We have just received a letter from our Minister General regarding the Coronavirus (attached, in both English and Spanish). Please read it and distribute widely. We will also share this letter via our website. I am thankful for Tibor's approach which calls us to both prayer and action, and sets the proper tone for us as Secular Franciscans facing these unusual times.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert. Let us simply ask the Holy Spirit to lead us, too, during this Lenten season. I know God will give each of us a very personal answer.
“How big is love?”
I thought of you, each member of our Order, as I pondered these readings (from Franciscan Morning and Evening Praise) for the Feast of All the Saints of the Franciscan Order (Nov. 29):
No matter what method we use to help us get things done, there are times in life when we are stopped dead in our tracks. It may be loss, conflict or confusion, but when something big lands right in our path, we are often stopped short. ... Purity of heart sets us free. St. Francis calls us to this freedom, to “put aside every care and anxiety, to serve, love, honor and adore the Lord God with a clean heart and a pure mind."
Rebar is a good image for how I see the Rule working in my life. The ideals embedded in our OFS Rule are very much like steel bars, encased deep in the center of my being.
We are in troubling times. We hear the news of migrants and refugees at the border, and we ask, “what is ours to do?” As directed by our Bishops, we need to put two feet of love in action. We need both social action and charitable works. Certainly, there are root causes that need to be addressed, and our country’s immigration laws need revision, but meanwhile, we must meet the immediate needs of these brothers and sisters. To that end, the National Executive Council OFS-USA offers this Mission Opportunity for Secular Franciscans to assist Project Oak Tree.
Easter Messages From Our National and International Ministers
The Holy Land Friars have contacted me with a special request. They are begging the help of all Secular Franciscans in promoting the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land.
Beloved National Family, On this Feast of the Holy Family, I rejoice and give thanks for our beautiful Secular Franciscan family! I am so thankful for all the goodness that I see in this family! What a joy it is to be part of this family!