Please share with your local fraternity (en español abajo)
Frequently Asked Questions answered by our General Constitutions (GC): For the next several weeks we will take a look at some questions given in the 2010 edition of the Handbook for Servant Leadership. The same questions often arise on our councils and in our fraternities. Becoming familiar with the Constitutions is very helpful in addressing issues 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 provisions for life in fraternity should be made by the fraternity? [GC Article 53]
Please read each section and discuss the questions that follow. Also, read the article of the Rule mentioned.
1. OFS Rule Article 24. The Fraternity must offer to its members opportunities for coming together and collaborating through meetings to be held with as great a frequency as allowed by the situation and, with the involvement of all its members.
+ How often does your fraternity gather? How long are the gatherings? Do you wish you gathered more or less? Why?
+ Each time you meet, what is the pattern of the gatherings? (Prayer, announcements, ongoing formation, etc.) + What would you change about the gathering? (Your discussion group might want to share this with the council.)
+ How would you describe the environment of your fraternity gatherings? What suggestions would you make to the council?
2. OFS Rule Articles 6; 8. The fraternity should come together periodically, also as a Church community to celebrate the Eucharist in a climate which strengthens the fraternal bond and characterizes the identity of the Franciscan family. Where, for whatever reason, this particular celebration may not be possible, they should participate in the celebration of the larger Church community.
+ On what occasions does your fraternity attend mass together?
3. To belong to the OFS, it is essential to be attached to a local Fraternity and be actively involved in the life of that Fraternity. Appropriate initiatives should be adopted according to the directives of the National Statutes, to keep those brothers and sisters united to the Fraternity who — for valid reasons of health, family, work, or distance — cannot actively participate in community life.
+ Does your fraternity have members who only attend occasionally? How can you encourage them to participate?
+ Does you fraternity have members who are excused from gatherings for good reason? How does the fraternity maintain contact with them? How do you personally maintain contact with one or more of these members?
4. The Fraternity remembers with gratitude its brothers and sisters who have passed away and continues its communion with them by prayer and in the Eucharist.
+ How does your fraternity remember those who have passed away?
+ Is there anything special that you do as a fraternity when someone passes?
+ What is done for those who have died in past years as part of fraternity life?
5. The National Statutes can provide special ways of associating with the Fraternity for those who, without becoming a member of the OFS, want to participate in its life and activities.
You can read the National Statutes at this link: https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/statutes-of-the-national-fraternity-of-the-secular-franciscan-order-in-the-united-states-of-america-2/
Formación 20 de septiembre, 2024 (Compartir con su fraternidad local.) Preguntas frecuentes #7
Preguntas Frecuentes Respondidas por nuestras Constituciones Generales (CG): Durante las próximas semanas echaremos un vistazo a algunas 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
+ ¿Qué disposiciones para la vida en fraternidad debe hacer la fraternidad? [CCGG Artículo 53]
Por favor, lea cada sección y discuta las preguntas que siguen. Además, lea el artículo de la Regla mencionado.
Constituciones Artículo 53
1. Regla Artículo 24. La Fraternidad debe ofrecer a sus miembros ocasiones de encuentro y de colaboración a través de reuniones, que se han de tener con la mayor frecuencia que permitan las situaciones ambientales, y con la participación de todos.
+ ¿Con qué frecuencia se reúne su fraternidad? ¿Cuánto tiempo duran las reuniones? ¿Le gustaría reunirse más o menos? ¿Por qué?
+ Cada vez que se reúnen, ¿cuál es el patrón de las reuniones? (Oración, anuncios, formación permanente, etcétera.)
+ ¿Qué cambiaría de la reunión? (Es posible que su grupo de discusión desee compartir esto con el consejo).
+ ¿Cómo describiría el ambiente de las reuniones de su fraternidad? ¿Qué sugerencias le haría al consejo?
2. Regla Artículos 6; 8. La Fraternidad se reúna periódicamente, como comunidad eclesial, para celebrar la Eucaristía en un clima que consolide el vínculo fraterno y exprese la identidad de la Familia Franciscana. Donde no sea posible la celebración particular, particípese en la de una más amplia comunidad eclesial.
+ ¿En qué ocasiones su fraternidad asiste a misa junta?
3. La inserción en una Fraternidad local y la participación en la vida de la Fraternidad es indispensable para la pertenencia a la OFS. Se han de adoptar las iniciativas oportunas, según las orientaciones de los Estatutos nacionales, para mantener la unión entre la Fraternidad y los hermanos que – por motivos válidos de salud, familia, trabajo o distancia – estén impedidos para participar activamente en la vida comunitaria.
+ Su fraternidad tiene miembros que solo asisten ocasionalmente? ¿Cómo puede usted animarlos a participar?
