secular Franciscans
Day 15: The Franciscan Family and Advent
Editor’s Note: On the fifteenth day of our Advent blog series, “Following the Holy Family in Solidarity,” Lay Missioner Ralph Anderson, OFS describes the Franciscan Family and how Saint Francis of Assisi was inspired to make the first manger scene. December 3, 1223. Francis of Assisi created the first creche (Manger Scene) in the Italian…
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The Franciscan Family
Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Ralph Anderson, OFS describes how he met members of Cochabamba’s local Franciscan Fraternity and became involved in the Franciscan community. Once I finished six weeks of language school in Bolivia, I moved to the place where I will reside for the next two years. I live in the Franciscan Social Center…
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Day 15: Poverty
Editor’s Note: For day 15 of our Advent series, “The Day of Joy Drew Near,” Ralph Anderson, a newly-commissioned missioner shares his thoughts on poverty and describes how one of his Franciscan brothers embodied this virtue. When the list for the Advent blog series topics came around, I was the last to sign up. The…
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A Happy Ending
Editor’s Note: Ralph Anderson, a newly-commissioned missioner, reflects on FMS’s in-depth Formation for Overseas Lay Missioners and his experiences with living in intentional community. “What can they possibly teach me in thirteen weeks of Formation?” That was my thought before beginning Formation at Casa San Salvador. I knew there was a lot I needed to…
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Comfort and Joy: By Hand
Editor’s Note: As part of our “Comfort and Joy” Advent/Christmas blog series, Secular Franciscan Susan Burke shares how a reassuring presence can bring the greatest of comfort. The first time I met Richard at the door of his hospital room, it went like this: “Hi, I’m Susan, one of the chaplains, and I stopped by to see…
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A Journey of Love
Editor’s Note: The following is part of our daily holiday series celebrating “The Shared World.” Akisha Townsend Eaton is a friend of FMS and Candidate for the Secular Franciscan Order. Shortly after getting married this past summer, my husband Jack and I set off for what would be a European honeymoon adventure of a lifetime. Despite…
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The Light of One: Owen
Continuing our reflection series “The Light of One”, Susan Burke (OFS) writes about the amazing gift of her grandson, Owen. The person who sent me on a different way will be three years old in January. If he had been born as scheduled, he would be three in May. Owen, my grandson, arrived four months…
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St. Elizabeth of Hungary: Not One To Love Without Acting
Board member and Secular Franciscan Patrick Martin shares some thoughts for the feast of the Secular Order’s patroness, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Sometimes the lives of the saints can seem a bit dry, especially those who lived centuries ago. It’s so much easier to get excited about a Maximilian Kolbe, or an Edith Stein (Teresa…
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Franciscan Friday: Bridge Building at the Summer Confabulation
Photo by flikr user Conrad Kuiper – Creative Commons Bridge building is important. It creates avenues for mutual understanding, opens the lines for communication, paves the way for peacemaking, fosters community, and more. Bridge building is so important, in fact, that it’s the 2013 theme for the National Secular Franciscan Order USA. And this theme…
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Franciscan Friday: The Franciscan Family Tree
Explaining the Franciscan “family tree” is no easy feat. The simple man from Assisi inspired and attracted so many people to his Gospel-driven lifestyle over the centuries, and each person has found (or created) his or her own place in the vast movement. Whether male or female, religious or lay, professed or just interested in…
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Franciscan Friday: Solidarity with Workers
Continuing this week’s Walking in Solidarity theme of “Living Solidarity: Work, Family and Citizenship,” Secular Franciscan Susan Burke offers a reflection on what her work has taught her about solidarity. When I went to work for a union almost 18 years ago, I wasn’t as excited about it as I might have been. It didn’t…
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Encountering God in Family and Compassion
Kent Ferris, OFS On this International Migrants Day, our story of encountering God comes from our friend Kent Ferris, OFS. Kent supervises the Immigration Office in his role as the Director of Social Action for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Davenport as well as chairs the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission for the National…
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Prayers for Christmas: Family
The Gospel for today looks at Jesus’ family tree. Forty-two generations culminate in the birth of Christ. Generations of our own families gather in celebration of this birth this time of year. “I thank God that for having had one more year of my family being together. At Christmas we reconfirm the unity of our…
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