Secular Franciscan Order

 

Sisters and brothers, the great days of our salvation are upon us. Let us stand before the mystery of the Cross once again, as it comes to us in all who suffer in this world. May our contemplation fill us with the mixture of joy and sorrow felt by Francis as he received the marks of the Lord's Passion in his body. With our hearts thus softened in prayer, may we be ready to renew the promises of our baptism at Easter.

Peace
Fr. C

We Are Called to Be God's Holy Ones

We Secular Franciscans belong to a very large family. We honor our ancestors in the faith, and especially those whose heroic witness in faith and action have inspired us. The reading from Revelation describes a dramatic heavenly scene, gathering all saints who persevered faithfully through life's trials. While we rejoice over the wonderful heritage of known saints in the church, we also celebrate the saintly witness of our beloved relatives and our dear friends whom we truly believe and pray are with God interceding for us. Our basic Christian vocation in life is to be good holy people. In the Gospel, Jesus highlights the Beatitudes as our guide. Each Beatitude offers us a very unique window on how we are to evangelize for the Kingdom of God. In 2002, on World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II urged the Toronto participants to become "People of the Beatitudes" like Jesus. Many, I am sure, still hear his words echoing within us. Let us all remember that we are all beloved children whose destiny is an incredible future of living with God, and seeing God as God is.  Truly, what motivation we all have to be saintly children of God. Let us remember that when we celebrate the feasts of our Saints on their feast days, it is a reminder to us that we here on Earth hear only our own slightly off-key music. However, God hears the true beauty of our songs of praise which blends in harmony with those of the angels and of the saints.

Erma

A Message from the Desk of Erma

Let us pray to our Lord, that everything we do will begin with His inspiration and His help, and that we as Secular Franciscans will reach perfection under His guidance. It is through our observance of Lent that we truly understand the meaning of our Lord Jesus's death and resurrection.  Let us always remember that without God our Father, we can do nothing. If we draw close to God, he will always draw close to us -- therefore -- let us always twin our hearts to Jesus. Remember, that without God, we are bound to fail.

 

PRAYER FOR A LENTEN JOURNEY

   It has begun, our Spiritual Lenten journey is well on its way. The time of repentance and soul searching has us seeking ways to bring us closer to God. We have been marked with ashes and are reminded that we must repent and spread the Good News through our words and actions. It is a time to clean out our hearts closet to make room for Christ. Francis sought often and always kept his heart open to Christ. He so wished and I believe still wishes that for all. He wrote a letter for his entire order which can help all of us follow in the footsteps of Christ during our Lenten Journey.

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
give us miserable ones
the grace to do for You alone
what we know you want us to do
and always to desire what pleases You.
Inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow
in the footprints of Your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
and, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High,
Who live and rule
in perfect Trinity and simple Unity,
and are glorified
God almighty,
forever and ever.
Amen.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

“A LETTER TO THE ENTIRE ORDER,” 120-121

Blessings!

Frances

Lenten Miracle…
       
When I was growing up, I would always see a wooden helmet with ONE bullet hole in one side hanging by the wall in our living room. My Mom told me the story that happened one HOLY WEEK…
       
My family had been taking care of a statue of the Black Nazarene carrying the Cross .Everyday of the Holy week, we have a procession around town. When the Japanese occupied our country, my family fled to the mountains to avoid them.  They left behind the statue, so Mom told my oldest brother to go back to town to get the statue’s head. While carrying it, a Japanese soldier shot him and the bullet went into the wooden helmet but miraculously did not go through. God saved my brother. Since then, the tradition continued every Holy Week. Nothing is impossible with God, so trust in Him…..
                                                                                                                                                       Benedicta

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