Reflection of Caritas May 2009

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Story of St. Francis
By: Fr. Jim Gannon, OFM

In the First Life (Notes 21-22) of St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas of Celano writes ~
“Meanwhile, the holy man of God, having changed his habit and rebuilt that church, moved to another place near the city of Assisi, where he began to rebuild a certain church that had fallen into ruin. He moved to the place called the “PORTIUNCULA” where there stood a church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. It was built in ancient times. At that time it was deserted and no one was taking care of it. When Francis saw it so ruined, he was moved by piety because he had a warm devotion to the Mother of all good and he began to stay there continually.”

Francis rebuilt this tiny chapel and it eventually became the center of the Franciscan movement. Francis and his brothers lived in small huts around the chapel. It was from this chapel that Francis sent his brothers, two by two, on mission into the world.

For Franciscans the Portiuncola (Little Portion) conjures up sentiments and thoughts linked with the heart. The Portiuncola symbolizes the heart of the Franciscan movement. The heart of love of Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. It is the heart of St. Francis and Clare of Assisi. It is the heart that calls us to reconciliation, forgiveness and love.

During this month of May let us pray for all communities, works and projects dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God and for all who are inspired by Mary’s love and “Yes” to God’s voice.

“Holy Virgin Mary, among the women born into the world, there is none like you among all women on earth. You are the daughter and handmaid of the Most High King and Father of Heaven. You are the mother of our most holy Lord Jesus Christ. You are the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Pray for us, with Saint Michael the Archangel and all the powers of heaven and all the saints, to your most holy and beloved Son, Our Lord and Master. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. — Amen”

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi to Mary
Theotokos (Mother of God)

Reflection of Caritas February 2009

“One time blessed Francis (of Assisi) went to the hermitage of Mount La Verna and because that place is very remote, he liked it very much and he wanted to do a Lent in honor of Saint Michael. He went there before the feast of the Assumption of the glorious Virgin Mary, and he counted the days from the Feast of Saint Mary to the Feast of St. Michael, which are forty days, and said: ‘I want to make a Lent here, in honor of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, His mother, and blessed Michael, the prince of angels and of souls.’ ”

(From ~ The Assisi Compilation (87) )

Hard to believe that we are once again walking into the holy season of Lent/Easter. Seems like we just packed away the Christmas decorations. Lent was very important to St. Francis. So important that he kept a series of “little Lents” during the year…from November 1, feast of All Saints to December 25, the feast of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus; another from January 6, the feast of Epiphany to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday; and yet another, the “summer Lent”…August 15, feast of the Assumption to September 29, feast of St. Michael.

These “little lents” were not required of the brothers and sisters, just suggested. Francis required only the “major lent” recalling the forty days and nights Jesus prayed in the desert. Lent for St. Francis was not so much as giving something up, like sweets, or food or drink, but doing something positive that would move him closer in his relationship to God and to his brothers and sisters.

In his Lenten Letter of 1998, my Minister Provincial wrote to all the members of the Provincial Community, “we should spend Lent not necessarily by giving something up, like sweets or desserts; this is all well and good. I suggest that we celebrate this Lent by giving something up, perhaps sometime in our busy schedules so that more time could be devoted to each other, especially with our Franciscan brothers, those with whom we live in community. The Provincial’s idea was that we would fast from time in our schedules and then give that time and our presence to one another. Lent of 1998, with my four Franciscan brothers in community, we decided that we would set aside the Wednesdays of Lent to spend more time with each other in prayer, conversation and recreation. What a wonderful Lenten fast. Every Wednesday we committed ourselves to an hour of prayer together; reflection on where each experienced the love of God that week; dinner together; then out to a good, positive movie. What a wonderful Lent; fasting from busy time so that we could give more time to each other and to God.

Today, I live with five Franciscan brothers. We have already planned our Lenten Fast…more time for each other and for God.

[Publisher’s note: “God is love and Caritas is God’s love. Lent is a solemn time for reflection of God’s love for us all…and what we are each called to do to share that same love with others.”]

Reflection December 2008 (Christmas)

The manger St. Francis made in celebration of Christ’s birthday.

