Open post

Formation Friday May 12, 2023 (Part 4-writings of Francis and Clare)

Formation Friday May 12, 2023 (Part 4-writings of Francis and Clare)
It is important that we get to know the many writings left to us by our founder. Franciscans are blessed to have many of St. Francis’s and St. Clare’s writings. By reading what they wrote, and praying as they prayed, we allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen our vocation and how we live the Franciscan Charism.

“As suggested in the introduction to A Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (See last week May 5th) the manuscript tradition suggests that Francis saw these virtues as hers; yet they are clearly those of any Christian who has died to sin. Francis greets each virtue in a fashion typical of a medieval troubadour, describes the predisposition which each Christian must have before possessing them, and concludes by interpreting the function of each.”

https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/a-salutation-of-the-virtues/180-fa-ed-1-page-164

A Salutation of the Virtues

1Hail, Queen Wisdom!b
May the Lord protect You, with Your Sister, holy pure Simplicity!
2Lady holy Poverty, may the Lord protect You, with Your Sister, holy Humility!
3Lady holy Charity, may the Lord protect You, with Your Sister, holy Obedience.
4Most holy Virtues, may the Lord protect all of You from Whom You come and proceed.

5There is surely no one in the whole world who can possess any one of You
without dying first.
6Whoever possesses one and does not offend the others possesses all.
7Whoever offends one Jas 2:10 does not possess any and offends all.c
8And each one confounds vice and sin.

9Holy Wisdom confounds Satan and all his cunning.
10Pure holy Simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world 1 Cor 2:6 and the wisdom of the body.
11Holy Poverty confounds the desire for riches, greed, and the cares of this world.
12Holy Humility confounds pride,
all people who are in the world and all that is in the world.a
13Holy Charity confounds every diabolical and carnal temptation and every carnal fear. 1 Jn 4:18
14Holy Obedience confounds every corporal and carnal wish,
15binds its mortified body to obedience of the Spirit
and obedience to one’s brother,
16so that it is subject and submissive to everyone in the world,
17not only to people but to every beast and wild animal as well
18that they may do whatever they want with it
insofar as it has been given to them from above Jn 19:11 by the Lord.

Please read the Salutation above. Read through once. Then prayerfully consider each word and sentence a second time.

  • Choose four words or phrases that touch you deeply. Spend some time thinking about why you chose those words.
  • In the first verse, we find the virtues most important to St. Francis. Can you think of why he pairs the virtues the way he does?
  • In the second verse he says that we cannot possess these virtues without dying. What does this mean?
  • He then goes on to explain the virtues. Please comment on what particularly touches you.
  • Personal challenge: Think about the virtues and pick two that you will try to strengthen in you this week.

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

Formation Friday 12 de Mayo, 2023 (Parte 4-los escritos de Francisco y Clara)
Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local

 

Es importante que conozcamos los muchos escritos que nos dejó nuestro fundador. Los franciscanos tienen la bendición de tener muchos de los escritos de San Francisco y Santa Clara. Al leer lo que escribieron y orar como ellos oraron, permitimos que el Espíritu Santo fortalezca nuestra vocación y cómo vivimos el carisma franciscano.

 

“Como se sugiere en la introducción a Un saludo a la Santísima Virgen María, (ver la última semana del 5 de mayo), la tradición manuscrita sugiere que Francisco vio estas virtudes como suyas; sin embargo, son claramente los de cualquier cristiano que ha muerto al pecado. Francisco saluda cada virtud a la manera típica de un trovador medieval, describe la predisposición que debe tener cada cristiano antes de poseerlas y concluye interpretando la función de cada una”.

