Christian Spirituality | Franciscans of Life

How long have I waited . . .

During the last few fraternity meetings we have been discussing how God reaches out to us through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Penance. Let’s pause for a moment and think about how we reach out to our brothers in this fraternity, to others in the communities where we live, in our families and to the voiceless.

What meaning does the name Christian have, if we do not become like the Master? Christ reaches out to all people at some point in their lives, to some it may be at the 11th hour, just before death. The truth is that no one can bypass Christ.

No one should be able to pass by a Catholic without experiencing something different. They should experience that you’re genuinely interested in them and those things that cause them concern, especially those things that frighten them.

People should experience that you recognize that you are a sinner and joyful, because you do penance knowing that God forgives. There is no sin that is too big for God to forgive. The only sin that He cannot forgive is despair, when we stop believing that he can forgive or we begin to believe that he is so angry with us that he won’t forgive us even if we asked.

If we make regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we don’t have to worry about being forgiven. We can walk through a crowd with serenity, because we know that even if everything else collapses around us, we will not collapse. We are held up by the grace of God that we receive in the sacraments. If that joy and serenity is lacking, we must question our faith in the sacraments, not question the sacrament. It is never God’s fault that we do not take full advantage of what He offers.

Your family and your fraternity must be the first to experience Christ in you. They must be the first to see that you are a son of the Church. What does that mean? It means to learn from Christ as Francis and other saints learned. Francis and the others are simply examples that it can be done, that human beings can become the reflection of perfect love.

Remember the words of St. Augustine. “How long have I waited my Lord.” It was not a question. It was a lamentation. Even though he went on to become one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church, he regretted that he had waited more than 30 years to believe and to live as one who believes, accepting from God and giving to neighbor, perfect love.

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on August 7, 2014 at 7:50 PM Leave a Comment

Which is my strength?

If we had to take a quiz, which virtue would we have to cultivate and which weakness would we have to work to overcome?

St. Francis wrote an admonition that addresses this. I thought I’d share it, because so many people, especially Catholics on all sides of the spectrum are walking around with worries, anger, frustration, and other feelings that take away their interior peace and create noise where there should be interior silence.

Which of virtue do you have to work on?

Read St. Francis’ admonition and examine yourself.

Of the Virtues putting Vices to flight

Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility there is neither anger nor worry. 1 Where there is poverty and joy there is neither cupidity nor avarice. Where there is quiet and meditation there is neither solicitude nor dissipation. Where there is the fear of the Lord to guard the house the enemy cannot find a way to enter. Where there is mercy and discretion there is neither superfluity nor hard-heartedness

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on July 12, 2014 at 7:57 PM Leave a Comment

Lawrence Welk, the Mind and God

I believe that the human mind is the best proof that there is a God whose awesome power and knowledge is unsurpassable. The human mind remains one of the most remarkable mysteries in human existence.
Think about it. Nothing is ever lost. Every event, person, emotion, thought or concept that you ever met, experienced and learned is meticulously stored. It is all possible, because God made it possible. He does not play dice with humanity. We’re not God’s idea of a game of chance.

I was watching a show on the construction of the Statue of Liberty on PBS and I fell asleep. The next show was an old Lawrence Welk show. When I was a little boy, Lawrence Welk and Ed Sullivan were family rituals. My mind must have incorporated the show in the background with one of those wonderfully stored memories. I awoke thinking that I was in my childhood home, with my brothers and sister. The first this I did when I woke up was to call out, “Mommy!”

It took me a few seconds to realize that I was not there, but in the here and now. My mommy went to heaven many years ago. But thanks to God’s incredible wisdom, power and kindness, those memories are very much alive and once in a while, He blesses us with recall. Even the saddest memories are important, because they increase the value and meaning of the happy memories. This reminds me of a question that people often ask me.

“Why did you study neuropsychology and mystical theology as well?” The reason is simple. The study of the mind without religion is lame and religion without understanding the human mind is blind. The truth is that God is very simple; but if He didn’t make Himself complicated, we would never understand Him.

The next time you have doubts about the existence of God, ask yourself if you mind exists. It can’t be examined under a microscope either.

