Retreat in Preparation for Vows

On October 18, 2012, Holy Family Franciscan Fraternity will be having our community retreat in preparation for vows in November. This is our first group to take vows and we're all very happy to be a part of this great worldwide community. We started our community through the generosity of Fr. Caspar Furnari, our community's spiritual director and our parish's pastor. He's worked tirelessly to help our community grow. At our first meeting, two years ago, we managed to attract 12 people interested in learning more about St Francis' life and spirituality. Coincidentally, the same number of followers St. Francis attracted initially. Now, we have nearly 30 members. 20 of us will be taking vows in a month's time. It's all very exciting. People, Catholic Christians and otherwise, ask me what exactly we do when we meet once a month in our church's basement. Basically, we're learning what it means to be a Franciscan. This answer inevitably generates yet another question: What's a Franciscan? A Franciscan is a follower of St Francis' model of life and spirituality. I don't intend to be coy, clever or esoteric but my succinct answer inevitably spawns yet another question: What's the difference between a Franciscan and a Christian to which I respond, "Nothing at all." A Franciscan is first and foremost a follower of Christ. When Pope Innocent III gave his blessing to start the Order of Friar Minors, he explained that if the Church didn't give its blessings to the inchoate community of dedicated men in medieval Assisi, the Church would have to admit that the high ideals of Jesus Christ were simply impossible for anyone to follow and this would surely be a blasphemy. Either the Christian life is possible, fruitful and an avenue of God's grace or Christ's message is a sham. Thus, given those two options, I've chosen the former. As Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote in his 1854 letter to Mme. N. D. Fonvisin, "If anyone could prove to me that Christ is outside the truth, and if the truth really did exclude Christ, I should prefer to stay with Christ and not with truth." Of course, this is merely clever wordplay from one of the world's greatest authors. If Christ is not in the Truth and the Truth is not in Christ, then neither proposition is correct. We Franciscans are merely Christians who have elected to form a life more closely in keeping with the Beatitudes. It's a life marked by simplicity, dedication to prayer and the sacraments, study, peacefulness, forgiveness, penance and asceticism. Franciscans and non-Franciscans are all welcome to attend the vow ceremony on November 15.

St. Francis' of Assisi's Feast Day: October 4, 2012

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) was a poor little man who astounded and inspired the Church by taking the gospel literally—not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit and without a sense of self-importance. Serious illness brought the young Francis to see the emptiness of his frolicking life as leader of Assisi's youth. Prayer—lengthy and difficult—led him to a self-emptying like that of Christ, climaxed by embracing a leper he met on the road. It symbolized his complete obedience to what he had heard in prayer: "Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy." From the cross in the neglected field-chapel of San Damiano, Christ told him, "Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down." Francis became the totally poor and humble workman. He must have suspected a deeper meaning to "build up my house." But he would have been content to be for the rest of his life the poor "nothing" man actually putting brick on brick in abandoned chapels. He gave up all his possessions, piling even his clothes before his earthly father (who was demanding restitution for Francis' "gifts" to the poor) so that he would be totally free to say, "Our Father in heaven." He was, for a time, considered to be a religious fanatic, begging from door to door when he could not get money for his work, evoking sadness or disgust to the hearts of his former friends, ridicule from the unthinking. But genuineness will tell. A few people began to realize that this man was actually trying to be Christian. He really believed what Jesus said: "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff" (see Luke 9:1-3). Francis' first rule for his followers was a collection of texts from the Gospels. He had no idea of founding an order, but once it began he protected it and accepted all the legal structures needed to support it. His devotion and loyalty to the Church were absolute and highly exemplary at a time when various movements of reform tended to break the Church's unity. He was torn between a life devoted entirely to prayer and a life of active preaching of the Good News. He decided in favor of the latter, but always returned to solitude when he could. He wanted to be a missionary in Syria or in Africa, but was prevented by shipwreck and illness in both cases. He did try to convert the sultan of Egypt during the Fifth Crusade. During the last years of his relatively short life (he died at 44), he was half blind and seriously ill. Two years before his death, he received the stigmata, the real and painful wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. On his deathbed, he said over and over again the last addition to his Canticle of the Sun, "Be praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death." He sang Psalm 141, and at the end asked his superior to have his clothes removed when the last hour came and for permission to expire lying naked on the earth, in imitation of his Lord.

"We adore you and we bless you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all the churches which are in the whole world, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world" - St. Francis.

