THE NATIONAL FRATERNITY

of THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

Newsletter Summer, 1990

BLESSED BE HIS MOST PRECIOUS Heart of Jesus that loves men so much could BLOOD have been so lavish in giving of its very life- James Lynch, SFO treasure, its blood. No wonder St. Paul National Minister exclaims: A great price was paid to ransom you; glorify God by making your bodies the of His presence." (1 Corinthians 6:20.) John XXILE recalled to us in an Apos- It is only proper that contiguous months tolic letter the devotion to the Most Precious should be dedicated to the and Blood. To make sure that we should not the Precious Blood, because, for all humanity, forget it, he added to the Divine Praises the heart and blood are inextricable. In this re- permanent invocation: Blessed be His Most lationship, we fmd even another , the Precious Blood. Exhorting us to love Christ, of Lanciano. Pope John said, "To encourage the worship of In the eighth century, a Basilian monk was Jesus there is nothing better than meditating having problems accepting the Real Presence. upon Him and invoking Him under the One day, just after the consecration, when his aspect of His Most Precious Blood. It is a doubts were at peak, the host changed into devotion close to our heart." The Holy Fa- something that had the appearance of human ther then reminded us, "It is the Precious flesh; the wine appeared as blood. Blood of Jesus which permits us to ask for- The species are still reserved in the church giveness of our sins." It is this fact St. Peter which, since 1258, has been under the custo- speaks of when he writes that we were not dy of the Friars Minor, Conventual. In 1971, two professors of pathology ana- redeemed in earthly currency, silver or gold; lyzed them. The flesh consists of human heart it was paid in the precious blood of Christ; no muscle; the blood is human, type AB. With- lamb was ever so pure, so spotless a victim. out artificial preservatives, both heart and (1 Peter 1:18). blood still exhibit normal human chemical "So prodigal was our Savior in paying the make-up. price that he shed his blood to the last drop, Let us glorify and thank Jesus now for his though a single drop would have been suffi- love and generosity. Let us show our appreci- cient to save the entire world from all iniqui- ation of that love and generosity by living ty. Most readily did he pay the price, and our lives according to the pattern he laid most generous was that price. None but the down for us. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Hickory, North Carolina. As a concrete sign of communion and co- This past March 13th, Father celebrated his responsibility,the councils on various Silver Anniversary of . Ad multos levels, in keeping with the constitutions, annos! shall ask for suitable and well prepared religious for spiritual assistance. The Rule, Chapter 3:26. NEW OMNIBUS EDITION ANNOUNCED

The Very Rev. Robert J. Karris, OFM, Francis Anthony Lonsway, for as long as he wrote, "I come with cup in hand as a mendi- can remember, wanted to be a . It was cant, begging funds for a new edition of the his early education that led him into the Omnibus of Franciscan Sources." Franciscan Order; he was taught by Francis- It is anticipated that the first of (probably) can Sisters. He ascribes his direction to their four volumes will be published late in 1991 example and gentleness. which will not only be more manageable than The youngest of three children, he entered the present large book, but will provide... "introductions and notes that give the reader the Conventual seminary of the Assumption various perspectives: • biblical, historical, in Chaska, Minnesota, and was ordained at sociological, hagiographical, as well as spiri- the cathedral in St. Paul in 1965. tual and pastoral." And will "situate Fran- He holds master's degrees in and ciscan texts within the Christian tradition in education administration and earned his and the context of their day: the legends of doctorate from the University of Minnesota in , popular religiosity, ecclesial and the paychology of learning. - secula.r society." - — Since completing his doctorate, Father The National Executive Council, on behalf Francis served as co-director of the merger of of the National Fraternity, pledged $2000 in Bellarmine and Ursuline colleges in Louis- four annual installments toward the achieve- ment of this tremendous and tremendously ville, Kentucky. He is a Fellow of the U.S. important work. More donations are needed. Office of Higher Education and has held a Individual Franciscans, local fraternities, full-time position with the Association of and provinces are invited to participate. Theological Schools which accredits Catholic Please send your contribution to the National and Protestant seminaries in the United Treasurer: Mr. William H. McVernon, SFO, States and Canada. 