The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Good Shepherd Sunday – Fr. Christopher

Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, describes how well Jesus knows his sheep, knows our stories, and how, in spite of that intimate knowledge, He still chooses to save us and be with us on our journey.

“Jesus, the Good Shepherd is our model shepherd. The one who calls us is the one we follow. ‘Lord,
You lead, I’ll imitate, because I place my trust in You.’ Shepherd me, lead me, guide me.”

the full text of this Sunday’s homily here: Good Shepherd Sunday – Fr. Christopher (text)

View his homily here: Good Shepherd Sunday – Fr. Christopher (video)

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Good Shepherd Sunday – Fr. Christopher

Praying in Holy Places

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring Issue #111)

by Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM

National Spiritual Assistant

Calvary (replica) viewed from the Place of
the Resurrection.

For many people, a pilgrimage is a time of renewal. Going to a specific, holy place, often walking more than usual, praying in a place that is made significant by who has been there and what has happened in the past, any one of these things would help us to reflect on our lives, and a pilgrimage usually has all of them.

Living at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, I am aware that our church and monastery were built 125 years ago when it took 45 days to cross the Atlantic and travel through Europe, across the Mediterranean, up through Egypt to the place where Jesus walked and “pitched his tent” among us (John 1).

While today it is possible to fly from DC to Tel Aviv in 11 hours, it is not advisable during this time of war to travel there. So even today there are reasons beyond cost preventing our walking where Jesus walked. That said, the Monastery where I live has many replicas of Holy Land shrines, precisely to answer this difficulty.

Mt. St. Sepulcher Church, Franciscan
Monastery of the Holy Land in America,
Washington, DC. Photos used with permission.

St. Jerome described the Holy Land as “the Fifth Gospel,” by which he meant that being in the Holy Land, seeing and praying and walking, helps a person to better understand the written Gospels. Many of the Christians who live or have lived in the Holy Land express such appreciation for being in this “special place.” I remember when I was there years ago, climbing Mount Tabor and praying in the Place of the Resurrection. When I was a child my pastor would describe what it was like to be on the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho.

But the nature of a pilgrimage is that we eventually return home—changed, hopefully, but still we return. And so, I bring my memory of Mount Tabor and the Empty Tomb home with me. The priest’s preaching is changed by his experience on that lonely road where the Good Samaritan found the man beaten by thieves.

The Holy Land is not the only place of pilgrimage. People journey to holy sites all over the world, and the Monastery of the Holy Land in DC is one of those places. Just today as I finish writing this, there is a group now on our grounds.

When the Church was but a few hundred years old, Egeria went on a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land. We have her recollections today, so helpful to those who study the history of the Church,
pilgrimages, or Liturgy. She describes processions and worship that with some adaptation has
persisted to this day. Some of these processions are followed not only in the Holy Land but
also replicated in our Monastery. But the big question for our keeping Lent and celebration of
the Resurrection is what do I bring home, what do I replicate in my heart and in my life?

Praying in Holy Places

Open post

FORMATION FRIDAY – JPIC #2 – April 19, 2024

Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation #2 (We will return to the series on the Rule in May.)

Thank you to Joe Makely, OFS, National JPIC Animator for contributing this piece.

 

Following the Gospel: Footnotes to Apostolic Creativity

 

Our Pauline Rule has 45 references, most of which point to one of three sources:

  1. The early Franciscan documents (16)
  2. Canon Law (6)
  3. The papal writings of St. Paul VI and Vatican II (17)

 

The emphasis on these sources in the Rule shows that our way of life is:

  • Authentically Franciscan, anchored in the early writings and prior rules of the Order.
  • Resolutely Catholic, conformed to Canon Law
  • Apostolic in the spirit of Vatican II

Secular Franciscans carry the spirit of the Vatican II renewal. We are Vatican II people. It’s not about liturgical controversies or communion in the hand. It’s about the vision for lay Catholics to go forth and work to improve conditions in the temporal world. The Order, like the Church, bears eternal truths of salvation, but must also be alive to current conditions, and bring “apostolic creativity” (See note 1) and “a sense of the provisional” (See note 2) to truly serve humanity in this generation. The JPIC Animators’ handbook says, “While each fraternity is not required to establish a common apostolate, many benefits accrue to those who can.” It advises a local approach: “Identify the greatest need in your area, where the least is being done, where you can make an impact.” (See note 3)

For discussion in fraternity or to comment on in your journal:

 

Question 1. When my fraternity discusses apostolates, have we asked ourselves lately what our community needs? (See challenge below.)