(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)

Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi (Sept 17)

Francis imitated Christ so perfectly that towards the end of his life our Lord wished to point him out to the world as the faithful imitator of the Crucified, by imprinting His five wounds upon his body. Two years before his death, when, according to his custom, Francis had repaired to Mt. La Verna to spend the 40 days preceding the feast of St. Michael the Archangel in prayer and fasting, this wonderful event took place. St. Bonaventure gives the following account of it:

"Francis was raised to God in the ardor of his seraphic love, wholly transformed by sweet compassion into Him, who, of His exceeding charity, was pleased to be crucified for us. On the morning of the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, as he was praying in a secret and solitary place on the mountain, Francis beheld a seraph with six wings all afire, descending to him from the heights of heaven. As the seraph flew with great swiftness towards the man of God, there appeared amid the wings the form of one crucified, with his hands and feet stretched out and fixed to the cross. Two wings rose above the head, two were stretched forth in flight, and two veiled the whole body. "Francis wondered greatly at the appearance of so novel and marvelous a vision. But knowing that the weakness of suffering could nowise be reconciled with the immortality of the seraphic spirit, he understood the vision as a revelation of the Lord and that it was being presented to his eyes by Divine Providence so that the friend of Christ might be transformed into Christ crucified, not through martyrdom of the flesh, but through a spiritual holocaust. "The vision, disappearing, left behind it a marvelous fire in the heart of Francis, and no less wonderful token impressed on his flesh. For there began immediately to appear in his hands and in his feet something like nails as he had just seen them in the vision of the Crucified. The heads of the nails in the hands and feet were round and black, and the points were somewhat long and bent, as if they had been turned back. On the right side, as if it had been pierced by a lance, was the mark of a red wound, from which blood often flowed and stained his tunic."

Thus far the account of St. Bonaventure. Although St. Francis strove in every way to conceal the marvelous marks which until then no man had seen, he was not able to keep them a complete secret from the brethren. After his death they were carefully examined, and they were attested by an ecclesiastical decree. To commemorate the importance of the five wounds, Pope Benedict XI instituted a special feast which is celebrated on September 17th, not only by all branches of the Franciscan Order, but also in the Roman missal and breviary. ON LOOKING UP TO THE CROSS 1. With the example of our holy Father St. Francis in mind, consider what effect a glance at the cross should have on us. It led Francis from the service of the world to the service of God and to penance. A look at the crucifix should remove from our hearts all delight in the world and fill us with sorrow for the sins we have committed in the service of the world, and of our evil passions. For what other reason was Christ nailed to the cross, and his whole body bruised? The Prophet tells us: "He was wounded for our iniquities. He was bruised for our sins" (Is 53:5). Meditation on the sufferings of our Savior caused St. Francis to shed so many tears that his eyes became inflamed. -- Do you also kneel before the crucifix and bewail the sins through which you nailed your Savior to the Cross? 2. Consider that a look at the cross is also a consolation for the sinner. Our crucified Lord assured St. Francis of the complete remission of his sins. The Prophet also tells us: "By His bruises we are healed" (Is 53.5). Moses gave us a picture of our Savior on the Cross when he raised a brazen serpent on high in the desert, so that those who had been bitten by the poisonous serpent in punishment for their murmuring might be healed by looking up to this sign of our redemption. On the crucifix you behold our Savior Himself. "Behold the Lamb of God; behold Him who takes away the sins of the world" (Jn 1:29). -- Look up to Him with sincere contrition and lively confidence; He will also take away your sins. 3. Consider how the contemplation of the Crucified finally pierced St. Francis through and through with the fire of love, so that our Lord made him even externally like Himself. A look at the crucifix should also awaken ardent charity in us. St. Augustine points this out to us when he says: "Behold the head that is bent to kiss you, the heart that is opened to receive you, the arms stretched out to embrace you." Do not look at the image of your crucified Savior in the cold and indifferent way that one looks at a work of art, to marvel at the painful expression there represented. Let it speak to your heart and let your heart speak to it. Serve Him faithfully so that you may one day be united with Him in eternity. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH O Lord Jesus Christ, who when the world was growing cold, didst renew the sacred wounds of Thy sufferings in the body of our holy Father St. Francis in order to inflame out hearts with the fire of Thy divine love, mercifully grant that by his merits and intercession we may cheerfully carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. from THE FRANCISCAN BOOK OF SAINTS edited by Marion Habig, ofm Copyright 1959 Franciscan Herald Press used with written permission from the publisher

