Aldo Morocho, OFS, far left, and youth in front of Praça do Comércio in Lisbon preparing for World Youth Day. Aldo and his daughter Dalia Morocho, and Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap, are among the Secular Franciscan representatives at the weeklong event.

Secular Franciscans are encouraged to participate through prayer with our young people at the World Youth Day opening Aug. 1 in Lisbon, Portugal, according to Kathleen Molaro, OFS, national Youth and Young Adult Commission Chair.  Each day the young visitors are invited to share in the following daily challenges.

August 1
Go
“Get up and start again” is the expectation for this day. The eagerly awaited 1st of August, which marks the beginning of WYD Lisbon 2023, has “Leave” as the word of the day. “Who am I and how do I come to this WYD? What do I bring and what am I looking for?” is the challenge for each of the young people embracing this great adventure. “In these days, I begin to design my path here – I choose conferences, concerts, theaters, exhibitions, volunteering, whatever moves me the most.”
Daily challenge: Meet and discover the curiosities of two people from different nationalities. 

August 2
Hurry
This is the time for young people to step out of their comfort zones and take action. Reflecting on questions like “Am I looking for Jesus in a hurry?” and “Where can I find Him?” can deepen the pilgrimage experience. “Today, I actively engage in the opportunities of the day. I recognize the presence of the living Christ, seeking what urges me forward and identifying anything that hinders my progress.”
Daily challenge: Hurry to find Jesus and visit Him in a church. 

August 3
Rejoice 

Discovering the joy of being a Christian is the purpose of this day. “Today, I contemplate how faith is concretized in my life – its implications and its transformative effect on my attitude towards others. I embrace joy in my daily living.”
Daily challenge: Share with someone what made them happiest during the day. 

August 4
Believe
This day beckons the youth to embrace Faith and step inside, leaving hesitation at the door. “I open the doors to Christ,” “I let him in.” “Am I afraid? Of what?” These are the questions that guide the pilgrims in their reflections. Today, I aim to learn the art of opening my heart to Jesus, unrestricted. What holds me back from belief? What changes do I fear might unfold in my life?
Daily challenge: Offer a prayer for someone you know who hasn’t yet found belief in God. 

August 5
Give thanks
Pilgrims are invited to ponder, introspect, and express gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon them by God. “Today, I aspire to master the art of prayer, to be grateful, and to find solace in the presence of Jesus. I will be by His side, acknowledging and appreciating all that I have encountered.”
Daily challenge: Embrace the person who left the deepest impression on you during the week and include them in your prayers. 

August 6
Rise up
Pilgrims are encouraged to contemplate what lingers in their hearts after the encounter and how it will shape their lives. “Today, I conclude as I commenced – with a renewed spirit and endless rejuvenation. I acknowledge that I am a missionary, destined to spread the good news to all.”
Daily challenge: Share the WYD experience with two individuals who have not yet experienced it. 

World Youth Day opens with a week’s worth of challenges

(This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 Issue of the TAU-USA #109)

by Terri Leone, OFS, 1-800-Francis Coordinator

As in most families, certain topics “pop up” for discussion every so often and need clarification. Some topics are simply a matter of majority opinion; others are a matter of “tradition” and should we/can we change the tradition; but some are a matter civil or Church law. Whether or not Secular Franciscans “wear a habit” is a topic that falls into the latter category.

Seculars wearing habits has come up in conversations or emails with people considering joining our Order and in conversations with family members asking where they can purchase a habit for their deceased loved one who wanted to be buried in the Franciscan habit.

If someone asked you, “Do Secular Franciscans wear habits?” How would you reply?

If you are someone who relies solely on our “Governing Documents,” you’ll probably reply, “No, our current documents state that we don’t wear a habit but wear “a distinctive sign/insignia of membership in the Order.” Our (2000) General Constitutions article 43 states, “a distinctive sign of membership in our Order may be a TAU cross or other Franciscan symbol which the National Statutes may designate;” our (2007) OFS-USA Statutes article 16 states that our “distinctive sign” will be a TAU cross.

The 2007 General Constitutions also state in Article 5 that the Holy See (Rome/the Pope) is responsible for the authentic interpretation of the Rule and General Constitutions, but that the General Chapter is responsible for the practical interpretation of the Constitutions, and that the presidency of CIOFS may provide clarification of specific points between General Chapters.

Such an example is found in a General Chapter letter dated Oct. 29, 2011: The practice of wearing a “habit” is not in conformity with the Rule and General Constitutions of the OFS, as already established.