 

Question 2. In what places, outside of our usual meeting place, could a visitor see our fraternity, or some of its members, in action?

 

Question 3. Have we included Peace, Justice, and Care for Creation in our apostolate activity? (If yes, give examples. If no, see challenge below.)

 

Challenge: Suggest to the fraternity council that they initiate a formal needs assessment in developing ideas for apostolates. Include a reflection on injustices, peacemaking, human dignity, care for creation, etc.

 

Notes:

1-OFS Rule P.6, (ref. St Paul VI.)

2-Fr. Philip Marquard, OFM, Franciscan Herald and Forum, 1968

3-Handbook for Animators of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC.) p.26
Formación 19 abril, 2024 (Por favor, comparta con su fraternidad local.)

 

La justicia, la paz y la integridad de la creación #2 (Volveremos a la Regla en Mayo.)

Le agradecemos a Joe Makely, OFS, Animador nacional de JPIC por contribuir esta materia.

Seguir el Evangelio: Notas a pie de página para la creatividad apostólica

 

Nuestra Regla Paulina tiene 45 referencias, la mayoría de las cuales apuntan a una de estas tres fuentes:

1. Los primeros documentos franciscanos (16)

2. Derecho Canónico (6)

3. Los escritos papales de San Pablo VI y el Vaticano II (17)

 

El énfasis en estas fuentes en la Regla muestra que nuestra forma de vida es:

  • Auténticamente franciscana, anclada en los primeros escritos y reglas anteriores de la Orden.
  • Decididamente católica, conforme al Derecho Canónico
  • Apostólica en el espíritu del Concilio Vaticano II

Los franciscanos seglares llevan el espíritu de la renovación del Vaticano II. Somos gente del Vaticano II. No se trata de controversias litúrgicas o de comunión en la mano. Se trata de la visión de que los laicos católicos salgan y trabajen para mejorar las condiciones en el mundo temporal. La Orden, al igual que la Iglesia, es portadora de verdades eternas de salvación, pero también debe estar atenta a las condiciones actuales, y aportar “creatividad apostólica” (Vea la nota 1) y “sentido de lo provisional” (Vea la nota 2) para servir verdaderamente a la humanidad en esta generación. El manual de los animadores de JPIC dice: “Si bien no se requiere que cada fraternidad establezca un apostolado común, muchos beneficios se acumulan para aquellos que pueden”. Aconseja un enfoque local: “Identifique la mayor necesidad en su área, donde menos se está haciendo, donde puede tener un impacto”. (Vea la nota 3)

Para platicar con la fraternidad or comentar en su diario:

 

Pregunta 1. Cuando mi fraternidad habla de apostolados, ¿nos hemos preguntado últimamente qué necesita nuestra comunidad? (Vea el desafío abajo.)

 

Pregunta 2. ¿En qué lugares, fuera de nuestro lugar habitual de encuentro, podría un visitante ver a nuestra fraternidad, o a algunos de sus miembros, en acción?

 

Pregunta 3. ¿Hemos incluido la Paz, la Justicia y el Cuidado de la Creación en nuestra actividad del apostolado? (Si respondió en el afirmativo, dé ejemplos. Si no, vea el desafío abajo.)

 

 

Desafío: Sugerir al consejo de la fraternidad que inicie una evaluación formal de las necesidades en el desarrollo de ideas para los apostolados. Incluir una reflexión sobre las injusticias, la construcción de la paz, la dignidad humana, el cuidado de la creación, etc.

