Kathleen Molaro, OFS
National YouFra Commission Chair

Kathleen Molaro photo

Kathleen Molaro, OFS National YouFra Commission Chair

As a young mom, I often felt overwhelmed with the myriads of daily tasks…everyday responsibilities that seemed to squelch my ability to connect my deepening faith with real life. I felt alone and detached from any understanding of what the priest meant about being Eucharist in the world!

I joined a women’s Bible study group led, coincidentally, by Secular Franciscans. I didn’t know that at the time, but I finally asked them about the funny crosses they wore. That’s when my journey began!

During initial formation, when we prayed and studied the Rule, I was struck by Article 2—especially the words “organic union.” What did that mean? The word organic implied, to me, living, breathing, and growing. If we’re an “organic union,” did that mean I would find that life and growth and connection I so craved? That I would build relationship with Christ and with others who shared my beliefs? Yes!

Article 2 continues, explaining that we are brothers and sisters, who strive for this holiness in our own secular state. I discovered through my fraternity brothers and sisters an understanding that service to my family was my way to live the gospel values and to give life to the gospels. Even the most ordinary tasks became acts of worship and reasons for gratitude and joy.

I still, thirty plus years later, live and grow and breathe my faith with the love and support of this beautiful organic union of Franciscans. Thomas of Celano describes the gift we received from Francis. This holy man of God “like a plenteous river of heavenly grace, watered with streams of gifts, he enriched the field of their hearts with flowers of virtue, for he was an excellent craftsman … To all he gave a norm of life, and he showed in truth the way of salvation in every walk of life.” (1 CEL 37)

OFS Rule; Article 2

The Secular Order holds a special place in this family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful. In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state. By their profession they pledge themselves to live the gospel in the manner of St. Francis by means of this Rule approved by the Church.

General Constitutions.

3:3 The vocation to the OFS is a vocation to live the Gospel in fraternal communion.