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There
will be a lot of exciting things going on with the friars in these
coming months. Friars
are being summoned from all over the world. . . from our Africa
missions and work places in Rome. . . from our assignments as chaplains,
friars who work in parishes, as teachers
and those who work with the elderly and the sick. Once again, the
friars are answering the call of our founder, St. Francis of Assisi,
to assemble “in Chapter.”
The ancient
term, “Chapter,” means “a coming together of members
of a religious community.” We gather “in Chapter”
for the same reasons that friars have been doing so for the past
seven hundred years. . .
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. . to strengthen our bonds of Franciscan fraternity,
. . . to encourage each other in our religious vocation,
. . . to renew our commitment to God’s holy works, and,
. . . to pray for the wisdom to recognize and do his holy will.
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Historians
tell us that when St. Francis convoked the first Franciscan chapter,
over 3,000 friars journeyed from all parts of Europe to the small
Italian town of Assisi.
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In St. Francis’
day, the friars would knock on the doors of the local townsfolk,
begging for daily bread and sometimes lodging. Those friars came
to Assisi with nothing, only with trust in their hearts “that
God would provide.” Although I can’t personally knock
on your door for help, I have to believe that “God will provide”
through my urgent appeal to you. The friars of old needed to depend
on the citizens of Assisi. Today, I need to depend on you by “knocking
on your door” and ask for your support.
How can you help me you might ask? The retreat center we’re
using is charging us $35 a night for lodging. A one-day sponsorship
of a friar comes to $35. His five day stay would mean a gift of
$175. Perhaps you could sponsor him for all nine days of Chapter
for $315? Even one half-day sponsorship at $17.50 or whatever your
means allow, would mean a great deal!
Like our confreres
of old, each morning we will gather together to pray, to sing and
to celebrate Mass. On our knees, we will seek God’s will and
the wisdom of our Franciscan saints like St. Francis and St. Anthony.
. . for these could be anxious times. During the five days we meet
in June and again in July, many of us will receive new assignments.
Some will be called to leave familiar places and go to new assignments.
Often, farewells will also mean tears.
Simply put, God often uses our Chapter times to humble us.
You, my dearest
Companion of St. Anthony, are part of a holy tradition, like those
early citizens who readily opened their doors and hearts to the
friars. Your kindness will enable us to do God’s work. . .
and the ancient tradition of Chapter will be completed in you.
I know God
will bless you for whatever generous Chapter donation you send to
help us. We will certainly remember you and your intentions in our
prayers of gratitude in the course of those special days. |
