voxFranciscanA Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis Published by CIOFS SUMMER/FALL 2020 SUMMER/FALL

‘Praise Your Creator’

SITE WHERE FRANCIS PREACHED TO BIRDS TO BE A SANCTUARY

VOX Franciscana • 1 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 CIOFS Presidency Segreteria CIOFS, Via Vittorio Putti, 4, Int. 6, 00152 , Italia Tel. 0039 06 45471722 Fax. 0039 06 45473094 E-mail: [email protected] www.ciofs.info

MINISTER GENERAL Tibor Kauser, OFS Hungary VICE-MINISTER GENERAL THE TAU Maria Consuelo de Nuñez, OFS HISTORY & Venezuela MEANING PRESIDENCY COUNCILORS Pages 14-17 Ana Fruk, OFS Croatia Ana Maria Raffo Laos, OFS OFS AT VATICAN OFS ACTION Peru Minister General Tibor Kauser spent a week report- AROUND GLOBE Jenny Harrington, OFS ing on the Order in meetings at the , includ- CHAPTERS South Africa ing spending time with Vatican Secretary of State AND MORE Silvia Diana, OFS Cardinal Pietro Parolin. PAGES 6-7. Pages 18-23 Argentina Attilio Galimberti, OFS Italy Augustine Young Hak Yoon, OFS Korea Michel Janian, OFS Lebanon FRANCISCAN YOUTH COUNCILOR Andrea Odak Karlović, OFS COVERS Bosnia and Herzegovina The Piandarca field where Francis GENERAL SPIRITUAL preached to birds ASSISTANTS will be immortalized Fr. Pedro Zitha, OFM as a sanctuary. Fr. Francis Bongajum Dor, OFM Cap PAGES 8-10. Fr. Alfred Parambakathu, OFM Conv Cover: a sparrow Fr. Claudio Hernán Eguzquiza sings. iStockphoto Rodríguez, TOR Back cover: the COMMUNICATIONS field is aleady Ana Fruk, Michel Janian, equipped with a Fr. Francis Bongajum Dor, large Tau that is lit Xavi Ramos, Robert Stronach. JPIC IN MADAGASCAR Franciscan youth bring formation workshop on with splendor at EDITOR ecology and climate to Secular and night. Photo provided Robert Stronach, OFS others in Madagascar. PAGES 11-13. by Ottaviano Turrioni. USA VOX Franciscana • 2 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, leads Presidency teleconference from his office in Hungary. CIOFS: pandemic doesn’t stop Presidency’s business by ROBERT STRONACH, OFS

Members of the CIOFS mission. When the pan- challenges. Perhaps one of a new three-year budget Presidency (in effect, demic forced the cancel- the biggest was the 2020 when the chapter finally the Order’s international ation of its semi-annual General Chapter sched- convenes. executive council) were meeting in Rome in April, uled for November. They In the meantime the busy doing the Order’s the CIOFS Presidency delved into preparations Presidency was maintain- business, visiting national morphed into video meet- for the chapter. Over the ing contact with national fraternities to conduct ings (via Zoom). From period of several telecon- fraternities – at one point fraternal and pastoral vis- April to July, the Presiden- ferences, it became clear asking their opinion of itations, and preside over cy met twice a month, and that the General Chapter rescheduling the General elections. then once a month. would likely have to be Chapter (with an over- Then the COVID-19 “We have never done postponed. For how long? whelming response in virus struck, spreading anything like this before,” Six months? A year? favor of postponing). The across the globe. Travel Minister General Tibor Since it was to be an Presidency continued to came to a halt. Meet- Kauser, OFS, declared at elective chapter, the cur- plan chapter details, and ings and chapters were the opening teleconfer- rent leaders would have tackled a host of oth- canceled. Elections were ence. “With help of , to continue in office. The er topics; among them, postponed. we will manage to accom- current budget would revision of Statute of the Nevertheless, Secular plish something.” have to be extended until International Fraternity, Franciscans stayed on They were facing several capitulars could approve Continued on page 5.

VOX Franciscana • 3 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 CIOFS Presidency continued from page 3 translations of the Rule know that current leaders -- agreed to postpone circumstance – such as and General Constitutions, would continue to serve the YouFra International the case with the National communicating with the until elections could be Assembly in Mexico to Fraternity of Romania, Vatican, communications scheduled and conducted. July 2021. which needed to approve (including launching a new Th e topic of the General -- approved new nation- changes to its national website), fi nances, YouFra, Chapter occupied a place al statutes for the National statutes in order to for- national fraternities, etc. in every teleconference. Fraternity of Brazil. ward them to the Pres- “I have extended all the Th ey discussed the pos- -- discussed the idea of idency for approval. “It mandates that usually sible theme and logo, the allowing national frater- is not a model for other expire during this time,” Instrumentum Laboris nities to conduct virtual chapters,” Tibor noted. “In Tibor noted during the (the basic working docu- chapters. Defi nitely no for this situation, it’s of the Presidency’s second April ment), roundtable ses- elections because of the utmost importance to be teleconference. He said he sions, the inclusive role of requirement for voters to able to fi nish changes to was communicating with Franciscan youth, among be present and for secret national statutes.” national fraternities who other things. balloting. For other chap- -- postponed the Gen- were supposed to have Among various actions ters it is to be discouraged eral Chapter to November elective chapters to let them taken, the Presidency: except in an extraordinary 13-20, 2021, to be held at

CIOFS Presidency holds teleconference via Zoom, with participants from Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hun- gary, Portugal, Lebanon, Korea, South Africa, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, and the USA.

