A Winter Pilgrimage to Assisi (2024)

Assisi Pilgrimage 2024 - Br Fred

In January, Marian and I went to Assisi and stayed in the center of the city for a week.  We were part of a group of 12 pilgrims and blessed to be shepherded by Brother Peter who guided us, helping us keep our time as both pilgrimage and retreat.  Our group had breakfast and Morning prayer together each day and then went to one or a few places together.  Then we were encouraged and assisted in going our own way in the afternoon to have our own experiences as the Spirit would lead.  Each opportunity to meet or interact with the people of Assisi, the many religious, other pilgrims, artists, shop keepers, taxi drivers, chefs, area residents, all provided me as many spiritual insights and as much joy as did the many amazing places which document or venerate our beloved Francis and Clare.  I hope that all my CFC brothers and sisters know that I brought you with me, I thought of you, I prayed for you, both individually and collectively.  You were part of both preplanned and spontaneous intercessions in front of the San Damiano Cross and during our Sunday Eucharist.

It was very enriching each time I was in the side chapel at the Basilica of St. Clare, one time praying, another time for worship, and a third time which I will later describe, always in awe of viewing the actual cross that spoke to Francis. Yet, I must admit that it was the church and monastery of San Damiano which was the most powerful and inspiring place for me. Our group was blessed to have this place, for the most part, all to ourselves.  It is a place that you should let quietly sink into yourself. Seeing the poor walls, the wild additions and evidence of many renovations, there is an unexpected and fascinating beauty to this place. It is of course, where Francis received his call to rebuild our Lord's church. And I could feel the presence of God as I imagined the Poor Ladies living out the Gospel life.  It is described by some as a deep well. "Blessed is the one who takes the time and gets to draw from it, "Sister Water, humble, precious and pure."  St. Clare's Dormitory over the vault of the church is austere and yet the space is filled heavily by the Spirit of God.  Here the sisters lined up together on straw mattresses and here was where Clare died. I was so captivated. When everyone else had moved on, I stood alone in the empty dormitory which was so full of presence of God, I seemed nearly frozen in place; I found it hard to leave.  In the Basilica of St. Francis, I thought about the closeness of the earliest Franciscans.  Before descending to the crypt, we passed the burial marker for noblewoman, Blessed Jacopa, who Francis called Brother Jacopa.  We slowly walked around the tomb of the Poverello and paused to see the markers of four followers entombed at the corners of his crypt, Brothers:  Masseo, Rufino, Angelo, and Leone (Leo).  The Gothic Upper Church is full of frescos.  The book, Illustrated Guide of Assisi, translated by Benedict Fagone, which Brother David recommended was a treasure of information.  I used it to find a few ceiling and transept frescos that I really wanted to see and study in person, and both Marian and I read the book’s descriptions as we gazed at the 28 frescoes by Giotto on the lower section of the walls which depict scenes from the life of Francis.  If you go, take that book with you, I will even offer you my copy, please do not go without it.     

Our group also had Evening Prayer and Dinner together and I was struck by the realization that with all this history and all the veneration of Francis and Clare, I felt called to focus somewhat more on “what they taught” - the Franciscan way of life.  So, I was grateful that Peter suggested that we do a Saturday evening group discussion on Franciscan Spirituality.   Three in our group have a Franciscan vocation and we happily shared our views and experience in living out the Gospel life.  Everyone seemed enriched by the discussion.  I benefited greatly before we held this discussion because spent the entire Saturday morning dwelling with the Incarnational part of our Spirituality – so easy with Nativity scenes in front of Crucifixion paintings, with the many Eucharistic adoration chapels, you see Cup and Crib, and Cross and Creation along every path you take in Assisi and you even hear the bells calling out when Mass is going to begin.  By midday I was emersed in thought and trying to log examples in my mind of the “Relational” layer of Franciscan Spirituality, that is how we relate to those we travel with and how we engage with others in humility, all people, and all creatures. And when returning to Casa Papa Giovanni that day – I thought about Vocation, how we all have “what is ours to do” but also how there is continual discernment and adjustment especially between (contemplation/adoration) time and (ministry/service) time.   I was viewing our spirituality though a specific lens, that gives it three cords or layers, woven together, the Incarnational, Relational, and Vocational elements of Franciscan Spirituality. 

Some other highlights of our pilgrimage would be:  From arrival, I would greet every person wearing a Franciscan habit with “Pace e bene!” and in every case the greeting came back to me, usually with big smiles and eyes lit up!  It was the off-season in Assisi and there were no crowds, no lines, no sea of tourists.  So, my greeting was a very simple and really easy way to share my joy with others.   And certainly, getting to read the lessons for the Sunday Eucharist at St. Leonard’s Anglican parish was an unexpected joy.  And hearing the Poor Clares sing at a Prayers for Christian Unity worship was like a soundtrack from heaven.  Also, when a Franciscan Friar sitting at a small desk in the Eremo Hermitage gift shop ask me about my Franciscan Community, we had to work past our language barrier.  So, I gave him the CFC webpage and as he looked it up on his laptop, which automatically translated in into Italian. He read over the pages, sometimes commenting aloud in a mix of English and Italian. Then he stopped and looked at me in surprise and said, “Men and Women!  Clero ah… ordinato and Laici (Ordained and Laity) and with a gesture of amazement- his hands making an explosive gesture above his head.  He shouted out… “Wow! … one big happy Family.”    And I smiled and repeated it back “Yes, one big happy family.” 

During our added time in Tuscany, Marian and I were enjoying a winery tour when to our surprise, Alberto, our excursion driver, finding out I was a Franciscan, insisted on taking us (no additional charge) to the Le Celle Franciscan Hermitage/Monastery near Cortona.  It is an impressive place of silence and mysticism. After spending time in all the public areas, I think that both Alberto and I were for a moment tempted to pull the rope that rings the bell to the hermitage because all the locals rejoice in telling everyone how these very secluded Friars will always come and answer that bell and provide help or provision to anyone who rings it.  But alas, we did not feel we needed any help or provision. 

These are just some of the highlights of our trip, but I want to add that both Marian and I adored Brother Samuel, SSF from London, England. We were captivated by his presence and we were blessed to hear his amazing preaching two times during the week.  Br. Peter has mentioned how much he appreciated his time and discussions with Friar Sam.  I found it a joy to later learn that Brother Cristian also knows him.  Now to end my blog entry – I will describe a final treasured experience in Assisi.    In the early hours of the morning, we were leaving Assisi, I went to the Piazza of S. Chiara to withdraw some Euros at the ATM for our travel to Cortona. Since I was so close to the Basilica of St. Clare - I decided to enter one last time for prayer in front of the San Damiano cross. I saw no one in the main Sanctuary and as I entered the side chapel, I saw only two people. It was a Poor Clare and a Friar Minor sitting on a pew up front. I entered quietly and sat down a few rows behind them. Although they spoke softly and in Italian, I could tell they were discussing the cross. Each one made a few comments - sometimes pointing to the cross and always glancing at the other and then gazing back. The other would respond. At some point our Sister looked back and notice me and nodded and our Brother then did the same. They sat for a moment silently looking at each other. I said "Pace e bene" and they replied with the same. Then they turned back to gaze at the cross and resumed their softly spoken commentary with each other.  I offered a few short silent prayer petitions and then quietly moved to the back, mesmerized by this chance witnessing of the cross that spoke to Francis. still "speaking" today. At a column in the back, I discretely took a picture before exiting.  An amazing end to a pilgrimage in Assisi.   

The Spirit’s Call to Ministry through Relationships ~ by Br. Fred Jaxheimer

Isn’t it amazing how sometimes our lives appear to be a random hodgepodge of loosely connected events?  Yet, it is not the case at all.  Sure, life gets a little crazy and we always hope for “All good craziness.”   But on a journey of formation, and supported by Franciscan siblings, we are likely reminded to reflect on all the nudges (great and small) of the Holy Spirit.  This pulling or pushing by the Spirit sometimes comes to us through the lives and words of others - getting us where God wants us to be.   

And so, here is a story of the Holy Spirit steering me.

In 2021, the Willow Foundation was formed with a vision to bring New Roots, an organization providing recovery programs, and dovetail it within a structure and location to also serve the needs of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Hazleton, PA.  This effort quickly exceeded the initial space and when the Foundation purchased a larger and well-known building in the heart of downtown Hazleton in 2022, their vision, story, and the public’s interest started spreading like wildfire.  

I was joyfilled when I heard that the Heartwood center was installing a laundry onsite for the homeless.  I promptly asked my congregation to collect laundry soap, dryer sheets…   Their response was amazing.  And soon several other local churches and ours were donating winter clothing, hygiene items, leftovers from our community meals, and the over- abundance from a food pantry.   Now who do you call to deliver collected donations to a new site in downtown Hazleton?  Seems like a local Franciscan with a small pickup truck was a popular choice.  So, I became a delivery guy to the Heartwood Center for my church and several other ministries.  I remember this time period as one of contributing to the effort from the outside but it was also a time of developing relationships.    

Each time I delivered something to the Heartwood Center, I got to know the staff and members better (those utilizing this Day Shelter are called members).  I took an instant liking to Tamear, who was hired as a Housing specialist but soon became the Manager of the Center. 

One morning, I had some time to offer and Tamear told me that it would be a great thing if I would spend time interacting with the members.  I could tell that he really wanted to spend time interacting but he was caught up in leadership matters.  Wow, was that a great experience!  I quickly realized how great it was to be “on the inside” of this place - sharing God’s love.  After that, the more visits to the center, the more inspired (or maybe Spirit-empowered) I became.  I watched as members were able to get their mail, and how they were offered breakfast and lunch every day.  I was continually inspired by all the programs attended by those in recovery and/or with housing needs.  There were nutrition classes, group meditation sessions, life skill classes, and other activities just for the fellowship and fun of it.  Two bible studies also sprung up, led by two local pastors.

