During Advent we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that he walked on this earth. We know that he is always with us in the Eucharist. But now, we wait for Him to come again.
For three weeks we will focus on the prayer that St. Francis prayed as he knelt before the Crucifix of San Damiano. Each part of it has significance during this time of waiting and conversion.
Most High,
glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord,
that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.Part Three: Living the Charism
“…that I may carry out Your holy and true command.”
CONSIDER:
+Our Rule: Article 2—”The Secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in this family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful. In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state. By their profession they pledge themselves to live the gospel in the manner of St. Francis by means of this rule approved by the Church.”
+Our Rule: Article 10— “Uniting themselves to the redemptive obedience of Jesus, who placed his will into the Father’s hands, let them faithfully fulfil the duties proper to their various circumstances of life17. Let them also follow the poor and crucified Christ, witness to him even in difficulties and persecutions18.”
+Our Rule: Article 14—”Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself”, let them exercise their responsibilities competently in Christian spirit of service25”
+Admonition 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.”+ During Advent, we focus on how well we carry out what we are called to do in our lives as Secular Franciscans. Now is the time to ask ourselves how familiar we are with our Rule and with what we promised at Profession.
Questions for discussion or to answer in your journal
+As Franciscans, we are called to intensify our baptismal promises through our profession.
–What were the promises made for us at our Baptism?
–Which articles of our Rule present the greatest challenge to me?
–Do I read and pray some portion of Scripture each day? How do I carry out what I am being asked to do by Jesus in the Gospel?++++++++++++++++++++
Formación 13 de diciembre, 2024
Durante el Adviento esperamos la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Sabemos que caminó sobre esta tierra. Sabemos que él está siempre con nosotros en la Eucaristía. Pero ahora, esperamos que Él regrese.
Durante tres semanas nos centraremos en la oración que rezó San Francisco mientras se arrodillaba ante el Crucifijo de San Damián. Cada parte tiene un significado durante este tiempo de espera y conversión.
Tercera parte: Vivir el carisma
“…para que cumpla tu santo y verdadero mandamiento.”
Sumo, glorioso Dios,
ilumina las tinieblas de mi corazón
y dame fe recta,
esperanza cierta
y caridad perfecta,
sentido y conocimiento, Señor,
para que cumpla tu santo y verdadero mandamiento.CONSIDERE:
+Nuestra regla: Artículo 2—”En el seno de dicha familia, tiene un puesto peculiar la Orden Franciscana Seglar, la cual se configura como una unión orgánica de todas las fraternidades católicas esparcidas por el mundo entero y abiertas a todo grupo de fieles, en las cuales los hermanos y las hermanas, impulsados por el Espíritu a alcanzar la perfección de la caridad en su estado seglar, se comprometen con la Profesión a vivir el Evangelio a la manera de San Francisco con la ayuda de la presente Regla confirmada por la Iglesia5.”
+Nuestra regla: Artículo 10— “Asociándose a la obediencia redentora de Jesús, que sometió su voluntad a la del Padre, cumplan fielmente las obligaciones propias de la condición de cada uno en las diversas circunstancias de la vida17, y sigan a Cristo, pobre y crucificado, testimoniándolo aún en las dificultades y persecuciones18.“
+Nuestra regla: Artículo 14— “Llamados, juntamente con todos los hombres de buena voluntad, a construir un mundo más fraterno y evangélico para la edificación del reino de Dios, conscientes de que “quien sigue a Cristo, Hombre perfecto, se hace a sí mismo más hombre”, cumplan con competencia las propias responsabilidades con espíritu cristiano de servicio25.”
[Cap. XVII: Del humilde siervo de Dios]
+ Admonición XVII: “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.”http://franciscanos.org/esfa/adm-ae.html
+ Durante el Adviento, nos enfocamos en qué tan bien llevamos a cabo lo que estamos llamados a hacer en nuestras vidas como franciscanos seglares. Ahora es el momento de preguntarnos qué tan familiarizados estamos con nuestra Regla y con lo que prometimos en Profesión.