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on July 6, 2014 at 8:32 PM Leave a Comment

“And you . . . who do you say I am?”

I don’t think this needs any explanation.

Thanks to Bernardo who produced, directed and was kind enough to allow the Franciscans of Life the honor of sharing this excellent meditation with our friends.

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on July 3, 2014 at 11:39 AM Leave a Comment
Tags: Liturgy

This Happens to People Who Take Things for Granted

Ever notice how we take things for granted? I’ve been unable to walk with my dog for a very long time, because I can’t breathe. I finally got my supplier to give me a portable oxygen bottle, the kind that you carry in a bag over your shoulder. I assure you that it’s lighter than may daughter’s handbag. 😀

I went out with Max, our doggie. I walked the length of two cars. He was so good too. When I became fatigued I said, “Easy.” I have never taught him “Easy”. It just came out, almost as if I was talking to myself. Nonetheless, I noticed that as soon as I said it, he looked at

St. Maximilian (aka. Max)

me and sat down. He waited patiently for me to recover so we could walk back the length of the two cars and return to the house. My son took over from there for his real walk. I think that I was not the only one who missed being outside together. I used to take things for granted, such as the patience that my dog had toward me. It thought it was I being patient with him and I took for granted the air I breathed. Not any longer. 🙂

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on June 28, 2014 at 12:26 AM Leave a Comment

Does “Thinking of You” Equal a Hospital Visit?

I recently saw this in a forum and thought the argument was completely illogical, not to mention morally wrong. For some very valid reasons, the person can’t always make it to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. So far so good . . . this happens. But what follows is not so far so good.

The person admitted that there are several parishes that offer the Ordinary Form of the Mass at times and places where he or she can attend. However, he “was told that he could do a holy hour and a rosary” and that would suffice, because he “won’t go to a Novus Ordo Mass.” Whoever told him this was wrong, even if it was a priest.

Let’s break this down into little pieces. First of all, everyone has a moral obligation to worship God on the Sabbath, which for Catholics and most Christians, that’s Sunday. This is not negotiable. The Commandments do not say that you can replace worship with private devotions. Worship, as it’s understood in the Decalogue means to offer sacrifice in union with the people of God.

Here comes the second problem. The Rosary is not The Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The Rosary is a meditation and a private one at that. It can never replace the sacrifice, especially the Sacrifice at Calvary, which is celebrated at every mass around the world, as long as the mass is valid. Whoever said that this was a good replacement for a mass does not understand the mass.

Next problem, a Holy Hour is not The Sacrifice either. It is a private act of adoration of Christ in the Eucharist. At the mass, Christ makes himself present in the Eucharist and the people of God do adore him, but we adore him as a people, as Church, and as individuals. If we listen to the prayers very carefully, in English, Spanish, Latin or Swahili, the pronoun is always “WE”, not I. All prayers of adoration said at mass are in the plural. The only time that the first person pronoun is used is in professing one’s sinfulness and professing one’s faith.

Now that we have busted the myth that a Holy Hour and a Rosary can replace the Holy Mass, let’s get back to our moral obligation. Unless there is a real impediment that keeps us from attending mass, it is a mortal sin not to do so. The Ordinary Form Mass (Novus Ordo) is as valid as the Extraordinary Form (TLM). It is also as efficacious and it is the normative mass for the Latin Catholic Church. One cannot morally justify writing it off.

Choosing not to attend a mass, because it’s an Ordinary Form Mass and one has issues with the form, is a willful act, not an impediment. An impediment would be something that is outside of your control, something that physically keeps you from attending mass.

One’s personal feelings about the mass are not physical impediments. Unless the feeling can be proven to be psychologically crippling, there is no good reason to miss mass, because of how one feels about either form of the mass. This also applies to someone who willfully misses mass, because the only mass left is the Extraordinary Form and “I don’t like the Latin mass.” Too bad. It’s not there for your pleasure. The Sabbath is to please God, not you.

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on June 26, 2014 at 10:30 PM Leave a Comment

Those Who Know Better Must Put Their Knowledge Where It Will Serve the Greater Good

I was watching a video by Sister Cristina Scuccia and someone left a question below that I’d like to answer where others can see it. They asked, “Why doesn’t the Pope excommunicate her?”

I thought, “How sad that we live in a world where people who claim to be in search of holiness spend time and energy looking to punish those who are different from how they perceive they ought to be.”

This comment is a request for a juridical sentence against a sister who has broken no Church law. She’s simply doing something that some people say nuns shouldn’t do.

Let’s take that in little pieces, because there is a lot of confusion out there about women religious. A nun is a woman religious who lives in a monastery. She rarely leaves the monastery. Her life is about prayer, work and community, all of which takes place in one house and its surrounding property.

A SISTER IS NOT A NUN. A sister, like a nun, makes vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. However, the Church has erected congregations of sisters to live and work in the world. The Church expects them to navigate the world of sin and holiness. They are to take what is good and beautiful in the world and make it better and they are to take what is sinful in the world and transform it, to the best of their abilities, out of love for God. They are to use every gift that God gives them, be it the ability to teach, nurse, do social work, do scientific research, work as administrators, sing, paint, or speak in front of a TV camera.

To be excommunicated you must commit a crime against Church law. The crime must be against the faith, against morals or against a discipline in the Church. Singing on stage is not a crime in the Catholic Church. It is not immoral. It is not against any discipline in the Church and it certainly is not contrary to any article of revealed faith. As far as being in the near occasion of sin, the Church does not consider this any different from any other situation where one has to navigate dangerous waters.

In addition, Canon Law grants religious superiors the power to authorize this kind of activity. If one notices very carefully, one will see two things. First, Sister Cristina is never alone. The major superior of her congregation and the superior of the house in which she lives are at every performance. Second, Sister is always in a habit. What people don’t know is that Mother Superior made a deal with the organization that runs the Voice of Italy. Sister Cristina is only allowed to be absent from her duties for two rehearsals per week and never alone without another sister. J-Ax, her coach agreed to this. He also asked Mother Superior if Mother would allow Sister to teach him about the spiritual life, because he has many questions that he believes Sister can answer. I did not dream this. This was in an interview that he did.

I know for myself that I don’t always know best. I simply walk out into the night holding the Lord’s hand not knowing where he leads. Those of us who are superiors must often walk in the dark holding on the Christ’s hand as we go about the business of leading and serving our brothers and sisters.

I often see too many people out there who want to tell religious what to do, how to do it and what not to do. They seem to know best. But I often ask myself the question, “If they know best how to live religious life, why am I on the inside and they’re on the outside? Shouldn’t they be in religious life putting their knowledge at the service of the Church?”

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on June 24, 2014 at 3:13 AM Leave a Comment

How does one become a “Mirror of Perfection?”

A good friend and I were discussing the Mirror of Perfection and how we’re called to be such a mirror. St. Francis of Assisi has often been referred to as the Mirror of Perfection. I believe it may have been St. Bonaventure who started this tradition, which caught on in the Church and has lasted until today.

I’m remembering a few years back when I was a regular poster on Catholic Answers Forums being taken to task for always pointing to St. Francis whenever people complained about this or that. I would always say the same thing. “Look at people like St. Francis. They didn’t live in a perfect world and it certainly was a far from perfect Church.”

Now that I think about it, I’m glad that St. Bonaventure introduced the term, Mirror of Perfection. For centuries that Church has been telling us that we are called to holiness. Vatican II summed it nicely when it said “the universal call to holiness.” I like it because it’s clear that the call is not just for those of a certain religious tradition, but for all people. Everyone is called to holiness, even non-believers. How God leads men to holiness is complicated and parts of it are mysterious to us. We know that no one goes to the Father but through Christ. How Christ brings men to the Father is a whole other issue. We can get into that here, but we won’t. Suffice it to say that Christ does cartwheels to get us to the Father. In other words, he does cartwheels to helps become saints.

This brings me back to the Mirror of Perfection. Christ is perfect. He commands us to be perfect. He speaks to us about how we will be judged on the perfection of charity at the last judgment. “If you did it for one of these the least of my brothers, you did it for me.”

