Fraternity Talk | Franciscans of Life

Remaining in His love . . .

Everyday I love my brothers more and more. I have never had the privilege of sharing my journey with such a great group of brothers. They’re holy, joyful, intelligent, helpful, prayerful, compassionate, respectful, and faithful to the Holy Father and the Church.

Would you like to meet some of them? Let’s do some this week and later we do more. I’ll introduce you.

Before introducing you, allow me to remind the readers that I’m their superior. You’ll see why this is important as we go through the introductions.

Aspirant Alberto, FFV

Alberto is one of the most mature young men that I have ever met. Alberto has taught me to laugh at my human limitations, including my neurosis. Don’t try to shy away, we all have a few of those around. But with Albert, I’ve learned to laugh about them. He has taught me to accept them, because they’re a part of what makes me unique. Most important, he has taught me to love God more. His love of God is awe inspiring. Alberto is American of Cuban ancestry and has just begun his first year of aspirancy with us or as his Mom calls it, his year of Ibuprofen. 🙂

Postulant Eduardo, FFV

Eduardo is a postulant as a secular brother. He is originally from Peru and now lives in Florida. He’s brilliant. Eduardo has written some of the best papers that I’ve read on the heresies of the early Church. He’s concise and clear.

You can always count on Eduardo when you need a favor. I have never seen him without a smile. The greatest thing that I’ve learned from Eduardo is to be gentle. I acknowledge the I can be rough around the edges. During the time that I have been with Eduardo, I’ve discovered that a smile is contagious and probably the best way to spread the Gospel of Life.

Br. Christopher Thomas, FFV

Br. Chris is our first professed secular brother. He came to us from Jamaica, via NY. I think that his GPS may need some attention. He is still in formation. Even after profession, you remain in formation for three years until we agree that you’re ready to fly. Brother loves the founding fathers of the USA. I’m not particularly impressed with any of them, because they were all so anti-Catholic. Be that as it may, Br Chris loves them. Had I been more familiar with this, I would have given him the name, Br. George Benjamin Thomas.

What have I learned from Chris? There are so many things, but the most important of all is Chris is always smiling and has a wonderful self deprecating humor, but don’t tell him. He’ll deny both. Chris’ desire to understand the faith and his dedication to the fathers in Project Joseph make him a model Franciscan of Life.

Postulant Luis, FFV

Luis comes to us from Colombia. If you ever want to learn to pray, watch this man. Luis has taught me many things about prayer, Our Lady, the Holy Rosary, but most importantly, he has taught me the miracle that can happen when we remain open to life. He comes from a large family. I’ve met 8/10 and they are beautiful people. Luis has also taught me a great deal about fidelity. He is often very tired when he has to drive to our mother house for a three hour formation meeting. He never leaves without smiling.

Br. Leo Gerard, FFV

Brother Leo comes to us from Boston. He is a registered nurse and ministers to the terminally ill and their families. Brother has taught me to be generous with my time and with my resources. When I’m not feeling well, the first person who texts me or calls me is Br. Leo. When we need prayer, we can count on Leo. Brother Leo has been a living example of gentility and obedience.

Br. Jay, FFV & Aspirant Bernardo, FFV

No, we’re not a comedy routine like Laurel and Hardy or El Gordo y El Flaco. I took this picture together for a very special reason.

Bernardo and I share an interesting background. I’m of Hispanic and Israeli extraction and he’s of Cuban and Italian extraction. There is a story here. Bernardo and I first met on Catholic Answers Forum. Very often we’d get into some prolonged discussion on Traditionalism. I have to admit here that I dislike the expression “Traditionalist Catholic.” There are 23 Catholic Churches that make up the Catholic Church and none of them is called the Traditionalist Catholic Church. So we used to have these little encounters on line.

Last year, I worked on the Archdiocesan Synod for Miami. While standing in the garage, a young man came running behind me and asked, “Are you JReducation?” The JR is from my religious name and education is what I’ve done most of my life. We introduced and from there a wonderful friendship has evolved.

I attended the liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the extraordinary form with Bernardo and many mutual friends and some new ones that I made that day. I’m learning many things from Bernardo. I think I’m learning that I can be a traditional Franciscan without being a radical traditionalist. I can also be a very forward looking Franciscan, without being a Modernist.

In simple language, Bernardo has taught me that being a Franciscan and a brother to all is the most important tradition in my life. He is a model of love, generosity, fidelity, obedience, prayer, patience and penance. I’m learning a great deal about Franciscan life through my dialogues with Bernardo.

That’s it for now. I’m very tired. Next time, I’ll do more profiles as I get them. For now, let’s stop here. I must say that I feel that I have so little to do and so much to learn when I’m around my brothers. I’m the superior, but they seem to be my teachers.

To tell the truth,

MY LIFE WOULD BE INCOMPLETE WITHOUT MY BROTHERS.

Brothers keep their superior company as he catches his breadth.

A note to my brothers:

When I leave this world, remember that there was one superior who loved you as a mother loves the child inscribed in the palm of her hand. and I will be watching over you from heaven. If the Lord allows it, I would like to be your patron saint during your darkest hours, to guide you through the night into the dawn.

I love you guys and appreciate everything that you have given to me. Remember, Franciscan fraternity is not about belonging to the same outfit. You can get that in the US Army. Franciscan fraternity is about loving your brothers as Christ loved his apostles.

Receive my blessing as your superior and spiritual father and my fraternal love as your little and worthless brother. Don’t forget to pray for me, a sinner.

Always your brother,

Brother Jay, FFV, Superior General

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on September 16, 2014 at 6:09 AM Comments (1)

No one builds a house . . .

I just finished reading a talk given by a prominent theologian who is also a Sister of St. Francis. While the talk itself uses language that is quite beautiful, it left me wondering, “What did she just say?”

As I pondered the question, I realized that the problem with the talk is not what she said, but what she did not mention. Nowhere in the talk is God or any of the three divine persons in the Trinity mentioned. Needless to say, Jesus Christ is not in there. One can argue that speaking to a group of Catholic sisters she need not mention Jesus, because it’s a given that the vision and goals that she put forth for the sisters are grounded in faith in Christ. However, I’m not so convinced that one can always assume that this is understood.

When we propose apostolic endeavors, a vision or a mission and we fail to ground them in the person of Jesus Christ and his work of redemption, we run the risk of making these endeavors, visions and mission our own in the bad sense of ownership. In other words, if Jesus is never mentioned in our plans, there is a risk that we will see ourselves at the center of the plan rather than Christ. When we put ourselves at the center of any plan, then we run the risk of error. Worse, we run the risk of becoming prideful. It’s no longer God’s plan and God’s inspiration. It’s all about “look what I came up with.”

My purpose in writing this is to remind you my dearest sons and brothers that any vision, any goal and any future plan that you or the fraternity may conceive must always be examined against God’s plan for the salvation of souls. If it does not fit into what God has revealed to us about himself and his plan for us, then the vision, the goal and the plan does not come from Christ. It may be beautiful and it may be very sound, but if it does not come from Christ, then it comes from man. We did not become Franciscans to worship man. We did not become Franciscans to follow man. Nor did we become Franciscans to do social service for men.

Like our holy father St. Francis, we follow Christ who will lead us to the Father and we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us understand Christ’s way to the Father. The Catholic Church will confirm for us whether or not we’re on the right track. That is her role in our lives, to be our mother.

St. Francis followed Christ from within the Church. Everything that he did, everything that he built, everything that he taught came from the Word of God. Don’t ever allow yourself to follow any path before you discern if it’s consistent with the Word of God. If you do so, you may be a good person, but you’re not a son of St. Francis of Assisi who always sought to reflect Christ, thus becoming the Mirror of Perfection.

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on September 4, 2014 at 3:12 PM 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

Urgent Prayer Request

Postulant Jerry is spending the night with a young man and his mom at an ICU. The young man is in a delicate condition. Please join the brothers as we pray for him and for his mother.

Also, pray for Jerry. This is his first solo flight as a Franciscan of Life where he is called upon to bring Christ’s love to the most vulnerable. Spending a day and night with a mother and her fragile son is the vision and mission of the Franciscans of Life. In the meantime, back on the home front, the other brothers pray to the Immaculate that she may strengthen our resolve to trust her Son.

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on June 10, 2014 at 3:18 AM Leave a Comment

On Being A Franciscan, husband and dad

Brother Thomas More, FFV

St. Francis conformed himself closely to Christ. His deep prayer life, fidelity to the Church and detachment from the secular culture serves as an inspiring example for my own vocation as a husband and father. As a husband, I am called to love my spouse unconditionally. In doing this, I model Christ’s love and desire for the salvation of my wife’s soul as well as my own. My Franciscan vocation deepens my commitment to this salvific mission of love by establishing a prayer life that is centered on communing with God Himself. With a vibrant prayer life, God’s love and Spirit can blow across my everyday life as it is lived out along side of my wife.

I am blessed with four children, each reflecting the beauty and love of God. Guarding my children’s spiritual and physical development requires the protective and providential embrace of a father. Saint Francis became the spiritual father of many brothers and sisters by caring for their souls. By embracing a poverty of spirit and a detachment from material possessions, Saint Francis serves as a constant reminder on how to detach from our own secular culture and to focus on providing for the spiritual life of our families. My Franciscan journey, with its spirit of poverty that reaches upward and outward, mediates God’s grace and peace. In letting go and emptying myself from selfish preoccupations and secular concerns, I’m discovering how to spread the joy and peace that St. Francis so beautifully exemplified as a spiritual father to the sons and daughters of the Church.

Charged with the Franciscan spirit, I hear a call to reach outward and to embrace the faith and mission of the Church. The faith of the Church has helped me grow in holy attentiveness to God’s plan for me, my family and the wider community of God’s people.

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on May 21, 2014 at 3:12 PM Leave a Comment
Tags: brothers, Interior Silence, Marriage, Parenting, Service, vocation

Unity In Diversity

It seems that the Holy Spirit has plans for us. I’m never sure what they are; so I just go along. Not long ago I said that God never ceases to surprise us. I was certainly surprised this week.

What’s fraternity without a birthday?

We normally have our community meeting, formation and fraternity night on Mondays. It’s a long evening that begins with Vespers followed by learning sacred music, then a lesson in theology. After our theology lesson we usually engage in some learning activity about Franciscan life, usually in the form of a game. This helps us stay awake and engaged with each other. Boy are our brothers competitive. There is always a snack to share and a lot of poking and roasting. Of course, there is housekeeping stuff that every group has. Our community meeting is open to any man, married or single, who is curious about Franciscans of Life.

Postulant, Jose, enjoys his birthday cake and ice cream

This past week we had another inquirer, which brought the number of inquirers up to three. However, one of the inquirer’s approached me to talk about joining our community. Not only that, but I received a beautiful letter from a young man who is in high school and is quite curious about us. I’m looking forward to meeting him probably this coming week. The age range of our men, between inquirers and professed is from age 15 to 67. That makes our average age 39-years old. This is younger than most religious communities, secular orders, dioceses or secular institutes. The great thing is to see these men interact very comfortably despite the difference in ages.

Jerry and Eduardo are received as postulants

Not only has the Holy Spirit sent us men from a wide range of ages, but also from different cultures and language groups. We are Virginian, Bostonian, Floridian, Jamaican, Mexican, Peruvian, Colombian, Ethiopian, and Cuban. We are single men who are consecrated to a life of celibacy, single men called to the married life, but are not yet married and married men who are fathers. In a tiny community there is unity in diversity. I believe that we’re a microcosm of the Church.

Any man interested in spending an evening with this interesting little group of men, is always welcome on any Monday night, beginning at 7:30 PM. Simply contact me via telephone or email.

We never know God’s plans for us until we take a risk with love.

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on May 18, 2014 at 8:42 AM Leave a Comment
Tags: community, contact us, news, vocation

God Continues to Call — Despite Our Deafness

On January 21, 2013, the Brother William Vito received the habit of penance as he begins the second half of his novitiate, which is the final stretch before making first profession to live in absolute obedience to the Gospel in the manner that St. Francis lived it, always remaining in God’s love and in the service of the voiceless. We also received a new postulant, Raciel Borrego.

Br. William Vito, Br. Jay and Postulant Raciel Borrego

On a sadder note . . .

God gives us rights from the moment of conception

A Day of Shame for America

January 22, 2013 is the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion in the United States.

A nation that cannot provide for a woman’s welfare without denying the right to live to her unborn child has abdicated its most sacred duty: the protection of the voiceless.

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on January 22, 2013 at 10:16 AM Leave a Comment
Tags: abortion, brothers of life, vocation

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE BROTHERS

Superior General

My dearest brothers and sons:

I write this letter to you via our blog in an effort to communicate with you and to share with the world something about our life as Franciscans. As we sat through the readings of this past Sunday, we heard Isaiah proclaim that there would be a voice in the desert preparing the way of the Lord.

St. Luke tells us that this is John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth and that he was born to barren parents. His conception is humanly impossible. It is only possible through divine intervention. Therefore, John belongs totally to God.

What about us? Are we not called to this way of life by divine intervention just as John was called? Do we not belong totally to God? Do we live, work, pray, play and think as one who belongs totally to God or as one who still belongs to the world?

I was very sad today when I spoke about providing housing for a homeless family, even if we have to place them under the same roof with us or our loved ones and one of you immediately brought up the typical human concerns. “What if . . . ? We don’t know much about them.”

homeless mother

There it was, right before my eyes, the same hesitation that we see in Zechariah when the angel announces the birth of John. I was hoping to see the confidence and courage of John the Baptist who never questioned what he had to do. In the end, it cost him his life; but he was born as one who belongs to God and died the same way. Jesus called him the greatest man who ever lived.

St. Thomas More

I’m reminded of one of our great Secular Franciscans, St. Thomas More, who did not hesitate to belong to God and to live, speak and act as one who belongs to God. There is a wonderful quote in the biography of St. Thomas More in which he says that even his wife and his beloved children cannot come before God and His commandment to love Him above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. Thomas puts his money where his mouth is. When his wife and children visit the Tower of London to beg him to reconsider his position and to give in to Henry VIII’s wishes, Thomas won’t budge. His wife reminds Thomas that if he does not sign the oath, not only will he be executed, but she and their children will be left homeless and penniless. The crown will confiscate all of Thomas’ properties and assets. However, Thomas would not turn his back on God’s command to love Him above all things and neighbor as himself. As we know, Thomas was executed and his family was left homeless and penniless as a result of Thomas heroic Christian virtue. We have two lives here, John the Baptist and Thomas More, two men in different times and different circumstances with the courage to follow God and become martyrs rather than be practical as the world is practical.

At the baptism in the Jordan, John points to Christ. But he does not refer to him by name. Interestingly enough, he uses the language of sacrifice. “Behold the Lamb of God,” (Jn 1:29). In the same event, the heavens open up and the Father reveals to Israel that the Covenant has been fulfilled and that a new covenant is about to begin. “This is my beloved Son” (Mt 3:17). The same message is repeated at the Transfiguration. “This is my beloved Son . . . listen to Him,” (Mt. 17:5). We are told that Jesus of Nazareth, who up to now had appeared to be the son of an anonymous carpenter from an anonymous town, for Nazareth is only mentioned once in the Old Testament, is actually the Son of God who is to be sacrificed like a lamb being led to its slaughter.

So I put to you this simple question, Brothers. Are you willing to be more courageous in order to belong totally to God? I do not mean foolish. I mean foolish as our Holy Father Francis spoke of himself, as a fool for Christ. You were created to belong to God. This was not your choice. It was God’s choice. However, the only way that we can belong to God is to follow the lamb that will be slaughtered. John the Baptist knew this. Thomas More knew this. Francis of Assisi knew this. All of them were willing to live and die for God before anything and anyone else.

You may be thinking that perhaps that Franciscan vocation is not for you, because it is a demanding one. In truth, the Franciscan vocation is probably the easiest way of life in Catholic tradition. The Franciscan vocation is to be a good Catholic. How does the rule begin? “The rule of the brothers of penance is to live the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ?” Isn’t that the vocation of every baptized person? Isn’t that what we heard in the Gospel on the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus? The divine vocation is to be a son of the Father. The first-born Son of the Father gave his life, even though it meant leaving his widowed mother alone and in poverty in this world. A Catholic must be willing to be a sacrificial lamb, if God asks it of us.

Let our walking be our preaching.

I was equally concerned when I heard a postulant ask a novice what kind of reaction he received from people who saw the novice in the habit. This kind of question concerns me, because the habit is not just a uniform. It’s a flag that announces to all that Christ is present. The brother in the habit does the exact same thing that John did at the Jordan. John called attention to himself in order to divert it to Christ.

Our concern should not be what others think or how they react to the habit. Our concern should be whether our actions and our words divert people’s attention from us to God. When you walk into a store in a habit, do you behave and speak in a manner that says, “I belong to God and so do you?” Or do you try to make yourself as anonymous as possible? A Christian who does not call attention to Christ is a poor Christian. This rule is not just for Franciscans. Christianity is not meant to be lived in the shadows. At the same time, the Christian should not absorb the attention. He must divert it to Christ at every possible opportunity by how he deals with others and by the way that he lives trusting that he belongs to God, as did John the Baptist and the rest of the martyrs.

My brothers, never forget that God has called you to this life so that you may give witness to the world that we belong to God. Witness often needs martyrs.

Be joyful, courageous, and never forget that God does not keep a record of our achievements, only of our fidelity. Be faithful and take baby steps.

Br. Jay, FFV

Superior General

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on January 14, 2013 at 3:04 AM Leave a Comment
Tags: Baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist, Lamb of God, martyrdom, sacrifice, Thomas More

New Faces

Christ, Br. Bill, Br. Jay, Ruban

We have a few new faces among the Franciscans of life. I’ll be doing a write-up on each of these ugly mutts. For the time being, I’ll just show you some pictures. Of course, if you are interested in adopting or fostering one of these pets, we would be glad to assist you. All joking aside, we’re very blessed to have these new members to our great Franciscan family. The most wonderful thing about this is that the Lord sent them. We did nothing to recruit.

Br. William Vito, FFV

The fellow in the grey habit is Brother William Vito (aka. Bill). Br. Bill is a novice, that’s why he’s wearing the grey habit. He is a computer geek and is very invested in serving the voiceless among people with disabilities. He is also an outstanding religious educator. He teaches teens, preparing them for Confirmation. He teaches with conviction, passion, love and most important, fidelity to Holy Mother Church.

Then there is Postulant Chris. Chris is another computer geek. Chris runs Project Joseph in Ft. Lauderdale. He commutes over 30 miles to make himself available to our dads. The best part about Chris is his contagious smile, especially when he messes up.

Postulant Chris

We won’t mention the fact that the superior asked him to organize a photo shoot and to make sure that everyone who needed to be there was there and was properly dressed. To make a long story short (too late), Chris is very obedient. He did exactly as asked. On the day of the photo shoot, the brothers who were supposed to be there were there. Did I mention that Chris was also supposed to be in the picture?

OK, I forgot that important detail. In any case, guess who walked into the room in his grunge clothes? You guessed it right, Postulant Chris. Suddenly, all eyes are on him. Chris had completely forgotten the very event that he had set up. The photo shoot had to be postponed. Who could get angry? Chris just put on that little boy smile, like the kid with his hands in the cookie jar. In all honesty, if you ever forget the definition of Franciscan joy, all you have to do is look at Postulant Chris. He projects that joy no matter what the situation.

Postulant Ruban

Ruban, no I did not misspell it, is from India and you guessed it, he too is a computer geek. I believe that God may be trying to tell us something. He keeps sending us these guys from the world of technology. Ruban does not have a pastoral assignment yet, as he is too young in the Franciscan life. Right now, he’s concentrating on mastering the outer expressions of Catholicism and Franciscan life. This is very important. There is no such thing as a good Franciscan, Jesuit, Benedictine, Dominican or Diocesan priest unless the man is first a good Catholic.

The first three months are very hard on the brothers. There are many externals and changes that one has to learn while on the run. Therefore, Ruban spends a lot of time before the Blessed Sacrament, learning to navigate the breviary, understanding the rubrics of the mass, the constitutions and other externals that are essential to the life of a Catholic and a future novice. The one thing that no one misses when one meets Ruban is his curious nature. I’m seriously thinking of giving him the name George as his religious name. Curious George would describe him well.

Closing Thoughts

I would like to close this entry with one thought. As we approach Christmas and we look upon the Christ Child in the manger, let us remember that human nature was the Father’s gift to his most beloved Son. God the Father would never give his Son a gift that was not precious in his eyes. The infant in the manger shares the same nature as your neighbor and yourself. Thank God for the gift of being human and show Him your gratitude by treating every human being with the same gentleness and care that St. Joseph and Our Lady had for Jesus.

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Fraternity Talk

on December 12, 2012 at 8:16 PM Leave a Comment

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