For the past month the hymn, Companions on a Journey, has been running through my mind and heart. The lines of this hymn by Carry Landry keep repeating. “We are companions on a journey, breaking bread and sharing life, and the love we bear is the love we share, for we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.” These words ring true for us as Franciscans.
Saturday, we prayed as our Holy Father, Pope Francis, was laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. Pope Francis was so consistent with his message about the Gospel. His first Apostolic Letter – Evangelii Gaudium – The Joy of the Gospel was in line with the OFS Rule.
I want to share with you two things: the fruitfulness of my vocation in the Secular Franciscan Order, and how the call led me to serve as a National Executive Councilor.
At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for the following three years would be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. As we enter 2025, we have a year - long opportunity to assess our progress and plan for the future.
En nuestro Capítulo Nacional en octubre de 2022, el Consejo de la Fraternidad Nacional decidió que las prioridades para los tres años siguientes serían las Vocaciones, las Comunicaciones y las Relaciones. Al entrar en 2025, tenemos una oportunidad para evaluar nuestro progreso y planificar el futuro.
New Year’s blessings to you. The beginning of the liturgical year also means the start of the Advent Season. Notice I wrote Advent Season, not Christmas Season. Although the Church says the Christmas Season doesn’t start for 3+ weeks, the rest of society doesn’t buy it. Most of our friends, neighbors and businesses have jumped to Christmas already. By the time the Feast of the Nativity arrives, and the actual Christmas Season begins, many have moved on - ready to take down the decorations.
I recall when I was in initial formation and my local fraternity was getting ready for elections, they were mentioning the council positions and when they said treasurer, I thought “Well, Lord, you have provided me with the skills so this is a way I could serve if that is what you want.” And so I have - at the local level for many years, at the Regional level for several terms and now at the National level for two terms.
Professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) are responsible for the welfare and growth of our prospective members and have a role as mentor in multiple circumstances.
I heard of a story years ago, of a young man making numerous attempts to change the world. With so much chaos and darkness, he felt it was falling apart. He was disheartened because his efforts seemed fruitless.
Recently I was at a Mass and ceremony on the 25th anniversary of Profession for a Sister of St. Francis. What an inspiration it was! This was a reminder for me and all of us present about what a gift our Profession is to us. It was a reminder that during our years as Franciscans, we make a sincere effort to make present the charism of our common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the church.