The San Damiano Cross and the Blue Cross – Call and Response

“Upon hearing the Call to “rebuild my house,” while in prayer before the Cross of San Damiano, Saint Francis of Assisi began his life’s conversion. However, his response to that Call is reflected through a different cross. Commissioned for the Lower Church of the Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco (Papal Basilica and Sacred Convent of St. Francis), in the mid 1200’s, it is thought that the “Blue Cross” was suspended over the altar at the Tomb of St. Francis. This crucifix is one of a pair created by the “Maestro dei Crocifissi Blu” (Master of the Blue Crucifix), who used blue pigment as a reoccurring element in his work. The other is in the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in Cologne. The Blue Cross, now located in the Museo del Tesoro (basilica museum), is the artistic representation of the Franciscan answer to God’s Call.” (From the website of Our Lady of the Angels Province, OFM Conv., https://www.olaprovince.org/).

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/06/08/the-san-damiano-cross-and-the-blue-cross-call-and-response/

Open post

FORMATION FRIDAY – Do you ever wondered about Angels? – June 7, 2024 –

Do you ever wonder about angels?

 

· The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. (CCC 328 )

· St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature…..'”188 (CCC 329)

· With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word”.189 (CCC 329)

· As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.190 (CCC 330)

· Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: … (CCC 332)

· From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202 “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”203 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. (CCC 336)

For complete entries see #s 328-336 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
CCC is online at https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/ (searchable)

· Traditionally the angels are classified into what are called nine “choirs” or “ranks.” This division is based on nine names of angels found in Sacred Scripture. This is an accepted Catholic belief but is not dogma. The names do not appear in the Catechism. According to these rankings, only Archangels and “regular” angels have contact with humans. Two of the exceptions to this are: a Seraph touched a burning ember to the lips of the Prophet Isaiah, and St. Francis was visited in a vision by a Seraph on Mt. La Verna.

(See Aleteia: https://aleteia.org/2017/09/28/the-9-choirs-of-angels-and-the-roles-given-them-by-god/ )

· St. Thomas Aquinas devotes an entire question to the angels in the Summa Theologiae. (See New Advent: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1108.htm )

· The names of the nine choirs of angels are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Archangels, Principalities, Angels. (For a description of each choir see Catholic.org https://www.catholic.org/saints/angels/angelchoir.php )

· In case you were wondering—”The Bible and the Church recognize seven archangels, although just three are known by name, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.” Other, non-biblical sources mention four other names, but they are not recognized by the Church.

· The highest order of angels is the SERAPHIM. This is particularly significant for Franciscans.

· The Seraphim are closest to God, and they praise him day and night. Seraphim means “the burning ones.”

· St. Francis was visited by a Seraph in a vision on Mt. La Verna. This is why he is called our Seraphic Father.

· Thomas of Celano mentions the six wings of the Seraph.

· In The Soul’s Journey Into God, St. Bonaventure uses “the imagery of the six wings of the Seraph as indicators and reminders of the comprehensive and full spirituality of St. Francis, and of anyone who would follow his inspiration.” (see link below)

· Read a full description of St. Bonaventure’s explanation of the six wings of the Seraph in an excellent article on “The Seraphic Vision on Mt. La Verna” by Fr. John Sullivan, OFM, (topic #18) on the OFS-USA website here: https://secularfranciscansusa.org/topics-for-keeping-our-focus-on-st-francis-of-assisi/

Questions for discussion or to answer in your journal.

+ Think about angels. What role do they play in your life?

+ Read the article about “The Seraphic Vision on Mt. La Verna.” Think about St. Francis’s vision of the Seraph. What did you learn about this experience? What effect does seeing this event in the life of St. Francis more clearly have on your spiritual life?

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Por favor-compartir con la fraternidad local

 

¿Alguna vez te has preguntado acerca de los ángeles?

