The National Chapter 2019-2020 “Seemed to Have It All”
“They seemed to have it all,” noted one attendee as she was leaving the OFS National Chapter in Corpus Christi, Texas.
State of the Order: 2019 New Rule, New Unity, New Vision
We’ve been on this journey of renewal for some time now. In the last 40 years the essential structures were set in place – and now we see the progression – the trajectory. What a gift it is to recognize this trajectory as God’s direction for our Order, even as we await its fulfillment.
State of the Order: Renewal and Priority of Fraternity
The Holy Spirit continues to move us on a trajectory of renewal.
State of the Order 2019 – Our History Forms A Trajectory
Let’s look back at our history from the time of the new Rule until today. Reflecting on our history can help us understand where we’re going in the light of where we've been.
State of the Order 2019: The Signs of the Times leads to Visioning
The signs of the times became a catalyst that has characterized our national efforts in the last three years.
State of the Order October 2019 – Part 1
“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.”
Franciscan Living: A Different Kind of Beauty
Are you wounded? Were you wounded by someone or some experience that impacts you to this day? Do you carry those experiences like baggage that weigh you down and impede your joy in life? Did you ask for healing, but God seemingly ignores your plea?
Stretching
As a recovering perfectionist, although I have been professed for more than 24 years, my spiritual stretching or limberness has varied throughout the years. Physically, I’ve never been able to bend over and touch my toes without bending my knees. Spiritually, I continue to work on allowing God to lead.
Christ Incarnate, The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity
Using a Franciscan lens, Christ, the center of the Blessed Trinity, is the one who reveals to us a loving and fruitful relationship between all of creation and the Trinity—God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. My prayer for you is that Christ, the hope of glory, will dwell in your heart now and forever more.
Gentleness in Fraternity Life
Thankfully, we have the Franciscan tradition to give us some good examples of how to live this Gospel sense of fraternity, stories that we share in common that encourage and challenge us in living fraternity.