2000 S. Eads St., Apt 420, Foremost among his Franciscan family Arlington, VA 22202. duties, he is Spiritual Assistant to the Secu- Make checks payable to NAFRA-Omnibus. lar Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Con- solation, Spiritual Assistant to the National PLEASE REMEMBER: Executive Council, and president of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants. Rev. Lawrence Kubera, OFM Cony, who died May 9th. Fr. Larry, ordained only fifteen (A prime obligation of the four-friar Confer- years, had served as Spiritual Assistant to ence is the pastoral visitation of Secular local fraternities, to the Secular Province of provinces.) St. , and to the National Father Francis, through his province, also Fraternity. His most recent assignment was serves as director of the Catholic Conference as Pastor of St. Parish in Center, St. House, a new dioce- Bessamer, Alabama. For many years he had san conference/retreat facility set in the suffered from a pulmonary condition. FIVE PROFESSED AT NEW YORK Jail. Both of those facilities have women STATE PRISON inmates, and some of the fraternity sisters From an interview with John Dougherty, SFO are involved in ministries there. John St. Dernardine Fraternity, Holy Name Province, Dougherty and his wife, Ann, visit the War- Lowlenville, N.Y. ren County Jail regularly. St. Bernardine Fraternity in Loudenville, New York, professed five brothers at the LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS maximum security prison in Comstock, New York, on April 7th. This was the culmination Every morning we dedicate our prayers, of two years of hard work on the part of a works, sufferings, and joys of the day. Yet group headed by Deacon Lee Hansen of how many times in the course of a hectic day Clifton Park which has been visiting the have we thought, "If only there were time for prison monthly and providing formation for quiet, personal prayer"? Perhaps we can't do interested inmates. it, but there are many who do it for us - our The ten to twelve Secular Franciscans who shut-in Seculars. We owe them so much, and go to the prison to carry on this work meet one way of repayment is "Lift Up Your with twelve to fifteen inquirers, novices, and Hearts." professed who are allowed to spend from 7:30 For some time, Fr. Lawrence Landini, OFM, to 11:30 one Saturday morning each month, has written the monthly, spiritually oriented learning about the Gospel life and the Secu- letter for the shut-in members. These may be lar Order. The instructors are allowed to ordered in bulk by local fraternities. The cost take pastries and coffee into the prison, a is five cents per letter (sixty cents per year) special exception, so that they can minister in plus postage. Present distx ibution is being a more relaxed atmosphere. handled by: "Prison officials have been extremely help- Mr. William H. McVernon, SFO ful," says John Dougherty, one of the team. 2000 Eads St., Apt 420 "They have even offered to let us continue Arlington, VA 22202 after lunch, but so far we have not taken advantage of that." TAKE A MOMENT "One of the biggest problems with the ministry is that it is hard to complete the If you own or have access to The Franciscan candidacy program, because, very often, the Book Of Saints (Marion A. Habig, OFM, Franciscan prisoners are either released, paroled, or Herald Press, 1975) take a moment to check the transferred in less than the time required for list of Seculars for June through August. this formation," says Dougherty. At least eighteen of them came from royalty The five new brothers were professed by St. and/or substantial material wealth. None Bernardine's minister, Irene Ryder, SFO, seems to have been impressed by possessions; during a Mass offered by Father Reginald none was ensnared by them. Each worked Reddy, OFM, a professor at Siena College. untiringly for the oppressed, the poor, the ill. Although there are no women at the Com- Amazingly, especially for women in that age, stock prison, and women cannot help with the their charities were not in giving to some formation meetings, St. Bernardine Fraterni- cause, if causes existed, and, then, feeling ty is also involved with ministries at the content in their virtue. They actually did the Warren County Jail and the Salem County work; they kissed the leper. OUR FIRST TASK IS TO KNOW HIM ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER Rev. Francis A. Lonsway, OFM Cony. From the Editor National Spiritual Assistant As mentioned in the last issue, the object of The brilliance of Easter overwhelms us. So, the National Newsletter is to inform, edu- too, does the fullness of a beautiful Spring cate, and spiritually enrich. To do so, it must which accompanies this holiest of seasons. reach every member of our Order in the Peter, chronicled in Acts of the Apostles, said, United States, not just the National Directive "I take it you know what has been reported Board and local fraternity ministers. all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth..." For that reason, the National Secretary, (Acts 10:34) Indeed we do. We celebrate the Elizabeth Ryder, whose it is to make that resurrection of Jesus as the =deniable sign possible, has asked all provincial ministers to