In early May, I was talking with a staff person and they asked me if I had a Bible.  Someone attending a Bible study group wanted one of their own.  I happened to have a brand-new Bible in my truck and I was overjoyed to go quickly retrieve it and offer it to them.  How often do you get that request?  The next day I went to my church and our secretary helped me find 15 new and like-new Bibles to offer the center.  The Spirit moved and our Willing Workers church group agreed to pay for any Bibles needed in the future.  Witnessing how many of the homeless and those in recovery begin to seek God or seek out spiritual experiences once they no longer struggled to get through each day, has affected me deeply.  

I have been challenged at times in answering spontaneous questions about God and faith when those asking know very little or nothing of Bible stories – even less than the grade school kids I recently taught in Sunday School… but the Gospel seems to shine through.  I also slip now and then with a churchy word or religious terminology.  Yet, there is a real insight in all this. I am humbled and yet comforted by how the Spirit always helps where I faulter or struggle and I see the love and light of Christ shining through the barriers, certainly through little things like accidently using a churchy word or in some cases even my embarrassing complete lack of conversational Spanish.    

Okay, let me tell you about jumping into the deep end.  A few weeks before traveling to CFC Chapter, Tamear put out a desperate plea for help on Saturday July 1st.  There was a serious lack of staff and volunteers to run the center.   I asked my wife, Marian, and she agreed to join me to help.  We both heard the Spirit calling.  So, on the first Saturday after Chapter, Marian worked the Front Desk of the Heartwood Center and I washed the dishes following both meals and supervised the use of the laundry.  We had one experienced staff member, Shawn Nicole, who did an amazing job creating the meals and showing the two of us how to best help her and the members.  Twenty-four people signed in utilizing the Café for meals and snacks, the common area with games and reading materials, the computer stations, phone charging stations, and the bathroom.  Several members also utilized the laundry facility to wash and dry their clothes.  But beyond all that, they all had access to the other members and three additional caring people.  They have a home, as temporary and communal as it may be, and they have relationships, and resources that they would not have if they spent the day on the street.   Yes, sometimes each of us had to be the adult in the room, but for most part, we were available to listen to someone’s gratitude, frustration, or joys…  It was a Holy experience.

Marian and I will volunteer again and I am prayerfully discerning how I might be able to add more lighting, and dignity to the new laundry facility, and I may offer to lead a guided Loving-Kindness Meditation.  Yet, these are just specific ways I can start carrying out my real call from the Spirit, which is to spend more time in this place, a call to be present and available for holy interruptions.  I want to be an easily approachable brother who is sometimes “at their home” ready to greet those who come in and bless those who go out.  For it is through deepening relationships that we sense what is best for our community and I believe more than ever that God speaks to us most boldly and loudly through those who most need us to share His great love with them.  

An Anglican Franciscan Friar Listening for God’s Calling

Living in a city like New Orleans as an Anglican Franciscan Friar and continuing to discern God’s calling for you never comes as a direct laid out plan. It is never really clear how you are supposed to fit in with your local faith community and the larger community around you that present challenges of people living in poverty and filth on the streets. There is one guideline that I have kept close to my heart and that is from scripture, Matthew 25 where Jesus calls us to feed those who are hungry. How we can help feed those who are hungry comes in many forms of ministry. There is actual hunger for food and then there hunger from a lack of spiritual, medical and mental nourishment that so many of our siblings are experiencing. I have learned over the last several years, since I became a member of St Anna’s Episcopal Faith Community Saint Anna's Episcopal Church of New Orleans, Louisiana (stannanola.org) and a Friar in the Anglican Franciscan Community of Francis and Clare Community of Francis and Clare (cfcfranciscans.org), to observe, listen and allow myself to make mistakes and rejoice and give thanks when our “Holy One” gifts me with an opportunity to unselfishly serve others in ministry.

 I pray that sharing current gifts of ministry is not meant to receive accolades but I hope it might empower others to discern how they can serve individuals (our siblings) who are in need of experiencing the light of God through the love we freely receive from our Loving God.

A typical week of living the vowed life as a dispersed Franciscan Friar and as a member of St Anna’s Faith Community and being married includes many activities.  As a Friar and a Member of the Community of Francis and Clare we promise to pray often throughout the day either privately or with others. We are committed to praying for others who have requested our prayers Prayer Requests — Community of Francis and Clare (cfcfranciscans.org) .The Eucharist is a central part of our lives as well and we are called to joyfully participate in this sacrament. As my day begins with prayer, I prepare myself to hit the streets by putting on my Franciscan tunic and Profession Cross and placing the Consecrated Bread (Holy Communion) in a small container called a Pyx in my pocket. Whether I am at University Medical Center New Orleans visiting and praying with and for the sick or at the local library in the early morning hours handing out socks, underwear and snacks to our siblings who are homeless, many times they will ask to receive Holy Communion. The same thing happens when I have the opportunity to visit the border to welcome Asylum Seekers with Team Brownsville Home | Team Brownsville .

One other ministry that St Anna’s Faith Community has been blessed with is a collaborative relationship with DePaul USA of New Orleans New Orleans - Depaul (depaulusa.org) who assists our homeless siblings to transition into permanent housing. St Anna’s Food Pantry offers a start-up offering of food for each individual when they are moved into their new home.

 It is my prayer that those who read this might keep the eyes and ears of their hearts open for the calling to become a servant to others. You may be surprised to know that our “Holy One” is always listening and waiting for us with open arms to become more deeply involved in our lives.

 Pace e Bene

(“Peace and all Good”. It is a blessing, a hope, and a way of acknowledging the sacredness of those who we encounter.)

Your brother,

Donald

Brother Alberto's thoughts on Contemplative Prayer

Brother Alberto Varona shares his thoughts on contemplative prayer. “Three things are necessary for quiet, recollected contemplation…The first is the place, which is to be proper, fitting, detached, healthy, devotional, suited for reverence, and quiet…The second thing that effectively aids spiritual life is virtuous company, for it is written that it is not good for man to be alone, without companions to help him achieve his noble purpose. The third requisite for contemplation is the preparation and disposition of the will that is to be ready for the Lord’s grace like the wax for the seal.”

Francisco de Osuna was a 16th century Spanish Franciscan friar who is considered a major contributor to mystical theology and practice. In fact, this excerpt is from his Third Alphabet, a book that was immensely influential on the spiritual life and writing of St. Teresa of Avila. Here he shares with us a few requisites for recollected contemplation; by which he means the ability to draw one’s mind internally and focus it on God’s presence. **[CLICK HERE](https://cfcfranciscans.org/blog)** to finish reading the article on the Blog page of the website.

The first of these requisites is having an appropriate place. Now, we know that God is not restricted to certain places to make contact with us but –on the other hand– the skill of drawing oneself within and directing our heart & mind to God does require some support. So choosing a space that is quiet and detached –meaning not adjacent to frenetic energy and sound– would be helpful. If that space is also clean and decorated in a manner that inspires us to God, that would be even better. For example, trying to sit silently in prayer in a room that is in need of cleaning or is cluttered, with people walking and working outside your door, or within eye or ear-shot of a busy street will make the ability to recollect oneself more difficult. Having some sensory aids to a divine atmosphere such as a candle, an icon of Lord Jesus or some incense burning, may be very supportive. God does not require these, but they help our own mind during the cultivation of this skill.

The second of these requisites is good companionship. This does not necessarily mean that every time we sit in practice we must have a good prayer companion sitting with us –although this can certainly be supportive. He is suggesting that our contemplation is supported when we generally keep the company of those who are like-minded in the aspiration to achieve intimacy with God, dedicate time to its cultivation and live a life that is conducive to accomplishing this. For example, keeping the company of those who would rather stay up late watching television or partying when you have a prayer schedule, will not be supportive. Keeping the company of someone who thinks prayer is useless and that God is not real, will not be supportive. However, keeping the company of someone who thinks a patterned spiritual practice is meaningful, that prayer is crucial and helpful and who also values quiet moments of peaceful recollection will be most supportive.

The third of these requisites is having the disposition or readiness to be affected by God’s grace. He says, “like the wax for the seal”. What a beautiful image he uses. In this image, the wax is and remains what it is, wax. This is our soul, our own spiritual substance. But in being disposed to God’s grace, anticipating that God’s grace will come and being ready to perceive it and be shaped by it, is crucial. In this way we are like warmed wax, ready to be sealed by the Lord’s very being, presence & power. In this manner, we can make ourselves available to be shaped by God in the specific way God wants us to be shaped and marked. This is a way of talking about theosis or becoming more Christ-like. Allowing oneself to be shaped and imprinted by God does not turn us into God but rather conforms us to God so fully that the unity between us is able to reach its highest potential of similarity & intimacy. In this we can hear the spirituality of our own St. Francis who was so conformed to Jesus Christ that he identified near perfectly with him, even to the point of bearing his wounds. Br Alberto V

Del seguimiento de Jesús en la Vida Consagrada

Francisco, quien es mas importante, el amo o el sirviente?  El amo, respondió el joven. Por que entonces pues dejas al amo para servir al sirviente?

