(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2025  Issue #116)

by Willie Guadalupe, OFS

Multicultural Coordinator

Multicultural relationships involve partners from different cultural backgrounds and can present challenges and opportunities. Effective communication is very important, as language barriers and different cultural expressions can complicate relations. You need to be able to understand the differences. Partners may face differences in standards, beliefs, and behaviors, which require time, patience, and effort. These relationships can lead to a rich exchange of ideas and cultural norms, fostering personal growth for those involved. Overall multicultural relationships can be rewarding but as stated they require patience, understanding, and open communication to be successful.

Multicultural relationships are justice issues that seek the good of the other person(s). As Franciscans, we are known for our dedication to justice. We strive to bring people together in a society that is fair (or just). Each person needs to feel welcomed to create a diverse OFS community. Each person needs to know that their culture is important to others. When we take the time to  connect with people from other cultures, we break down  barriers and challenges that may exist.

The link between justice and relationships moves us to develop personal viewpoints and actions that build on relationships. We cannot tolerate actions that deny basic human dignity to anyone involved. Problems become opportunities when the right people work together.

OFS Rule, Article #15 Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives.

Especially in the field of public life, we should make definite choices in harmony with our faith. Immigrants or minority groups who speak a different language may face challenges in communicating their ideas, needs, or concerns. This can create feelings of isolation and marginalization, preventing individuals from fully participating in society.

We need to address the language challenges inherent in relating to other cultures. Some may speak English, may read English, may write English, but many may not. We need to be considerate of that and know that many times they will need to receive opportunities in their preparation and instruction in formation in their native language. Even for those who may be bilingual, their native language may be their preferred language for worship, or for prayer, because it is their love language.

Almighty God, through your Holy Spirit you

created unity in the midst of diversity.

We acknowledge that human diversity is an

expression of your manifold love for your creation.

We confess that in our brokenness as human

beings we turn diversity into a source of

alienation, injustice, oppression, and wounding.

Empower us to recognize and celebrate

differences as your great gift to the human family.

Enable us to be the architects of understanding,

of respect and love.

Please fill our hearts with your Love so that your

light may shine through each one of us.

AMEN

From jesuitresource.org

Author Unknown; modified by Wilie Guadalupe

Song of Reconciliation is a letter from the 4 Franciscan Ministers General to the whole Franciscan Family for instruction & reflection on the Canticle of Creatures. 

“The Canticle of Creatures is a song of praise & Reconciliation.”  “It summarizes Francis’ view of God and the world; creatures and human beings; himself and the Most High God.”  In the “Conclusion” of this letter the Ministers General provide us with numerous “Admonitions” or “Challenges”; refer to the following list.

Admonitions or Challenges

• Joyfully celebrate this 8^th centenary of the Canticle
• Make the Poverello’s clear and prophetic gaze your own
  • Recognize God’s imprint in every creature
  • Live the call to universal fraternity by embracing all of creation – animate and inanimate
• Rediscover the beauty of being pilgrims & strangers
• Become custodians, not masters, of creation
• Become brothers and sisters of every living thing
• Become artisans of Peace and Forgiveness
• Live vulnerability as openness to others
• Integrate death into the great mystery of life
• Welcome every reality – from the brightest to the darkest within an experience of praise and restitution
• Live and promote: no lives are meaningless; no creatures are voiceless; no situations are outside of Divine Compassion
• Everything is embraced by our Father’s tenderness; everything/everyone is an occasion for praise
• See beyond appearances; grasp the dignity and beauty of all
• Become like Francis (who walked in the footsteps of Christ)
  • Become Singers of Reconciliation and Hope
  • Become Re-kindlers of Child-like Wonder
  • Become Givers of Thanksgiving
  • Become Caregivers of our Common Home

Please read the whole Song of Reconciliation  Centenary Resources: Canticle of the Creatures – Secular Franciscan Order – USA

Go back and meditate/ponder each part individually. Let the message be totally absorbed into your being – who will you become as you continue your spiritual journey – your pilgrimage to eternal happiness with the Trinity.

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2025  Issue #116)

by Kathleen Molaro, OFS

National FY/YA Commission Chair

As Catholics, we believe that one way God loves us is through other people. Jesus commands us to love one another. “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples: If you love one another.” (John 13:34)

In her autobiography, The Long Loneliness, Dorothy Day emphasized this truth: “We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other.” The YouFra commission has long advised that the first step in bringing the gospel to young people is to build relationships with them. But the question arises, “How can we do that?” Although there are many ways, there are three necessary attributes to develop.

Practice Virtues

What virtues will help us build relationships? St. Paul tells us, “Put on … heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” (Colossians 3:12) When interacting with young people, these virtues give them a glimpse of the depth of God’s love. The way you connect and respond to a younger person is essential.

Be Authentic

Young people are tired of fake news, fake online profiles, AI rather than humans, and people whose actions do not match their words. An article in the online publication, The Conversation, states “this generation has grown up in a digital age where social media and online personas are part of everyday life – as are misinformation, disinformation,” and I would add, outright dishonesty. (https://theconversation.com/topics/relationships)

As a result, young people have had to develop an acute ability to discern what is genuine from what is artificial.

Dorothy Day also wrote in her autobiography: In a good relationship, two people strive to be their most authentic selves. It is in relationships that we find out who we really are, if we embrace the vulnerability of exposing more and more of ourselves to another person.

Young people need to know we’re not perfect and are searching for answers and striving for purpose just as they are. That truthfulness allows them to connect with you in trust, openness, and confidence.

Courageously Encounter

The word “encounter” is a buzz word lately, and rightly so. Don’t we all crave community? The presence of others? A real and honest connection between ourselves and the world? We can’t build relationships from a distance. Pope Francis urged us to be like Christ and become a culture of encounter. He explained, “when we go into the street, every man thinks of himself: he sees, but does not look; he hears, but does not listen.” In short, everyone goes their own way. And consequently, “people pass each other, but they do not encounter each other.” (Pope Francis: Morning Meditation, For a Culture of Encounter, Sept. 13, 2016)

Don’t just pass by a young person. Be creative and courageous. Just as Francis learned when he tried to avoid lepers, we need to see them, hear them, engage with them, and love them as Jesus would.

Kathleen joined the St. Francis YouFra in Phoenix for an evening outreach they’d planned for new students. She asked individuals, “Why did you decide to come tonight?” The conversation revealed their thirst for community and faith sharing opportunities, and helped deepen their relationships with the YouFra leaders.