VOX Franciscana • 4 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 CIOFS Presidency continued from previous page the Seraphicum in Rome, nity fi nances. visits are diff erent. Regu- ternities. Th ey expressed Italy, aft er discussing “the -- approved producing lations say they need to be solidarity with Secular time required to return a short video message to done once every six years, Franciscans at all levels to normalcy,” including express solidarity with so it’s simpler to postpone and the need to strength- “the economic recovery of fraternities during the them. We should contact en fraternal life. fraternities.” pandemic. fi rst those national fra- “It’s not so simple to -- approved a design -- heard from Presiden- ternities who would have say, use Skype or Zoom,” from Hungary for the cy councilors that many elective chapters this year Tibor said. “Many older General Chapter theme national fraternities don’t or beginning of next year; members don’t have com- and logo. think they will be able to and then those who would puters, or have problems -- reviewed draft prayers meet in chapter until 2021. have elective chapters in using technology.” for the General Chapter “We need to know at the spring and summer of Th ey encouraged local submitted by the general least six months in advance next year.” fraternities to reach out spiritual assistants. to prepare for elective Th ere was always some and embrace infi rm and -- approved a formation chapters,” Tibor said. discussion of the impact elderly members. guide dealing with frater- “Fraternal and pastoral of the pandemic on fra-

Fr. Francis Dor, OFM Cap Michel janian, OFS Ana Fruk, OFS Andrea Odak Karlović, OFS

Maria Consuelo de Nuñez, OFS Attilio Galimberti, OFS Fr. Claudio Hernán Eguzquiza Ana Maria Raff o Laos, OFS Rodríguez, TOR

Fr. Alfred Param- Fr. Pedro Zitha, OFM Augustine Young Hak Silvia Diana, OFS Jennifer Harrington, OFS bakathu, OFM Conv Yoon, OFS VOX Franciscana • 5 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 CIOFS Presidency

Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, and CIOFS Secre- tary Isabella Di Paola, OFS, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Minister General Reports on OFS in Week of Meetings at Vatican ROME -- Minister Gen- tary of state. “It was a very him many of our joys and In addition to discussing eral Tibor Kauser, OFS, open, sincere meeting that challenges. The fruit of this the OFS, they gained some spent a week in February lasted a bit more than an visit was not only a discus- “insight on the work of bringing the face of the hour,” Tibor reported, add- sion… about the OFS, but this dicastery, which is ing that the cardinal “greet- also he let me have a deep- something very different to the Vatican as well as to ed me as an old friend.” er understanding of the from the Congregation the Order of Minor. (Cardinal Parolin celebrat- Church as a whole, to be where we officially belong In meetings arranged by ed the opening mass at the more aware of the reasons to,” Tibor said. “It is much CIOFS Secretary Isabel- 2017 General Chapter and of some actions and how more loose and has a more la Di Paola, OFS, Tibor had invited Tibor to visit the Vatican ‘works’.” spiritual than official bond shared the Order’s joys and him at the Vatican.) Also on Monday Tibor with those organizations challenges. The meeting took place and Isabella visited Rev. that belong there.” The week began with a in the Apostolic Palace. Alexander Awi Mello, After that meeting, they visit with Cardinal Pietro “He let me go into secretary of the Dicastery visited Parolin, Vatican secre- details, so I could tell for Laity, Family and Life. Continued on next page. VOX Franciscana • 6 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, as he joined Secular Franciscans during last year’s 40th Anniversary of the Rule celebration at the Seraphicum in Rome.

Continued from previous page. newly elected Presidency.” Following that meet- causes are being kept. Be- Clemens, “who is an old On Wednesday Tibor ing “we went over to the yond the breathtaking mo- friend of the OFS, and a and Isabella met with Car- Congregation of the Cause ments to have some 400-to- friend of emeritus dinal João Braz de Aviz, of ” to meet with 500-year-old documents in Benedict XVI.” the prefect of the CIVCSVA Archbishop Marcello hand, it was really touching On Tuesday Tibor went (Congregation of the Insti- Bartolucci, secretary of to open the documents of to see OFM Minister tutions of the Consecrated the congregation. “As this the of St. Pope General Fr. Perry, Life and of the Societies of was the very first visit ever John Paul II, or St. Mother who had been recovering Apostolic Life), where OFS at this congregation, it Teresa.” from a bicycle accident. officially belongs. During gave us an opportunity to On Friday their last “He is fairly well, walking the hour-long meeting, introduce the OFS, who we meeting was with Arch- already without a cane, and “we discussed our annual are, how many and where bishop José Rodriguez in a very good spirit. He report, entering into details we are, who are the Youfra, Carballo, OFM, the secre- confirmed his commitment of some countries and and what is our vocation, tary of the CIVCSVA. This to come to our Gener- some cases,” Tibor said. the nature of our identity. meeting was marked by al Chapter as a keynote The cardinal offered “some After this meeting... he “Franciscan openness,” Ti- speaker, as president of advice” and “accepted our guided us around the offic- bor said, while “reporting the elections and as main invitation to celebrate the es, including the archives of our life in the last year, and celebrant of the Holy Mass opening Holy Mass of the the Congregation, where all talking about some really of the inauguration of the General Chapter.” the documentations of the concrete questions.” VOX Franciscana • 7 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Piandarca Project

