Minister's Note for March

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