The 56 national Franciscan leaders, consisting of members of the Order of Friars Minor, the Poor Clares, and members of the Third Order, Secular, Regular, and TOR, opened themselves to a dream that, despite and perhaps because of the restrictions of the pandemic, would become the “Franciscan Family Forum.”
Welcome! Beginning a new fraternity is a great and rewarding task. ... Follow St. Francis’ advice to his brothers. “Pursue what you should desire above all else, namely, to have the Spirit of God and God’s grace working in you…” (cf. Earlier Rule XVII*). When you come right down to it, all the attitudes and techniques in the world are insufficient to form a genuine ecclesial community. The Holy Spirit is the one who breathes life into your fraternity, who molds you and brings you together as one.
Instrumentum Laboris: Animate & Guide with Servant Leadership … National Council Elections – Last Call for Nominations … Invitation to Explore the CIOFS Website
Many might remember the cute poster popular in the 70’s that pictured a cat desperately hanging on to a branch with its claws! The depiction underneath was “Hang on, Baby!”, and it became a common catchphrase, often used to this day. Words of wisdom for the struggles we are dealing with now.
The story of the widow’s might in Luke’s gospel, (Luke 21:1-5) always captured my imagination and wonder. How could a person who had nothing be so generous? How could she ignore how she would obtain her next meal? What would she live on?
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2021 Issue 102)
MOST FRANCISCAN JESUIT, POPE FRANCIS SET THE BAR HIGH
What was Pope Francis thinking when he took on the name of St. […]
What exactly is a chapter? What is involved when we call the membership to gather for a religious chapter? You might think this is an unusual topic for a formation article, and you would be correct. It is an unusual topic. However, I believe one of the objectives of formation is to help us understand why we do what we do. As agents of formation, we assist by feeding the mind as well as the soul of a person.
In her presentation titled “Fraternity: Our Way of Life,” Menditto elaborated on five key elements to living in communion with one another — collaboration, community, communication, commitment, and conversion.
“You cannot quarantine the Holy Spirit” she said. “In spite of the pandemic and all the upheaval, the work of prayer, peacemaking and building up of the Kingdom has continued in a thousand beautiful ways... We are moving forward in new ways, responding in faith to the signs of the times.”
As the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United State planned for the 2020 National Chapter, they accepted the fact that COVID pandemic would require a measure of flexibility and creativity, an understanding of the new technology… and the ability to imagine the possibilities.