If we’re all called to holiness, to the perfection of charity, to be perfect as Christ is perfect, then aren’t we all called to be Mirrors of Perfection? How can one be like Christ and not reflect Christ to those around us? It’s an oxymoron. “I must decrease so that he can increase.” Those are the words of John the Baptist. The less of us and the more of Christ that people see when they come into contact with us, the better mirrors we become.

St. Francis was not the only man called to be the Mirror of Perfection. Rather, like St. Bonaventure says, he was probably the best mirror in Christian history. This introduces another concept. We can’t just reflect back an image of Christ. If you have ever been into a house of mirrors, some images are distorted. The key is to reflect an image of Christ that is as close to Christ as possible. That requires work. We don’t accomplish it over night.

We are sinners. We try to do what is right, but we make bad choices and we have to begin again. The secret that St. Francis discovered was that he recognized when he sinned and stopped the sinful action. He did penance for his sins and tried as hard as he could to do better. It was not always easy. Very often, the temptations came back over and over again. Over and over again, he put his hands into the hand of Christ, through prayer and penance. Christ guided him. Gradually, he reflected Christ better and better.

There is no great secret on how to become mirrors of perfection, nor are some called and others excluded. The call to holiness is universal. The key is to try over and over again, letting Christ teach us and not being afraid. As long as we journey with Christ, we have nothing to fear. He knows what we need to reflect him to the world. The first step to being a mirror of perfection is to learn to be sorry for our sins, to do penance and to try very hard not to sin again; but if we do, don’t panic. Christ does cartwheels to save us. Go back to him. Ask for forgiveness and try again. Always trust that each day he will bring you closer to being a perfect reflection of His love.

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on June 22, 2014 at 1:35 AM Leave a Comment

La Aventura Conjunta de Franciscanos de Vida y Respeto a la Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Miami en el Apostolado de Vida.

En nuestra primera empresa conjunta, los Franciscanos de Vida y la Oficina de Respeto a la Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Miami presentó una mañana de formación para hombres que sirven en el Proyecto José, un apostolado de alcance y formación dirigido a padres que enfrentan embarazos en crisis. El Proyecto José se dirige directamente a los padres, mas incluye a las madres y a la familia a través de sesiones individuales y familiares.

Aunque no todo Franciscano de Vida es asignado al Proyecto José, a todo hermano (seglar y consagrado) se le requiere conocer todos los aspecto del trabajo pro-vida llevado a cabo por la Sociedad.

El hermano Jay, Superior de los Franciscanos de Vida y Director del Proyecto José, Arquidiócesis de Miami, dio comienzo a la mañana con una reflexión sobre la escuela franciscana de espiritualidad cristiana. Subrayó los elementos clave de nuestra espiritualidad, que la rinden el modelo más apropiado para llevar el Evangelio de la Vida a nuestros padres en nuestras circunstancias particulares: minoría, hermandad, expiación, la Cruz, Encarnación, la Trinidad, y empatía.

El hermano Chris siguió con una meditación sobre la vida y herencia de San Maximiliano Kolbe, subrayando la contribución que San Max ofreció en toda s vida al Evangelio de la Vida a través de la Inmaculada, lo que llevaría eventualmente a su martirio voluntario para salvar a un padre y mantener a una familia unida.

El padre Alfred Cioffi, profesor de biología y bioética en la Universidad St. Thomas, miembro de la Junta de Asesores de Respeto a la Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Miami, y gran amigo de los Franciscanos de Vida, ofreció una presentación sobre asuntos de final de la vida, presentación hermosa sobre los principios que todo Católico debe de tener a la mano para poder tomar decisiones morales apropiadas al lidiar con enfermedades terminales propias o de familiares.

En conclusión, la Sra. Joan Marie Crown, Directora Ejecutiva de Respeto a la Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Miami, le habló al grupo sobre los planes futuros del ministerio. Estos incluyen la inauguración de un nuevo edificio que hospedará un Centro de Embarazo, las oficinas diocesanas de Respeto a la Vida, y la oficina del hermano Jay para el Proyecto José.