+ ¿Su fraternidad tiene miembros que están exentos de las reuniones por una buena razón? ¿Cómo mantiene la fraternidad el contacto con ellos? ¿Cómo mantiene usted personalmente el contacto con uno o más de estos miembros?
4. La Fraternidad recuerda con gratitud a los hermanos difuntos y continúa la comunión con ellos en la oración y en la Eucaristía.
+ ¿Cómo recuerda su fraternidad a los que han fallecido?
+ ¿Hay algo especial que hagan como fraternidad cuando alguien fallece?
+ ¿Qué se hace por los que han muerto en los últimos años como parte de la vida de fraternidad?
5. Los Estatutos nacionales pueden prever formas particulares de adhesión a la Fraternidad para quienes, sin pertenecer a la OFS, deseen compartir su vida y actividades.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
Listen, Like St. Francis, for God’s voice
Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.“When we come to Chapter, we try to be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit,” Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., told the regional ministers assembled in Scottsdale, AZ, for the annual Chapter of Secular Franciscans.
“Practice tuning your ear to hear the sound of God’s voice,” he said.
Fr. Marek gave his homily Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the opening Mass of the 2024 Chapter of Secular Franciscans—USA held at the Franciscan Renewal Center. This also was the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s receipt of the Stigmata. Fr. Marek linked Francis’s attentiveness to God’s voice to the stigmata.
He demonstrated how our minds are trained to listen for important sounds. He told the story of two men walking at Times Square. One, Eugene, told his friend to listen for the sound of crickets. Nearly impossible amidst the noisy crowd, the man said.
Eugene then threw a pocketful of coins to the ground, and those nearby stopped to look down, momentarily attracted by the sound of silver hitting the pavement.
We can hear what is important, no matter what the circumstances, was Eugene’s point.
“Practice tuning your ears to the sound of God’s voice,” Fr. Marek said.
This will give you peace in your heart, which will cause you to turn your life over to God’s will. The stigmata was a sign that Francis let God dominate his life. Francis heard God’s voice through all of the suffering that he was enduring.
“The stigmata is permitting God to be in control. Allow Him to dominate your life,” Fr. Marek said.
The stigmata made Francis a different person.
“If we experience those moments with God, we will not become bitter or resentful, but we will become people who are free. Resurrected,” Fr. Marek said.
Listen to Fr. Marek’s homily in its entirety.
Member Highlight-June Carpenter, OFS A Treasure to the Order
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2024 Digital Issue #112)
by Patricia Reynolds, OFS
There is basic information found in our national database. For example, if you look up June Carpenter, you’ll see that she is a member of Rosa Mystica Fraternity in South Woodbury, CT, which is within the Bl. Solanus Casey Region and was established in 1992. Her listing includes her contact information, and her profession date. But there is a lot more to know about June, for she has accomplished a lot in her almost 92 years.
The Franciscan journey for June started in 1963 at St. Mary of the Angels Fraternity in Darien, CT. June really fell in love with St. Francis and the Franciscans. The example of Francis and his first followers and a new grace that she received led her to strive to live the Gospel in her daily life. Service in various positions and levels of fraternity over the years led to June’s spiritual growth and to a path of ongoing conversion as a way of life. She professed to live the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order on December 19, 1965. From then on, she served the Order diligently.
June served as Minister of a Byzantine Rite Fraternity, representing the fraternity for 11 years up to the time of regionalization. She served on the National Executive Council, helped to write The Guide to Servant Leadership, and was involved with the national publication before it was the TAU-USA. And she did all of this while raising three sons and a daughter with her husband, Roger, who professed in 1976.
Several years ago, Junes advanced age caused her to transfer to a fraternity that is closer to where she lives – Rosa Mystica Fraternity in South Woodbury, CT. Now, as she approaches 92 years of age, she is not able to attend gatherings at all due to physical limitations. Fortunately, the physical issues do not interfere with her spiritual life or mental state.
For the last nine or ten years that I have been privileged to know June, she has been my own personal cheerleader. She will write notes, send emails, and keep up with all the newsletters. Initially I thought it was just me that she was encouraging. (Silly me!) I’ve since learned that this is how June treats people in general which paints a picture of a really great person!
At this point in her life, June is happy to sit back as the younger followers of St. Francis lead us onward. As she herself says: I am eternally grateful for having Franciscans in my life – ever grateful and still on the ongoing conversion route…by God’s mercy and grace. Our God brought me to my salvation through His Son’s leading me to the Franciscans. Amen. He gave me the mission of the Cross, by the saving LOVE through and of His Son. Nothing else covers it better; I gratefully accept the fact that I was given a community of faith-filled souls I never would have known otherwise and needed very much!
May we all learn from June’s example as she continues to spread Franciscan Joy to others.