Aquí se puede leer más en inglés: https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/a-salutation-of-the-virtues/180-fa-ed-1-page-164

 

SALUDO A LAS VIRTUDES [SalVir]

http://franciscanos.org/esfa/salvir.html

 

¡Salve, reina sabiduría!, el Señor te salve con tu hermana la santa pura sencillez.
¡Señora santa pobreza!, el Señor te salve con tu hermana la santa humildad.
¡Señora santa caridad!, el Señor te salve con tu hermana la santa obediencia.
¡Santísimas virtudes!, a todas os salve el Señor, de quien venís y procedéis.
No hay absolutamente ningún hombre en el mundo entero que pueda tener una de vosotras si antes él no muere.
El que tiene una y no ofende a las otras, las tiene todas. Y el que ofende a una, no tiene ninguna y a todas ofende. Y cada una confunde a los vicios y pecados.
La santa sabiduría confunde a Satanás y todas sus malicias.
La pura santa sencillez confunde a toda la sabiduría de este mundo y a la sabiduría del cuerpo.
La santa pobreza confunde a la codicia y avaricia y cuidados de este siglo.
La santa humildad confunde a la soberbia y a todos los hombres que hay en el mundo, e igualmente a todas las cosas que hay en el mundo.
La santa caridad confunde a todas las tentaciones diabólicas y carnales y a todos los temores carnales.
La santa obediencia confunde a todas las voluntades corporales y carnales, y tiene mortificado su cuerpo para obedecer al espíritu y para obedecer a su hermano, y está sujeto y sometido a todos los hombres que hay en el mundo, y no únicamente a solos los hombres, sino también a todas las bestias y fieras, para que puedan hacer de él todo lo que quieran, en la medida en que les fuere dado desde arriba por el Señor.

 

Por favor, lea el saludo anterior. Lea una vez. Luego, en oración, considere cada palabra y oración por segunda vez.

 

• Elija cuatro palabras o frases que le conmuevan profundamente. Dedque algo de tiempo a pensar por qué eligió esas palabras.

• En el primer verso encontramos las virtudes más importantes para San Francisco. ¿Puede pensar en por qué empareja las virtudes de la forma en que lo hace?

• En el segundo verso dice que no podemos poseer estas virtudes sin morir. ¿Qué quiere decir esto?

• Luego pasa a explicar las virtudes. Por favor, comente lo que le toque especialmente.

• Desafío personal: Piense en las virtudes y elija dos que intentará fortalecer en si esta semana.

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

 

Open post

SHAPING THE FRANCISCAN FOOTPRINT – May 4 – May10 2023

Shaping the Franciscan Footprint

Five Important Spiritual Thoughts from the Liturgy of the Word

…and follow up for the Secular Franciscan

May 4 – May 10

1 — “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (Jn 14:1)

…Do I show my faith the way I should?

2 — Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (Jn 14:6)

…THE reason why we follow the Lord. Is it clear from my life?

3 — The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (Jn 14:26)

…Go through the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgement, Knowledge, Courage, Awe [Fear of the Lord], Reverence) and determine which virtue I should work on more in the next couple days.

4 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (Jn 14:27)

…Am I a truly “peaceful person,” that is, trying to bring about harmony in whatever situation?

5 – “Remain in me, as I remain in you.” (Jn 15:4)

…An obligation…and a promise. 

Extra meditation

BAPTISM

 “Amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit
he[/she] cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

(John 3:5)

+++

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth

of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

(Mark 1:9)

        You have probably met a couple of saints in your life.  They may not be formally canonized, but they should be.  Two of them lived in the same town that the pastor lived in.

        One was in her 90’s and a little hard of hearing and could not walk long distances. It was too risky for her to go to Church, which she wanted to do in the worst way. She was one of the well-known people in her small town simply because of her holiness.  The pastor celebrated home Masses for her, and one particular time, he gave a little homily on whatever. After Mass, she told her granddaughter, in a pretty loud voice as many hard-of-hearing older people do, “I didn’t understand one thing that priest said!” The fact is: she did not need to because she was what can be called a practical theologian. She had put her faith into everything that she did.

        The other practical theologian in that same town helped the pastor of the town provide a temporary home for someone who really needed help and she literally saved that young person’s life. She also was a practical theologian. A little later as she neared the end of her life, she was involved in a very bad accident. She had to wear one of those braces that, in effect, molded a steel cage around her head to keep her from moving her neck. The medical field has something a little more user-friendly now, but she looked awful, and people felt awful for her. But she lived out her life with an attitude that she put into words at one time.  She said: “This is good. God still wants me to do something with my life.” There is little doubt that she did it. It is a statement of a practical theologian.