 

 

Notas

1-Regla OFS P.6, (ref. San Pablo VI.)

2=Fr. Philip Marquard, OFM, Heraldo y Foro Franciscano, 1968

3-Manual para Animadores de Justicia, Paz e Integridad de la Creación (JPIC.) p.26

 

 
 
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Vice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USA
Listen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025

Renewal-What Does It Mean To Us?

(This article appeared in the Spring 2024 Issue of TAU-USA #111)

by Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, National Minister

The theme for this edition of the TAU-USA is “Renewal.” What comes to mind? A day of rest? Something one does for a magazine subscription or a driver’s or professional license? What happens when we do not renew something? We may become burned out or exhausted in terms of our mind, or we may need to pay extra or pay a fine in terms of a license, or perhaps we might not be able to practice our profession/work.

How about a renewal of our commitment to the Gospel? Sure, it doesn’t “expire,” but our efforts may be flat or lack effectiveness. As brothers and sisters of penance, the ongoing renewal of our hearts – ongoing conversion – is key to living out our profession of the OFS Rule. There are two areas that refer to renewal I would like to highlight here.

Article 7 of our OFS Rule states: “United by their vocation as ‘brothers and sisters of penance’, and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls ‘conversion.’ Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. On this road to renewal the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace.” 

When referring to the new OFS Rule in 1978, (now almost 46 years old) the Ministers General challenged us to: “…welcome the Franciscan message that it contains and the guidance it offers you in living according to the holy Gospel. A cornerstone of the renewal that we hope for, is to return to the origins, to the spiritual experience of Saint Francis of Assisi and of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, who received their inspiration and guidance from him.”

beautiful walkway through trees & shrubsThe phrases: “road to renewal” and “a cornerstone of the renewal” appeal to me. Our road or journey to renewal is daily conversion. If our goal is to be renewed in Christ, then an important aspect is to return to our original commitment. Our Seraphic Father St. Francis reminded all: “for until now – we have done nothing.” Each day of our journey, we are reminded to begin again.

There are different approaches to achieving this daily conversion. Lately, I begin the day by reflecting on an article of the OFS Rule and then praying the profession renewal prayer.

San Damiano Crucifix & Secular Franciscan Profession Promise A few years after I professed, I attended a workshop on the OFS Rule and Constitutions given by Fr. Benet Fonck, OFM, (long-time Spiritual Assistant to the OFS and author of Fully Mature in the Fullness of Christ). Several of us at the workshop asked: “How could we live the Rule as working people – there seemed to be so much to do and only so much time in the day? What was the minimum required to fulfill our obligation?” Fr. Benet replied that each day we should be sure to have three things: prayer, fraternity and evangelization.

  • Prayer – spending time with God
  • Fraternity – spending time with one or more members (it can be as simple as an email or

a brief call – something to stay connected with our Franciscan family).

  • Evangelization – sharing our faith

This simple but profound message helped me to get back to the basics, to begin again each day with the true meaning of the journey and to minimize distractions from the goal of serving Christ. May our commitment to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order never expire and lead us closer to the ultimate cornerstone of our faith – Jesus Christ. Praise be Jesus now and forever!

What approaches do you take? 

Easter Blessings from the National Executive Council.

See page 19 of Tau-USA #111 to order Prayer Cards

Renewal-What Does It Mean To Us?

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 3rd Sunday of Easter – Fr. Christopher (from 2022)

Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, speaks of living our Mission as Secular Franciscans:

“Our mission is not a “mission impossible.” Conforming our life to Christ reveals the orientation of the Paschal Mystery in the Franciscan vocation. It is this willingness to imitate Him according to the letter and the spirit of the Gospel, being steadfast in reproducing His deeds of mercy and tenderness.”

the full text of this Sunday’s homily here: 3rd Sunday in Easter – Fr. Christopher (text)

View his homily here: 3rd Sunday in Easter – Fr. Christopher (video)

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 3rd Sunday of Easter – Fr. Christopher (from 2022)

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Juan de Padilla