Fr. Marek’s homily at the opening Mass on the Feast of the Stigmata emphasized that true discipleship requires us to listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He reflected on the suffering of the stigmata or suffering as a transformative experience—"the kiss of Jesus"—that can lead to profound change if we invite God into our darkest moments.
When one has a longing so great that it surpasses human nature and eager desire, and are able to accomplish things beyond human thought, it is the Bridegroom who has smitten them with this longing.
Representatives from the Franciscan Family and Franciscan-hearted individuals who work with the friars attended the Synod of the Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe from Jan 13-17 in Kansas City, MO.
Francis’ stigmata were the culmination of many sufferings with Christ over his lifetime. Many of those sufferings came from life with his brothers, as indeed it does for all of us. It is important for us to recognize that the problems we face today in living in fraternity are very similar to the problems that Francis and his brothers faced. Human nature has not changed!
Weddings are about human love that co-creates human life. On a deeper level, a wedding where the mother of Jesus is present, symbolizes the relationship between the divine and the human, how the two embrace each other to create vitality. The wedding symbolizes how God and people are united in love to co-create spiritual life.
Create customized programs for your Professions, Admissions and Ceremonies of Welcoming using text from the new Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Serving is a prominent characteristic of Franciscan leadership philosophy. St. Francis sees himself as a servant to God and those in his community. When we look at the intentions and promises we make at the Rite of Admission and the Rite of Profession, two special, grace filled times, we see the word service.
The power of the Most High overshadowing Mary, and the Spirit descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove, are one and the same God breaking into our daily lives. God, loving us so intimately, leaves the remoteness of the heavens, and makes His dwelling among us.
Conflict is deeply embedded in the human heart and the entire history of salvation. The entire Bible from Genesis to Revelations is an endless series of conflicts between God and the evil spirit, between good and evil, love and hate, and heaven and hell. St. Paul writes that there is a fight in my heart between good and evil. In every healthy community, there are differences of opinion which can result in conflict, confrontation, and a fight for the dominance of opinions and views. The Gospel includes the never-ending conflict of Jesus with the Pharisees. Jesus did not seek this conflict, but by preaching the Gospel, He provoked people to stand for the truth, and this always results in conflict.
Once you have seen the Light, once you meet the Child of God, you must change, turn, and go back to your life, your world, by another route.