Ha sido una mañana interesante. El hermano Jay recién salía del hospital después de una pelea con la neumonía, mas trajo su concentrador de oxigeno portátil e hizo lo suyo. Luego tuvo la oportunidad de pasar un tiempo junto a algunos de los hermanos y varios jóvenes que están discerniendo la vocación de hermanos consagrados en Franciscanos de Vida.

Ha sido maravilloso ver un grupo integrado de hombres que están respondiendo a la llamada de Cristo a servirle en el padre sin voz y en su hijo prenacido, ya sea como mentores laicos, como hermanos seglares, o como hermanos consagrados. Algo quedó demostrado: estos hombres son claramente hermanos los unos con los otros y con aquellos quienes Cristo les envía.

En conclusión, queremos agradecer a Mary Tate, la directora del Centro de Ayuda de Embarazo North Dade de la Arquidiócesis de Miami, por acoger el evento esta mañana. Mary dedicó el tiempo libre de su Sábado para pasar la mañana con nosotros. Como siempre, el amor de Mary para quienes no tienen voz, para el ministerio, y para los hermanos, se transmite a través del brillo de sus ojos, de su cariño, de su sentido del humor, y de su paciencia con todos nosotros. Ella es como la mamá que los Franciscanos de Vida necesitan.

Algunas fotos para que nuestros lectores pueda saborear algo del día.

El hermano Superior necesitaba recuperar el aliento – aspirantes y hermanos le hacen compañía – esta es hermandad.

Alberto está a punto de comenzar el discernimiento

Luis funge de mentor al discernimiento de Alberto

El discernimiento requiere de muchas rosquillas

¿Sigues en discernimento? 🙂

Joseph King y José también hacen un poco de discernimiento personal

Raul Camarca y Mary Tate emergen de la cocina. ¿Mas discernimiento?

Bernardo y Mary Tate emergen de la cocina. ¿Mas discernimiento?

El hermano Chris y Bernardo van para allá.

Tiempo de volver al trabajo.

Pero Hermano, ¡estamos tan cansados luego de todo ese discernimiento!

El Dr. James Dugard y la Sra. Joan Crown en una discusión profunda durante la pausa. No tenemos idea de que estuviesen discerniendo.

Padre Alfred Cioffi ofrece una sobresaliente presentación sobre principios morales para decisiones de final de la vida. No, Joan no se quedó dormida. Simplemente no alcanzó a las rosquillas. Los hermanos se las comieron. :O

Para más información sobre este importante asunto, visiten:

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/end-of-life/euthanasia/index.cfm (en español: http://goo.gl/Fc5SQV )

http://www.flaccb.org/CDLD/index.php
Ahí encontraran todo lo que se necesita para preparar una Declaración Católica sobre la Vida y la Muerte – Directiva Anticipada (Designación de Sustituto para Cuidado de la Salud, Testamento Viviente)

Los Franciscanos de Vida desean agradecer la Oficina del Ministerio Respeto a la Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Miami para esta oportunidad de reunirnos como hermanos y hermanas para reflexionar sobre el Evangelio de la Vida y nuestra vocación común a la santidad.

Gracias a Bernardo por la traducción al castellano.

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on June 19, 2014 at 12:34 AM Leave a Comment

Franciscans of Life and Respect Life Archdiocese of Miami Joint Adventure in the Apostolate of Life

In our first joint venture, the Franciscans of Life and the Office for Respect Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami held a formation morning for men serving in Project Joseph, an outreach and formation apostolate to dads in crisis pregnancies. Project Joseph deals directly with the fathers, but includes the mothers and extended family thorugh individual and family sessions.

While every Franciscan of Life is not assigned to Project Joseph, every brother (secular and consecrated) is required to know every aspect of all pro-life work done by the Society.

Brother Jay, Superior of Franciscans of Life and Director of Project Joseph, Archdiocese of Miami, opened the morning with a reflection on the Franciscan School in Christian Spirituality. He focused the key elements of our spirituality which makes it the most appropriate delivery model for the Gospel of Life to our dads in our particular circumstances: minority, fraternity, atonement, the Cross, Incarnation, the Trinity, and empathy.

Brother Chris followed with a meditation on the life and legacy of St. Maximilian Kolbe, stressing St. Max’s lifelong contribution to the Gospel of Life through the Immaculate, which would eventually lead to his voluntary martyrdom to save a father and keep a family united.

Father Alfred Cioffi, Professor of biology and bioethics at St. Thomas University, member of the Board of Advisors of Respect Life Archdiocese of Miami, and long friend of the Franciscans of Life presented on the end of life issues. Father gave a wonderful presentation on the principles that every Catholic must have in hand in order to make appropriate moral decisions when facing terminal illness, be it one’s own or that of a loved one.

Finally, Mrs. Joan Marie Crown, Executive Director of Respect Life Archdiocese of Miami addressed the group on future plans for the ministry. These include the opening of a new facility that will house a pregnancy help center, the diocesan offices of Respect Life and Brother Jay’s office for Project Joseph.

It was an interesting morning. Brother Jay was recently released from the hospital after a bout with pneumonia. But he dragged along his oxygen concentrator and did his thing. After, Brother had the opportunity to spend time with some of the brothers and several young men who are discerning a vocation to the Franciscans of Life as consecrated brothers.

It was wonderful to see an integrated group of men who are responding to Christ’s call to serve him in the voiceless father and his preborn child either as a lay mentor, a secular brother or a consecrated brother. But one thing is clear; these men are clearly brothers to each other and to those to whom Christ sends them.

Finally, we want to thank Mary Tate, the director of the North Dade Pregnancy Help Center of the Archdiocese of Miami for hosting the morning’s event. Mary took time from her free Saturday morning to spend with us. As usual, Mary’s love for the voiceless, the ministry and the brothers comes through the twinkle in her eyes, her warmth, her sense of humor and her patience with all of us. She’s like the mom that Franciscans of Life need.

A few pictures to give our readers a TASTE of the day.

Brother Superior needed to catch his breadth — Aspirants and brothers keep him company — This is fraternity

Alberto is about to begin discernment

Luis mentors Alberto’s disccernment

Discernment requires a lot of donuts

Are you still discerning? 🙂

Joseph King and Jose are doing a little discerning of their own.

Bernardo and Mary Tate emerge out of the kitchen. More discernment?

Bernardo and Mary Tate emerge from the kitchen. More discernment?

Brother Chris and Bernardo are going for it now.

Time to get back to work

But Brother, we’re so tired from all that discernment.

Dr. James Dugart and Mrs. Joan Crown in deep discussion during the break. We have no idea what they were discerning.

Dr. James Dugard and Mrs. Joan Crown in deep discussion during the break. We have no idea what they were discerning.

Father Alfred Cioffi delivers an outstanding presentation on end of life moral principles.

Father Alfred Cioffi delivers an outstanding presentation on moral principles for end of life decisions. No, Joan is not asleep. She didn’t get enough donuts. The brothers ate them. 😮

For more information on this important subject visit:

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/end-of-life/euthanasia/index.cfm

and

http://www.flaccb.org/CDLD/index.php#

You’ll find everything you need to prepare a Catholic Declaration on Life and Death – Advance Directive
(Health Surrogate Designation / Living Will)

The Franciscans of Life want to thank the Office of Respect Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami for this opportunity to come together as brothers and sisters to reflect on the Gospel of Life and our common vocation to holiness.

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on June 14, 2014 at 9:59 PM Leave a Comment

Franciscans of Life

Vita ad vitam vocat

How long have I waited . . .

Which is my strength?

Lawrence Welk, the Mind and God

“And you . . . who do you say I am?”

This Happens to People Who Take Things for Granted

Does “Thinking of You” Equal a Hospital Visit?

Those Who Know Better Must Put Their Knowledge Where It Will Serve the Greater Good

How does one become a “Mirror of Perfection?”

La Aventura Conjunta de Franciscanos de Vida y Respeto a la Vida de la Arquidiócesis de Miami en el Apostolado de Vida.

Franciscans of Life and Respect Life Archdiocese of Miami Joint Adventure in the Apostolate of Life

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