The Feast of the Portiuncula - August 2

At the foot of the mountain on which Assisi is situated, hermits from Palestine had built an oratory in the first centuries of the Christian era. This oratory together with a small plot of land was given to St Benedict in the 6th century. The name Portiuncula, that is, Little Portion, is supposed to have been derived from the transfer of this small piece of property. The little church was called St Mary of the Angels, and the inhabitants of Assisi went there frequently to pray. When St Francis forsook the world, it was his first pious act to restore this sanctuary of the Queen of heaven, which had become somewhat dilapidated. Many extraordinary favors were granted to him in this little church. The Queen of heaven designated this place as the cradle of his order. Here, likewise, she implored for him the great indulgence by which the Portiuncula chapel became famous throughout Christendom. A special impulse led St Francis on a certain night to go to the chapel. There he saw our Lord and His holy Mother surrounded by a great host of angels. Filled with astonishment and reverence, the saint prostrated himself upon the ground and adored the Divine Majesty. Then he heard the voice of our Lord urging him with ineffable tenderness to ask some special favor. Nothing was so near to the heart of Francis as the salvation of souls, and so, after a few moments of reflection, he asked for the grace of a full pardon for all who, being contrite and having confessed their sins, would visit this little sanctuary. Mary cast herself upon her knees before her Divine Son, and repeated the petition of her faithful servant. Thereupon the Lord said to Francis: "It is a great favor that you request, nevertheless it shall be granted to you. Go to my Vicar on earth, to whom I have given the power to bind and to loose, and ask him in My name to grant this indulgence." Forthwith Francis presented himself to Pope Honorius III, who, after having assured himself of the truth of the vision, granted his request, but with the restriction that the indulgence could be gained on one day of the year. The 2nd of August was the designated day, that being the anniversary of the little church's dedication. At the command of the pope, St Francis preached the extraordinary indulgence at the Portiuncula before a great concourse of people. From that time the Portiuncula was annually the goal of innumerable pilgrims. Subsequently the indulgence was extended to every day of the year. A large basilica was built over the chapel, and so the little sanctuary of the Portiuncula has been preserved in its original condition. By virtue of their apostolic power the popes have extended this indulgence to all Franciscan churches, and under special conditions even to some other churches. (From The Franciscan Book Of Saints edited by Marion Habig, ofm)

The Portiuncula Pardon (Indulgence) - August 2

There are very few Christian concepts that cause more confusion than that of indulgences. Considering the scandal associated with them immediately prior to the Protestant Reformation, it's little wonder that some non-Catholics view indulgences with suspicion. In actuality, indulgences are a beautiful concept that fits it perfectly with the Christian idea of God's mercy, justice, love and forgiving nature. In fact, if indulgences didn't exist or weren't allowed by the Christian community, many serious questions about God's real nature would immediately pop up. First and foremost, indulgences DO NOT and CAN NOT forgive sins. Only the Sacrament of Reconciliation, offered through God's grace, can do that. However, simply forgiving a sin doesn't wipe out our guilt. Imagine someone committing mass genocide and then rushing to a priest asking for forgiveness. The sin, if the penitent is sincere, is certainly forgiven, but what does that mean to those who have been killed and worse, those family and friends who survive them? Serious spiritual damage has been done and must be addressed. If a nail is hammered into a piece of wood, it can still be extracted. This is the nature of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The problem, however, is that the hole produced by the nail is still there. This is where indulgences come into play. An indulgence heals the spiritual damage we've caused to those around us and the relationship we hope to develop with Christ. Indulgences should never have been sold under any circumstances and doing so risks the sin of simony. But, this is no way means we should discard the spiritual good created by indulgences. One important indulgence that is offered to Christians this month (August 2) is called the Portiuncula Pardon. The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi are (for oneself or for a departed soul) as follows: - Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight days before or after) - Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist - Recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and a prayer for the Pope’s Intention. The Portiuncula Pardon is a grace not to miss not only for yourself but for the many suffering souls in Purgatory. Mark your calendar for the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, August 2. Tell everyone of the magnitude of this gift. Once again, we see the unfathomable Divine Mercy of God. In the words of St Francis: “O my Brothers and Sisters, I want you all to go to Heaven!” It cannot be denied that this indulgence is one of the most precious favors that comes to us from the treasury of the divine mercy. Not only the Vicar of Christ but Christ Himself granted it at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Mercy. It is recorded that when the pope first granted his approval, St Francis departed without having obtained a written document as a testimonial. When his attention was drawn to the fact, St Francis remarked: "God Himself will testify to this indulgence." Was that not actually verified by the great confidence of all Christians? One may well say of this indulgence what was said of the gracious condescension of our Lord in the Incarnation: "Through the heart of the mercy of our God, the Orient from on High has visited us unto the remission of sins." (Luke 1:78) Who would not use this day of grace well? (From The Franciscan Book Of Saints edited by Marion Habig, ofm)

