Minister's Note for November

Our Secular Franciscan Constitutions are beautiful documents! The Constitutions flesh out how we live our Secular Franciscan vocations. There’s food for the soul in our Constitutions as well as the nitty-gritty of how to live together in Fraternity. There’s so much there, but I wanted to look at Article 53 specifically, that discusses Fraternal Life.

     Article 53 admonishes that ‘The Fraternity must offer to its members opportunities for coming together and collaborating through meetings to be held with as great a frequency as allowed by the situation and, with the involvement of all its members.’ And also that ‘The fraternity should come together periodically, also as a Church community to celebrate the Eucharist in a climate which strengthens the fraternal bond and characterizes the identity of the Franciscan family. Where, for whatever reason, this particular celebration may not be possible, they should participate in the celebration of the larger Church community.
     I am so proud of us as a Fraternity!  Despite the pandemic and many of us being new to technology, so many of us have made that effort to come together each month over the past year and a half, even with online meetings rather than face-to-face. Others of us stayed connected to our community through the Cord. And now… finally – the option to meet face-to-face again. It’s been a long road – and with all such spiritual journeys, it’s not over; it’s a long journey together and we’re are all on the Way.

     Years ago, our Gathering Day was ‘expanded’ to better reflect the direction of our Constitutions and to enable us to have the option to attend Mass together, have lunch together, and to more deeply pray together. (Hint: that the part of our day that begins before 1pm). I invite each of us… with understanding and respect to everyone’s concern for being out-and-about with others in a still-ongoing pandemic, to consider joining us for a fuller experience of community. For joining us before 1pm.

    Consider joining together with your Secular Franciscan community, potentially at Mass together at 10am in the Serra Center, for lunch together at 11:30, and please – at least this – for prayer together at 12:30pm. Please at least start there – commit to arriving 30 minutes early… for dedicated time to pray together. It’s a small step, but all journeys do start with that first small step.

Peace and Goodness to you!
Laura Chun, OFS
Minister, San Luis Rey Fraternity
Secular Franciscan Order