that He is the Son of God. send her their rosters. The Rule, Chapter 2, states that "Christ, Some have done so, and the Newsletter is the gift of the Father's love, is the way to being mailed directly to provincial council Him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit members and local fraternity ministers. leads us, and the life which He has come to Those who have not yet complied are receiv- give abundantly." ing bulk mailings, but, because of the printed The task for us, then, is to know Him and postage permit, this is causing problems, follow His way. The first is done best extra work, and expense. Please send your through a careful study of Scripture, in par- rosters to Elizabeth. Don't forget updates. ticular the New Testament. Members of the Also, apparently some local ministers do not Executive Council and Directive Board hear understand that they are to circulate their reports -of fraternities that accept the chal- copy - duplicate them and pass them out to lenge of studying the bible. Most think that the fraternity members. it will be like a refresher course, but quickly Any effort you make to help us reach our learn how much research has been done in entire membership will be appreciated so the last several decades and how thoughtful much. We also welcome any suggestions as the new insights. The good news? After the to how we can help you accomplish, this. We members of the fraternity accept the disci- thank you. pline of New Testament study, they delight in how much richer the Scriptures are now than before. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Consider, then, at this moment in your for- mation, the power of entering more deeply July 8-13: Week of Community, St. Barbara into the resurrection of Christ through the Province: The Five Commissions. St. Anthony study of the New Testament. You have been Retreat House, Three Rivers, CA. made "living members of the Church by being buried and raised with Christ..." (Rule August 2-4: Provincial Conference, St. John II:6). the Baptist Province, Peoria, IL.

When St. John Mary Viarmey, SFO, arrived August 3-5: Provincial Convention of Holy in the village of Ars, he was told there was Savior Province, St. Francis Retreat Center, nothing to do there. He replied, "Therefore, Easton, PA. Theme: SFO Call and Leader- there is everything to do." THE VINEYARD last at least three years. Joining them, of course, will be their three year old son, The Secular Franciscan Province of St. Emmanuel, who, according to Kay Keyes, regularly chooses an annual theme. never misses a Fraternity meeting. For this year, it is based on Matthew 20: 1-7, ***** "You, too, go into my vineyard," a theme in Near the juncture of Ohio, West Virginia, keeping with the required apostolic activity and Pennsylvania is Steubenville, Ohio, the of our Order. Our shut-ins devote much time type of community that one would expect to private prayer, our young parents concen- within commuting distance of a busy city trate on family; the rest of us engage in such as Pittsburgh. But, perhaps more im- Order, parish, and community work. By our portant, it is home to the University of attitude and ethics, we take Christ into the Steubenville, an apostolate of the Third market place. Order Regular of the Province of the Most Occasionally, some of us go beyond the Sacred Heart of Jesus. required. We celebrate them and thank them There are several non-academic items that for their courage and example. the visitor to the University finds impressive: ***** the dress and grooming of the students is far Dr. Richard Ward, SFO, has retired from more conservative than among most youth; his medical practice and entered Mater Dei the attendance at daily Mass, although not (Jesuit) Seminary in Spokane, Washington, required, is substantial; and the student where he hopes to begin a life of real healing. interest in the Secular Franciscan Order is He is a member of St. George Fraternity, St. healthy and encouraging. At graduation, the Barbara Province, in Seattle. young SFO is referred to a local fraternity ***** near his/her new location. But.. .not all of The Most Rev. Kelvin Felix, Archbishop of them leave Steubenville. Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies, requested Mother Angeline Hensen, T.O.R., has writ- ten that, three years ago, while working in help. He needed teachers and religious SFO formation with young university women, educators. Richard and Margaret Bronson, she felt called by God to form a new Third also members of St. George Fraternity, res- Order Regular religious community which ponded. Richard holds a master's degree in would be contemplative-active with a minis- religious education and pastoral ministry; try to the poor and the unwanted that would Margaret is a teacher too. Nevertheless, the flow from its life of contemplation. Archbishop thoroughly investigated them. On August 15, 1988, the Most Rev. Albert Dr. Kathryn Keyes, SFO, Minister of St. Ottenweller, Bishop of Steubenville, erected George, said she was asked to supply a fair the group