[Editor’s note: June had requested that her fraternity Minister reach out to correct an error that was published when her husband, Roger, passed away. The wrong death date was printed. The correct date is May 10th, 1987. The current NEC and TAU-USA editor regret that the error was made and wanted to correct it as well as highlight one of our Order’s treasures.]
Roger and June Carpenter
Member Highlight-June Carpenter, OFS A Treasure to the Order
FORMATION FRIDAY – The Stigmata of St. Francis September 17th (800th Anniversary) – September 13, 2024
The Stigmata of St. Francis September 17th (800th Anniversary)
We interrupt our series on the frequently asked questions answered by our General Constitutions to highlight the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis being marked with the wounds of Christ. (The Stigmata)
+ St. Francis received the Stigmata around the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross in
September of 1224–two years before his death.
+He was praying on Mt. La Verna preparing for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Brother Leo was nearby.
+While praying, He asked God for two things. One, to let him experience the suffering Christ endured on the Holy Cross and two, for him to experience the love in which He did it.
+ Shortly thereafter, Francis saw a Seraph with six wings. (Seraphs are angels of the highest order who are closest to God and most passionate in praising Him.) Between the wings was the image of a crucified man. When the vision disappeared, Francis was marked with the wounds of Christ. (St. Francis’s encounter with the Seraph and his passion in praising the Father has caused the Franciscan Order to be called the Seraphic Order and St. Francis our Seraphic Father.
+ We celebrate the Feast of the Stigmata on September 17th
+ St. Francis is the first person in recorded Christian history to receive the Stigmata.The Stigmata: Inspiration for our spiritual lives as Franciscans
The marks in our lives:
–What does it mean to be marked?
–What marks us in our lives?
–As Catholics, how are we marked? How are we marked as Franciscans?
–How do the things that mark us, help us to move forward in our spiritual lives?Now, Gaze at the Cross:
–As we gaze at the wounds of Christ, what comes to mind?
–As we consider what Jesus suffered for us, how do we respond?
–As we contemplate Jesus’s willingness to die for us, what are we willing to do for our brothers and sisters?
–As we imitate Jesus in our lives, how are we willing to use our lives in the service of others?Prayer to the Five Wounds of the Lord prayed by St. Clare of Assisi
https://digitalcollections.franciscantradition.org/document/bx4700-c6a2-2005-d035/the_prayer_to_the_five_wounds_of_the_lord/undated?searchOption=transcriptions&term=The%20prayer%20to%20the%20five%20wounds%20of%20the%20lord&searchType=exact_phrasePrayer of Pope St. John Paul II (On a visit to Mt. La Verna in 1983)
O St Francis, stigmatized on La Verna, the world longs for you, that icon of the crucified Jesus.
It has need of your heart, open to God and to others; of your bare, wounded feet, of your pierced hands raised in supplication.
It longs for your voice so frail yet forceful with the power of the Gospel.
Francis, help the people of this age to recognize the evil of sin and to seek purification from it in penance.
Help them to become free from the very structures of sin that oppress today’s society.
Rekindle in the consciousness of those in government an urgent need for peace between nations and peoples.
Instill in young people your freshness of life that is capable of withstanding the snares of the many cultures of death.
To those injured by every type of evil teach, O Francis, the joy of being able to forgive.
To all those crucified by suffering, hunger and war, reopen the doors of hope. Amen.Formación 13 de septiembre 2024
Los estigmas de San Francisco 17 de septiembre (Celebrando 800 años.)
Interrumpimos nuestra serie sobre las preguntas frecuentes respondidas por nuestras Constituciones Generales para destacar el 800 aniversario de San Francisco marcado con las llagas de Cristo. (Los estigmas)
+ San Francisco recibió los estigmas en torno a la fiesta del Triunfo de la Santa Cruz en septiembre de 1224, dos años antes de su muerte.
+ Estaba orando en el monte La Verna preparándose para la fiesta de San Miguel Arcángel. El hermano Leo estaba cerca.
+ Mientras oraba, le pidió a Dios dos cosas. Una, dejarle experimentar el sufrimiento que Cristo soportó en la Santa Cruz y dos, que experimentara el amor en el que lo hizo.
+ Poco después, Francisco vio un Serafín con seis alas. (Los serafines son ángeles del orden más alto que están más cerca de Dios y más apasionados en alabarlo.) Entre las alas estaba la imagen de un hombre crucificado. Cuando la visión desapareció, Francisco quedó marcado con las llagas de Cristo. (El encuentro de San Francisco con el Serafín y su pasión por alabar al Padre ha hecho que la Orden Franciscana sea llamada Orden Seráfica y Francisco nuestro Seráfico Padre.
+ Celebramos la Fiesta de los Estigmas el 17 de septiembre
+ San Francisco es la primera persona en la historia cristiana registrada en recibir los estigmas.Los estigmas: inspiración para nuestra vida espiritual como franciscanos
Las marcas en nuestras vidas:
-¿Qué significa estar marcado?
-¿Qué nos marca en nuestra vida?
-Como católicos, ¿cómo estamos marcados? ¿Cómo franciscanos?
– ¿Cómo nos ayudan las cosas que nos marcan a avanzar en nuestra vida espiritual?Ahora, mirar la cruz:
– Al contemplar las heridas de Cristo, ¿qué nos viene a la mente?
-Al considerar lo que Jesús sufrió por nosotros, ¿cómo respondemos?
–Al contemplar la disposición de Jesús a morir por nosotros, ¿qué estamos dispuestos a hacer por nuestros hermanos y hermanas?
–Al imitar a Jesús en nuestra vida, ¿cómo estamos dispuestos a usar nuestra vida al servicio de los demás?Consideraciones sobre las Llagas de San Francisco
https://www.franciscanos.org/florecillas/llagas4.htmOración del Papa San Juan Pablo II (En una visita al Monte La Verna en 1983)
Oh, San Francisco, estigmatizado en La Verna, el mundo te anhela, ese icono de Jesús crucificado.
Necesita tu corazón, abierto a Dios ya los demás; de tus pies descalzos y heridos, de tus manos traspasadas alzadas en súplica.
Anhela tu voz tan frágil pero contundente con el poder del Evangelio.
Francisco, ayuda a la gente de esta época a reconocer la maldad del pecado y a buscar la purificación de él en la penitencia.
Ayúdalos a liberarse de las mismas estructuras del pecado que oprimen a la sociedad actual.
Reavivar en la conciencia de los gobernantes una urgente necesidad de paz entre naciones y pueblos.
Inculca en los jóvenes tu frescura de vida que es capaz de resistir las trampas de las muchas culturas de la muerte.
A los heridos por todo tipo de mal, enséñales, oh Francisco, la alegría de poder perdonar.
A todos los crucificados por el sufrimiento, el hambre y la guerra, reabre las puertas de la esperanza. Amén.Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
St. Francis, the Stigmata, and La Verna
by Bret Thoman, OFS
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2024 Digital Issue #112)
On Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Tuscan Sanctuary of La Verna, the Franciscan Family officially opened the VIII Centenary of the Stigmata of St. Francis, with an event entitled “From the wounds to new life.” Eight centuries ago this year, up on the same mountain, on September 17, 1224, he received the stigmata; that is, the wounds of Christ were revealed on his hands, feet, and side.
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The Seraph-Christ seen by St. Francis when he received the stigmata.Some years earlier, while preaching at a castle in San Leo, a nobleman named Count Orlando of Chiusi was so enflamed by Francis’s words that he felt inspired to offer him part of the mountain towering over his own castle in Chiusi. Francis went to La Verna and was immediately drawn to the mountain’s biting cold, rugged harshness, and austere beauty. It was the perfect site for penance, prayer, and contemplation.
Francis returned to La Verna five more times. The last time, two years before his death, the pivotal moment took place. He was on retreat, fasting and praying a forty-day lent in honor of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and St. Michael the Archangel (September 29).
According to the Third Consideration on the Stigmata, within the Little Flowers of St. Francis (the Fioretti), Francis prayed for two graces: to feel in his body the pain which Jesus felt during his Passion and to know in his heart the love which Jesus felt for all humanity.
St. Bonaventure described the event in detail.
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The cross at La VernaOn a certain morning about the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, while Francis was praying on the mountainside, he saw a Seraph having six wings, fiery as well as brilliant, descend from the grandeur of heaven. And when in swift flight, it had arrived at a spot in the air near the man of God, there appeared between the wings the likeness of a man crucified, with his hands and feet extended in the form of a cross and fastened to a cross…. As the vision was disappearing, it left in his heart a marvelous fire and imprinted in his flesh a likeness of signs no less marvelous. For immediately the marks of nails began to appear in his hands and feet just as he had seen a little before in the figure of he man crucified. (Major Life, 13)
For the last two years of his life, Francis was marked by Christ’s wounds. He was united to the cross of Christ. The Incarnation of Christ, the “masterpiece” of God’s creation, indeed, the whole purpose of creation (in the words of later theologian, John Duns Scotus) culminated in the Passion and crucifixion as the highest expression of God’s love, charity, and mission.
The mystery of what happened on Mt. La Verna is something for us to reflect and meditate on. Ultimately, there is something greater than the wounds of Christ, which St. Francis shared in; for the cross is merely the pathway to the Resurrection. Without the cross there is no Resurrection; unless Christ comes down in the world, there is no way for us to go up to Heaven.
In the end, then, suffering does not have the final word: the Resurrection does. By embracing the cross, Christ shows us the way. And Francis, in receiving Christ’s wounds, gives us an example to follow.