        A practical theologian is one who has put Baptism into practice. It makes our Baptism something that is a true guide for living well. We celebrate that thought on the feast of the Baptism of Jesus. Jesus used the Baptism of John to say to us that every one of us must begin using our Baptism as a guide just as Jesus did in a most human way. Baptism becomes a guide when we put into practice the characteristics of Jesus.

        All Christians are baptized, most of them very young. We are Christians, and almost immediately, we have to wonder why with so many baptized Christians, there are still so many problems in the Christian world, and in our own little worlds. If we were better practical theologians, that would change.

        A Methodist minister a couple of years ago put it this way. The minister stated that the problem with most Christians is that they have not fully embraced the call of Christianity. Using strong accusatory language, he said: “If ministers and their flocks would worry more about listening to the call of Jesus, and less about money and whose religion is right or wrong, we wouldn’t have the mire and misery that we have now.” He is a little negative, but there is a lot of truth there.

        Listening to the call of Christianity means being practical theologians, and how do we do that? We know the answer. We take the time to address the mire and misery in our own homes and in the situations that we can do something about. We can do things like: regulate TV and movies, make sure young people get the Christian education they need, pray more, go to the sacrament of Reconciliation more, volunteer more, and so forth.

        We need practical theologians in our Church today. They should be us.

www.frmikescully.com

www.thegospelandme.com

The Franciscan Centenary

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2023 Issue #108)

by Bret Thoman OFS

In January 2022, the Conference of the Franciscan Family sent out a letter to Franciscans everywhere announcing an important initiative: preparations for the next Franciscan Centenary.

https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Centenario_ENG_def_pdf.pdf

A centenary is a 100-year commemoration of a significant event. In the same way we celebrate birthdays or wedding or profession anniversaries, our order commemorates significant events in the life of Francis. These are moments to reflect. We take time to consider what these events mean to us, how they shaped or formed us, and how they affect our identity. We look back at what happened in time in order to consider where we are now, and where we wish to go  from here.

Unlike our own life events, in which we recall such events in years, the order marks events in the life of St. Francis in terms of centuries. These are centenaries.

Anyone who has been on pilgrimage to Assisi may have noticed past centenaries. For example, in the cemetery chapel of Bastiola, not far from Assisi, there is a plaque dated 1912. It was placed there to commemorate the seventh centenary of St. Clare’s arrival; at the then monastery of San Paolo after leaving her family on Palm Sunday, 1212.

More recently, over the past two decades, there have been a number of eighth-centenary events. In 2006, there was the “spoliation” of Francis; that is, when he stripped before his father and the bishop (1206). In 2009, there was the oral approval of the rule by Pope

Innocent X and the creation of the order (1209). In 2012, there was Clare’s conversion (1212). In 2017, there was the chapter of mats (1217), while in 2021, we recalled the letter written by Francis that marks the beginning of the Third Order (1221).

But these were all minor commemorations compared to the centenary events that will take place over the next few years. From 1223 through 1226, a series of major milestones in the life of St. Francis will be celebrated.

This year, 2023, we commemorate the eighth centenary of the approval of the Later Rule of St. Francis and the Christmas at Greccio (1223). Next year, in 2024, we will recall the Reception of the Stigmata on Mt. Laverna (1224). Then in 2025, we will commemorate the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures (1225). Finally, what is being referred to as the Easter of Francis – that is, his death and passing to eternal life (1226/2026) will be celebrated. These events will coincide with the Jubilee in the Catholic Church in 2025.

In future articles, I will be exploring these important events in the life of St. Francis by describing where they took place.

The Franciscan Centenary

Open post

Formation Friday May 5, 2023 (Part 3-writings of Francis and Clare)

It is important that we get to know the many writings left to us by our founder. Franciscans are blessed to have many of St. Francis’s and St. Clare’s writings. By reading what they wrote, and praying as they prayed, we allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen our vocation and how we live the Franciscan Charism.

St. Francis had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary because of her role in the Incarnation and the example she set for us. He made her the protectress of the Order and thereby of the entire Franciscan family.