Illustration from 1982 USA postage stamp. Site of Francis’ Preaching to Birds to Be Outdoor Sanctuary

Nature was in its glo- [Editor’s note: Thank you to Ottaviano Turrioni, OFS, by the Committee for the ry that day in the 1200s for providing photos and details of the Piandarca Defense and Enhancement when, almost on impulse, project and press conference.] of Piandarca, created in Francis entered a field 2010 to officially preserve nestled among oaks, pop- ever since. the proceedings by saying: the landscape heritage that lars and elms, and began Thanks to the local OFS “The Piandarca Project had been quietly honored preaching to a swarm of Fraternity, Secular Francis- consists in making true for centuries. An ad hoc birds. can historian and project a dream for many; that commission coordinated That historic scene leader Ottaviano Turrioni, is, creating an outdoor by the Academy of Fine took place circa 1220 in the Cannara municipali- sanctuary in the memora- Arts of Perugia selected Piandarca, near the com- ty, the diocese and ble place where St. Francis the winner from among 60 munity of Cannara, where the Franciscan friars, the preached to the birds.” artists. Francis had just been Piandarca site will now be- The press conference The moderator noted: preaching to the people at come an open sanctuary. introduced the artist who “The Preaching area has a castle. In fact, Cannara A press conference took won an international con- already been equipped was where he decided place June 26 at the Sa- test to design an outdoor with a large TAU -- re- to start the Third Order cred Convent of Assisi to shrine and unveiled mod- member that now known as the Secular announce the design of els of his artistic vision for on a recent visit to Assisi Franciscan Order. the Piandarca Project and a stone altar and a bronze stopped with his helicopter So that day of miracu- launch a fundraising cam- statue of Francis preaching over Piandarca to admire lous preaching is associ- paign for 120,000 euros. to birds. the TAU -- and some ated with the birth of the Moderator Francesca The artist is Antonio De native trees. The TAU is OFS, and has been dear to Romana Elisei of Italian Paoli, from Pavia (Italy). also visible at night with local Secular Franciscans Television Radio opened The contest was sponsored Continued on next page. VOX Franciscana • 8 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Th e Act of Preaching to Birds

From ’s Life of St. Francis: “He came to a spot where a large fl ock of birds of various kinds had come together. When God’s saint saw them, he quickly ran to the spot and greeted them as if they were endowed with reason…. “He went right up to them and solicitous- ly urged them to listen to the word of God, saying, ‘Oh birds, my brothers and sisters, you have a great obligation to praise your Creator, who clothed you in feathers and gave you wings to fl y with, provided you with pure air and cares for you without any worry on your part.’…Th e birds showed their joy in a remark- able fashion: Th ey began to stretch their necks, extend their wings, open their beaks and gaze at him attentively. “He went through their midst with amazing fervor of spirit, brushing against them with his tunic. Yet none of them moved from the spot until the man of God made the sign of the cross and gave them permission to leave; then they all fl ew away together. His companions waiting on the road saw all these things. When he returned to them, that pure and simple man began to accuse himself of negligence because he had not preached to the birds before.”

At one point along this path Francis spotted a fl ock of birds and felt compelled to go greet them.

Continued from previous page. At the press conference, ecstasy towards Creation the press conference, and lighting that enhances its artist De Paoli spoke of his and God, where even the said: “Th e Sacred Hovel of splendor“ (see back cover). vision: smallest creatures become Cannara, where Francis Th e horizontal TAU is “I imagined a slen- a means of communicat- stayed, and the site of the raised above the ground der fi gure with his arms ing with the Absolute and Preaching are symbols by about 60 cm (nearly stretched upwards that symbolically spreading of the Franciscan secular two feet). It is perhaps the on tiptoe seems to levi- the Gospel message in the tradition ... Th e Piandarca largest in the world, 40 tate from the ground and world.” project represents a new meters long and 39 wide, accompany the fl ight of Presidency Councilor beginning, an important and it faces the direction of two larks. Th e intent is to Attilio Galimberti, OFS, element for the history of the Basilica of St. Francis represent the moment of represented Minister Gen- Franciscan iconography.” in Assisi. the Saint’s life in complete eral Tibor Kauser, OFS, at Continued on next page.

VOX Franciscana • 9 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Piandarca Project continued from previous page

Other press conference scholar of Piandarca and the Custos of the Sacred represent the OFS Nation- participants included: minister of the OFS Fra- Convent. al Council. • Assisi Bishop Domeni- ternity of Cannara. • Paola Fuciletti, Vice • Florian Castiglione, co Sorrentino. • Fr. Francesco Fongo, Minister of OFS Regional Superintendency of Ar- • Fabrizio Gareggia, parish of Cannara. Council. chaeology, Fine Arts and Mayor of Cannara. • Fr. Antonello Fanelli, • Fr. Felice Autieri, Landscape of Umbria. • Ottaviano Turrioni, OFM Conv, delegate of OFM Conv, delegated to

Fraternity Publishes Book On Francis & Piandarca Piandarca Fundraising Campaign In 2016, after years of research in To carry out the Piandarca proj- next to the “Tugurio” (hovel) archives and libraries by Ottavia- ect, a fundraising campaign aims from which St. Francis started the no Turrioni, the OFS Fraternity of to raise 120,000 euros. Third Franciscan Order, today Cannara published a book entitled, To make a donation, go to: the Secular Franciscan Order “CANNARA: The birth of the Third www.francescoapiandarca.it. (OFS). The names of more gener- Order and the Preaching of St. Fran- Donations can be of any ous contributors (donating over cis to the birds”. It is an anthology amount. A special register listing 1000 euros) will be engraved on of writers who have placed the two donors will be kept in the Can- a Corten steel column to be built events in what was the ancient castle nara Parish. It will be located next to the Sanctuary. and land of Cannara.

ABOVE: Artist Antonio De Paoli. LEFT: Illustration shows artist’s comcept for the statue of St. Francis.

VOX Franciscana • 10 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Franciscan Ecology in Madagascar

Antsiranana bay (Diego Suarez), northern Madagascar. iStockphoto by pierivb. Franciscan Youth Spur JPIC Workshop by SOLONIAINA HARIFETRA RAKOTOARISOA, OFS

After attending a formation session The training was intended to raise reminds us that Saint Francis of Assi- organized by the Union of Young the awareness of the Franciscan fam- si is an ideal example concerning the Catholic Movements of Madagascar ily on the climate change that affects protection of the environment and and the Youth for Climate Madagas- Madagascar a lot, and to think of an the vulnerable. The Pope also says car (YouClim), young Franciscans alternative that could be adapted to that the majority of actions under- decided to share this same formation the population and the country. taken by man affect current climate with the Franciscan family. With the The programme included an over- change. support of the OFS National Coun- view of the Encyclical of Pope Fran- The participants deepened the cil of Madagascar, the training was cis, “Laudato Si”, the causes of climate topic workshops. The speaker led held at the Lucien Botovasoa Centre, change, ecological conversion, prac- the participants to take a closer look, seat of the OFS Madagascar, from 8 tices of urban and rural agriculture, to see what is happening on the Big Island. In Madagascar, bush fires are to 9 February 2020. The Franciscan biogas, waste management, nurseries still very common. The air is ever family was invited and some 60 par- and reforestation. In addition, as more polluted because of the waste ticipants attended. Most were Secular Franciscans, a theme on Saint Francis that is not sorted and remains scat- Franciscans. There also were Francis- and ecology was on the agenda. tered everywhere. Thus, they have can Friars, Franciscan Sisters of the advanced as a solution the strength- Immaculate of Palagano, Franciscan Laudato Si ening of respect for disciplines and Missionary Sisters of Our Lady, and they are aware that the Malagasy Capuchin Sisters. Non-Franciscan The national president of Francis- need awareness and education. participants who heard or saw the can Youth, Jean de Dieu Rafalima- announcement were welcomed, too. nana, explained that Pope Francis Continued on next page.

VOX Franciscana • 11 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Some of the workshop participants at the Lucien Botovasoa Centre in Madagascar.

Continued from previous page. livestock, the use of fertilizers in Agriculture Climate change agriculture, household and industrial solvents, etc. These activities are very Rija Rakotobe then spoke about ag- For this theme, the speaker was frequent in Madagascar. riculture. He is a rural animator. He Norosoa Christine Razafin-Drama- An estimate is that by 2055, a tem- presented many of his experiences nana. She is a professor at the Gradu- perature increase between 1°C and on the ground. He explained how to ate School of Agricultural Sciences at 2.5°C will be perceived compared to make a compost. the University of Antananarivo. She the 1961-1990 period in Madagascar. It is very practical in the country- made it clear that climate change is Warming will be very pronounced side. However, he also talked about a persistent modification over a long in the arid regions of the Southwest urban agriculture. For our garden, period (decade to millions of years) Island, reaching more than 2.6°C. we can grow salads, vegetables, etc. of statistical parameters (the average Mamy Nirina Randrianarivelo This topic was very interesting to the state of the climate or its variability) continued topic. She is a Meteorolog- participants because it protects the of the global climate of the Earth or ical Research Engineer and Teacher environment and makes green what its various regional climates. Climate at the École Supérieure Polytech- surrounds us. variability, on the other hand, is nique d’Antananarivo. She explained the short-term variation in climate that several activities depend on the Treatment of wastes (monthly, seasonal, annual, inter-an- climate: agriculture, fishing, trade, nual, over several years). tourism, etc. Madagascar is a country The next day, Mamy Nirina Ran- The causes of climate change are where the primary sector still dom- drianarivelo spoke about waste natural and anthropogenic. How- inates. However, peasants ignore, in management, a project that is not ever, anthropogenic causes are very most cases, the existence of change. very common in Madagascar. Even important. They are due to the They need the support of all those in the capital, garbage is scattered combustion of oil and coal, defor- who can help them out of this igno- everywhere. The municipal sewerage estation, swamps, landfills, dejections rance. Continued on next page.

VOX Franciscana • 12 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Reforestation by the Franciscan Family at Anjomakely.

Continued from previous page. from 1900 to 2000. It is an economic the question: How many of these vows service is unable to control the situa- activity to solve a social problem. do we manage to fulfil? Pope John Paul tion. But this project was realised in Our country is known as one of the II named Francis the heavenly patron of Fianarantsoa, a province just south poorest countries in the world, with ecology. This should lead us to love and of the capital. This is a very concrete unresolved socio-economic prob- preserve nature, and above all to love example and it created jobs. The lems that are increasingly driving the human being, those who are close to impacts are numerous: jobs for 95 people into poverty. Participants are us, the most vulnerable. employees, a healthy environment, led to reflect on these issues and to The training was short but intense. and an increasingly clean city. think about actions to help the most This is only the beginning. We were This topic also resonated with vulnerable like St Francis and St planning to organize more with other the participants as they believed in Clare did in their time. Social entre- themes that relate to those of Franciscan sorting garbage from every house- preneurship is not a rest that anyone Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation hold, and then sharing this topic with can take, but we must have a vision: (JPIC), but also those of Franciscans everyone close to us. aim high, far and big. Sustainable International. All the sessions were held Development Goals pave the way for in a very fraternal atmosphere. Social entrepreneurship this vision. A week after this formation, the Franciscan youth participated in refor- This training should lead to appli- Saint Francis and ecology estation on a plot of land of the diocese cation by the participants, hence the of Antananarivo, at the request of the theme on social entrepreneurship. This theme ended the formation. union of the movements of young Cath- Rolland Maminiaina Randrianarivelo The diocesan priest and OFS mem- olics of the diocese. Members of the is Senior Technical Advisor at GIZ ber, Maminirina Aimé Rakotondriaka OFS and the Religious also participated Madagascar. She presented a brief shared how St Francis loved nature. In in the project. history of social entrepreneurship our Order, we made vows, and he asked

VOX Franciscana • 13 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Tau Its Meaning and History

by FR. VALENTÍN REDONDO, OFM CONV

The Tau is a letter of the Hebrew Jerusalem and put a mark (a tau) on the and Greek alphabet that, in its simple forehead of those who sigh and groan form, is confused with the cross, since over the abomination in which they find it corresponds to our letter T. The Tau themselves…touch no one who has the 1 is a sign of salvation. Because of its mark” . This text had been commented resemblance to the cross, it has a great on by the Fathers of the Church and was mystical and devotional meaning in known to the faithful of the Middle Ages the Church, and especially in the life of because it was used in medieval preach- Francis. In the letter of , from ing. the 2nd century, we read: “the cross in An expression similar to that of the letter of the tau means grace”. appears in the Book of the Apocalypse, although the name of the letter is not The Tau in the Bible mentioned. The angel who had the seal of the living God shouts to the four angels In the Old Testament the word tau appears in the who have been entrusted to carry out book of the prophet Ezekiel. When, in the vision of punishment on earth and sea: “Do not the desecrated temple, the Lord calls a man dressed damage the earth or the sea or the trees, in linen, with the instruments of a Scribe around his until we have marked the servants of our waist, and says to him: “Go through the city, through God with a seal on their foreheads”2 . Continued on next page

VOX Franciscana • 14 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Tau Continued from previous page. The Tau in ancient Christianity sign of tau comes in to the life of Gaston, in 1095. They wore the tau Francis in three different ways. in blue colour on their habit as a The tau is a widely used symbol in sign of belonging to that Order and Jewish mysticism. 1. The penitential movement their dedication to the sick. These The Christians of the first centuries monks lived also in Rome, next In the penitential movement, its had a great devotion for the preach- to the Basilica of Saint John in the members wore a habit of penance ing of the Fathers of the Church on Lateran, in the so-called lazaret of signed with the tau. Francis, after tau. In the late Middle Ages it was Saint Anthony the Great, where selling the cloths and the horse in used as a sign of protection against Francis was serving the sick on his Spello and donating that money evil and natural ills, particularly visit to Rome waiting for the oral to the church of San Damiano, against the plague. It was engraved approval of the Rule by Innocent becomes part of this movement. on the ring or hung around the neck, III, as St. Bonaventure writes: “The After the trial in front of the or painted on the column of the door. next morning he (the Vicar of Bishop of Assisi, Guido II, he gave It is said that Bishop Gallus I of Cl- Christ) commanded his servants Francis the outfit of a farmer who ermont3 (France), in 546, organized to search the city for the poor man. woked for the bishop to cover his a solemn procession on the occasion When they found him near the nakedness. “Francis accepted it of the plague, and Saint Gregory of Lateran at Saint Anthony’s hospice, gratefully”, says St. Bonaventure, “ Tours says that immediately it ap- he ordered him brought to his and, with his own hand, marked a peared on the walls of churches and presence without delay”8 . cross on it with a piece of chalk”5 . all houses “a sign that the citizens After some time, after listening to recognized that it was the Tau”, and 3. The monks of the tau and understanding the Gospel of thus the plague ceased. the mission, “he prepared a habit Another way of encountering In the so-called Children’s crusade, in the shape of a cross”6 . the tau could be the Knights of the taking place in 1212 during Francis’ Tau or the Hospital Brothers of San time, the chosen symbol was the 2. The Anthonian monks Jaime of Altopascio, an Order whose Tau. 4 members carried the sign of Tau Another way was the Antonian Francis’ encounters with the Tau on their cloaks. It must have been monks, that is to say, the monks of 7 founded by twelve “good men” of The tau, very popular in Middle St. Anthony the , founded Continued on next page Ages, was familiar to Francis. The in Vienne (France) by the noble

FOOTNOTES This article was originally written in Span- 2. Rev 7,3. And the fifth angel with the 5. LM 2,4. ish and translated into English by Fr. Alfred trumpet is reminded again: “not to 6. 1Cel 22. Parambakathu, OFMConv. damage the grass of the earth or any 7. Often St. Anthony the Abbot, in the green growth or any tree, but only paintings and in the sculpture, is 1. Ez 9,4.6. (Notes by the translator: those people who do not have the seal represented with the sign of a blue tau We have put the word Tau in bracket of God on their foreheads” (Rev 9,4). on the habit or on the hood, and when because in New Revised Standard 3. St. Gallus I, uncle of St. Gregory of he has a stick in his hand, its tope is Version of Bible that we have used Tours, was the bishop of Clermont usually shaped into a tau. here, it does not use this word. But see from 525/26 until his death on 14 May 8. LM 3,9 (this part of the story was add- the Latin Vulgata: “Transi per mediam 551. ed to the text of St. Bonaventure by the civitatem, in medio Jerusalem, et signa 4. Cfr. G. MICCOLI, La Crociata dei will of of Ascoli, successor of thau super frontes virorum gementium fanciulli, in Studi Medievali, II (1961), St. Bonaventure as Minister General, et dolentium super cunctis abomina- pp. 407-433. and later becomes Pope with the name tionibus quae fiunt in medio ejus”). Nicholas IV).

VOX Franciscana • 15 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Tau Continued from previous page.

Luca, devout and wealthy, around the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet Tau over all others. With it alone he 1065, in the place of Teupascio, and is shaped like a cross, just as the signed letters he sent, and painted and later Altopascio. They vowed Cross was before Pilate’s inscription it on the walls of cells everywhere”13 to “serve” the pilgrims. They built was placed. One carries the sign of . This is evidenced in the tau that bridges and hospitals to alleviate the tau on his forehead, if he mani- adorns the Blessing to Brother Leo, suffering of the pilgrims. Pilgrims fests in all his conduct the splendour which is kept in the Basilica of St. who walked the Via Francigena9 of the cross; the Tau is carried if the Francis in Assisi. According to tra- were assisted in particular. The flesh is crucified with its vices and dition, the Saint painted in the little Hospital and the place of reception sins; the Tau is carried if one affirms: church of Magdalena in Fonte Co- was near the wetlands of Fucecch ‘I do not want to glorify in anything lombo. Here, during the restoration and Bientina10, where, when night except in the cross of our Lord Jesus of the Magdalena Chapel, a red fell, the fog and the forest made it Christ’ ... Whoever wears the tau will painted tau was found on a window difficult to travel. Their Rule was find mercy, the sign of a penitent frame at the side of the Gospel. The similar to that of the Augustinians. and renewed life in Christ. Be, then, painting is from the 14th century, but They obtained various privileges champions of the Tau and of the the drawing dates back to Francis. from the : Urban II, Alexan- Cross!”12 . Thomas of Celano in the Treatise der III, Eugene III, Innocent III, This invitation that the Pope made on the Miracles tells us about one and Honorius III. The sign of Tau to all those who were convoked to the miracle done by the always appears on their buildings11 . Council, will leave a deep mark on in the village of Cori in the dio- , who will manifest it cese of Ostia, about a man who had The IV Lateran Council with the use of the sign of the tau and completely lost the use of one leg the great space given to penance. and invoked the intercession of the Another special encounter with the Saint of Assisi. Francis responds to tau was the Fourth Lateran Council, Francis and the Tau the devotee’s call and “touched the attended by Francis. In the opening source of the pain with a small stick Francis, an attentive listener to the sermon of the Council, on November bearing the figure of the ‘Tau’. The Pope’s proposal, in the same way that 11, 1215, Pope Innocent III uses the abscess healed quickly, his full health he will be a propagator of sacramen- text of the prophet Ezekiel to ask the was restored, and to this day the sign tal reform: Eucharist and Reconcili- Council Fathers for their collabora- of the ‘Tau’ remains on the spot”14. tion in the reform of the Church. The ation, will use the tau, as a signature Pope, after recalling the text of the for his letters. Thomas of Celano prophet Ezekiel, adds: “The Tau is refers: “He favoured the sign of the Continued on next page

FOOTNOTES 9. Francis used to walk through this way 11. ENZO FAGIANI, I “Cabalieri” del Tau, with great affection. He often spoke to go to Rome from Assisi. in Luoghi dell’Infinito, n. 49, anno VI, of it with eloquence and used it at 10. St. Francis, according to tradition, was February 2002, pp. 56-61. the beginning of any action. In those in San Miniato, a city in the western 12. PL 217, cols. 673-680. letters which out of charity he sent, he part of Tuscany, in 1211, where he 13. 3C 3. In the Minor Legend St. signed it with his own hand. It was as received for his friars a chapel dedi- Bonaventure tells us this way: “a if his whole desire were, according to cated to San Miniato, founded by the certain brother whose name was the prophetic text, to mark with a Tau Longobardos. Fucecchio is very close Pacifico…merited to see a great Tau on the foreheads of those moaning and to San Miniato, where the Franciscan Francis’s forehead, which displayed a grieving, of those truly converted to Conventuals had a Friary, which now variety of different colours that caused Jesus Christ”. (LMn 2,9). is inhabited by the Urbanist Poor his face to glow with wonderful beauty. 14. 3C 159. Clares. The man of God venerated this symbol

VOX Franciscana • 16 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Tau Continued from previous page.

Spirituality of the Tau or the cross

Jesus invites us to carry the cross; he who does not do it, says Jesus himself, “is not worthy of me”15 . In the fi ft h admonition, Francis invites us to renew the mystery of the cross every day: “But we can boast in kingdom would come to you, ask of “peace and good” and, as a sign of our weakness and in carrying each from you and enter through you. For salvation and health, to be close to day the holy cross of our Lord Jesus no one can enter the kingdom except our sick and poor brothers. Christ”16. On the cross and by the the one signed with your seal”20. cross we have been reconciled to the In this spirituality of the tau, the Conclusion Father17 . Jesus reconciled all things friars minor are invited to preach to himself “through the blood of his penance, which Francis begins aft er Th e use of the tau in Francis, as cross”18. He purifi ed and redeemed listening to the Gospel on the mis- well as his adoration of the cross25, us by nailing our charge sheet on the sion; Innocent III entrusts them with seeing it from afar, has a reason for cross: “he canceled the bond which this mission and Francis emphasizes being, due to his devotion to the stood against us with its legal de- it in the Rule of 1221: “Let all the cross, which leads him to identify mands; this he set aside, nailing it to brothers, however, preach by their himself with Jesus crucifi ed as St. the cross”19 . deeds”21. Th is preaching coincides Bonaventure writes : “and the mem- Francis considers the tau, sign of with the request he makes later in the ory of Christ’s passion was so im- the cross, as a sign of salvation, and same Rule: “Do penance, performing pressed on the innermost recesses of as such he gives it to Brother Leo, as worthy fruits of penance”22. Th is he his heart. From that hour, whenever we have seen. repeats in the letter to all the faith- Christ’s crucifi xion came to his mind, Th e author of the Sacrum Com- ful: “let us produce worthy fruits of he could scarcely contain his tears mercium makes Madonna Povertà penance”23. and sighs…26” (Lady Poverty) say she is in favour of Th e tau unites us to Paul’s spiritual- On the other hand, Francis’ use of Francis being the person in charge ity of glorifying ourselves only in the the tau was, in a silent way, a fi ght or of continuing to sign with the tau: cross of our Lord Jesus Christ24 . a crusade against the Cathar or Man- “Finally, when he went into heaven, Th e red colour of the tau recalls the ichean movements of his time that he left you the seal of the kingdom blood of the slain Lamb and invites, considered the cross as an unworthy of heaven to mark the elect, so that as a Franciscan sign, to live in “pen- sign of the redemptive work of God. whoever yearns for the everlasting ance-conversion”, to be missionaries

FOOTNOTES 15. Mt 10,38. 23. 2LtF 25. cross you have redeemed the world”… 16. Adm 5,8. 24. Cfr. Gal 6,14. whenever they saw a cross or the sign 17. Cfr. Ef 2,16 25. Prostrate on the ground, bowing of a cross, whether on the ground, on 18. Col 1,20. inwardly and outwardly, they (friars) a wall, in the trees or roadside hedges 19. Col 2,14. would adore the Almighty saying, they did the same thing. Cfr. 1Cel 45. 20. SC 21. “We adore you, O Christ, in all your 26. LM 1,5. 21. Rnb 17, 3. churches throughout the whole world, 22. Rnb 21,3. and we bless you, for by your holy VOX Franciscana • 17 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 FR. LESTER EMBRACES SISTER DEATH OFS action Fr. Lester Bach, OFM Cap, former national spiritual assistant for the OFS in the USA, passed around the away on Feb. 2, 2020. He was a prolifi c author of formation and spiritual books for Secular Franciscans and spiritual assistants. On the international level, Fr. Lester was a keynote globe speaker at the 2005 General Chapter in Assisi.

3 CZECH SECULAR FRANCISCANS HONORED by MARKÉTA KUBEŠOVÁ, Czech OFS International Councillor

In autumn 2019, three Jiří Zajíc-Edy, M.S., Czech Republic Secular (from Prague Fraterni- Franciscans were honored ty) received the highest for their lifelong activities Scouting distinction, and commitment: the Order of the Silver Soňa Míčková, M.D., Wolf, for his extraor- (from Prague Fraternity) is dinary service. He was a laureate of the year’s Opitz honored at Holy Mass Prize, which was awarded in the Church of the Sa- for her devoted work as a cred Salvator in Prague medical doctor. Th e prize on December 2 -- on was presented by Brother the day of the thirti- Martin Macek, OH, at a cer- eth anniversary of the emony in the Church of Sts. public announcement Simon and Juda in Prague of the renewal of the on Oct. 19. (Th e whole gala Czech-Slovak Scouting including the concert was by the Czech Scout broadcast by TV NOE). Soňa Míčková, M.D Chief Marek Baláš.

Jan Smrcina, M.Sc., (from Lysa nad Labem Fraternity) received the Gold Medal of St. Adalbert for the development of free Catholic Charity and the deepening of the memory of Lidice war victims. Cardinal Dominik Duka presented the award in the cathedral of St.

Vitus during a ceremonial service in honor of http://www.sfr.cz/ of Czech Republic website: National Fraternity from Photos Jan Smrcina St. Agnes on Nov. 16. Jiří Zajíc-Edy VOX Franciscana • 18 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 General Spiritual Assistant Fr. Francis Dor, OFM Cap. (left) and Presidency Councilor Jennifer Harrington (center) with the Nigerian National Council.

