I hope that the pictures that I recently posted on the occasion of the 8th centenary chapter celebration of the Franciscan movement held in Assisi communicates to some degree the fact that the Franciscan charism is alive, well, and more relevant than ever. I experienced this not only through the unprecedented gathering of nearly 2,000 friars but through the talks that were given during the celebration and in the context of two conversations that I had during the trip. The opening keynote talks of the chapter urged attendees to rediscover the original "bulb" (to use a springtime metaphor) of the Franciscan spirit from which has grown the wonderful and awe-inspiring "blossom" of Franciscanism. To do this, speakers urged a renewed emphasis on evangelization according to the itinerant lifestyle of Francis. This would involve shifting our focus from ministries centered on "preaching/ministering to the choir" and engaging a world that has become far more skeptical, secularized, diverse, and challanging regarding "preaching" the Good News in a way that is compelling and relevant. If the Franciscan spirit is to remain a vital force in such a world, creativity, ambition, and imagination are the "new wineskins" that the Spirit will pour the new vintage of a Franciscan charism deliberately adapted to the contemporary signs of the times. I had two very unique opportunities to discuss some of the above notions with persons very much engaged with the signs of the times. During the Mass celebrated in the piazza next to the Basilica of St. Francis (during which I was perched above the gathering of friars taking pictures), I met the producer of the Religion and Ethics programming for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) who happens to be an Anglican Priest. We talked about how engaging the signs of the times through a Franciscan lifestyle means diverting our energy from the often times obsessive focus on the minutiae of what divides us (i.e., ideology, political affiliation, worshipping style) to what unites us (i.e., Christ, Spirit, and fraternity). On the plane ride home, I happened to sit next to a Deputy Director at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who was on his way home from a meeting of environmental ministers from the G8. The meeting he participated in pertained to working on the next major climate change treaty (the replacement for the Kyoto Protocal). We spoke at some length on the necessity of a spiritual and Franciscan approach to the signs of the times concerning global warming. It didn't take long for him to see the relevance and value of approaching the ecological crises not only through a political lens but also through the spiritual. The talks that were given at the chapter, the conversations that I had with the above persons who are in the trenches of engaging the "signs of the times" and even our own recent attempts to "renew the fire" of our Franciscan charism through our strategic planning process and the activities that have ensued convince me of the relevance of what we have to offer. As a matter of fact, the world hungers and thirsts for a taste of the fraternity, unity, and solidarity that binds us as Franciscans, as diverse as we are. Now all we need do is creatively and boldly imagine how we can give them a taste! Pat, TOR
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Home From Rome!
On April 25th the remaining members of the US Franciscan Friar TOR delegation arrived back home from Rome, Italy. What a wonderful trip and time we had! Given that I wasn't able to post pictures during the trip, I'd like to take the opportunity to now do so. Enjoy! Pat, TOR
Pictures of St. Peter's, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran (Major Basilica Churches in Rome)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Arrival in Rome!
Part of the delegation of friars headed to the 8th Centenary celebration of the founding of the Franciscan movement from the Immaculate Conception Province of the Franciscans, TOR, arrived in Rome this morning at 8:30 am. After proceeding through passport and customs contral stations at mach speed (relative to the US system), myself, Tello Vu, David Kaczmarek, and Robert Juroszek then proceeded to Sts. Cosmas and Damian (an ancient Basilica dating from the 1st century) and were greeted warmly by Br. Mark McBride and the rest of the friars (Amando, Bernard, John, and our Father General, Michael Higgins). Br. Mark took us on a marvelous tour of the upper and lower church. When I found out that the lower church dates from 77 a.d., I had to bend down to touch the ancient stone that would have supported the footsteps of some of the earliest Church Fathers and Mothers - it was truly awe-inspiring and beyond words. At the moment the street right in front of Sts. Cosmas and Damian is closed in honor of ¨little Easter¨, a day after Easter celebration. There are many persons walking the street, festive music playing, and a great deal of energy! After not having slept for well over 24 hours, it´s this energy and buzz that is keeping us going (along with the offer of dinner out with the friars). Our visit is off to a great start! Stay posted for more entries and hopefully some pics! Pat, TOR
