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

by Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM

National Spiritual Assistant

Calvary (replica) viewed from the Place of
the Resurrection.

For many people, a pilgrimage is a time of renewal. Going to a specific, holy place, often walking more than usual, praying in a place that is made significant by who has been there and what has happened in the past, any one of these things would help us to reflect on our lives, and a pilgrimage usually has all of them.

Living at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, I am aware that our church and monastery were built 125 years ago when it took 45 days to cross the Atlantic and travel through Europe, across the Mediterranean, up through Egypt to the place where Jesus walked and “pitched his tent” among us (John 1).

While today it is possible to fly from DC to Tel Aviv in 11 hours, it is not advisable during this time of war to travel there. So even today there are reasons beyond cost preventing our walking where Jesus walked. That said, the Monastery where I live has many replicas of Holy Land shrines, precisely to answer this difficulty.

Mt. St. Sepulcher Church, Franciscan
Monastery of the Holy Land in America,
Washington, DC. Photos used with permission.

St. Jerome described the Holy Land as “the Fifth Gospel,” by which he meant that being in the Holy Land, seeing and praying and walking, helps a person to better understand the written Gospels. Many of the Christians who live or have lived in the Holy Land express such appreciation for being in this “special place.” I remember when I was there years ago, climbing Mount Tabor and praying in the Place of the Resurrection. When I was a child my pastor would describe what it was like to be on the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho.

But the nature of a pilgrimage is that we eventually return home—changed, hopefully, but still we return. And so, I bring my memory of Mount Tabor and the Empty Tomb home with me. The priest’s preaching is changed by his experience on that lonely road where the Good Samaritan found the man beaten by thieves.

The Holy Land is not the only place of pilgrimage. People journey to holy sites all over the world, and the Monastery of the Holy Land in DC is one of those places. Just today as I finish writing this, there is a group now on our grounds.

When the Church was but a few hundred years old, Egeria went on a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land. We have her recollections today, so helpful to those who study the history of the Church,
pilgrimages, or Liturgy. She describes processions and worship that with some adaptation has
persisted to this day. Some of these processions are followed not only in the Holy Land but
also replicated in our Monastery. But the big question for our keeping Lent and celebration of
the Resurrection is what do I bring home, what do I replicate in my heart and in my life?

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/04/22/praying-in-holy-places/

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

by Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, National Minister

The theme for this edition of the TAU-USA is “Renewal.” What comes to mind? A day of rest? Something one does for a magazine subscription or a driver’s or professional license? What happens when we do not renew something? We may become burned out or exhausted in terms of our mind, or we may need to pay extra or pay a fine in terms of a license, or perhaps we might not be able to practice our profession/work.

How about a renewal of our commitment to the Gospel? Sure, it doesn’t “expire,” but our efforts may be flat or lack effectiveness. As brothers and sisters of penance, the ongoing renewal of our hearts – ongoing conversion – is key to living out our profession of the OFS Rule. There are two areas that refer to renewal I would like to highlight here.

Article 7 of our OFS Rule states: “United by their vocation as ‘brothers and sisters of penance’, and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls ‘conversion.’ Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. On this road to renewal the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace.” 

When referring to the new OFS Rule in 1978, (now almost 46 years old) the Ministers General challenged us to: “…welcome the Franciscan message that it contains and the guidance it offers you in living according to the holy Gospel. A cornerstone of the renewal that we hope for, is to return to the origins, to the spiritual experience of Saint Francis of Assisi and of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, who received their inspiration and guidance from him.”

The phrases: “road to renewal” and “a cornerstone of the renewal” appeal to me. Our road or journey to renewal is daily conversion. If our goal is to be renewed in Christ, then an important aspect is to return to our original commitment. Our Seraphic Father St. Francis reminded all: “for until now – we have done nothing.” Each day of our journey, we are reminded to begin again.

There are different approaches to achieving this daily conversion. Lately, I begin the day by reflecting on an article of the OFS Rule and then praying the profession renewal prayer.

A few years after I professed, I attended a workshop on the OFS Rule and Constitutions given by Fr. Benet Fonck, OFM, (long-time Spiritual Assistant to the OFS and author of Fully Mature in the Fullness of Christ). Several of us at the workshop asked: “How could we live the Rule as working people – there seemed to be so much to do and only so much time in the day? What was the minimum required to fulfill our obligation?” Fr. Benet replied that each day we should be sure to have three things: prayer, fraternity and evangelization.

• Prayer – spending time with God

• Fraternity – spending time with one or more members (it can be as simple as an email or

a brief call – something to stay connected with our Franciscan family).

• Evangelization – sharing our faith

This simple but profound message helped me to get back to the basics, to begin again each day with the true meaning of the journey and to minimize distractions from the goal of serving Christ. May our commitment to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order never expire and lead us closer to the ultimate cornerstone of our faith – Jesus Christ. Praise be Jesus now and forever!

What approaches do you take? 

Easter Blessings from the National Executive Council.

See page 19 of Tau-USA #111 to order Prayer Cards

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/04/15/renewal-what-does-it-mean-to-us/