This is from the Spring 2024 Issue 111 of the Tau
Renewal-What Does It Mean To Us?
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
Minister’s Messages – Archives
2024
Renewal-What Does It Mean To Us? TAU-USA 111 Spring 2024
2023
Building Relationships with the help of Jesus TAU 110 fall 2023
Good Communication TAU_109_Sp_2023
Priorities Ministers Message TAU_108_win_23
2022
What A Difference Six Months Make TAU _107_fal_2022
Franciscan Jubilee – Minister’s Message TAU-USA Summer 2022
“Great Things Can Happen” – Minister’s Message Spring 2022
2021
- National Minister’s Message – “Who We Are” – TAU-USA Fall 2021
- Minister’s Message – “Chosen for Each Other” – TAU-USA Spring-Summer 2021
- Minister’s Message – “A Call to Prophetic Creativity” TAU-USA Winter 2020/2021
2020
2019
- National Minister’s Christmas Message -2019
- National Minister’s Message – TAU-USA Summer/Fall 2019
- OFS Mission Opportunity – To Assist Migrants and Refugees
- National Minister Message TAU-USA Spring 2019
- 2019 Easter Message from National Minister OFS
- Easter Messages From Our National and International Ministers
- Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land
2018
- September 2018 – Formation Visioning Workshop
- June 2018 – Our Jubilee Begins! (40th anniversary of our Rule)
- May 2018 – National Fraternity Elective Chapter
- May 2018 – Prepare for Pentecost!
- February 2018 – As Lent Begins
2017
- August 2017 – Contemplating the Cross and the Lent of St. Michael
- TAU-USA Spring 2017 – When Things are Out of Order
- June 2017 – Pentecost Message from International Minister
- June 2017 – Pentecost Message from National Minister
2016
2015
- Christmas 2015 – O Sweet Gift of Christmas!
- December 2015 – The Moment of Mercy
- Advent 2015 – Finding Joy in Our Littleness
2014
- October 2014 – Please Pray that Third Decade of the Rosary for our One Secular Franciscan Order and our Four Fraternities
- March 2014 – Another, Perhaps Lenten, Look at “Fair Share” With a Short and a Long Answer
- January 2014 – New Things for the New Year 2014: Temporary Suspension or Permanent Dismissal? Being the Merciful Presence of God
2013
2012
- October 2012 – National Minister’s Annual Report to the Order
- June 2012 – Please Join Us in Presence or in Prayer at the 2012 National Secular Franciscan Quinquennial Congress!
- March 2012 – I Thirst
- January 2012 – Gathered Around the Manger in 2012
2011
- September 2011 – Summer Vacations
- May 2011 – The Road to Emmaus
- March 2011 – The Beatitudes of Penance
- January 2011 – The Joy and Mystery of the Incarnation
2010
- December 2010 – Prepare the way of the Lord!
- August 2010 – The Heart of Our Faith is the Person of Jesus Christ
- June 2010 – Taking, Blessing, Breaking, Giving
- May 2010 – The Blessed Mother, St. Francis and All of Us
- April 2010 – The San Damiano Crucifix
- February 2010 – Brothers and Sisters of Penance
- January 2010 – Come and March for Life in Prayer