A Region of the Secular Franciscan Order
“If we are to love in an ongoing way, let us appreciate the beauty of the person when we see them and the beauty of the act of loving. God is Love. What God creates is “good, very good.” Let us see the goodness of each person, see the goodness of all created things.”
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 31th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
Please share with your local fraternity
During the month of November, the entire Church prays for the dead. St. Francis meditated on Sister Death throughout his life. Toward the end of his earthly life, he spoke of Sister Bodily Death in the Canticle of the Creatures.
“Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.” [FA: ED vol 1, p. 158]
Our Rule and Constitutions ask us to remain in communion with our deceased brothers and sisters.
Rule, Article 19: Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.
Rule, Article 24: It should adopt appropriate means for growth in Franciscan and ecclesial life and encourage everyone to a life of fraternity42. This communion continues with deceased brothers and sisters through prayer for them.
GC, Article 27.2: Secular Franciscans should commit themselves to create in their environment and, above all, in their fraternities, a climate of faith and hope so that “Sister Death” may be regarded as a passage to the Father, and all may prepare themselves with serenity.
There is a tradition in the Catholic Church dating back to Pope Clement XII in 1736 who encouraged all Catholics to pray Psalm 130, also known as the “De Profundis” followed by the short prayer, “Eternal rest grant unto them, Oh Lord,…” for all of our deceased brothers and sisters in Christ.
Psalm 130 “De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine…”
I
Out of the depths I call to you, LORD; 2Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3If you, LORD, keep account of sins, Lord, who can stand? 4But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered.
II
5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word.c 6My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak.
More than sentinels for daybreak, 7let Israel hope in the LORD, For with the LORD is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption, 8And he will redeem Israel from all its sins.
To ponder and discuss with a prayer partner or in fraternity throughout the month of November:
+How do you remember in prayer the deceased members of your family?
+How does your fraternity (local, regional, and national) remember our deceased members?
+Share some thoughts on how your local fraternity might celebrate a Rite of Remembrance for your deceased members.
Challenge: This month, pray the De Profundis (Psalm 130) for all those who have died, especially those who have no one to pray for them.
Formación 1 de noviembre 2024 Por favor, compartir con la fraternidad local.
Durante el mes de noviembre toda la Iglesia ora por los difuntos. San Francisco meditó sobre la Hermana Muerte durante toda su vida. Hacia el final de su vida terrena habló de la Hermana Muerte Corporal en el Cántico de las Criaturas.
“12Loado seas, mi Señor, por nuestra hermana la muerte corporal,
de la cual ningún hombre viviente puede escapar.13¡Ay de aquellos que mueran en pecado mortal!:
bienaventurados aquellos a quienes encuentre en tu santísima voluntad,
porque la muerte segunda no les hará mal.Nuestra Regla y Constituciones nos piden permanecer en comunión con nuestros hermanos y hermanas fallecidos.
Regla, Artículo 19: Insertos en la resurrección de Jesucristo, que da su verdadero sentido a la Hermana Muerte, se encaminen con serenidad al encuentro definitivo con el Padre.
Regla, Artículo 24: Para incrementar la comunión entre los miembros, el Consejo organice reuniones periódicas y encuentros frecuentes, incluso con otros grupos franciscanos, especialmente de jóvenes, adoptando los medios más adecuados para el crecimiento en la vida franciscana y eclesial, estimulando a todos a la vida de Fraternidad42.
Esta comunión se prolonga con los hermanos difuntos, ofreciendo sufragios por sus almas43.
GGCC, Artículo 27.2: Los franciscanos seglares comprométanse a crear en sus ambientes, y sobre todo en las Fraternidades, un clima de fe y de esperanza, para que “la hermana muerte” sea esperada como paso hacia el Padre y para que todos puedan prepararse con serenidad.
Hay una tradición en la Iglesia Católica que se remonta al Papa Clemente XII en 1736, quien animó a todos los católicos a rezar el Salmo 130, también conocido como “De Profundis”, seguido de la breve oración: “Concédeles el descanso eterno, oh Señor,… ”por todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo fallecidos.
Psalm 130 “De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine…”
I
“Desde lo más profundo te invoco, Señor, ¡Señor, oye mi voz! Estén tus oídos atentos al clamor de mi plegaria.
Si tienes en cuenta las culpas, Señor, ¿quién podrá subsistir? Pero en ti se encuentra el perdón, para que seas temido.II
Mi alma espera en el Señor, y yo confío en su palabra. Mi alma espera al Señor, más que el centinela la aurora.