Preguntas para platicar o para responder en su diario
+ Como franciscanos, estamos llamados a intensificar nuestras promesas bautismales a través de nuestra profesión.
— ¿Cuáles fueron las promesas que nos hicieron en nuestro bautismo?
–¿Qué artículos de nuestra Regla me presentan el mayor desafío?
— ¿Leo y oro alguna porción de las Escrituras todos los días? ¿Cómo llevo a cabo lo que Jesús me pide que haga en el Evangelio.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
To Be Served or To Serve
by Jane De-Rose Bamman, OFS National Minister
As much as I enjoy being with brothers and sisters from our Franciscan family, serving as the National Minister is quite a bit of work. Sure, I “get to” travel to fulfill my responsibilities. Often that means time building relationships with brothers and sisters, learning the blessings and challenges encountered in each area and praying together as part of daily Mass and morning/evening prayer. Following the fun part comes meetings and then time developing a report to document the findings.
Brian (our co-minister) is not thrilled with my needing to travel for this service – so I try to minimize my time away from home. By virtue of the “blessings of technology,” the National Executive Council (NEC) meets monthly for at least two hours to discuss the work of the Order as some decisions cannot wait until our next face-to-face gathering. I try to fit in my National Minister responsibilities while working 40+ hours per week for my livelihood and continuing my relationship with my husband. Not a surprise, but God provides. I suspect many other servant leaders have similar experiences.
The NEC has heard from all over the country that it is difficult to get people to serve our brothers and sisters on fraternity councils at local and regional levels. As a result, during this last year of our three-year term, the NEC is focusing on developing members for leading the Order at all levels.
Jesus taught us: “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Following Jesus’ lead, candidates should recognize that this type of leadership means we are serving so others benefit.
“The office of Minister or Councilor is a fraternal service, a commitment to hold oneself available and responsible in relation to each brother and sister and to the Fraternity …” OFS General Constitutions Article 31.2
Candidates must have a disposition for service. What characteristics of a leader are most important to you? Certainly no one person has them all. Self-awareness allows us to serve with our strengths but also makes us able to allow others to lead with their strengths.
Do you have some leadership gifts and talents? Are you willing to serve?
The Holy Spirit is in charge. You won’t be elected before the Spirit’s timing allows. I’ve had several experiences when I thought I would be elected, and the Holy Spirit had other plans.
Each time I was elected, I noticed several things:
- Getting to know my brothers and sisters enriched my vocation.
- Everyone wants to help so the load is lighter than expected.
- The skills I didn’t have, other council members brought.
- The three-year term goes by quickly.
Preparation for the National Chapter of Elections in September 2025 is underway. We’ve secured a venue and have notified the OFS Presidency of the date. Now it is time to formally get people praying about who may be good candidates to serve.
The Order continues and through God’s grace and guidance will grow and thrive long after our time-of-service ends. Not everyone will be elected to serve, but one’s openness to serve is the key.
This is God’s Order, so let us be available to serve as God sees fit. If you don’t feel you are called to serve now, perhaps there are others who may be good candidates to serve on the local, regional or national level. Consider nominating them.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 2nd Sunday in Advent – Fr. Christopher
We are summoned to rejoice and dress in the splendor of God’s glory, wrapping ourselves in the cloak of justice, bearing the miter of God’s eternal name. It is time to stand, gathered, rejoicing at the Word of the Holy One. We are embraced with the justice and mercy of God.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 2nd Sunday in Advent – Fr. Christopher
Formation Friday – ADVENT – December 6, 2024
(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF.
Please share with your local fraternity (All three parts together will work well for fraternity ongoing formation at any time of year.)During Advent we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that he walked on this earth. We know that he is always with us in the Eucharist. But now, we wait for Him to come again.