“This simple collection of titles forms a litany of greetings describing Mary’s role in the plan of salvation. The manuscript tradition suggests a close tie between this piece and the following, the A Salutation of the Virtues (We will feature these next week.) , and, therefore, presents the Virgin Mary as the model for every Christian who responds to God’s virtuous presence in his or her life.” https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/writings-of-francis/the-undated-writings/a-salutation-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/179-fa-ed-1-page-163

A Salutation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1Hail, O Lady,
Holy Queen,
Mary, holy Mother of God,
Who are the Virgin made Church,a
2chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven
whom he consecrated with His most holy beloved Son
and with the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,
3in whom there was and is
all fullness of grace and every good.

4Hail His Palace!
Hail His Tabernacle!
Hail His Dwelling!
5Hail His Robe!
Hail His Servant!
Hail His Mother!

6And hail all You holy virtues
which are poured into the hearts of the faithful
through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit,
that from being unbelievers,
You may make them faithful to God.b

Please read the references to Mary above. Read through once. Then prayerfully consider each word and sentence a second time.

  • According to the phrases St. Francis used to describe the Blessed Mother, what do we learn about how he thought of her?
  • Choose four words or phrases that touch you deeply. Spend some time thinking about why you chose those words.
  • What does this Salutation, tell us about how St. Francis prayed?
  • How do you include the Blessed Mother in your prayers each day? What do you say to her?
  • Personal challenge: See if you can write some short phrases/praises of the Blessed Mother that are personal to you.

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

Formation Friday 5 de Mayo, 2023 (Parte 3-los escritos de Francisco y Clara)
Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local

Es importante que conozcamos los muchos escritos que nos dejó nuestro fundador. Los franciscanos tienen la bendición de tener muchos de los escritos de San Francisco y Santa Clara. Al leer lo que escribieron y orar como ellos oraron, permitimos que el Espíritu Santo fortalezca nuestra vocación y cómo vivimos el carisma franciscano.

San Francisco tenía una gran devoción a la Santísima Virgen María por su papel en la Encarnación y el ejemplo que nos dio. La hizo protectora de la Orden y, por tanto, de toda la familia franciscana.

“Esta sencilla colección de títulos forma una letanía de saludos que describen el papel de María en el plan de salvación. La tradición manuscrita sugiere un estrecho vínculo entre esta pieza y la siguiente, El saludo de las virtudes (presentaremos estas la próxima semana), y, por lo tanto, presenta a la Virgen María como modelo para todo cristiano que responde a la presencia virtuosa de Dios. en su vida.”

Saludo a la bienaventurada Virgen María [SalVM]

http://franciscanos.org/esfa/salvm.html

1Salve, Señora,
santa Reina,
santa Madre de Dios,
María, que eres virgen hecha iglesia
2y elegida por el santísimo Padre del cielo,
a la cual consagró Él con su santísimo amado Hijo
y el Espíritu Santo Paráclito,
3en la cual estuvo y está toda la plenitud de la gracia y todo bien.

4Salve, palacio suyo;
salve, tabernáculo suyo;
salve, casa suya.
5Salve, vestidura suya;
salve, esclava suya;
salve, Madre suya
6y todas vosotras, santas virtudes,
que sois infundidas por la gracia e iluminación del Espíritu Santo
en los corazones de los fieles,
para que de infieles
hagáis fieles a Dios.

Por favor, lea las referencias a María arriba. Lea una vez. Luego, en oración, considere cada palabra y frase por segunda vez.

• De acuerdo con las frases que usó San Francisco para describir a la Santísima Madre, ¿qué aprendemos acerca de cómo pensaba él en ella?

• Elija cuatro palabras o frases que le conmuevan profundamente. Dedique algo de tiempo a pensar por qué eligió esas palabras.

• ¿Qué nos dice este Saludo sobre cómo rezaba San Francisco?

• ¿Cómo incluye a la Santísima Madre en sus oraciones todos los días? ¿Qué le dice a ella?

• Desafío personal: vea si puede escribir algunas frases breves/alabanzas a la Santísima Madre que sean personales para usted.

