. Can you describe how you became aware of your Franciscan vocation?

MD: My Franciscan vocation came to me in 2013 at a time of crisis in my personal and work life. I often say that, of the many gifts the Lord has given me, this vocation was the greatest, the most surprising, and the most humbling. And it completely changed my life, gradually, over the next few years. One of those changes was leaving behind my previous work and joining the staff of the Franciscan Action Network in 2021. Article 15 of our Rule about being “individually and collectively in the forefront in promoting justice” just would not let go of me.

JM: Those of us who follow the Franciscan Action Network have noticed a significant difference since you became executive director. At the recent national Chapter, you explained your thinking and vision. Could you expand a little on that for the members who were not present?

MD: My colleagues and I at FAN have reoriented the organization since 2021. Looking at the name of the organization, we decided there was plenty of Action, but that we needed to remember the Franciscan basis of that action and to strengthen our Network. Instead of seeing FAN as a small staff in DC, we view FAN as being a network of 50 Franciscan religious communities and nearly 14,000 individuals. We, the staff, exist to serve that Network – to inform, inspire, and mobilize that Network to take loving action on JPIC issues in the United States, rooted firmly in our Gospel values and Franciscan spirituality. The other big change is that FAN is doing a great deal of grassroots work, organizing more than 20 Franciscan Justice Circles across the country in the last few years. The Circles bring together members from all branches of the Franciscan family – friars, sisters, Seculars, Associates, students at Franciscan colleges, and many others who are simply attracted by St. Francis.

JM: FAN is able to attract many young adults to its activities, along with OFS members of all ages. How are you doing this?

MD: We found out that young adults are eager to learn how to connect their faith with taking action on the issues they care about, for example the environment, gun violence, and peace in the world. They want to learn communication and advocacy skills that are effective while also fully aligned with their faith and values. And they like to work with older adults in this, as long as the older adults do not dominate. Through our annual Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference and Franciscan Justice Circles, FAN has been able to create settings in which young adults feel heard, supported, and in which their contributions are valued.

JM: What keeps you going?

MD: I feel blessed to be doing work every day that seems like a direct response to the call of my Franciscan vocation. And I am endlessly inspired by my fellow Franciscans! So many Seculars have given many years of direct service to our impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized brothers and sisters, as well as to our beloved earth. And many of them engage in loving advocacy for public policies to address the underlying causes of poverty, injustice, environmental destruction, and insults to human dignity at all stages of life. To see all the love that Seculars, sisters, friars, and young Franciscan volunteers bring to the world is amazing and humbling.

Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Award, 2024

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher

Teaching from the boat is symbolically appropriate. When fish are caught, they move from darkness beneath the sea into light. So those who hear Jesus’ teaching will be pulled from darkness into light. In particular, Jesus will reach into the interior darkness and release a fullness beyond what they had previously known.

Father’s Homily – video

Father’s Homily – text

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher

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FORMATION FRIDAY – NFC Priorities – Vocations,Communication & Relationships – February 7, 2024

Please share with your local fraternity.

At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 would be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. For several weeks, Formation Friday has been exploring each of these priorities.

Relationships: Part 1
Prepared by Francine Gikow, OFS, Member, National Formation Commission

 

Relationships in the Secular Franciscan Order: Part 1

 

The Holy Trinity As Our Model in Relationships: “Perfect Trinity, Simple Unity”

 

For Francis, the Holy Trinity, has been the model for all relationships within and outside of the Order. Francis understood and proclaimed the Trinitarian perspective. O how glorious it is to have a holy and great Father in heaven! Oh, how holy, consoling to have such a beautiful and wonderful Spouse! O, how holy and how loving, gratifying, humbling, peace-giving, sweet, worthy of love, and above all things, desirable: to have such a Brother and such a Son, our Lord Jesus Christ….(1LtF)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (259-260) describes some key characteristics of the Holy Trinity which are also common themes in Francis’ writings. They are:

· Unity: God has revealed himself to us as the Father, Son and Spirit- commonly known as the Holy Trinity. The Trinity expresses a unified love relationship among each person of the Trinity, and as Francis describes it in the FUN Manual, “Perfect Trinity, Simple Unity As Secular Franciscans, we are to share this love relationship of unity among ourselves (family and fraternity), our church (since “we are more intimately united with the Church by profession,”(OFS Rule Article 6) all people, creation, and the world.

· Love: Since God is pure Love, this love should permeate all who we are and do as Secular Franciscans, and be evident in all of our relationships. For “Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly. (Rule Article 4)

· “ Sonship:” Since we are all sons and daughters of the living God, “the Franciscan approach in prayer, is to lead us to imitate Jesus for the purpose of entering and deepening our relationship with Our Father, the Source of Love unimaginable.”(FUN Manual) In addition, the OFS Rule urges us to “conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls “conversion.”

