THE NATIONAL FRATERNITY of THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER Newsletter Spring 1992 A TIME TO REFLECT to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Richard Morton, SFO by following the example of Saint Francis of National Minister Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people." As Secular Franciscans, our vocation needs (Rule, Chapt. 11, Art. 4). Jesus said: "You shall constant nourishment in the form of reflec- love the Lord your God with your whole tion, meditation, and discussion. I hope each heart, with your whole soul, and with all of you has an opportunity to set aside some your mind.' This is the greatest and first quality time for such activities, especially in commandment. The second is like it: 'You view of our new Constitutions. shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments the whole law is The new Constitutions is a document that based, and the prophets as well." (Mt. 23:37-40.) should be studied by all Seculars for it is a fertile source of ongoing formation topics. The Constitutions, freeing us from a This is particularly true of Chapter II program developed by someone else, now entitled Form of Life and Apostolic Activity. Art. 9, Par. 1, is a good example: "The challenges us to develop a relationship with Christ in a manner we can personalize to our spirituality of the Secular Franciscan is a plan of life centered on the person and on the own needs and circumstances. This should following of Christ, rather than a detailed not be too difficult because the freedom to program to be put into practice." love our Lord and our neighbor does not require a detailed "how to" list. Loving These words are telling us that the plan of relationships are not built on written life, or model, for Secular Franciscan living is contracts, but on mutual trust and being not to be a profusion of rules and regulations sensitive to the others' presence in our lives. as it may have seemed to some not so many years ago. The goal of our Franciscan Perhaps a good resolution for 1992 would spirituality is to build an intimate relation- be that, through more prayer and meditation, ship with Jesus as modeled by St. Francis: we can each center our life more on Jesus "The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan and his love for us. Why not give it a try? CIOFS PRESIDENCY MEETING HOLY ATTACHMENTS AND LOVING From the report of Marianne Powell, SFO DETACHMENT Member, SFO Presidency for the English language Rev. Lawrence Landini, OFM Conf. National Spiritual Assistants The Presidency met for its second work session in Assisi, October 14-20, 1991. Attachments are the most natural things in the world. We are attached by the umbilical The Juridical Commission has worked out cord to our mothers and remain emotionally a draft of the new International Statutes. attached for the rest of our lives. We attach One area of discussion is the principle of to or bond with fathers, brothers and sisters, representation in CIOFS. spouses, relatives, and friends from our earli- est days. As we develop into mature persons, In the present Statutes, representation is we form new bonds of loving attachments to roughly that of one representative from each fellow parishioners, countrymen, workers, country, but for historical and other reasons and many others and, hopefully, to God. some countries have 2, 3, or 4 representa- Life is also full of separations from attach- tives, which has been felt by many to be ments. Our parents, relatives, and friends unjust. Two principles were considered: may die, or become separated from us. Some- times there is an emotional break in our 1. representation in the CIOFS should attachments; friends become enemies, mar- depend on the number of members in a coun- riage partners separate and/or divorce. We try. grieve over separations and ruptures in relationships. 2. representation is to depend solely on the existence in the country of a national SFO But separation also brings the occasion for structure; each country that has this struc- new attachments. Separation breaks down ture is to be allowed only one representative. into two Latin words: se which means self and preparare which means to prepare. Thus, The second principle was the suggestion of in every separation, we are preparing or some of the small nations. It corresponds to being prepared for new relationships and the understanding of justice and democracy friends. This is true even in the painful on which the United Nations is built. To its separation of death. We leave our friends on adherents, principle 1 appears a kind of earth to be in a new and wonderful way with domination of the majority, or, in Franciscan God and all the saints and angels. language, an appropriation. When life brings with it the pain of sepa- It was decided to leave both principles in ration, God asks us to accept a loving detach- the draft that will be sent to the National ment from the past and to begin anew to Councils for observations. forge holy bonds with others. In the case of the death of a parent or spouse, it may take As soon as possible, National Councils will two to three years to grieve through the pain also receive: of separation and detachment. Throughout the grieving process, God invites us to pre- pare ourselves for new friends and relation- Guide for revision of National Statutes, ships. Formation outline, Reports on the following Commissions: If attachments are part of God's plan for Youth, us, why then do the saints practice and coun- Evangelization, sel detachment? The reason is, unfortunate- Justice, Peace, & Ecology. ly, that our attachments can get out of hand. What is good and natural to enjoy can be- JDL CHARITABLE FUND come what we "have to have" and must possess. In clinging to and grasping after Dear Sisters and Brothers, things and people, a distortion of reality May the Lord give you peace. results. Boundaries are set up, demands are made, turf is claimed, and violence is often At the Annual Meeting of the Directive Board of the National Fraternity held last used to protect, defend, and wrest more of October, I received the many Mass cards, what was originally given as gift. Jesus says Spiritual Bouquets, Spiritual Enrollments, we can lose our very selves in this destructive notes, and letters from the Secular Francis- process. can Provinces, local fraternities, and individ- uals. Added to that were the green lei from Lent is a grace filled season of letting go of Hawaii, our first Region, the large scroll from unholy attachments and for practicing a the Secular Franciscan Province of Saint loving detachment in all of our relationships. Conrad, and the beautiful and delicious sheet As Secular Franciscans, we might not have to cake from the Seculars in Louisville. Wait! overcome sinful attachments to money, pow- There is more! I was informed of the many, er, and sexual misconduct. But sometimes many contridutions to the "J.D.L. Charitable we might catch ourselves "having to have" Fund". our children come back to Church, our spous- es stop drinking, our good health return, and Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by even a deeper relationship with God. All of your goodness and thoughtfulness. It is my intention to acknowledge each and every gift. these good desires can become unholy attach- Until you hear from me, please let this letter ments when they become charged through express my heartfelt thanks. with a "driven-ness", a compulsiveness and a time table for God to follow. We want things, These past nine years have been full of others, and even God on our own terms. many special graces and blessings. During the many, many visits to the Provinces for St. Francis gives us an example of how to visitations and elections, and to local fraterni- practice a loving detachment and holy attach- ties to give talks, it was my privilege to meet ment. He reverenced people and all created many of you. You never failed to encourage reality as gifts from God. He would not and, more importantly, to edify me. I will appropriate, that is, take ownership of these always be grateful to you for your inspiration gifts. In this way, he practiced a loving and love, both given so freely. detachment and was able to live a life of Somehow, someway, we will meet again. gratitude in the enjoyment of all God's good Until then, I will meet you each day in gifts. But through this kind of loving detach- prayer. Daily, during the Holy Sacrifice of ment, he became attached in a holy way to the Mass, I will write your names in prayer- all of creation - he became bonded to every- ful hues and colors on the Eucharistic Canvas one and everything as the universal brother. of Holy Communion. Loving detachment frees us to desire God; Stay well. Be happy. holy attachments free us to love all things in God. May this Lenten reflection aid Secular Fraternally, gratefully, lovingly, Franciscans in their efforts to "set themselves free to love God and their brothers and sis- IS! Jim cent next page ters." (Rule, Chapter II, no. 12.) 3 Chester, Pennsylvania, located on the FRANCISCANS AT THE U.N. Delaware River south of Philadelphia, is James A. Costello, SFO considered an impoverished area. Complicat- ing the economy is the fact that, according to Did you know the Franciscans have a voice the pastor of a local parish, Resurrection, the at the U.N.? fastest growing group in the area is HIV positive.