SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 9 - N. 15 - 2003 - April - II
From: Koinonia, 2003, n. 1
24th June 1978 - 24th June 2003
Fr. Ivan Matic', OFM
It is impossible to reflect on the active presence of the Secular Franciscans in the Church and world without being aware of the nature and identity itself of the vocation of the Secular Franciscans. Responding to the call of God, the Secular Franciscans choose, through the profession of the Rule, to become part of a Fraternity, of an Order, and to live a specific form of life in the Church and in society.
And what is this form of life? We are helped to understand it by the SFO Documents, especially by the Rule and General Constitutions where we can find, in a systematic and synthetic way, the answers for all that concerns the form of life and apostolic activity of the Secular Franciscans [1] .
In this reflection we will take up only some of the articles from the second chapter of the Rule and Constitutions that are significant for understanding the form of life and mission of the Secular Franciscans. In Article 4 of the Rule, we read: «The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the centre of his life with God and people» [2] .
Here we find a fundamental response. The specific form of life is to live the Gospel according to the example of St. Francis, by putting Jesus Christ at the centre of life as the inspirer of a real relationship with both God and one's neighbour. In this way, we learn the why and the how of living, loving and suffering [3] . We can say that here the Secular Franciscans touch on the whole of the reality and depth of their call, which is activated as a specific vocation in the Church and social realities.
The privileged places where the Secular Franciscans are called to live and give witness to their faith are the family, the world of work, dialogue and meeting with people since all are brothers in the same Father, their presence and participation in social life, fraternal relationships with all creatures, etc. [4] .
One topic that we justifiably consider fundamental to the life of the Secular Franciscans is that of their presence in the Church and which is the theme of ecclesiality. This has its historical foundation in the personal attitude of St. Francis. Each stage of his vocation is marked by a great love for the Church, beginning with the encounter with the Crucifix in the church of San Damiano, where he heard the words of the Lord: «Francis, go and repair my house that, as you see, it is in ruins» [5] . From that moment on Francis set about carrying out, with great love, the desire of the Lord.
This ecclesial spirit of Franciscan spirituality, based on the personal example of Francis, is characterised not only by a commitment to strict obedience and submission to the authority of the Church, but especially to love, affection, to the desire to serve the Church and to support its pastoral work for the good of souls. It is founded especially on the vision of faith that sees the presence of God in the Church and, that is, its supernatural dimension.
As living members of the Church, the Secular Franciscans, with their form of life, are called by the Spirit to be at the service of the Kingdom of God in the reality where they live, continuing in this way the work of restoration of the Church. «Buried and raised with Christ in baptism, they have been united more intimately with the Church by profession. Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses and instruments of her mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by their life and words» [6] .
By restoration of the Church, we should not think of great things, but simply see the reality where we live as Franciscans and there, in that reality, begin to re-construct with faith and love all that is found to be "in ruins". So, where there is hatred, sow love, where there is discord bring peace, etc.
The Secular Franciscans, by giving testimony to this spirit of communion and love, will find the strength first of all in the close sacramental communion within the Church. We read in the Rule: «Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired by his example, let them devote themselves energetically to living in full communion with the pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open and trusting dialogue of apostolic effectiveness and creativity... Let them participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let them join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of the life of Christ» [7] .
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