Therefore, “…the whole Christian life is a communion with each of the divine persons, without in any way separating them…[and with] the ultimate end… the entry of God’s creatures into the perfect unity of the Blessed Trinity.”(CCC, 259-260)

 

O, happy and blessed are these men and women while they do such things and persevere in doing them because the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon them (cf. Is 11:2) and make Its home and dwelling place among them (cf. Jn 14:23) and they are children of the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:45) Whose works they do, and they are spouses, brothers, and mothers, of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mt 12:50)(1LtF 5-7).

 

Wouldn’t you like to be a spouse, brother, mother and home for God?

 

Reflection Questions:

· Describe, in your own words, what unity, love and sonship mean to you as a Secular Franciscan.

· Identify how you can incorporate each of these characteristics of the Holy Trinity into your life as a Secular Franciscan.

· Do you see yourself as a “home for God?” If so, how? If not, why not?

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Formación 7 de febrero 2025 Compartir con su fraternidad local.

En nuestro Capítulo Nacional de octubre 2022, el Consejo Nacional decidió que las prioridades para 2022-2025 serían “Vocaciones, Comunicaciones y Relaciones.” Durante varias semanas, Formation Friday ha estado explorando cada una de estas prioridades.

Relaciones: Parte 1
Preparado por Francine Gikow, OFS, Miembro, Comisión Nacional de Formación

Relaciones en la Orden Franciscana Seglar: Parte 1

La Santísima Trinidad como nuestro modelo en las relaciones: “Trinidad perfecta, unidad simple.”

Para Francisco, la Santísima Trinidad ha sido el modelo de todas las relaciones dentro y fuera de la Orden. Francisco entendió y proclamó la perspectiva trinitaria. ¡Oh cuán glorioso, santo y grande es tener un Padre en los cielos! 12¡Oh cuán santo, consolador, bello y admirable, tener un tal esposo! 13¡Oh cuán santo y cuán amado, placentero, humilde, pacífico, dulce, amable y sobre todas las cosas deseable, tener un tal hermano y un tal hijo: Nuestro Señor Jesucristo! (CtaF1)

El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica (259-260) describe algunas características clave de la Santísima Trinidad que también son temas comunes en los escritos de Francisco. Ellos son:

· Unidad : Dios se nos ha revelado como Padre, Hijo y Espíritu, comúnmente conocido como la Santísima Trinidad. La Trinidad expresa una relación de amor unificado entre cada persona de la Trinidad, y como Francisco lo describe, (citado en el Manual FUN,) “Trinidad Perfecta, Unidad Simple Como Franciscanos Seglares, debemos compartir esta relación de amor de unidad entre nosotros (familia y fraternidad) , nuestra iglesia (ya que estamos “más estrechamente vinculados por la Profesión” (Regla OFS Artículo 6) todas las personas, la creación y el mundo.

· Amor: Dado que Dios es puro amor, este amor debe impregnar todo lo que somos y hacemos como franciscanos seglares, y ser evidente en todas nuestras relaciones. Porque “Cristo, don del amor del Padre, es el camino hacia Él, es la verdad en la cual nos introduce el Espíritu Santo, es la vida que Él ha venido a dar abundantemente.” (Regla Artículo 4)

· “Puesto que todos somos hijos e hijas del Dios vivo”, el enfoque franciscano en la oración, es llevarnos a imitar a Jesús con el propósito de entrar y profundizar nuestra relación con Nuestro Padre, la Fuente del Amor inimaginable. (Manual FUN) Además, la Regla OFS nos exhorta a “conformar su modo de pensar y de obrar al de Cristo, mediante un radical cambio interior, que el mismo Evangelio denomina con el nombre de ‘conversión’;”.

Por tanto, “ … toda la vida cristiana es comunión con cada una de las personas divinas, sin separarlas en modo alguno… [y con] el fin último… la entrada de las criaturas de Dios en la unidad perfecta de la Santísima Trinidad”. (CIC, 259-260)

¡Oh, dichosos y dichosas estos hombres y mujeres mientras hacen tales cosas y perseveran en hacerlas porque el Espíritu del Señor reposará sobre ellos (cf. Is 11, 2) y hará en ellos su hogar y morada (cf. Jn 14,23) y son hijos del Padre celestial (cf. Mt 5,45) cuyas obras hacen, y son esposos, hermanos y madres de nuestro Señor Jesucristo (cf. Mt 12,50) (CtaF1 5-7).

¿No te gustaría ser esposo, hermano, madre, y hogar para Dios?

Preguntas de reflexión:

  • Describa, con sus propias palabras, qué significan para usted como franciscano seglar la unidad, el amor y la filiación.
  • Identifique cómo puede incorporar cada una de estas características de la Santísima Trinidad en su vida como franciscano seglar.
  • ¿Usted se ve como un “hogar para Dios”? ¿Si es así, cómo? ¿Si no, porque no?
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Vice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USA
Listen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
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Juan de Padilla