Como el centinela espera la aurora, espere Israel al Señor, porque en él se encuentra la misericordia y la redención en abundancia: él redimirá a Israel de todos sus pecados.”Para reflexionar y discutir con un compañero de oración o en fraternidad durante todo el mes de noviembre:
+¿Cómo recuerda en oración a los miembros fallecidos de su familia?
+¿Cómo recuerda su fraternidad (local, regional y nacional) a nuestros miembros fallecidos?
+Comparta algunas ideas sobre cómo su fraternidad local podría celebrar un Rito de Recuerdo de sus miembros fallecidos.
Desafío: Este mes, rece el De Profundis (Salmo 130) por todos los que han muerto, especialmente aquellos que no tienen a nadie que ore por ellos.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
By Donna Hollis, OFS
National Executive Committee Councilor
| Donna Hollis, OFS
Professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) are responsible for the welfare and growth of our prospective members and have a role as mentor in multiple circumstances.
Following Jesus’ lead, he spent three years discipling the people who followed him. What he gave them was not so much his words, but his example and his energy, his time and his touch; creating relationships. We need to model that in fraternity.
‘…The Fraternity is called to help the brothers and sisters on this journey by means of a warm welcome, prayer and example.’ (OFS General Constitutions (GC) Article 37.3)
From the first time a person attends a Fraternity meeting, we should walk together as Fraternity on this journey, hand in hand, guiding and teaching through our daily example.
‘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 so that each one will realize his or her own vocation and each Fraternity may be a true community, ecclesial and Franciscan, actively present in the Church and in society.’ (GC Article 31.2)
We are called to be witnesses and instruments of the Gospel extending ourselves to those who are interested in following in the footsteps of St. Francis.
I suggest that a mentor be assigned from Orientation through Inquiry to help guide and answer questions as they discern. This sets the stage for making them feel welcome and assists them in navigating new aspects such as the Liturgy of the Hours.
At Candidacy, the Mentor becomes even more involved in the Candidate’s life as example and teacher. It is a time of getting to know the person and engaging them in activities beyond the local Fraternity.
We continue our mentoring to those who will be called to leadership. Outgoing leaders should be available to walk with the new council; sharing with them lessons learned and what is expected of them in this office.
A true mentor guides people into their problems and through them. A wise mentor leads someone to their own center and to the center but by circuitous paths. Trust your intuitions. May God grant us the grace to serve as strong mentors.
Today’s Gospel makes clear that sight is more important than glory, that understanding is more desired than power. Like James and John, we are attracted to power because power makes things happen, to get things done. Before we ask Jesus for the power to do things, we first ask for the gift of sight.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
Please share with your local fraternity (en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions answered by our General Constitutions (GC): This week, and for several more, we continue to spotlight the questions given in the 2010 edition of the Handbook for Servant Leadership. Becoming familiar with the Constitutions is very helpful in addressing these questions and others that arise in fraternities at all levels. For the complete, latest translation of the entire document, visit: https://ciofs.info/library/official-documents/ or https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/the-general-constitutions-of-the-secular-franciscan-order-2000/
+ What are the general guidelines and purpose for pastoral and fraternal visits? [GC Article 92]
Constitutions Article 92: The Fraternal and Pastoral Visits
Article 92
1. Refers to Rule Art. 26. The purpose of both the pastoral and fraternal visits is to revive the evangelical Franciscan spirit, to assurefor fidelity to the charism and to the Rule, to offer help to fraternity life, to reinforce the bond of the unity of the Order, and to promote its most effective integration into the Franciscan family and the Church.
Paragraphs 2 and 3 speak of the request to the higher level of fraternity for a visitation and the request by a council member for an emergency visitation under special circumstances.
+After reading the above article [92]:
–Discuss with a partner or with your fraternity your experience with visitations of your local fraternity.
–If your fraternity has not experienced a visitation from the higher level recently, ask your Minister why this has not happened.
Article 93 (Summary)—Fraternal and Pastoral visits Read the entire article here: https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/the-general-constitutions-of-the-secular-franciscan-order-2000/
1. The visitor verifies the evangelical and apostolic vitality; observance of the Rule and Constitutions; relationship with the Order and the Church.
2. The visitor will contact council prior to the visit to determine expectations; at the visit will examine the register and records and the previous visitation report; the visitor will share a report with the fraternity visited and will share that report with the council of the higher level which has delegated him/her to do the visit.
