SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 10 - N. 3 - 2004 - January - III
From: Koinonia, 2003, n. 3
Fr. Irudaya Samy, OFM Cap
The Franciscan family, As one among many spiritual families Raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, Unites all members of the people of God -laity, religious, and priests- who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi.
In various ways and forms But in life-giving union with each other, They intend to make present The charism of their common seraphic father In the life and mission of the Church. [1]
The secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in this family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful. In these fraternities, the brothers and sisters, led by the spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state. By their profession, they pledge themselves to live the gospel in the manner of Saint Francis by means of this rule approved by the Church. [2]
The first article of the Secular Franciscan Rule immediately establishes the relationship of the Secular Franciscans with the entire Franciscan family. This, of course, is of paramount importance to the very existence of the Secular Franciscans as a vital part of the Franciscan Family. The Secular Franciscans are not isolated members but are true and full members of St. Francis' Family. They were raised up by the Holy Sprit in the Church with other members of our Franciscan Family.
The Secular Franciscans are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis as laypersons in the world in life-giving union with all the other members of our Franciscan family. They, like the other dedicated members of our Franciscan family, make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church. [3]
1. "All the faithful are called to holiness and have a right to follow their own spiritual way in communion with the Church." [4]
2. "There are many spiritual families in the Church with different charisms. Among these families, the Franciscan Family, which in its various branches recognizes St. Francis of Assisi as its father, inspiration, and model, must be included." [5]
3. "From the beginning, the Secular Franciscan Order has had its own proper place in the Franciscan Family. It is formed by the organic union of all the Catholic fraternities whose members, moved by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves through profession to live the Gospel in the manner of St. Francis, in their secular state, following the Rule approved by the Church." [6]
4. "The Holy See has entrusted the pastoral care and spiritual assistance of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO), because it belongs to the same spiritual family, to the Franciscan First Order and Third Order Regular (TOR). These are the "Institutes" who are responsible for the altius moderamen," [7] referred to by canon 303 of the Code of Canon Law.
In the Kingdom of God, relationship is an important ingredient. The dictionary speaks of relationship as a "connection" with one another. In the Constitutions these first articles define the relationship of the SFO to the Church and the rest of the Franciscan Order. They begin by pointing out that we are joined with all people who are called to holiness. Jesus has invited all people to be gospel people. He expects people to respond to his call. Not everyone responds. Those who do respond have a right to follow the path that fits them in their journey of wholeness, i.e. holiness. At the very beginning we are aware of a variety of ways to respond to the Gospel.
St. Francis of Assisi is the model on which we build our lifestyle. He is our father, inspiration and model. As father he offers us life. Joined with the power of the Holy Spirit, Francis passes life to us. That life is his attraction and commitment to the Gospel. It is his trust in Jesus. It is his openness to the word of God. When we look at the joy that Francis had, even in the midst of pain, we find inspiration. Our heart longs to be able to deal with the light and darkness that life brings. Francis offers a way and gives a hope that joy is possible even when suffering touches our lives. Francis of Assisi becomes the model whose attitude to God and Gospel; to Jesus and gospel; to life and gospel, offers a pathway to life. Francis helps identify our role among the people of God and in the Body of Christ. [8]
What relationships support such a way of life? Relationship with the rest of the Franciscan family is primary. We are not different Orders with varying charisms. We are one Order with one charism. We are related to each other by the very fact of our calling to the Franciscan way of life. We are related to other people who are Secular Franciscans throughout the world. The SFO Constitution says, "The unity comes from the Holy Spirit who gives us a common calling. No matter what language we speak, Francis is our Father, inspiration and model. We follow a common Rule of life approved by the Church. We are related to each other by our common Franciscan calling." [9]
Quite naturally we walk with Franciscans who are called "First Order," "Second Order" (Poor Clares) or "Third Order Regular." These men and women live together in community. They are joined to a common Franciscan life through the profession of vows. They are our Brothers and Sisters in the Franciscan Family. We assist one another in the pursuit of the Gospel. The SFO Constitutions tell us that the pastoral care and spiritual assistance of the SFO is in the hands of these family members. There is mutuality in the relationship rather than a role of power. As Jesus clearly taught: "Then if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."(Jn 13:13) The relationship is one of service not domination. We share common insights and wisdom with the SFO. The SFO shares insights and wisdom with us. God is at work teaching and supporting us through one another. As the letter to the Hebrews puts it: "We ought to see how each of us may best arouse others to love and active goodness."(Heb.10: 24) Here I would like to bring out some of the internalised convictions of Franciscan Constitutions:
* "The SFO is "an integral part of the Franciscan Family." (SFO Constitutions art.85, 1)
* The SFO. "Are our partners in living, witnessing to and promoting the Franciscan charism? They make their own necessary and complementary contribution to the fullness of the Franciscan charism." (OFM. Constitutions Art. 60, 1)
* "Within the Franciscan Family the Secular Franciscan Order or Fraternity holds a special place. It shares in and promotes a genuine Franciscan spirit and it must be regarded as necessary for the completeness of the Franciscan Charism." (OFM Cap., Constitutions Art 95, 1)
* "The Secular Franciscan Order is united to our Order." (OFM Cap., Constitutions Art. 95,3)
"Care of the Secular Franciscan order is entrusted to the first Order." (OFM Constitutions art. 60, 1)
* However, the real foundation for spiritual assistance is the close bond that unites the religious and lay Franciscans. "The secular Franciscan Order is united to our Order by its origin, history and sharing of our life..."(OFM Cap., Constitutions Art. 95, 3)
* "The brothers shall also foster and spiritually assist all associations, above all of young people, which cultivate the spirit of Saint Francis. Our houses should become centres of fraternal gatherings and inspiration for all, whether clergy laity, who wish to follow Christ's footsteps under the leadership of Saint Francis." (OFM Cap., Constitutions Art. 95,9)
* "By virtue of the vital reciprocity between the religious and the secular members of the Franciscan family and in regard to the responsibilities of major superiors, spiritual assistance to the fraternities of the SFO at all levels must be assured as a fundamental element of communion." (SFO Constitutions Art. 89, 1)
We grow to a point where our perception of life flows from attitudes we find in the Gospel. Our assessment of people, situations and daily relationships are in tune with the Gospel. Our commitment to the Franciscan way of life requires this of us. Fraternity is seen as an important ingredient of life. We need one another to achieve the call to follow the Gospel in everything
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