The Chapter emphasizes that the distinctive sign of membership in the Order is the “Tau or other Franciscan symbol.” (GGCC 43). A “Franciscan symbol” is a small and simple insignia worn on the person (for example, a San Damiano cross). However, an OFS National Fraternity may determine in its National Statutes that wearing a “uniform” is an acceptable sign of recognition for Secular Franciscans of their own country, providing that the following mandatory criterion is followed: ….The Chapter states that the decision replaces all previous documents in this regard, and becomes in effect now and for the future. São Paolo, October 29, 2011

In a June 24, 2018, letter, our current Minister General,  Tibor  Kauser, OFS, discussed the idea of Secular Franciscans wearing a “habit.” He stated that we do not wear an outward garment called a habit but should wear visible signs of being a Secular Franciscan – of following St. Francis in Christ’s footsteps. The “visible signs” he cited were kindness, love of God, love of others, a readiness to serve, simple lifestyle, prayer life, sacramental life, commitment to our Order (a commitment to “learn, love and live” our Rule, General Constitutions and Statutes), commitment to one’s Fraternity (by attendance, participation and service – OFS Rule art. 22- 25; OFS General Constitutions art. 30, 53.3), visibly live “from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel” (OFS Rule art. 4, 7; OFS General Constitutions art. 8, 9)

In conclusion, Secular Franciscans don’t wear a special outward garment called a habit, but should wear visible signs of a person on a “conversion- transformation journey” and should visibly wear some form of a TAU cross every day of our lives and be buried with one.

Postscript: In a recent email someone asked if we have a special prayer to recite as we put on our TAU cross. As an Order or National Fraternity. We don’t, but Diane Menditto, OFS, Natl. Vice Minister and former Chair of the National Formation Commission suggested,

“May I walk toward Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis today and always.”

Do you have a prayer that you recite as you are putting on your TAU each day?

Secular Franciscans: TAU vs. Habit

Thank you for surrounding the three United States Franciscan pilgrims attending the YouFra International Gathering in Portugal with your heartfelt prayers.

Aldo Morocho, OFS, his daughter Dalia Morocho, and Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap, arrived safely and are fully engaged in the activities.

They are halfway through the week and enjoying a spiritually inspiring time and the adventure of joining hundreds of Franciscan youth from around the world.

The theme for this gathering is “Get up, your neighbor awaits you.” The liturgies, talks, and discussions will focus on our Franciscan responsibility to spread the joy of the gospel and to serve those in need. Fr. John will also join the World Youth Day pilgrims from Aug. 1-8.

The Franciscan Youth and Young Adult Commission appreciates your support and will share pictures and comments, said Kathleen Molaro, OFS, National Franciscan Youth and Young Adult (FY/YA) Commission Chair.

Continue to Pray for Pilgrims at YouFra Gathering in Portugal

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring Issue #109)

by Francine Gikow, OFS

[1]” “ghosting[2],” and “gaslighting.[3]” Our society has become verbally and sometimes physically violent, disparaging and divided.

Unfortunately, since we are part of this society, it is too easy for us to fall into society’s mores and forget our own Franciscan values from our Rule: “…trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon.[4]”

In his early rule, Francis outlined for us how the friars should go among the Saracens and other non- believers, and I believe it holds many lessons for Secular Franciscans living in our society: “One way is to not engage in arguments or disputes but to be subject to every human creature for God’s sake.”[5]

I believe there are three crucial points to consider from this initial way of going among the nonbelievers (or our enemies.)

Firstly, we must not engage in arguments or disputes. Arguing has never changed a person’s mind. In fact, it just solidifies the person’s thinking. I am reminded of the old saying, “the devil is in the details.” Yes, the evil one wants us to engage in detailed arguments and disputes, because he wants to sow doubt, anger, error, and chaos into the mix. He wants us to forget about seeing the “divine seed” in everyone and the transforming power of love and pardon.

Secondly, Jesus wants us to LOVE our enemies. He wants us to show His compassion and love to them. If we are so involved in our arguments and disputes that pushes out His love and the chance for a relationship with the other. It is in this relationship―the give and take―that God can enter into the process. It has been truly said: “Compassion is the most effective response to hatred and violence.[6]”

Finally, peace in our relationships takes humility: to be subject to every human creature for God’s sake and know and realize that it is not all about “me” but rather it is “all about us” …in Christ. We must meet the “other” as an equal brother or sister, without condescension, and with God’s compassion and love.

Remember the Peace Prayer? “Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith… for it is in dying (i.e., to self) that we are born to eternal life.” Do we really mean what we pray and live accordingly?

I recently read the following, and it resonated within me.

“… we don’t really take Jesus seriously. We don’t love our enemies. We don’t turn the other cheek. We don’t forgive seventy times seven times. We don’t bless those who curse us.… We say: I am not a saint. We say: this Gospel stuff can’t be meant for everybody. We say: The Gospel is an ideal. But the Gospel is not merely an ideal.

For the followers of Christ, the Gospel is the Way.[7]

 PAX ET BONUM

[1] [Cancel culture] is often said to take the form of boycotting or shunning an individual… who is deemed to have acted or spoken in an unacceptable manner.

[2] Ghosting happens when someone cuts off all online communication with someone else, and without an explanation.

[3] the act of using psychological manipulation to get another person to question their own feelings, perception, or sanity

[4] OFS Rule, 2 #17.

[5] ER: XVI, 5-7.

[6]  Gerard Thomas Straub, OFS. The Sunrise of the Soul.” Brewster MA: San Damiano Books, 2020. p. 158

[7] Gerard Thomas Straub, OFS. p. 63.

Franciscan Living – How to Go Among the Saracens in Our Lives