Next month
I am formally beginning my Secular Franciscan journey with a welcoming rite. I am really excited about this new phase in my
spiritual journey because I feel like this fraternity is exactly what I needed.
Though, I try to nurture my spirituality
with classes, reading books, prayer, participating in the Sacraments… I needed
a community of brothers and sisters to motivate and encourage me. There’s something about community that is essential
for a healthy spiritual life. At the
first meeting I attended I remember showing up an hour early and though I was
greeted with a warm welcome I was told to come back in an hour because at the
moment only people going through the process of formation were permitted. So, I
went over to the chapel to pray and wait.
When the hour came up, a jolly woman came over to lead me back – I was
pleasantly surprised by the fact that she didn’t forget me. Since, little kindness have continued to show
me that this is God’s will for me. Though,
I generally don’t like small groups in the fraternity people don’t remain in
the surface, but really get deep in the faith.
I learn so much not just about Franciscan spirituality, but about God
and my faith.
We also
have a library with books aplenty on Saint Francis! Currently I am reading one
of the best biographies on him that I have ever read! Though, I have always had a special affection and
devotion to Saint Francis, I feel like I am getting to know him deeper as I
would a friend with the passage of time.
I love the book so much that I am reading it super slow because I am
afraid of reaching the end (smile). Even
though, I still have to scratch the surface of our well stocked Franciscan
library.
Some
friends have asked me if I am going to become a sister and leave on a mission. Nope.
The Secular Franciscans’ is the third order that Saint Francis founded
for people like you and me who want to deepen their faith and live
truthfully the Gospel – but in the real world.
I am still learning what it truly is to become part of this community,
but as all things godly this is a road that leads one towards heaven into the
arms of Jesus. I hope to take you on
this journey with me so we can together discover this beautiful path. Once a month we are invited to come together
for Mass and breakfast. On Saturday,
fourteen of us went to Mass at Saint Bonaventure Parish in honor of their parish
patron saint. Only until recently did I
learn that Saint Bonaventure is a Franciscan!
In fact, only until recently did my brain link saints with their
practiced spirituality. This discovery
has given me a deeper understanding of the Franciscan effect in the world
throughout time. How the message of
Saint Francis spread and the pivotal players that helped his message get across
lands, peoples, and time. His message of
living the Gospel in a very Franciscan way didn’t die with him, but continues
to influence and attract people. Today, we need
his message of love, simplicity and humility as much as in the days he
roamed the earth. Just look at the
Francis effect in our current papacy…
I think
love grows with the knowing of one another.
There’s a story of Saint Francis being tempted to leave the order to
form a family, so in true Francis fashion he went outside into the snow and
created three snowmen (a mother and two children) when he was finished he told
himself there now you have a family! He
looked at his snow family and saw them poor and in much need so he told himself
now go out and provide for them. The fantasy
he had for a family was replaced with reality.
So, he went out happily to work for his actual family- those friars under
his current care. While Saint Francis
can sometimes be lost in fantastic fables, the true man was one who did
ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Meeting this very real, holy man and getting to know him honestly has only
made my love and admiration for him grow- but more for God. All roads lead to Rome- as do all saints lead
to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment