By Kathleen Molaro, OFS • National YouFra Commission Chair

A story by Anthony De Mello, Jesuit priest, spiritual writer, and teacher, seems to define where we are in the process of introducing YouFra to the United States

The explorer returned to his people, who were eager to know about the Amazon. But how could he ever put into words the feeling that flooded his heart when he saw exotic flowers and heard the night-sounds of the forest; when he sensed the danger of wild beasts or paddled his canoe over treacherous rapids?

He said, “Go and find out for yourselves.” To guide them, he drew a map of the river.

They pounced upon the map. They framed it in their town hall. They made copies of it for themselves.

And all who had a copy considered themselves experts on the river, for did they not know its every turn and bend, how broad it was and how deep, where the rapids were and where the falls?

It is said the Buddha obdurately refused to be drawn into talking about God.

He was probably familiar with the dangers of drawing maps for armchair explorers.

Anthony De Mello, from “The Song of the Bird.”

I shared this story at the NAFRA Chapter this year, congratulating us all in our determination to become experts in the challenge to reach out to our younger generations. Many regions have attended the Core Four training sessions – or used the on-line presentations to learn the why and how of this task. Seventy individuals have signed up for our new CANVAS platform and are taking advantage of the reflections received every Monday. I spoke to folks all over the country who are just beginning and are asking questions and discovering the resources available.

The story, however, illustrates how people can become intellectually “experts” of something, like a river, by studying maps and secondhand information. But they never take the journey themselves. They don’t want to get into a raft or a canoe to actually go on the adventure. The story serves as a parable about the difference between knowing about something and truly experiencing it. There are a number of animators and ministers who have done the preparation work but haven’t tested the waters yet. We’re here to help. We have an abundance of life jackets!

Last year we shared the five basic desires of young people: Young people have a desire to develop their prayer life; to belong to a community; to serve; to discover and strengthen their vocations; and to develop peaceful methods of dialogue. On the CANVAS platform we are making our way through these five desires by providing a reflection every Monday. These reflections can serve as your own personal growth or be used with young people. The commission has provided a Google file on each topic for specific ideas. A Zoom gathering at the conclusion of each theme invites us to share what we’ve learned, celebrate our successes, and support one another.

Encounter—Presence—Prayer—Inspiration— Witness

That’s all our younger generations ask of us!

We’ve mapped the river for you.

Are you willing to experience the journey now?

To register for CANVAS: https://canvas.instructure.com/login/canvas

• Choose “YouFra” class, sign up as a “Student (code, GGBDK3)
• Arrange for notifications when we post
• See message every Monday in “Announcements”

Practical Ideas for each of the five basic desires: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wj5MLikXSp_xlAQDj3A717pGFQy99PlC?usp=sharing

(simply copy and paste the above into the search bar if the link doesn’t work)

Our OFS Rule Article 5 reminds us that the heart of our vocation is encounter. As Secular Franciscans, we are called to seek the living and active presence of Christ in our brothers and sisters, in sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in the liturgy. This is not an abstract ideal but a daily way of seeing and loving.

Saint Francis himself teaches us how to anchor this encounter in the Eucharist. His words, “I see nothing bodily of the Most High Son of God in this world except His most holy Body and Blood,” invite us to shape our entire lives around the mystery of Christ’s real presence. His Eucharistic faith becomes the pattern for our own: reverent, grateful, and transformative.

This year, Article 5 takes on even deeper meaning as Pope Leo XIV announced the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, marking the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis. In union with Pope Leo XIV, we are invited to enter this centenary with renewed devotion, prayer, and fraternity.

The Pope has offered prayers for this historic celebration, encouraging us to rediscover the Gospel life that Francis embraced with such joy. Pope Leo XIV has also granted a plenary indulgence for the faithful during this Jubilee Year, which is an extraordinary gift that invites us to conversion, reconciliation, and deeper communion with Christ and one another.

As we reflect on Article 5, may this Jubilee Year inspire us to encounter Christ more intentionally, to live the Gospel more transparently, and to walk in the footsteps of Francis with renewed love.

Pax et bonum.
Paz y bien.
Pace e bene.
Paix et bien.

OFS Rule Article 5

Secular Franciscans, therefore, should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity. The faith of St Francis, who often said, ” I see nothing bodily of the Most High Son of God in this word except His most holy body and blood,” should be the inspiration and pattern of their Eucharistic life.