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(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2026  Issue #119)

Grain of Wheat

By Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS • National Minister

Over the last three years I’ve been focusing on death. In 2024, my father was called home. In 2025, my mother was called home. In 2026, we remember the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Both my parents lived 93 years. St. Francis lived about 45 years.

An opportunity to focus on death is truly an opportunity to focus on life.

“…Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.   John 12: 24”

In 2021, my parents started needing some assistance. I would rotate with other siblings to stay with them. Maybe you can relate to such a call to assist.

These visits involved a little dying to self. Although inconvenient to be away from Brian, home, and office, I tried not to complain about taking time out of “my life” to care for my parents. They sacrificed so much for my six siblings and me and our families. This was the least I could do for them. Technology allowed me to work remotely, which was such a godsend.

It turns out that wasn’t the only blessing I received from those visits. During those years, I was able to get to know my mom and dad on a different level. I dialed in on their dietary likes and dislikes, preferences for television shows, and aspects of their deep prayer life.

St. Francis lived 800 years ago. Of course, I never physically met him. Yet he still has an impact on my life. My encounters with him were through walking where he walked (Assisi and La Verna), reflecting on his prayers and on what others remembered about how he followed Jesus. I noted his sacrifices – which he would not have labeled as such.

These three people shared their love for Jesus with me even through the suffering of dying. As we know, Jesus’ story, THE Story, doesn’t end with the cross. The Resurrection is the next step. It is death sprouting into new life – the image of the grain of wheat. There is pain, but it results in much fruit.

Linking the lives of my father, my mother, and St. Francis with Christ’s leads me to wonder what seeds have been planted in me.

Things I learned from my dad: never give up, faith is vital, routines are good, start and end your day in prayer.

Things I learned from my mother: there is always more we can do, but life is short – act with urgency, we must advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, there’s always room for more at the table, and it is never too late to accomplish something (like earn a degree).

Things I learned from St. Francis: God is in control – we just need to cooperate, the Gospel message is so wonderful – we must share the joy, and ignoring our bodily needs allows us to make room for God.

Like any child, sometimes I don’t want to follow the instructions from a parent. It’s embarrassing to know how many times as an adult and a professed Franciscan I still fail. I pray each day that I receive the grace of a mature faith to want to die to self and try to produce the fruit for Jesus. Dad, Mom and St. Francis, pray for us.