3. The visitor will meet with the entire fraternity; with those in formation; and those with special issues.
4. If it benefits the service of the Fraternity, the two visitors, secular and religious, may make the visit at the same time, agreeing beforehand on the program, in a way most consistent with the mission of each of them.
5. The fraternal and pastoral visits, carried out by the immediately higher level, do not prevent the visited Fraternity from having the right to appeal to the Council or to the Conference of Spiritual Assistants of a higher level.
+After reading the summary of Article 93 above and the complete article at the link provided, discuss:
–How can the visitor determine if the Rule and Constitutions are being followed?
–Why is the relationship with the Order and the Church so important to the life of a fraternity?
–Discuss why it is so important that everyone see the report that the visitors will write.
–At visitations, do you recall that the visitors met with the entire fraternity? What was the discussion?
–Why would they want to meet with those in initial formation?
Our next part of this series will look specifically at the tasks carried out by the fraternal and pastoral visitors. [Articles 94 and 95]
Formación 25 de octubre, 2024 Preguntas frecuentes #10 (Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local.)
Preguntas Frecuentes Respondidas por nuestras Constituciones Generales (CG): Esta semana, y por varias más, volvemos a las preguntas dadas en la edición 2010 del Manual para el Liderazgo de Servicio. Las mismas preguntas surgen a menudo en nuestros consejos y en nuestras fraternidades. Familiarizarse con las Constituciones es muy útil para abordar los problemas que surgen en las fraternidades a todos los niveles. Para obtener la traducción completa y más reciente del documento completo, visite: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ES-Constituciones-generales-OFS-s.pdf
+ ¿Cuáles son las líneas guías generales y el objetivo de las visitas pastorales y fraternas? [CCGG Artículo 92]
Constituciones Artículo 92: Las visitas fraternas y pastorales
Artículo 92
1. Se refiere a la Regla Art. 26. La finalidad de las Visitas, sea fraterna que pastoral, es reavivar el espíritu evangélico franciscano, asegurar la fidelidad al carisma y a la Regla, ofrecer ayuda a la vida de fraternidad, consolidar el vínculo de unidad de la Orden y promover su más eficaz inserción en la Familia Franciscana y en la Iglesia.
Los párrafos 2 y 3 hablan de la solicitud al nivel superior de la fraternidad para una visita y la solicitud de un miembro del consejo para una visita de emergencia en circunstancias especiales.
+Después de leer el artículo anterior [92]:
–Discuta con un compañero o con su fraternidad su experiencia con las visitas de su fraternidad local.
–Si su fraternidad no ha experimentado una visita desde el nivel superior recientemente, pregunte a su Ministro por qué esto no ha sucedido.
Artículo 93 (Resumen)– Las visitas fraternas y pastorales–Lea el artículo completo aquí: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ES-Constituciones-generales-OFS-s.pdf
1. El Visitador verifica la vitalidad evangélica y apostólica; la observancia de la Regla y de las Constituciones; relación con la Orden y la Iglesia.
2. El Visitador se pondrá en contacto con el ayuntamiento antes de la visita para determinar las expectativas; En la visita se examinará el registro y los registros y el informe de visitas anteriores; El visitador compartirá un informe con la fraternidad visitada y compartirá ese informe con el Consejo del nivel superior que lo haya delegado para realizar la visita.
3. El Visitador se encontrará con toda la fraternidad; con los que están en formación; y los que tienen problemas especiales.
4. Los dos Visitadores, seglar y religioso, pueden, si conviene al servicio de la Fraternidad, efectuar simultáneamente las Visitas, concordando previamente el programa de la manera más armónica a la misión de cada uno.
5. Las Visitas fraterna y pastoral, efectuadas por el nivel inmediatamente superior, no impiden que la Fraternidad Visitada mantenga el derecho a recurrir al Consejo o a la Conferencia de los Asistentes espirituales del nivel más alto.
+Después de leer el resumen del artículo 93 anterior y el artículo completo en el enlace proporcionado, discuta:
—¿Cómo puede el Visitador determinar si se están siguiendo la Regla y las Constituciones?
–¿Por qué es tan importante la relación con la Orden y la Iglesia para la vida de una fraternidad?
–Discuta por qué es tan importante que todos vean el informe que los Visitadores escribirán.
–En las visitas, ¿recuerda Ud. que los Visitadores se reunieron con toda la fraternidad? ¿En qué consistió la discusión?
–¿Por qué querrían reunirse con los que están en formación inicial?
La próxima parte de esta serie se enfocará específicamente en las tareas llevadas a cabo por los visitadores fraternos y pastorales. [Artículos 94 y 95]
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
