Fillable forms are now available for download from the website for the Ceremony of Welcoming, Rite of Admission and Rite of Profession from the new Ritual. The forms contain the exact wording from the new Ritual, and provide fillable fields for names, dates, readings and hymns for your celebrations. These documents are set up to print as booklets using Acrobat Reader (which is free) or the paid Acrobat version.

Also available is a one sheet foldable handout for opening and closing prayers for Fraternity gatherings.

There are directions on how to use the forms on the website page, but if you are having difficulty using the forms, please log a ticket on the Contact Us page.  There is a link available on the website page.

New Ritual Templates Available for Ceremonies and Rites

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

by Layna Maher, OFS National Formation Commission Chair

Serving is a prominent characteristic of Franciscan leadership philosophy. St. Francis sees himself as a servant to God and those in his community.

When we look at the intentions and promises we make at the Rite of Admission and the Rite of Profession, two special, grace filled times, we see the word service. In the Rite of Admission we promise: to be of service to all through my secular state of life for the glory of God and to fulfill His plan of love on behalf of all people. In the Rite of Profession we see renew my baptismal promises and consecrate myself to the service of His kingdom. In both of these rites, the words clearly recognize our call to care for the needs of others.

Our founder, St. Francis, has left us the great treasure of his writings that reinforce the call for serving others. He tells us in his testament:

After the Lord gave me brothers, no one showed me what I should do; but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live according to the form of the Holy Gospel. FA:ED, vol. 1, 125

In the Later Admonition and Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance (Second Version of the Letter to the Faithful) St. Francis says:

We must never desire to be above others, but, instead, we must be servants and subject to every human creature for God’s sake. FA:ED, vol. 1, 48.

St. Francis was a true servant leader choosing to work for the good of others. He demonstrated how to give priority to the needs of the community and show love and compassion for others. When Francis embraced the leper, one of the poorest and most marginalized members of society, he did so with loving service. Francis wasn’t simply looking for a project to complete. His loving service was leading him to the Father following in the footsteps of Christ.

St. Clare also models servant leadership for us. We can read in the Legend of St. Clare, Her Holy Humility [Chapter VIII] that:

Rarely would she give an order, instead she would do things spontaneously, preferring rather to do things herself than to order her sisters. She herself washed the commodes of the sick; she herself, with that noble spirit of hers, cleansed them not running away from their filth nor shrinking from their stench. She frequently and reverently washed the feet of the serving sisters who returned from outside and, after washing them kissed them. CA:ED 292.

We are also fortunate to have our Handbook for Secular Franciscan Servant Leadership. This is an excellent source and guidance document for all Secular Franciscans at every level of fraternity. This wonderful document can be found online at  https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/wp-content/uploads/Servant_Leadership_Handbook_Aug_21_2024.pdf

Highlights from the Handbook include foundational ideas, guides for leaders, and practical aids on communicating, listening, engaging in dialogue, and reconciling differences. The handbook also features tips on collaboration problem solving and an attributes inventory to help fraternity members recognize strengths and areas to grow in.

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26–28

We Are Called to Serve One Another

The Voice of God, our Father, speaks to all of us in the Sacrament of Baptism.  The Spirit of God descends upon us, enables us to give to others the love God joyfully gives to us.   May our hearts be attentive to that same Voice speaking to us in the course of the simple, undramatic everyday events of our lives.  The Voice of God—cajoling and nudging us to His dwelling place.

Father’s Homily – video

Father’s Homily – text

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – The Baptism of Our Lord – Fr. Christopher

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

by Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.

President-in-turn, CNSA

Conflict is deeply embedded in the human heart and the entire history of salvation. The entire Bible from Genesis to Revelations is an endless series of conflicts between God and the evil spirit, between good and evil, love and hate, and heaven and hell.

St. Paul writes that there is a fight in my heart between good and evil. In every healthy community, there are differences of opinion which can result in conflict, confrontation, and a fight for the dominance of opinions and views. The Gospel includes the never-ending conflict of Jesus with the Pharisees.

Jesus did not seek this conflict, but by preaching the Gospel, He provoked people to stand for the truth, and this always results in conflict.

It is no different in the family or the religious community. Often, we are not looking for conflict, but the conflict is looking for us. St. Francis, a symbol of peace and forgiveness, conflicted with his father, mother, the inhabitants of Assisi, and his brothers. When he radically lived the Gospel, he was in conflict.

Jesus says that he did not bring peace, but a sword. Defining oneself by the values of the Gospel automatically invites conflict. Conflict often ends with the rejection of one of the parties. We find this example in Jesus, Francis, and thousands of saints. The holiness of life provokes, is uncomfortable, and creates conflict. The history of conflict is rich, hidden in human fear, which is the fruit of original sin.

Tools that Jesus gives us in conflict situations

1. PRAYER: Jesus prays to the Father: “Father, make them One…”

Prayer is the first and most important step.

2. DIALOGUE:

The Lord Jesus teaches dialogue, especially in His meeting with the Samaritan woman. Only Jesus and the Samaritan woman without witnesses (Jn:4). There is a sincere conversation from heart to heart.

3. THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

This gift of the Church has a huge impact on healing tensions in the community. Focus on Jesus’ Mercy.

4. TIME: Time heals wounds. There are no quick cures and sometimes it takes a whole lifetime for

5. RECONCILIATION WITH ANOTHER PERSON:

This is always God’s greatest miracle. It requires God’s intervention. On the cross, Jesus asks the Father: “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” Ask God like Jesus did on the cross.

5. SPIRITUALITY OF FAILURE: Jesus and Francis teach us that to win you must lose.

Defeat on the cross brings fruit of Resurrection. This is God’s most beautiful logic of love. Without crucified love we will not solve any conflict, we will only deepen it. Love that knows how to lose allows itself to be crucified and will overcome the conflict. It will bring peace of heart. I wish you this peace of heart.

Let me share a story from SOCRATES, who is famous for resolving conflicts:

Two brothers had a quarrel over the property, the inheritance of their parents. So, they came to Socrates, and he awarded the share to the older brother, and after listening to the younger one, also to him.

Socrates’ wife reacted to this and exclaimed from the kitchen, “Socrates, you are a fool! How can both brothers be right?

To which Socrates replied to his wife…

“You’re right too.”

Discovering part of the truth in each side is a wise way to resolve conflicts.

It is worth trying.

Another great example for conflict resolution:

Woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1 – 11).

Jesus teaches us in this dramatic scene how to free human hands from the stones of judgments. In this scene everyone is trapped: woman, Jesus, people with stones. Jesus solves the conflict brilliantly. He invites only those who are without guilt or sin to deal out the execution.

Saint Francis repeated that he himself is the greatest sinner on earth who needs conversion, mercy and forgiveness. I believe this is the best therapy for conflict healing. St. Francis still attracts so many because he focused first on his own conversion.

Let me conclude my reflection with “Story about Grandma and Grandson.”

The grandson, who is in the Church, was forced to attend Mass with his grandmother, even though he wanted to stay at home and play on the computer.

He spoke… at the beginning of Holy Mass:

                                                              “Her fault,

                                                                     Her fault,

                                                                          Her most grievous fault.”

Conflict Resolution