NIGERIA HOLDS ELECTIVE CHAPTER • National Vice Minister – John Udofia. The OFS emerging National Fraternity of Nigeria has • National Secretary – Appolonia Ochugnu. celebrated its National Elective Chapter on 29 February • National Treasurer – Victoria Udofia. 2020. Lillian-Rita Akudolu was elected as national • National Formator – Anne Asiegbu. minister. The newly appointed national spiritual assistant is Fr. Also elected: Fidelis Pabor, OFM Cap. ‘WELL4AFRICA’ BOREHOLE BLESSED IN GHANA’S VILLAGE OF SIBI Joyful news in the mid- dle of COVID-19 crisis – water borehole sponsored by “Well4Africa” Secular Franciscan social initiative was blessed and inaugu- rated on May 9 in Sibi, Ghana. A small group of community represen- tatives took part in the celebration due to safety reasons. Sibi is a small village in the Nkwanta District in Friars bless ‘Well4Africa’ water project in Sibi, Ghana. the eastern part of Ghana. The village has 320 house- holds/extended families, The village had only one down from their roofs. man-made dam or other who are beneficiaries of well before. During the At other times women sites, where water is stag- this water project. Most of rainy season, people col- and children were forced nant, muddy and not safe local people are farmers. lected rainwater coming to fetch water from a small to drink.

VOX Franciscana • 19 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 VENEZUELA CELEBRATES ELECTIONS 1 March 2020. The OFS National Fraternity of Venezuela has cele- Marielide De Lima was elected as national minister brated its National Elective Chapter from 28 February to and as International councilor.

CHAD CHAPTER ELECTS elective chapter. Ange-Gabriel Soulassanger was elected The National Fraternity of Chad has celebrated its 2020 national minister and international councilor.

ALBANIA HOLDS CHAPTER Albania has been celebrated in Bajze. Pavlin Ndreka was The OFS National Chapter of the Emerging Fraternity of elected national minister and Hana Kalj as vice minister.

VOX Franciscana • 20 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 IVORY COAST CHAPTER ELECTS Christophe Iobognon was elected as national minister The OFS National Fraternity of Ivory Coast celebrated and Ludovic Dah as international councilor. its National Elective Chapter on January 24-25, 2020.

KENYA HOLDS ELECTIVE CHAPTER John Mungai was elected as national minister and The OFS National Fraternity of Kenya celebrated its international councilor. National Elective Chapter on December 12-15, 2019.

URUGUAY CHAPTER ELECTS cember 1, 2019. Sergio Rodríguez was elected as nation- The OFS National Fraternity of Uruguay celebrated its al minister and as international councilor. National Elective Chapter from November 29 to De- VOX Franciscana • 21 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Marco Tasca Appointed Archbishop of Genoa

Friar Marco Tasca, OFM Conv., the new archbishop of Genoa, is shown participating in the 2017 OFS General Chapter at the Seraphicum in Rome. He is with General Secretary Isabella Di Paola, OFS; Presidency Councilor Michel Janian, OFS (center), and Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS (right). Photos by Robert Stronach.

Pope Francis has ap- Order, participating in applause.” and said he comes to his pointed Conventual Fran- OFS general chapters. “The archbishop-elect new diocese ‘with a heart ciscan Friar Marco Tasca “I am a friar and I greeted his new diocese, always open to listening as archbishop of Genoa, It- remain a friar,” Fr. Marco which includes 674,000 and to welcoming all those aly, the Vatican announced told his fellow Franciscans faithful and 278 , who knock at my door, May 8. when his appointment was with the words of St. Fran- including -- and I wish Friar Marco, who served announced at the friary in cis of Assisi: ‘May the Lord to say, especially -- those as minister general of the Padova, the Jesuit Amer- give you peace’.” who, for whatever reason, OFM Conventual friars for ica Magazine reported. “He promised to be have found themselves or 12 years, has been a friend “His fellow Franciscans ‘a father and a brother’ feel far from our ecclesial to the Secular Franciscan responded with prolonged to the people of Genoa, community’.”

Friar Marco Tasca celebrates Mass at the OFS General Chapter.

VOX Franciscana • 22 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Secular Franciscan Profiled in St. Anthony Messenger

U.S. Secular Franciscans Kathleen and Michael Carsten run Franciscan Ministries in downtown Detroit, working with the poor and homeless. Mike was profiled in the June 2020 issue of St. Anthony Messenger. Kathleen, a faith community nurse, was honored by the National Fraternity with the 2018 JPIC Award for her work with the elderly. Photo by R. Stronach.

Mike Carsten, a U.S. food, water, and winter Midtown and the Canticle can Ministries delivers come Secular Franciscan who survival gear into two of the Café East English Village, in as fast as volunteers can co-founded Franciscan city’s more desperate areas, serve impoverished seniors; give them out. Carsten chal- Ministries of Detroit, searching for and serving homeless men, women, and lenges SecularFranciscans to Michigan, was profiled in those trapped in severe pov- children; and the working be people of encounter: “We the June issue of St. Antho- erty,” Carsten says. “Francis- poor.” The article, penned by should be fearless in what ny Messenger. can Ministries’ two warming Seitz, OFS, notes that we do, [in] how we engage “Cars and trucks carry centers, the Canticle Café the material goods Francis- the world.”

The CIOFS Presidency has announced the launch of a new website – CIOFS.info. The design is intended to be attrac- tive, reflecting a dynamic Order, while making it easier to find information and resources.

VOX Franciscana • 23 • SUMMER / FALL 2020 Piandarca WHERE FRANCIS PREACHED TO THE BIRDS

VOX Franciscana • 24 • SUMMER / FALL 2020