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Minister's Post for April

3/16/2020

With the implications of the Coronavirius in our midst, words from the book of Ecclesiastes echo across the millennia, 'a time to embrace, a time to refrain from embracing...' For us, this meant that our April gathering was quickly moved online via Zoom, and that as always, we remain connected through our Cord Newsletter and our direct outreach to each other. The Minister's Note in our Newsletter is extensive this month, but I would like to highlight two incredible Franciscan women here.

Sr. Marianne Cope was a Franciscan sister who ministered to people afflicted with Hansen's Disease in Molokai, Hawaii. She served as a hospital administrator in New York where she encountered resistance when she required doctors to wash their hands between patients. She insisted upon it anyway. When she and six of her sisters left for Hawaii she promised her sisters that no one would contract leprosy - a testament to both her complete trust in God and the practice of good medical hygiene practices.

Image from The Given Institute, supporting vocations for young Catholic women.

Sr. Marianne insisted in abject cleanliness and thorough handwashing frequently and throughout the day, with every patient.

With the grace of God, she kept her promises. She and her Sisters lovingly ministered to the people with leprosy - and none of her sisters contracted the disease. Let us all ask Sr. Marianne to pray for us – as we emulate her example… prayerfully trusting in God, caring for others – and in something as simple and important as washing our hands.

As we approach Palm Sunday, let us also cast our minds back to the Palm Sunday of the year 1212 when a young Clare Offreduccio embraced what was to become a lifelong Franciscan vocation. Clare had been touched by the charismatic preaching of Francis and his brothers; they preached a love of Jesus and caring for the poor.

On Palm Sunday in 1212, Bishop Guido left the sanctuary to personally give Clare a palm branch, a sign that she was accepting God’s call to follow Jesus in the footsteps of Francis.

Being from such a wealthy family, what a huge leap of faith it must have been for her! This was a brave act of radical conversion. I see Clare in the image above with that could be a palm in her hand; I wonder what she must have felt in that moment. With great trust, she placed her life in the hands of God. I invite you to reflect on a poem, 'Clare's Flight From Home' by our Vice Minister, Sandy, that prayerfully imagines that night. I also pray that we are all so brave to live with such trust in God, love of Jesus, and inspired by St. Francis.

Pace e Bene -
Laura, OFS
Minister

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Minister's Note for March

3/12/2020

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A Spirituality of Encounter

We are called to a spirituality of encounter. We encounter Christ in the Eucharist (and all the Sacraments), Scriptures, in prayer, in creation, and in each other. We are called to walk with Jesus – to pick up our cross and to follow Him.

In the time of St. Francis, pilgrims would walk across Europe to Jerusalem to literally walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows, is the meandering route through the narrow and crowded streets of bustling old city of Jerusalem.

On the Via Dolorosa, pilgrims would reflect upon Jesus carrying his cross to Calvary. Francis was so touched by the experience of walking the Via Dolorosa, that when he returned from the Holy Land, he popularized this experience of the ‘Stations of the Cross’ so that all Christians could share in the experience. Each time you see the ‘Stations of the Cross’ devotion on the walls of a Catholic church, you’re looking at a Franciscan devotion – a Franciscan gift to the church.

In the Stations of the Cross, we encounter the Passion of Christ. We prayerfully walk with Jesus. In both the Gospel of John and depicted in the San Damiano cross, we are like the apostle John, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary's sister (Salome), Mary (wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene – we are present at the foot of the Cross. This Lent, let us be present. Present at the foot of the Cross. Present through the ‘Via Dolorosa’ we each experience in our own lives. Let us open our hearts to the suffering of others. Let us accept in gratitude all that Jesus has done for us. As a Fraternity, we will be spending time reflecting on the Stations of the Cross at our March gathering.

Each month, we are all invited to be present for our shared time of community prayer. I wholehearted and earnestly invite everyone to experience as much as our day together as you are able. Mass (10am), Lunch (11:30), Community prayer (12:30) Adoration (12:45), and finally our gathering (1pm – 3pm). Please, if you are able, arrive by 12:30pm so we can experience this dedicated time of prayer and adoration together – as a community. Let this be a spirituality of Encounter.

Pace e Bene -
Laura, OFS
Minister SLR

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Minister's Note for February

3/12/2020

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A Love Song –
The Canticle of the Creatures

In a time often fraught with hate and division, Francis shares with us a love song. It resonates across the ages and is as meaningful today as it was in 1225. In 1225, Francis was suffering horrible eye problems, unable to bear exposure to any light. During his illness, Clare and her sisters cared for Francis in a small, dark room adjacent to their convent at San Damiano.

While in pain and darkness, Francis composed the first section of the most joyful of songs, the 'Canticle of the Creatures,' sometimes also called the 'Canticle of Brother Sun.' This song is full of praise for God and the brightness & beauty of all creation.

Detail from 'Francis and Wolf' by John August Swanson. Used with permission.

The second section of the Canticle celebrates forgiveness. Francis added this section in September of 1226 during a time of particular turmoil in Assisi. The Mayor and Bishop of Assisi were the powerful leaders of the town, but they were also furious with each other; they hated each other. This hatred spilled out into the city and among their various supporters and factions. Although Francis was near death, out of immense love for them both, Francis intervened as a Peace Maker in this troubled situation. Francis added a verse to the Canticle for them both and for all who would be peacemakers that says ‘Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love… Blessed are those who endure in peace…’

Detail from 'Francis and Wolf' by John August Swanson. Used with permission.

Francis then instructed his brothers to go to these leaders and ask them to prayerfully listen as they sang the Canticle that praises God, creation, and all those that seek peace. Through the intervention of Francis, the persistence of the Brothers, and most importantly, through the grace of God, the two rivals forgave each other and made peace.

I pray that all those who follow Christ in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi may live joyfully, be filled with the deep courage to seek peace and facilitate forgiveness… and most importantly – to live each day from a place of love.

Pace e Bene -
Laura, OFS
Minister

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From Our Minister

Minister's Post for April

Minister's Note for March

A Spirituality of Encounter

Minister's Note for February

A Love Song –
The Canticle of the Creatures

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From Our Minister

Minister's Post for April

Minister's Note for March

A Spirituality of Encounter

Minister's Note for February

A Love Song – ​The Canticle of the Creatures

Authors

Archives

Categories

LOCATION & language

Address

phone

A Love Song –
The Canticle of the Creatures