THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES leads to A SEASON OF VISIONING

The signs of the times became a catalyst that has characterized our national efforts in the last three years.

The National ExecutiveCouncil (NEC) had been reflecting on the work of our Franciscan Youth and Young Adult (FYYA) Commission and had come to the conclusion that we needed to find a new direction for this effort.

Early in 2017 we decided to bring together a group of OFS members who were interested in working with youth for what we called a visioning gathering.

Recalling what is needed for the hope of renewal, we looked to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the signs of the times. We simply asked, “What is God’s vision for our Order in the area of youth?” We found the direction we were looking for.

We were suddenly set in motion and began a season of Visioning. This was truly the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Visioning on Youth gathering was followed by Formation Visioning in 2018, and JPIC Visioning in 2019.

For each visioning we prepared in the same way. We invited Secular Franciscan leaders and members at large, Spiritual Assistants and members of the wider Franciscan family, all with various levels of experience who had an interest in the topic. We took care to have representation from different regions and cultures. We asked everyone to reflect on readings that were assigned ahead of time.

The key question at each gathering was, “What is God’s vision for our Order?” We invoked the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds. We read the signs of the times. We were ready for holy newness.

The result of each visioning has been amazing. What we saw and heard and felt was the outpouring of the Spirit. We sat in awe at what God was doing in our midst. Many of us witnessed this. This painting by Pat Serotkin, was one of the images that came forth from the Formation Visioning.

It captures the experience we had at each visioning; the fire of the Holy Spirit spreading across our National Fraternity.

We came away with a renewed understanding of the place of the three commissions in our way of life – the commissions are not add-ons. Youth, Formation, and Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) are firmly anchored in our way of life, our secular way of holiness. Sacred secularity. This is the way we live the Gospel life we are called to by God for the life of the Church.

The vision is clear, and the truth of it is as undeniable as the Lord’s intervention in Francis’ life in February of 1208. While at Mass in the Portiuncula, Francis heard the Gospel read in a way he had never experienced. These words spoke directly to Francis’s heart.

“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.” (Matthew 10:7-13)

Francis was so struck by this passage that his life was turned upside down. The words of the Gospel—the Gospel life—defined his mission. He was filled with unexpected joy.

Just as hearing this message was a pivotal moment for Francis’s conversion – so were the messages we received at each of our three visioning gatherings. I cannot overestimate the importance of these visioning events. We have been granted a renewed understanding of our call and mission. For each commission, a vision was given. In response to each vision, we set out in a new direction.

Next blog continues with OUR HISTORY FORMS A TRAJECTORY

https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2020/02/10/state-of-the-order-2019-visioning/

[This article originally appeared in the Winter 2019 Issue 99 of the TAU-USA

Also – Resources –  Meeting Documents and Proceedings –  2019 National Chapter –   State of Order Address OFS-USA 10-16-19 ]

National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order – USA

VISIONING

TO HOLY NEWNESS

By JAN PARKER, OFS, & MARY BITTNER, OFS

In consultation with the National Executive Council

 “In these last times, a new Evangelist, like one of the rivers of Paradise, has poured out the streams of the gospel in a holy flood over the whole world.  He preached the way of the Son of God and the teaching of truth in his deeds. In him and through him an unexpected joy and a holy newness came into the world.  A new spirit was placed in the hearts of the elect and a holy anointing has been poured out in their midst.” (1 Celano 89)

Praise God for the holy flood of the gospel life poured out over all the world by St. Francis who brought an unexpected joy and holy newness to us all. Let us give thanks for our Franciscan vocation and the gift of fraternity.

I am thankful for this gathering, and for the many wonderful gatherings that we have experienced this past year; thankful for the work of the International Council; and that of the councils at every level; and very thankful for each of you.  This week God has brought us, brothers and sisters all, into yet another privileged place – this gathering of the National Fraternity Council. May we experience the joy of fraternity, as fraternity is not only our priority, but our true help.

This past June we concluded a year of celebration for the 40th anniversary of our Rule, a Rule that was a response to the call by Vatican II to all religious to return to their roots. We recalled that when the 1978 Rule was presented, our Minister General, Manuela Mattioli, wrote: “With the promulgation of the new rule, the renewal of the Secular Fraternity has reached a decisive and powerful moment…” The Order rejoiced and looked forward in hope that this Rule would indeed renew us and help us become what God had called us to be.

Much has happened in the intervening 40 years, beginning with writing the new Rule and Constitutions, the unification of the Order, and the establishment of structures to serve a worldwide Order. Our International Council (CIOFS) first focused on formation as the most important element of our renewal. Launching into the “management of the Order” project, the Presidency noted that “Structurally, unification has occurred, but we still experience problems on how the sense of unity and belonging are perceived. We have not fully embraced the implications of our Rule and Constitutions; have not fully understood our vocation, identity and mission; and have not yet lived up to what the Church expects of us.” The fulfillment of our hope for renewal has not yet been fully realized. We still wait in longing for the holy newness that Francis himself yearned for.

Let us look to another passage from Thomas of Celano to deepen our understanding of what holy newness meant to Francis.

“Francis burned with a great desire to return to his earliest steps toward humility; rejoicing in hope because of his boundless love, he planned to call his body back to its original servitude, although it had now reached its limit. He cut away completely the obstacle of all cares and silenced the noise of all concerns. When he had to relax this rigor because of illness, he used to say: “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up to now we have done little or nothing.” He did not consider that he had already attained his goal, but tireless in pursuit of holy newness, he constantly hoped to begin again. (1 Celano 103)

Francis burned with a great desire to return to his earliest steps.

We too have a great desire to return to our first love, our roots.

We too long to cut away cares and concerns.

We too want to tirelessly pursue holy newness.

It is time to begin again.

We recall that when the 1978 Rule was promulgated, the four Ministers General of the Franciscan Family wrote:

“The hope of renewal hinges upon returning to the origins and to the spiritual experience of Francis of Assisi and of the brothers and sisters of penance who received from him their inspiration and guidance. This renewal also depends upon openness to the Spirit in the signs of the times.”

(next blog continues with THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES)

https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2020/02/07/state-of-the-order-october-2019/