SFO International Council
Volume: 1 - N. 11 - 1995 - September - I
From: CIOFS Bulletin, 1994, N. 3
Margret Mertens
First of all I would like to tell the story of my experience in and with the SFO and how I came to assume responsibility for the fraternity.
I entered the SFO 50 years ago, and I still remember the words of a Franciscan who said: "-Now the Church is calling you to service.-" I wasn't too sure what he meant by "-Church-" since I had just returned after having been far from it for five years; I was still less aware of what "-service-" might mean.
Introductory formation did not exist at that time because there was no teacher for the novices. On the other hand there were things to be done in the fraternity immediately: keeping accounts and visiting members.
After nine years I had my first contact with the National Fraternity. I experienced the "-reconstruction-" after the war, the editing of the German guidelines, the preliminaries to the New Rule, and the renewal of our fraternities. As soon as I retired in 1978, I was called to the International Council. In 1982 the Pope said to us: "-Now you have a New Rule. Live it and love it! It is a treasure in your hands-".
Responsibility in the SFO comprehends the witnessing also of being "-cum ecclesia-". If I suffer for the Church, I do not look for scapegoats, but instead, like Francis I try to overcome the negative with the positive, living a more intensive life in the Church.
Art. 22 (the local fraternity as the basic living organism of the whole Secular Franciscan Order and as loving union among its members) is particularly dear to me. We have our roots in our small local fraternity. The SFO still remains a small living organism in the larger Church community. And we, like the Church, must collaborate in its work of salvation. This is our service.
We are responsible for the formation of our brothers and sisters by means of: orientation to the Gospel, listening to the Word, and nourishment with the sacraments. This new way of life cannot be lived alone. All of us must collaborate.
There is often dissension wherever there is life in common. It is our duty to protect the unity of the SFO on all levels with the help of our assistants and of the leadership of the SFO.
In my visit to the Lithuanian fraternity I could see how an exemplary Franciscan way of life was developed there through their service to the poor. However, I also realised the great responsibility the SFO has in the Eastern countries in the spiritual formation and renewal in the spirit of Vatican Council II.
For many years now we have been talking about the re-evangelization of Europe. We are not strong, but the Lord will make our efforts fruitful if we are able to live beyond all confines as sisters and brothers in a "-loving community-". Brotherly love is our particular charisma, our Franciscan way of bringing the Gospel to the world.
I close with Francis' words: "-Brothers and sisters, let us begin because until now we have done so little.-"
Questions for group discussion: