Minister's Note for April

So Much to Celebrate!

On April 16th we celebrate the anniversary of the Franciscan order; tradition holds that the Primitive Rule for the Friars was approved on April 16th, 1209 by Pope Innocent III. Just as with the friars, we reflect and recommit to our lives as Franciscans, for us as Seculars we will renew the promises of our Secular Franciscan profession.

We will also be celebrating a bright and beautiful ‘YES’ to God, of commitment following Jesus in the footprint of St. Clare of Assisi – as we celebrate Sr. Madeline and her SIXTY years as a Poor Clare. We are so blessed to have Sr. Madeline as the Spiritual Assistant of our Fraternity! You will find her story in this month’s Cord, our fraternity newsletter. She is truly and inspiration to us all.

Our April gathering (April 10th) is on Palm Sunday. We will remember St. Clare’s ‘YES’ to God on Palm Sunday 1212 (see image, above)[1].  On that day, the bishop of Assisi handed the eighteen-year-old Clare a palm, a symbolic gesture arranged by Saint Francis. Shortly afterward, the young Clare gave up her luxurious life as the daughter of a wealthy nobleman. Her hair was cut off. Her rich garments were discarded. And she was received into the Franciscan life. Eventually, Saint Francis helped her to establish her own order and through her determination and years of her dedication, her own Rule.[2]

May God grant you peace!
Laura Chun, OFS
Minister, San Luis Rey Fraternity

[1] The image above is one of the earliest German medieval panel paintings probably made for the convent of the Poor Clares in Nuremberg. (Tempera on wood, 1360). Note the Bishop handing the palm to Chare. Note also Francis in the background with scissors in hand to cute Clare’s beautiful hair.
[2] From https://ofsgb.org/franciscan-gallery-a-palm-for-saint-clare-1360/, referenced 3/26/2022