• La existencia de los seres espirituales, incorpóreos, que la Sagrada Escritura suele llamar “ángeles”, es una verdad de fe. El testimonio de la Escritura es tan claro como la unanimidad de la Tradición. (CIC 328 )

• San Agustín dice: “‘Ángel’ es el nombre de su oficio, no de su naturaleza…”188 (CIC 329)

• Con todo su ser, los ángeles son servidores y mensajeros de Dios. Porque ellos “miran siempre el rostro de mi Padre que está en los cielos” son los “poderosos que cumplen su palabra, escuchando la voz de su palabra”.189 (CIC 329)

• Como criaturas puramente espirituales, los ángeles tienen inteligencia y voluntad: son criaturas personales e inmortales, superando en perfección a todas las criaturas visibles, como lo atestigua el esplendor de su gloria.190 (CIC 330)

• Los ángeles han estado presentes desde la creación y a lo largo de la historia de la salvación, anunciando esta salvación de lejos o de cerca y sirviendo a la realización del plan divino: … (CIC 332)

• Desde su comienzo hasta la muerte, la vida humana está rodeada por su cuidado vigilante e intercesión.202 “Al lado de cada creyente está un ángel como protector y pastor que lo lleva a la vida”.203 Ya aquí en la tierra, la vida cristiana comparte por la fe en el bienaventurado compañía de ángeles y hombres unidos en Dios. (CIC 336)

 

Para las anotaciones completas, vea los números 328-336 en el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica.

https://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism_sp/index_sp.html

• Tradicionalmente los ángeles se clasifican en lo que se llama nueve “coros” o “rangos.” Esta división se basa en nueve nombres de ángeles que se encuentran en la Sagrada Escritura. Esta es una creencia católica aceptada pero no es un dogma. Los nombres no aparecen en el Catecismo. De acuerdo con estas clasificaciones, solo los Arcángeles y los ángeles “regulares” tienen contacto con los humanos. Dos de las excepciones a esto son: un Serafín tocó una brasa ardiente en los labios del Profeta Isaías, y San Francisco fue visitado en una visión por un Serafín en el Monte La Verna.

(Ver https://es.catholic.net/op/articulos/9763/cat/123/la-jerarquia-angelica.html#modal )

• Santo Tomás de Aquino dedica toda una pregunta a los ángeles en la Summa Theologiae.
(Ver https://hjg.com.ar/sumat/ en particular https://hjg.com.ar/sumat/a/index.html#c50 )

• Los nombres de los nueve coros de ángeles son: Serafines, Querubines, Tronos, Dominaciones, Virtudes, Potestades, Arcángeles, Principados, Ángeles. (Para obtener una descripción de cada coro, consulte Catholic.net en español https://es.catholic.net/op/articulos/9763/cat/123/la-jerarquia-angelica.html )

• En caso de que se lo pregunte: “La Biblia y la Iglesia reconocen siete arcángeles, aunque sólo tres son conocidos por su nombre: Miguel, Gabriel y Rafael”. Otras fuentes no bíblicas mencionan otros cuatro nombres, pero no son reconocidos por la Iglesia.”

• El orden más alto de ángeles es el SERAFÍN. Esto es particularmente significativo para los franciscanos.

• Los Serafines son los más cercanos a Dios y lo alaban día y noche. Serafín significa “los ardientes.”

• San Francisco fue visitado por un Serafín en una visión en el Monte La Verna. Por eso se le llama nuestro Seráfico Padre.

• Tomás de Celano menciona las seis alas del Serafín.

• En “El viaje del alma hacia Dios,” San Buenaventura usa “las imágenes de las seis alas del Serafín como indicadores y recordatorios de la espiritualidad integral y plena de San Francisco, ….” (ver enlace abajo)

• Lea una descripción completa de la explicación de San Buenaventura de las seis alas del Serafín en un excelente artículo sobre “La Visión Seráfica en el Monte La Verna” por el Padre. John Sullivan, OFM, (tema 18) en el sitio web de OFS-USA aquí: https://secularfranciscansusa.org/topics-for-keeping-our-focus-on-st-francis-of-assisi/ (en inglés)

 

Preguntas para platicar o para responder en su diario.

+ Piense en los ángeles. ¿Qué papel juegan en su vida?

+ Piense en la visión de San Francisco del Serafín. ¿Qué efecto tiene el conocimiento de este evento en su vida espiritual?

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

We Are Called To Renewal

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

by Francine Gikow, OFS

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom12:2)*

This passage from St. Paul, notes three levels of adherence to God’s will: good, acceptable and perfect. Initially there is a minimum of following Christ which is solely good (not evil). Next we have acceptability which reflects a little higher adherence but still withholds total commitment and finally, there is perfection; for those who are fully committed to follow Christ and to become transformed by Him. It is a renunciation of self and desires, with a total intention of living for Christ in this world.

Secular Franciscans are called to the highest level of following Christ- of being as perfect as humanly possible. In our Rite of Profession, we acknowledge that Christ’s grace has “led these your servants to live their faith more fully in the context of the world,” and has a goal “of perfect Christian love so that the Church may be rebuilt and her mission to be fulfilled….” (Ritual, 23-24) Finally, we are called to “conform our thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls conversion.” (Rule, 7)

How can we do this? We know we are not able to do all of this on our own but rather it is through God’s grace which gives us the ability to persevere in our vocational journey toward perfection. God initiates the call and we respond. Like the disciples, Jesus calls each of us by name, personally and individually, to come and see, and to stay awhile with Him in prayer. We begin by answering His call of invitation, to dwell in prayer and encounter Him in a deepening, intimate relationship.

Jesus routinely went to the desert to stay with His Father. So too is our need for “desert time” to connect with Jesus. Our time cannot be rushed nor become routine. God wants us to encounter Him and make ourselves available to Him without the clutter of our own agenda or wishes. Do not worry about how you pray, or using a specific style of prayer. What matters most is your relationship with God:

…the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray

as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.

And he who searches the hearts of men, know what is the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom 8:26-27)

Our time with God is the first step toward renewal – for without God, there is nothing. The disciples were attracted to Jesus after their first encounter with Him, stayed with Him to hear His message and then, when filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, were sent to proclaim Christ to the world.

Likewise, we must first listen, then discern, and ultimately go forth on a mission to spread the good news of Jesus -who is the same Jesus we personally encounter in the fire of our prayer.

…ask for grace not instruction, desire not understanding, the groaning of prayer not diligent reading…not light but the fire that totally inflames us and carries us into God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections. This fire is God. (St. Bonaventure, The Soul’s Journey Into God. 7:6)

*All Scripture citations taken from RSV-2CE.“

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/06/03/we-are-called-to-renewal/

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Corpus Christi – Fr. Christopher

Brothers and Sisters, St Francis, in the conclusion of his Letter to the Entire Order says, “…O wonderful loftiness and stupendous dignity!  O sublime humility!  O humble sublimity!  The Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides under an ordinary piece of bread. . .”

The full text of this Sunday’s homily here: Corpus Christi – Fr. Christopher (text)

View his homily here: Corpus Christi – Fr. Christopher (video)

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/06/01/the-gospel-through-a-franciscan-lens-corpus-christi-fr-christopher/

Reflect on the Sacred Heart

Jane DeRose-Bamman Minister 2022

Jane DeRose-Bamman National Minister

In my home, visitors see religious articles throughout. These include a crucifix by the entrance of most of our rooms. My office has all my Franciscan images along with my framed profession certificate. In our primary bedroom, we have a collage of religious art across from the chairs where I often sit to pray.

The month of June is very special to me. I professed to live the Rule of the OFS on June 4, 1995. It holds many feast days for inspiring saints (including St. Anthony of Padua, St Thomas More, St John the Baptist, Sts Peter and Paul). But the most important aspect for me is the month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart and established June as the month to celebrate it in 1899. Although St. Francis may not have used the term “Sacred Heart”, St. Francis’ love for the suffering Christ was the basis for the Stigmata.

Article 10 of the OFS rule fits in well with this month’s dedication:

“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 life. Let them also follow the poor and crucified Christ, witness to him even in difficulties and persecutions.”

 New Mexican style images of the Sacred Heart are in the collage on my bedroom wall. More than just decorations, the images keep me focused. My prayer for this month is for all of us to reflect on the Sacred Heart and to find ways to transform any suffering we experience into grace for our neighbors.

I conclude this message with the verse of a song by songwriter Michael John Poirier.

“Most sacred heart of Jesus
Truly present in the Holy Eucharist
I place all my trust in You!”
By Michael John Poirier

May Jesus Christ be praised now and forever!

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/05/31/reflect-on-the-sacred-heart/

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Juan de Padilla