For three weeks we will focus on the prayer that St. Francis prayed as he knelt before the Crucifix of San Damiano. Each part of it has significance during this time of waiting and conversion.
Most High,
glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord,
that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.Part Two: Faith and Hope
“…and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord,”
CONSIDER:
+ Our Rule: Article 19—”Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon.
Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.”
+ Our Rule: Article 9—”The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was open to his every word and call. She was embraced by Francis with indescribable love and declared the protectress and advocate of his family15. The Secular Franciscans should express their ardent love for her by imitating her complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently16.”
+Admonition XXVII: Virtue Puts Vice to Flight
1Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
2Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor disturbance.
3Where there is poverty with joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.a
4Where there is restb and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor restlessness.
5Where there is fear of the Lord to guard an entrance, Lk 11:21 there the enemy cannot have a place to enter.
6Where there is a heart full of mercyc and discernment, there is neither excess nor hardness of heart.+ During Advent, we strive to imitate our Blessed Mother who brought joy and hope to the world through her “YES.” Now is the time to ask ourselves if we are saying yes to what the Lord is asking of us and to what we promised at our Profession.
Questions for discussion or to answer in your journal+ How do you build peace in your fraternity and in your family? What are the most challenging times/topics that you encounter during family or fraternity gatherings, and how do you handle them?
+Which characteristics of the Blessed Mother do you strive to imitate? Consider Mary’s role in the Incarnation. What does it take to say YES to God?
+The Prayer Before the Crucifix occurred before the Admonitions were written. According to Admonition XXVII, how did God answer Francis’s prayer?
Thank you to Anne Mulqueen, OFS, for her inspiration.
++++++++++++++++++
Formación 6 de diciembre, 2024
Durante el Adviento esperamos la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Sabemos que caminó sobre esta tierra. Sabemos que él está siempre con nosotros en la Eucaristía. Pero ahora, esperamos que Él regrese.
Durante tres semanas nos centraremos en la oración que rezó San Francisco mientras se arrodillaba ante el Crucifijo de San Damián. Cada parte tiene un significado durante este tiempo de espera y conversión.
Segunda parte: fe y esperanza
“…y dame fe recta, esperanza cierta y caridad perfecta, sentido y conocimiento, Señor,…”
Sumo, glorioso Dios,
ilumina las tinieblas de mi corazón
y dame fe recta,
esperanza cierta
y caridad perfecta,
sentido y conocimiento, Señor,
para que cumpla tu santo y verdadero mandamiento.CONSIDERE:
+Nuestra Regla: Artículo 19—“Como portadores de paz y conscientes de que ésta ha de construirse incesantemente, indaguen los caminos de la unidad y del entendimiento fraterno, mediante el diálogo, confiando en la presencia del germen divino que hay en el hombre y en la fuerza transformadora del amor y del perdón31.
Mensajeros de la perfecta alegría, esfuércense permanentemente en llevar a los demás el gozo y la esperanza32.”
+Nuestra Regla: Artículo 9—”La Virgen María, humilde sierva del Señor, siempre atenta a su palabra y a todas sus mociones, fue para San Francisco centro de indecible amor, y declarada Protectora y Abogada de su familia15. Los Franciscanos seglares den testimonio de su ardiente amor hacia Ella con la imitación de su disponibilidad incondicional, y en la efusión de una confiada y consciente oración16.”
+Admonición XXVII: De la virtud que ahuyenta al vicio
“1Donde hay caridad y sabiduría, allí no hay temor ni ignorancia.
2Donde hay paciencia y humildad, allí no hay ira ni perturbación.
3Donde hay pobreza con alegría, allí no hay codicia ni avaricia.
4Donde hay quietud y meditación, allí no hay preocupación ni vagancia.
5Donde está el temor de Dios para custodiar su atrio (cf. Lc 11,21), allí el enemigo no puede tener un lugar para entrar.
6Donde hay misericordia y discreción, allí no hay superfluidad ni endurecimiento.”http://franciscanos.org/esfa/adm-ae.html
+ Durante el Adviento, nos esforzamos por imitar a nuestra Santísima Madre que trajo alegría y esperanza al mundo a través de su “SÍ.” Ahora es el momento de preguntarnos si estamos diciendo SÍ a lo que el Señor nos pide y a lo que prometimos en nuestra Profesión.
Preguntas para platicar o para responder en su diario
+ ¿Cómo fomenta la paz en su fraternidad y en su familia? ¿Cuáles son los momentos / temas más desafiantes que encuentra durante las reuniones familiares o de fraternidad, y cómo los maneja?
+ ¿Qué características de la Santísima Virgen se esfuerza por imitar? Considere el papel de María en la Encarnación. ¿Qué se necesita para decirle que SÍ a Dios?
+ La oración ante el crucifijo ocurrió antes de que se escribieran las Admoniciones. Según la Admonición XXVII, ¿cómo respondió Dios a la oración de Francisco?
Gracias a Anne Mulqueen, OFS, por su inspiración.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
Don’t jump to Christmas too early
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Jane DeRose-Bamman National MinisterDear Brothers and Sisters,
New Year’s blessings to you. The beginning of the liturgical year also means the start of the Advent Season. Notice I wrote Advent Season, not Christmas Season. Although the Church says the Christmas Season doesn’t start for 3+ weeks, the rest of society doesn’t buy it. Most of our friends, neighbors and businesses have jumped to Christmas already. By the time the Feast of the Nativity arrives, and the actual Christmas Season begins, many have moved on – ready to take down the decorations.
As Catholic Christians and especially Franciscans, I encourage you to resist the societal push to jump ahead. This year we have 24 days of Advent… savor the time. The season is about preparing our hearts – getting us ready for the celebration of Our Lord’s birth – as St. Francis called it, the “Feast of Feasts.” (Francis of Assisi: Early Documents. The Founder Chapter CLI, p 374)
It does not take much for me to get distracted from the reality that God is with us daily – especially when the noise of the commercial Christmas starts earlier and gets louder each year. The commercial Christmas can bring a type of joy – but I find that it does not last. Advent is an opportunity or invitation to reflect, dive deeper, into the meaning of the Incarnation – to sustain lasting joy. So, I do my best to resist jumping into the commercial Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving by focusing on the Advent Season. 
We are in control of how we react to the noise of this time.
What special features will you build into your Advent experience?
Will your fraternity focus on Advent in December?
When do you decorate your home? Brian and I put up the lights on the outside. Currently the main decoration on the inside is an Advent wreath. Do you have one in your home? We light the candle(s) during prayer time each day. This Advent, we’re planning to reflect on the National Formation Commission’s “Formation Friday” messages what will include reflections on the Prayer before the Crucifix* and the daily Advent suggestions in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Advent Calendar https://www.usccb.org/resources/Advent-Calendar-2024%20updated.pdf
In addition to the prayer and reflection time, I will try to be active with the message during this season – through sharing details (e.g. Jesus is the reason for the Season). I recently learned that an acquaintance is Buddhist. She mentioned to me that she decorated her home for Christmas. It gave me an opportunity to learn more about her situation as a minority trying to fit in.
There are many ways for us to participate in the Advent Season. Thank you for considering my request to spend time in Advent and not to jump immediately to Christmas. As you are transformed, may the light of Christ shine through you to family, co-workers, friends, neighbors and everyone you encounter. May our Advent help us to “testify to the whole world of God’s great power working everywhere.”**
Peace and all good,
Jane
*If you’d like to receive the emails, contact your Formation Director or the Regional Formation Director to be added to the email list. These are boosters for our vocation all year round. Formation Fridays are also posted to: https://jdpofs.org/resources/formation-fri/
**Liturgy of the Hours, Week 2, Thursday Morning Prayer, Psalm Prayer for Antiphon 1