as an Association of the Faithful, a amount of information. She explained that, religious institute in formation. while St. Lucia is "relatively well-off", it is The first five novices were from the Secular still third world and that will require new- Order; of the next group of nine, some were comers to be adaptable. (St. Lucia is one of also SFOs. Inquiries and answered vocations the Windward Islands, about seventy miles continue. As Mother Angeline points out, it north of Trinidad and two hundred miles is traditional for Third Order Regulars to southeast of Puerto Rico.) come from the Third Order Secular. She The Bronsons will be leaving Seattle in says, "I wish you could see the miracle that July to take up their new ministry which will stands before me!" BLESSED KATHARINE DREXEL ter. Did she really love poverty? FRATERNITY - A FIRST Mr. Drexel left her a trust fund of over fourteen million dollars, the interest of which On April 22nd, 1990, the Secular Franciscan supported her congregation and its works. Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus However, at her death, it was to be divided celebrated the canonical establishment of between the archdiocese and specified chari- Blessed Katharine Drexel Fraternity in the ties; it was not to remain with her spiritual Church of St. Matthew in Philadelphia. The family. This was probably not a slight on her concelebrated Mass was attended by more father's part, but, rather, failure to update than one hundred fifty Secular Franciscans, his will. She was advised that breaking the including the National Minister. A reception will would be a simple matter. Obviously, followed at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of she trusted the material support of the Sis- the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Col- ters to the highest Authority, because she did ored People, the religious institute founded not attempt to contest the document. by Katharine Drexel. But let it not be said that she lacked astute- This is the first fraternity to be named for ness when it came to gathering favors for Blessed Katharine whose early life herself and her Congregation, spiritual fa- might have been comparable to the camel's vors, that is. passing through the eye of a needle had it not She obtained affiliation with the Benedic- been for devoted and devout parents. tines and, in addition to the regular habit, In the last century, young ladies were most her Congregation was given the privilege of often trained at home, and the training was wearing the Benedictine . That was directed towards- being a lady, genteelly not enough. She received permission from running a household, and the proper direction Rome to wear the Franciscan cord. The new of children and servants. The Drexel daugh- missionaries were, indeed, well dressed. ters received far more. They were trained in In addition to the Blessed Katharine Dre- "correct habits of orderly thinking and pur- xel, we offer congratulations to several other poseful concentration...they were to acquire a new fraternities that have been established penetration of the liberal arts and a corre- since the last edition of the Newsletter: sponding mental poise and dignity." Francis, Little Poor Man, Secular Francis- They were taught history, especially that of can Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe (#33). the United States, English, French, and Latin San Damiano and Brother Juniper, classics, logic and moral philosophy. Secular Franciscan Province of St. Barbara. "On Sunday evenings, Mrs. Drexel arranged St. Clare, Secular Franciscan Province of little literary seminars on the saints where St. . Over one hundred they read, narrated, and discussed the lives of Seculars from Biloxi, New Orleans, Baton various saints including their patron saints Rouge, Lake Charles, and Lafayette attended and the family favorite, St. Francis of Assisi. this Louisiana event, which, according to Fr. The devotion to the poor man of Assisi was Lan-y Landini, was followed by a spectacular fostered in Katharine as a child. It was to reception featuring Cajun-crawfish fettucini. remain with her all her life." That is Franciscan hospitality! Before founding the Sisters of the Blessed (Katharine Drexel quotes are from Katharine Drexel, a Sacrament, Katharine had been a Secular biography, by Sr. Consuela Marie Duffy, S.B.S. Published Franciscan. She was also a banker's daugh- by Mother Katharine Drexel Guild, 1966.) MODERN DAY ST. FRANCIS THE HOUR OF THE LAITY

Fr. Joseph Nelson, OFM, of Cuauhtemoc, The Hour of the Laity: Their Expanding Role Mexico, gave a retreat entitled "What is the by Msgr. Peter Coughlan. Published by E. J. Dwyer, Australia, 1989. Charism of Franciscans?" in Toledo, Washing- ton, for the members of four fraternities and (The Pontifical Council for the Laity was begun, experi- other interested Christians. mentally, by Pope Paul in 1967 and was given perma- Father answered this question by dividing nent status in 1976. Its competence covers the the retreat into five sections: "Intensive Life apostolate of and the discipline of the laity.) with God," "Fraternity," "Life in Minority," Availability to Others," and "Refusal of In 1987, a world Synod of Bishops was held Power (or Poverty)." Those in attendance felt in Rome to define the apostolate of the laity. that these five points answered the question In preparation for the synod, bishops held very well. consultations with the laity, including those However, the story is far more reaching who headed secular orders and societies. Our National Minister attended two meetings. than his just being a good retreat master. He Following the synod, the Holy Father issued arrived in Seattle, carrying a backpack and the post-synodal exhortation Christifideles very casually dressed, a fact which not only Laici (available from the Daughters of St. Paul, 50 St. mirrored his poverty, but his humility - in Paul's Ave., Boston, MA 02130). Msgr. Coughlan's Mexico, it is forbidden to wear clericals or book, according to the reviewer, Mary Kenny, habits in public. If and religious are adds much of what the Pope's exhortation to be able to pursue their ministries, they could not: synod propositions, deliberations, must obey civil restrictions. and Monsignor's commentaries. She wrote, Father Joe has completed two years of "Inevitably, a discussion of the layperson in voluntary mission work in Cuauhtemoc the church gives rise to knotty questions where, literally, he dwells with Lady Poverty. which refuse to go away: the role of women His home is without electricity or plumbing. in the church; the scope of lay participation; Like Francis, he is assisting in building a the definition of ministry; the place of lay church which now has three sides. The associations within the church." The book building where the church's interior appoint- reveals that many synod participants recog- ments are being made does have electricity. nized the desire of lay Catholics for more But the people are too poor to afford power meaningful participation. tools. Father had mentioned the extreme The book contains information that each of length of time that it was taking them to us should have, especially as Secular Francis- finish the pews; so, while in the States, he cans are committed to absolute fidelity to the was given an electric sander. . Considering the apostolat,es He gave the retreatants one more thought that are open to us today (ministers, includ- to ponder when he said, "While I am lonely ing women, within the sanctuary, Eucharistic without a fellow priest, I work with Christ in ministers to shut-ins, conducting services in the persons of my flock. I find solace in those the absence of a priest or deacon, etc.) one people, God's poor." wonders what the synod participants meant St. Paul placed the virtue of charity above by "the desire of lay Catholics for more all other charisms. meaningful participation." THE NATIONAL FRATERNITY SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER NONPROFIT:ORG. R. D. 1, BOX 1251 ' U.S. POSTAGE BRANDON, VT 05733 PA ID PERMIT NO. 26

MR. RICHARD MORTON SFO 3191 71ST STREET EAST INVER GROVE HEIGHTS MN 55076

DOUBLE PLUS FOR of the Pauline Rule Commission for the final PEACE AND JUSTICE writing of the Rule, she represented all English speaking Franciscans. She has also The Secular Franciscan Minister General, worked with Catholic Charities doing inner Manuela Mattioli, SFO, has been appointed city and waterfront work in New York. to a five year term on the Pontifical Council Anneta is the president of Duveen Interns: on Justice and Peace. tional, Ltd., a firm producing sculptures and In this country, Anneta Duveen, SFO, is other works of art. representing our Peace and Justice Commis- She has gained international recognition as sion with the Franciscans at the United an artist, and her works have been exhibited Nations. This past March, she journeyed to both here and in Italy. Included in her many Seoul, Korea, to participate in the Convoca- sculptures are: Pope John Paul II, Robert tion of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Kennedy, and St. . She has Creation_ Some of the issues discussed were also illustrated books and encyclopedias. She Religious Freedom, Third-World Loans, is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Global Warming, The Effects of Migration, Presently, she is designing stained-glass Health Issues, Deforestation, Famine, Educa- windows for a church in Brasilia. Soon, she tion and Employment. hopes to begin a sculpture of the martyred cardinal from Brazzaville, Emile Biayenda. PROFILE OF ANNETA Gloria Shriver, SFO NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE Editor July 15, 1990 Anneta Duveen, SFO, of Port Chester, New York, is a woman of many talents. She has Please send news, articles, and newsletters served as Minister of the Secular Franciscan to: Province of the (#2), National Minister from 1975 to 1981, and has Mrs. Gloria N. Shriver, SFO, Editor had several terms as a Councilor to the Inter- Route 2, Box 17-N national Council. While serving as a member Ahoskie, NC 27910