Hace mas de ocho siglos esta pregunta resonó en lo mas profundo del corazón de un joven que lo tenia todo. Un joven que había puesto sus esperanzas en alcanzar la nobleza y asegurar de esta manera la aprobación y el aplauso de la sociedad importante de su tiempo. Quien es mas importante, el amo o el sirviente?  Una pregunta como esta puede casi siempre servir como punto de partida para un proceso de re evaluación de prioridades.  Es esta misma pregunta la que sacudió profundamente a Francisco, de tal manera que lo llevo a re plantearse súbita y drásticamente su pasado, su presente y su futuro.  El joven trovador y exitoso enamorado, que pasaba las noches en fiestas y banquetes  de la nobleza de Asís, ahora se encontraba frente a un cuestionamiento que le daba un vuelco a su vida para ponerlo frente una nueva realidad. Cuando Dios habla al corazón, Dios siempre inquieta, intriga y enamora.  El llamado a la consagración en la vida religiosa es precisamente un inquietante murmurar, que nace en las entrañas del  discípulo al haber escuchado la voz del Maestro.  Surge una turbación  sana en el alma del discípulo, que le lleva a replantearse toda su vida y a formularse nuevas preguntas existenciales, que como consecuencia, van  poner en tela de juicio previos conceptos, valores y hasta ideales.  Es en medio de este proceso que la vocación comienza a formarse así como un bebe en las entrañas de una madre.  Comienzan a surgir en el alma del discípulo grandes inquietudes que lo envuelven en una intriga hechizante y  enamoradora . Se comienza a descubrir el rostro del Maestro y este rostro no solamente fascina y deslumbra, sino que también conquista el corazón del que es llamado.  Por mucho tiempo se ha tenido la idea de que los consagrados son una especie de superhombres con innumerables dones y capaces de elevarse en espíritu a unos niveles realmente altruistas de  Fe.  Durante siglos, la iglesia y los creyentes han desvirtuado y muchas veces olvidado el verdadero sentido de la vida consagrada. No es menos cierto que en la consagración de el alma a Cristo, así como en el altar el pan y el vino se transforman en cuerpo y sangre de Cristo, también el consagrado se expone a una transformación profunda y autentica, pero esta transformación requiere de una respuesta seria de aquel que es llamado.  Al consagrar la vida a Cristo, el religioso comienza a replantearse sus prioridades y se pone en la presencia del Espíritu con una apertura a la fuerza renovadora de Dios en su vida.  No hay grandes poderes en la vida de un religioso, pero si hay ciertamente grandes opciones. La oración es una de ellas. El consagrado, en una relación personal y profunda con el Maestro, comenzara un camino de comunicación diaria al que llamamos oración. Para el religioso, la oración es el sustento y el motor de su diario caminar, sin embargo, para el franciscano, la meta es hacer de la vida misma una oración. En los inicios, la liturgia de las horas diaria propone una disciplina en la vida del consagrado. Así como para Francisco, para el hermano franciscano, la vida se va convirtiendo en una constante oración y cada evento de cotidiano caminar va siendo vivido en la presencia de Dios y va siendo ofrecido  como una constante oración. Para muchos la oración es un momento preparado y reservado del día. Para el franciscano , la oración esta sucediendo sin cesar y es una bendición descubrirla viva y latente en nuestro alrededor y entonces formar parte de ella. Mas que un detenimiento para orar, es una vivencia  al hacernos presentes y hacernos conscientes de tanta oración que constantemente se sucede a nuestro alrededor. Dios , que ha llamado a una entrega mas profunda al religioso, va no solo cautivando su corazón, sino que también presentándole a un nuevo mundo de realidades quizá antes nunca vistas. Quien es mas importante, Francisco, el amo o el sirviente? El franciscano  al consagrar su vida , ha de hacer un espacio diario para que esta misma pregunta le interpele y despierte cada día. Redefinir nuestros amos y nuestros sirvientes requiere no solamente mucha valentía, sino también una autenticidad en nuestro dialogo diario con el Maestro.  Puede resultarnos extremadamente fácil confundir  al amo y al sirviente.  Para Francisco fue un constante esfuerzo el redefinir cada día la diferencia entre ambos. Para el religioso, este continua siendo un reto. Nuestra sociedad no solamente se ha especializado en disfrazar a los sirvientes de amos, sino que también nos ha creado la necesidad de estos.  Hay un solo amo, y es un Padre Bueno.  La apropiación es uno de los males de nuestro tiempo.  Nos hace dependientes y nos termina esclavizando. Francisco en muchos de sus escritos nos advirtió de los peligros que trae consigo el apropiar bienes temporales. Para el consagrado en la vocación franciscana, es un reto y un desafío el vivir renunciando a la apropiación. A veces , no se trata de bienes materiales. En nuestra fragilidad humana podemos llegar a querer apropiarnos también de títulos, de dones recibidos, de experiencias espirituales, y de hasta de la idea de Dios que nos hemos creado.  La desapropiación es una experiencia liberadora , que nos desata de todo lo que puede limitarnos en seguir construyendo el reino de Dios.  La pobreza de espíritu, de la cual nos habla San Francisco en sus escritos, no tiene necesariamente una conexión directa con la pobreza material, la cual  no es un don de Dios sino el fruto de la injusticia y el egoísmo de los seres humanos. El religioso franciscano, mas que sentirse llamado a permanecer en la pobreza material, debe sentirse profundamente comprometido con la causa de los pobres, pero siempre con el objetivo de dignificarlos y acompañarlos en un camino hacia la erradicación de dicha pobreza. La pobreza espiritual, en cambio, ha de ser  el valor fundamental con el que el franciscano sintoniza su espíritu.  Todo es un don de Dios y todo es gracia.  Nunca hemos sido merecedores de tanta gracia y nuestro espíritu se regocija en el Señor y solo en  El alcanza la felicidad plena.  MI alma esta sedienta de ti Señor y mi carne tiene ansia de ti. Este es el grito de los pobres de espíritu. En la admonición veinte, Francisco nos recuerda : “ Lo que es el hombre ante los ojos de Dios, eso es , y nada mas. 

Como ser obedientes en un mundo donde la obediencia tiende a ser interpretada como sumisión o falta de personalidad? Como permanecer fieles a nuestra promesa de obediencia como consagrados en medio de una sociedad en la que los obedientes sufren las consecuencias de ser tildados de flojos, tibios y en la mayoría de los casos llegan también a ser explotados. De que obediencia entonces estamos hablando? Para Francisco, claramente la obediencia parte de un valor fundamental en la vida de toda persona humana, pero mas aun en  la vida de un religioso: El Respeto.  Es en el ejercicio del respeto que el franciscano encuentra nuevos caminos donde vivir auténticamente la obediencia. El dialogo, forma parte fundamental de este proceso, y es a través del dialogo, que  el franciscano va a desarrollar nuevos canales donde poder permanecer obediente sin renunciar a la libertad de expresión y a la vivencia de aquello que su conciencia le dicta. La humildad es la mejor amiga del religioso en el diario caminar hacia la obediencia. El franciscano, ha de reconocerse el menor entre todos y el menor de todos. A imitación del Maestro, el religioso ha de buscar constantemente la voluntad de Dios y estar abierto a los nuevos retos que esto conlleva. Ser obediente es también abrirnos a la acción del Espíritu Santo en nuestra vida y reconocer que solo en la fuerza del Espíritu somos capaces de consagrar nuestra vida a El. Para el consagrado es esencial reconocer el don de la llamada como un gran tesoro que llevamos en vasijas de barro. Reconocernos limitados e indignos de la llamada es nuestro primer entrenamiento hacia la practica de la obediencia.

Uno de los dones mas malinterpretados en el mundo del catolicismo y del cristianismo en general es la castidad. Por muchos siglos, el puritanismo que heredamos de nuestras pasadas generaciones y  consecuencia de periodos históricos, nos ha hecho creer que  la castidad  se limita a la renuncia a la fecundidad o a las relaciones sexuales. La castidad, en cambio , es un don mucho mas profundo y mas complejo de abordar. Mas que limitar la castidad a una campo puramente fisiológico, debemos en cambio observarla desde su componente mas esencial y trascendente: La capacidad de establecer relaciones transparentes y puras  con nuestros hermanos y hermanas y la gracia de vivir el amor en nuestras relaciones personales  tanto de amistades como de vida conyugal y matrimonial.  El llamado a la castidad que recibe un religioso, no necesariamente debe implicar una mutilación de esta capacidad, sino que debe considerarse como una herramienta en la que el consagrado encuentra elementos que lo ponen cerca de los que sufren pero de una manera liberadora. Al vivir la castidad como un amor transparente y limpio, el consagrado se acerca a los mas necesitados, no para mendigar un abrazo o un gesto de cariño, sino para ofrecer un amor desinteresado que surge de un compromiso profundo con los valores evangélicos.  El consagrado esta llamado a un constante reevaluar de sus propios motivos para la entrega y aun trabajo serio de autoconocimiento del campo afectivo, de manera que pueda establecer solidas relaciones afectivas y profundas conexiones espirituales donde la transparencia y la pureza de espíritu sean elementos fundamentales al amar. Para francisco, la afectividad en vez de limitarlo, lo conectaba con el mundo a su alrededor.  En el beso y el abrazo al leproso, Francisco encuentra una nueva dimensión a su llamada a estar cerca de los que sufren y descubre que es el leproso quien lo salva y lo rescata transformando toda su realidad desde ese momento en lo adelante.  El sabe que es imposible desechar o reprimir la afectividad, por eso incorpora los gestos de afecto en su diario vivir , sabiendo que son herramientas esenciales para mostrar el amor del Padre a aquellos que no conocen el don de ser amados. En este mismo sentido, el franciscano, ha de aferrarse a la afectividad como un puente para establecer profundas relaciones interpersonales con los hermanos, porque  sabe que sino, estaría viviendo un proceso puramente intelectual. Para Francisco, la conexión entre la fe y la vivencia es esencial. El hermano menor sabe que solo a través del abrazo sincero y caluroso es posible mostrar el rostro de Dios a los hombres. Nuestro llamado es a vivir entre los hermanos como un hermano mas y muchas veces el gesto de un plato de sopa caliente en las manos de el hermano enfermo y un beso en la frente son mas efectivos que un estudio bíblico. Es en este sentido que los consagrados encontramos en la vivencia de la castidad un proceso liberador y purificador que nos permite ser seres profundamente afectivos desde la dimensión del amor cristiano.  Una vez mas vuelve a resonar la misma pregunta: A quien entregamos nuestro corazón? A quien hacemos el Amo de nuestra vida?

Una vestidura del siglo trece. Una de las preguntas que surgen ante la experiencia de ser envestido con el habito franciscano esta relacionada a la importancia del signo en nuestro mundo actual.  Por que vestir con una vestidura del siglo trece? El habito franciscano al cruzar ochocientos anos de historia, ha sufrido los efectos de cargar en si mismo el significado que para algunos recuerda épocas de religión impuesta, de conquista de nuevos mundos y matanza de indios y esclavos, para otros lucha por los derechos de los marginados, para la mayoría de nosotros representa ocho siglos de tradición franciscana y de una espiritualidad que se renueva, y para otros también un recordatorio de los horres de abusos sexuales cometidos por sacerdotes en la iglesia.  Ya sean connotaciones positivas o negativas, el habito franciscano trae consigo el signo mas fundamental y cautivador: simboliza una cruz y grita a la sociedad de nuestro tiempo que Jesucristo esta vivo y sigue caminando entre nosotros.  La sociedad en que vivimos nos ha infundido el miedo a identificarnos, nos ha hecho creer que es mejor pasar desapercibidos, nos ha ido encerrando en nuestros micro mundos y desconectando a los unos de los otros.  El habito franciscano como un signo de Cristo entre los hombres ha de ser para nosotros un instrumento para conectar con la gente, para entablar diálogos interesante y para permitirnos escuchar y acompañar el dolor de muchos. Al vernos , algunos nos ignoran a las fuerza, te ven delante y hacen como que no te ven, otros se burlan y otros quieren ofrecernos privilegios. Lo mas importante para nosotros es cada día, al hacer la opción de usar nuestro habito, reconsiderar cuales son nuestras expectativas.  Espero el respeto de todos? Espero la aprobación de todos? Espero una sonrisa de todos? Espero que se me trate como un cura? O espero simplemente representar un hombro donde la gente pueda recostar su cabeza y encontrar abrigo y comprensión? Nuestro reto es a buscar siempre el significado que tiene para nosotros y la importancia que tiene como herramienta en la evangelización, recordando siempre que llevamos puesto sobre nosotros ochocientos anos de historia y tradición y de una riqueza espiritual que mucha gente esta necesitando encontrar. 

Que nuestra madre La Santísima Virgen María,  bendiga nuestro caminar . Que el ejemplo de San Francisco y Santa Clara nos mantenga firmes en la fe y en el seguimiento de Jesús y que Dios que es Padre Hijo y Espíritu Santo bendiga nuestro esfuerzo  en la construcción del Reino ahora y siempre.  Amen

Changing direction during COVID

Br John-Paul writes about teaching students and how it has changed his life.

Please accept the short block of my experience of teaching. What it is done to me and my spiritual life and my perspective of giving serving and receiving. During COVID I decided to train in another profession. From the time I was 15 I thought I would be a priest. And from the time I was 22 I was a youth minister. But in the middle of COVID I did a lot of soul searching,and praying and I realized that though my call to serve hadn't changed my concept of serving had. So, I left paid ministry and went to teachers college. I'm not the first friar to ever gone to teachers college and God knows I won't be the last. But let me tell you what I found at teacher's college…

When I decided to go to teachers college I thought of this story of the Greeks in the temple before Christ's passion. In the gospel of John chapter 12, "Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus." My thought was that I need to take Christ to the marketplace. To introduce the teachings of Jesus to a greater community beyond our Parish churches. Funny enough when I got there I found that in fact it was not the children who waited for Christ, but it was Christ who waited for me in the children.

Throw my time as a youth minister I came up with all kinds of adventures games and fun for young people to understand more fully and apply more deeply the gospel to their lives. When I got to school I had to relearn math to teach students math. It never occurred to me that sitting next to a 10-year-old whose eyes were filled with tears because they were having issues subtracting while all of their classmates were doing division, that I would see the face of my Lord looking back at me. But I do, every day in so many ways, Christ cries out, for love, for affirmation, for acceptance and most of all to be seen and not dismissed. Now I have many things to talk blog about, with regard to teaching 

  • How to teach the gospel without using the name of Jesus

  • How deeply I feel the impact of what it is to be a religious (brother) who is teaching, in a country where 'religious teachers' destroyed the indigenous culture of my country.

  • The joys and sufferings of watching students make the same social mistakes I made. 

  • Watching from the other side as students are bullied, ignored or even develop an over abundance of victim-hood.

Over over the last few months, I have come to understand my life as a teacher not from the perspective of the Greeks in the temple. No, my perspective has become that of the apostles in Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John as I sit around the table trying to understand what Christ was doing. "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.” “Do you understand what I have done for you?”, he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet." (John 13:12)

We can experience the Kingdom of God here on Earth!!

The opportunities to serve our Sisters and Brothers who are seeking Asylum and who are Homeless are right in front of us and is part of experiencing what the Kingdom of God is really like. I thank God for these experiences to serve as it is in these acts of servitude that my spiritual growth is taking place in a richer and deeper way that I could never have imagined. It is the Word of God coming alive and validating all that has been written in scripture about the joy of living a spirit filled and Christ centered life. These experiences of serving whether in be in Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Birmingham, Washington DC, Germantown, PA all have a common thread and that is Christ is deeply alive in each and every individual we encounter and also in His Holy Creation. Our individual and communal commitments to seeing Christ in every person we encounter calls us to solidarity and action with those who are struggling physically, mentally or spiritually.

Once again, the experience of encountering Christ is taking place here in Washington DC this weekend. I am blessed to be back in DC to participate in the ministry of showing hospitality to Asylum Seekers with wonderful volunteers from St Thomas Episcopal Church DuPont Circle and also from the Migrant Mutual Aid Solidarity Network. On Tuesday God willing I will have the opportunity to serve breakfast to our siblings who are homeless at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church “Charlie’s Place” https://www.charliesplacedc.org/ I am also encountering numerous individuals who are homeless while traveling in DC on the Metro.

I thank God again for all these experiences and thank all of the people from my Parish Family at St Anna’s Episcopal Church in New Orleans Saint Anna's Episcopal Church, New Orleans LA - Saint Anna's Episcopal Church New Orleans (stannanola.org) and my Franciscan Sisters and Brothers in the Community of Francis and Clare cfcfranciscans.org for their prayers.

Br. Donald

I was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me

Brother Alasdair writes…

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes. (Matthew 25:35)

Life at Wyke Regis Rectory has seen some changes since May. When Br Alasdair and his wife Nicky saw the plight of Refugees leaving Ukraine, they realised that they needed to open their home and invite a family to live with them. Little did they know the process would be so rapid as Alasdair got a call one day to say a young Refugee Mother and Child had been made homeless late at night with nowhere to live. They were put into emergency accommodation for four days. In that time, Alasdair asked for donations to turn his Chapel in the Rectory into a home for a mother and baby. He was so blessed that members of the Community of Francis and Clare sent money to help him buy a new bed and bedding

In the Centre of the Chapel in the Rectory is a figure of Our Lady with Jesus in her Arms. Very often as Franciscans the word must become flesh and literally live amongst us, (John 1: 14). Iana and Boghdan have now been living with Br Alasdair and his wife Nicky for nearly 3 months. It is lovely to have a little baby around and we have sought to not just provide Iana with lodging, but a family and a home. Within Br Alasdair’s Parish there are now over 50 Ukrainian Refugees and the Children attend the School where he is Chaplain. He has been able to provide other help in terms of helping them have places to meet as a Community and to support them with days out during the summer holidays.

Christian Climate Activism

Alasdair Climate.jpeg

My name is Brother Alasdair of the Community of Francis and Clare. I am the Rector of the Parish of Wyke Regis and the Churches of All Saint’s and St Edmunds. I am an Anglican Priest and my Parish is on the Coast of England and so very susceptible to flooding. 

As a Franciscan I am very conscious of the present Climate and Ecological Emergency we are in. Extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, significant plastic pollution, deforestation, melting Ice Caps leading to feedback loops and serious levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The time for action has arrived. As a Franciscan our common home is in serious trouble heading towards 3 degrees of global warming and so I have added my voice and body to the growing number taking part in non-violent direct action against governments and big polluting business that seeks to destroy our sacred earth. 

Recently, I joined with fellow members of Christian Climate Action and Extinction Rebellion at my first Action in London.  I went to provide a witness to my faith as a Christian and wanted to pray, to protest and provide a presence of one who embodies the establishment and say “no” to more investment in Fossil Fuels.  We called on our government and those at COP26 to take the action necessary to avert serious ecological breakdown.  

After 17 months of Covid it was intense and yet totally liberating to kneel in front of scores of police officers and pray for the environment and the rebels and look into the eyes of police and rebels alike with love, sorrow, and moral conviction. I was proud to see my fellow Clergy arrested and to be among those whose faith calls for action and non-violent direct action.

We are called as Franciscans to pray but also to act for the common good of all.