Happy Feast of the Visitation (May 31st)

The Feast of the Visitation commemorates the visit of Mary with Elizabeth. (Luke, 1:39–56) When the Blessed Virgin Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, they are both pregnant. Mary is pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth is pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary left Nazareth as soon as she was told the glorious news by the Archangel Gabriel and went to Hebron, in the hills south of Jerusalem, to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Even though Jesus was only a zygote at the time, St John the Baptist, in his mother Elizabeth's womb, leapt with joy at his arrival. (Luke 1:44) It was at His presence, that John was cleansed of Original Sin. Elizabeth received the Holy Spirit at this meeting as is testified by Scriptures. (Luke 1:41) Thus, Scritpures confirms Mary's place as Mediatrix of God's grace. She is not the source of grace but rather the intercessor:

And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luk 1:42-43)

Mary, in her joym recites what has subsequently been called The Magnificat:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

This feast was kept by the Franciscans before 1263. St Bonaventure recommended it to the entire order and the Franciscan community accepted it.

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei (May 8th)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei. In Italy and throughout the world, the feast will be marked at noon by the solemn recitation of Bl. Bartolo Longo's prayer entitled the Supplica, which means "supplication" or "petition" in Italian. For a description of the prayer and its history, please go to this link: Suppllica

Feast of the Shroud of Turin (May 4th)

The Feast of the Shroud of Turin is a day the Church has set aside for us to contemplate the image of the Crucified One and to remember the great sacrifice He made for us. Whether or not you believe the image is authentic is irrelevant. It serves as a reminder of the very real God-man Jesus Christ Who, as priest and sacrifice, gave of Himself so that others might live. He prefigured that concept when He said:

My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them. And you are My friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:12-14 - GNV)

His Passion and is our Eternal Life. So great is our sin and so great is His love for us. Like a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep in order to look for the single lost one, Jesus never forgets us. All we need do is to remember Him. (Mat 18:12 -13- GNV)

St Joseph the Worker (May 1)

Bl. Luchesio & Buonadonna (April 28)

Luchesio and his wife Buonadonna wanted to follow St. Francis as a married couple. Thus they set in motion the Secular Franciscan Order. Luchesio and Buonadonna lived in Poggibonzi where he was a greedy merchant. Meeting Francis—probably in 1213—changed his life. He began to perform many works of charity. At first Buonadonna was not as enthusiastic about giving so much away as Luchesio was. One day after complaining that he was giving everything to strangers, Buonadonna answered the door only to find someone else needing help. Luchesio asked her to give the poor man some bread. She frowned but went to the pantry anyway. There she discovered more bread than had been there the last time she looked. She soon became as zealous for a poor and simple life as Luchesio was. They sold the business, farmed enough land to provide for their needs and distributed the rest to the poor. In the 13th century some couples, by mutual consent and with the Church’s permission, separated so that the husband could join a monastery (or a group such as Francis began) and his wife could go to a cloister. Conrad of Piacenza and his wife did just that. This choice existed for childless couples or for those whose children had already grown up. Luchesio and Buonadonna wanted another alternative, a way of sharing in religious life, but outside the cloister. To meet this desire, Francis set up the Secular Franciscan Order. Francis wrote a simple Rule for the Third Order (Secular Franciscans) at first; Pope Honorius III approved a more formally worded Rule in 1221. The charity of Luchesio drew the poor to him, and, like many other saints, he and Buonadonna seemed never to lack the resources to help these people. One day Luchesio was carrying a crippled man he had found on the road. A frivolous young man came up and asked, "What poor devil is that you are carrying there on your back?" "I am carrying my Lord Jesus Christ," responded Luchesio. The young man immediately begged Luchesio’s pardon. Luchesio and Buonadonna both died on April 28, 1260. He was beatified in 1273. Local tradition referred to Buonadonna as "blessed" though the title was not given officially. Taken from Saint of the Day