"One among
many spiritual families"
The largest group is that of the laity. Are they a spiritual
family? Certainly... if they are Catholics, Roman Rite, Byzantine
Catholics and other Eastern Rite Catholics, they are all
part of the Catholic Family.
Within the
Catholic Church, the Secular Franciscan Order has a definite
place. We are part of the Franciscan family, consisting of
priests, brothers, nuns and sisters. We are Secular, that is, not Religious, within this spiritual family, and we are partners
with all the friars, sisters, nuns, that form the Franciscan
family as a whole. We all share the same charism, to follow
Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Rule 1
states that we are all ONE - a life-giving union with each
other... and that we are to make present the charism of
our common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the
Church.
This closeness
between the various branches of the Franciscan Order is highly
visible when we go visiting. We can build on this fraternal
spirit by helping each other bring a message of peace, that is,
the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to all. How do we
accomplish this? Members of the First Order, the friars, do this
by preaching, in parishes or on retreats, and in mission work
both within our Nation as well as elsewhere. Members of the
Second Order, notably the Poor Clares, do so with their
contemplative lifestyle, their deep prayer and occasional
teaching, giving seminars, etc. The Third Order Regular is
divided between friars, nuns, and other sister orders. They each
have their ways of getting the good news out, and they've been
doing this for many years.
The Secular
Franciscan Order (SFO), is well equipped as a whole of getting
the message out. But we are more interested in reference to Rule
1, in the way each and every Franciscan in the SFO shares the
Good News of Our Lord with his brothers, sisters, neighbors, and
community, and how each fraternity follows the basic charism of
the Franciscan Order, founded by St. Francis of Assisi. We do
this in various ways and forms, but in life-giving union
with all Franciscans. We are not operating as individual groups,
we are part of the whole and we depend on one another.
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Note: These
Reflections have been completed, but they may be revised at any
time. Suggestions from Professed Secular Franciscans are always
welcome. Thank You. Fred Schaeffer, SFO
5-12-2008
