The Feast of St Francis

Franciscans all over the world observed 'Transitus' on Oct 3rd, the day before the Feast of St Francis on Oct 4th. Transitus marks the transition from life to eternal life for Francis of Assisi. At his death, he gathered his friends and followers around him and encouraged and exhorted them to keep the faith and the rule of life that Francis authored. I was asked lately about my choice to join the Seculars and I did some thinking and reading before answering. One of today's readings in the Divine Office gives Paul's exhortation to model ourselves after those who have been proven to be true to the faith.

Philippians 3:17-4:1

My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things. For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.     So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.

So we see that there is a scriptural foundation for the establishment of religious orders. Some are attracted to this saint or that and following a particular saint's rule of life helps to add stability and purpose to their spiritual life. For me, that saint is Francis of Assisi. In my youth, he had a counter-cultural appeal, but now that appeal has matured into a fervent zeal to model after someone who so clearly lived out the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On the Feast of St Jerome

I am reminded today on reading the Divine Office on this Feast of St Jerome about the Parable of the Sower. Jesus tells us of the sower who sows seeds on rocky ground, among the thorns, where the birds eat it, and finally on good ground. For me, I was born in a garden with rich soil and the Word of God was planted there. But the analogy doesn't quite hold because we move around during various periods in our lives to areas where it is rocky and in my case where the thorns and weeds were. The word was choked as the cares and frivolities of this life took all of my energy. Now that I am back in a garden with good soil, I want the remainder of my life to be spent pursuing eternal truth. I want to surround myself with companions of like mind who also see the beauty and indeed the necessity of pursuing the things that last, the eternal, the holy, and ultimately, the friendship of God, as we read today from the Book of Wisdom, the seventh chapter,verses 13-14:

Simply I learned about Wisdom, and ungrudgingly do I share - her riches I do not hide away; For to men she is an unfailing treasure; those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God, to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.

I am entering the period of Candidacy in the Order of Franciscans Secular. This is a period of prayer and study as I prepare to make my profession. This period will last anywhere from 18 months to 36 months. I was brought into the church on the inspiration of Francis of Assisi and I hope to live my life following his Rule, going from the Gospel to life, and from life to the Gospel. Francis was a follower of Christ, a joyful saint whose love for God spilled over into love of God's creation and creatures. His ministry to the poor, to the outcast, to the lepers in his day, has always inspired me and I want to live my life following that model. As St Paul tells us "imitate me"; we are given guides in this life who have been given the grace to set before us paths to follow according to our various temperaments. Francis' spirituality suits me and challenges me to imitate him as he imitated Christ so completely.