Several months ago, I left religious life
because of reasons of bad health. I have retired as I'm retirement age. In my intimate life
with Jesus, Mary and the Angels and Saints, there has been no change at all. The charism of
the contemplative order of which I had been a member
for four years and six months is one of Eucharistic Reparation. Now that I
have rejoined, with great happiness, the Secular Franciscan Order in which I
was professed in 1994 before entering religious life, I would like to dedicate
the rest of my Franciscan life to work, pray and suffer that I may repair for
all the outrages toward, and the abandonment of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Toward that end I've made, what the Church calls a Private Vow, because vows
not taken by a religious superior or a bishop are private vows. I've made the
vows of obedience and chastity and promised God to dedicate the rest of my
life to Him.
I also have a
strong love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
and toward that end I will pray that you do, too. I know from personal
experience that Jesus loves us deeply. On August 23, 1998, Jesus healed me in
an unforgettable moment of grace. He healed me from a sinful life to a life of
great peace and beauty. So I have experienced His love first hand. I am deeply
convinced that unless we make a great effort to allow nothing to stand between
us and God's love, that we're in for a very difficult time. Sin is the
breakdown of our relationship with Jesus, with His Father and the Holy Spirit,
the Paraclete. Yet there are so many people for whom "Number One" is
themselves. In my view it is necessary to advance to personal holiness and
that will never happen to those whose pride prevents them from making God
"Number One!" For in order to be healed it is necessary to go to God on bended
knee, for he heals those who make Him ALL, and themselves nothing.
The message of
Saint Francis of Assisi is simple. The "Prayer of Saint Francis" says it all.
So do the Beatitudes. Unless we love God above all else, and then love our
neighbors (that's all of you, out there) as we do ourselves, then we're
missing the boat. So my dedication of the rest of my life follows along the
monastic life I've led for 4-5 years, one of a peacemaker and one who loves
God and neighbor!
Fred Schaeffer, SFO
12/1/02-First Sunday of Advent
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