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

 

Open post

SHAPING THE FRANCISCAN FOOTPRINT – April 27 – May 3 2023

Shaping the Franciscan Footprint

Five Important Spiritual Thoughts from the Liturgy of the Word

…and follow up for the Secular Franciscan

April 27 – May 3

 1 – “Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.” (Jn 6:49-50)

…The Eucharist was central to Francis’s life.  Is it in mine?

 2 – “[Paul] began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

…Do my thoughts, words and actions proclaim the message of Jesus?

3 – “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (Jn 10:9)

…Are the actions and words of Jesus the means I use to pattern my life?

4 — “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:11)

…I should spend some time in thanksgiving for the Lord’s redemption.

5 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6)

…Have I made Jesus the pattern and measure of my life?

 

Further meditation:

A SERVANT

 “The greatest among you must be your servant.

(Matthew 23:11-12)

+++

When you have done all you have been commanded, say,

‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

(Luke 17:10)

+++

“Do you realize what I have done for you?

If I, therefore, the master and teacher,

have washed your feet,

you ought to wash one another’s feet.

I have given you a model to follow,

so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

(John 13:12-15)

         It is always interesting to study the way some people look at religion. Two of the Apostles had a pretty specific idea of what it meant for them. For them, it led to power:

        Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.

That remark made the other Apostles angry because they wanted the same thing, and they felt that they were not getting it.

        We are often inclined to think of religion the same way the Apostles looked at the kingdom. Why do we go to Church? Why worship God? To feel good, have happiness, eternal life, good graces from God, obtaining what we pray for? That is, to obtain some type of reward for going to Church on a weekend? In fact, we often look at religion and going to Church as insurance, that is, so I can earn my way into heaven, doing things to get me to heaven.

        Jesus says that that is the wrong stress. That is not what religion / kingdom / God is all about. He told his disciples that the kingdom he was preaching had nothing to do with what they were going to get out of it: not—sitting on my right or left; not—being able to lord it over anyone. In fact, he says, quite pointedly:

        It shall not be so among you!

It is not a matter of getting anything; it is rather a matter of service:

        Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.

        And at the Last Supper, the Lord made it crystal clear by giving a direct statement: if you are going to be a Christian, a follower of Christ, you must serve others

        If I, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

        One of the people that comes up when we try to serious consider ourselves is the prophet Jonah. He is a perfect example of us in our negative moments. He was in the category of “a headstrong (= stubborn), / opinionated, / somewhat good person / with talents.” God tried to become active in his life, but his selfishness would not allow it. God told him to preach to the city of Nineveh, a traditional enemy of Israel. Jonah not only said “no,” but tried to run away from God. God got his attention again through a violent storm and a large fish. A second time, the Lord said: now, will you go and preach? Which he finally did. He was a good preacher, he had talents. The people listened and reformed themselves. God rejected the evil that he planned to send (Jesus refers to this in one of his sermons). Jonah then became angry at God because he did not think that God should have been so good to them. God said “too bad, I am.” Then Jonah said: “let me die,” went out to sulk, felt protected by means of a plant which God then destroyed. Jonah complained about that: “let me die.” God said basically “grow up” and get over your selfishness. We are led to question whether he ever did: the book ends.

Religion can be defined as letting go of our selfishness, letting go of our “Jonah-ness.” Jesus today calls it the whole idea of being a servant. It is the thought of letting go of our selfishness in order to work on behalf of others.

Our problem is that our selfishness is pretty strong. We want what we want. We like the idea of “lording it over” others, to have authority over others. We do not particularly like the idea of service of others. We really want to make religion a personal thing. We like to think that going to Church is enough and it does not really involve others and their problems. Certainly we are into religion with the whole idea of personal salvation—that is an automatic—we are working to have eternal life, but Jesus says that everything connected with religion / God / Kingdom must always consider other people as well—because we enter into religion as “servants” of others.

If we want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, we must listen closely to him:

        Whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

“A slave” is even stronger than a “servant.” He is describing an attitude that every one of us should have.

        And Jesus looks at you and me and says, “Do you realize what I have done for you?”

www.frmikescully.com

www.thegospelandme.com

 

Scroll to top
Juan de Padilla