By Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS
National Minister
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.
Approximately 30 OFS, professed and candidates, attended the gathering. We were grateful to discuss the importance of relationships and sharing the Franciscan charism. We recognize that the 73 OFM brothers (and many more previously) responded to the mandate in Articles 60, 61, and 62 of the OFM General Constitutions. They continue caring for, valuing, assisting, and fostering Secular Franciscan vocations.
This culminated a year-long synodal process that the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe began in local friaries last year to gather feedback and discern some next steps. Seven regional meetings followed as 300 friars practiced synodal discussion.
The national meeting, called a Franciscan Provincial Synod, included about 200 friars, Secular Franciscans, Franciscan sisters, and lay partners. Half of those in attendance were friars.
Prayer was a focus along with gatherings where tables of eight participants discussed various topics. The organizers structured the schedule to obtain feedback from all participants. Technology was used to collect and quickly process the feedback that focused on the charism, lifestyle, and mission of Franciscans.
The synod’s timing was perfect as it is the beginning of the third year of the centenary celebrations focusing on the Canticle of Creatures – a year to recognize and celebrate God’s presence in all creation. This gathering met the challenge – cherishing the splendor of God in the various members of the Franciscan family and aspects of creation – even Brother Winter as ice and cold were on hand in Kansas City.
A Wednesday morning session on youth and young adults was exceptionally engaging and inspiring. The younger participants are hopeful and trust that the Spirit is still at work. Several of the panel stressed that growth is achieved through struggles, which they were not afraid to tackle. They welcome the opportunity to have conversations as part of building relationships.
On Wednesday evening, a committee of four friars, one Poor Clare sister, and one Secular Franciscan examined all the priorities that had been voted on during the previous days. They chose the eight major priorities and 25-30 actions concerning the charism, mission, and lifestyle the assembly would vote on. On Thursday, the assembly decided on the priorities published in the final report to the province.
At the Mass of Sending Forth on Thursday evening, OFS national vice minister Diane Menditto, OFS, was invited as an assembly member to submit the synod’s recommendations to the new council of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.
In her statement, she asked the council to “lead us all in putting the priorities of the Synod into action.”
Following her statement and the Provincial’s response, every assembly member was anointed with the prayer that they would “undertake with a generous heart the labors of Franciscan and Christian life, and be made worthy brothers and sisters of Christ and Saints Francis and Clare.”
May God grant perfect charity, sense, and knowledge as they continue to discern the next steps for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In a recent letter, Minister General Tibor Kauser, requests both individual Secular Franciscans and fraternities to participate in the Synod on Synodality, asking for our “precious contributions.” The National Fraternity agrees that this historic event needs our active participation.