Finally, the day of joy has drawn near; the time of exultation has come. From many different places the brothers and sisters have been called. As they could, the men and women of that land with exultant hearts prepare candles and torches to light up the night whose shining star has enlightened every day and year. Finally, Francis of Assisi, the holy man of God comes and, finding all things prepared, he saw them and was glad. Indeed, the manger is prepared, the hay is carried in, and the ox and the ass are led to the place. There simplicity is given a place of honor, poverty is exalted, and humility is commended, and out of the city of Greccio is made a new Bethlehem. –– Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Thomas of Celano

The City of Greccio is located fifty-five miles south of Assisi. It is in Greccio that Franciscan tradition tells us that Francis of Assisi and a group of barefoot followers led a rejoicing crowd of local townsfolk up the slopes of Mount Lacerone to Greccio, December 24, 1223. There were several interconnecting caves. In one of these caves, a layer of straw was spread and a primitive crib placed in the corner. Francis directed this nativity scene as a way of teaching God’s love for creation. The nativity scene is a reflection of Caritas ~ God’s Love ~ bending down in humility, simplicity and poverty to become like you and me so that we can learn to reflect the face of God in our world. So much of the Christmas season is focused on the commercialism and consumerism. Perhaps spend a few minutes this Christmas Season reflecting on how you reflect God’s love through gifts of simplicity, humility and poverty.

We wish everyone a blessed and simple Christmas Season and may that message be carried all throughout the year 2009 to come; and may it be filled with peace and all good!

Reflection November 2008

NOVEMBER 2008

One of St. Francis of Assisi’s’ loyal companions was Brother Masseo. Tradition tells us that one day Francis and Masseo were traveling in the Tuscany region. They were in unfamiliar territory. Francis and Masseo were confronted with a crossroad. Not knowing which road to take, Masseo looked to Francis for advice. Francis confidently told Masseo that they would take the road God wanted them to take. As only Francis could, he told Masseo to twirl around until he was told to stop. After a few very long seconds Francis issued the command ~ “Stop, Brother Masseo.” Unsteady on his feet, the brother obeyed. Then Francis asked Masseo which way he was facing. Masseo pointed in the direction that he and Francis would travel.

Was this the road God desired for Francis and Masseo to travel? This question would not be entertained by Francis because he humbly, genuinely trusted in God’s love. St. Francis of Assisi not only trusted in this all encompassing love of God but encouraged his brothers and sisters, his followers, to live simply and humbly, by following his example and live life believing that God is in every direction ~ crossroads, crooked roads, smooth roads and rocky roads.

Perhaps the present chaos and disorder of life ~ financial and economic uncertainty, barriers of poverty and violence ~ may move us to review our journey of life and ask the question ~ who is in control? Do I strive to live in the freedom of God’s love and trust in God’s road map?
-Fr. Jim-

Reflection October 2008

Watching the track of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike brought back memories of three years past of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I served as temporary administrator of St. Peter’s Parish, Grenada, Mississippi and lived at our Franciscan Mission in Greenwood, Mississippi when the destructive paths of these two forces of nature blew into the Gulf States. Our Franciscan Mission sustained fixable damage. Daily life in Greenwood was disrupted for a few days by power outages, water and gasoline rationing. Nothing compared to the catastrophic loss of property and life experienced on the Gulf Coast. Our immediate problem in Greenwood, Mississippi was not the “daily disruptions” but the thousands of people who sought shelter in “little Greenwood.” What many thought would be a “few days stay” away from home turned into weeks, months ~ some never to return home ~ as there was no home to return to.

Three years, almost to the day, I watched millions evacuate their homes again as hurricanes approached the Gulf Coast States. Many memories and people crossed my mind. One loving memory is an elderly couple ~ Jackie + Vince ~ who found themselves among the “stranded” in Greenwood. Jackie and Vince had planned a grand 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration for family and friends at the same church where they exchanged their marriage vows and the same social hall which held their wedding day celebration. Their home, their church and the social hall were washed away forever. Their days were spent in a one bedroom, one bath trailer, given to them by a generous member of our mission. Word spread of their approaching 50th Wedding Anniversary. An elaborate “pot luck” celebration was quickly organized. Jackie and Vince went shopping for new clothes in the Mission Baskets made available for those who lost everything but the clothes they had on. During their renewal of their Marriage Vows, when Vince was ready to “kiss his bride of fifty years”, his pants fell down to his ankles. Everyone held their breath waiting for someone to say something. Jackie broke the silence by saying, “I did not dress him this morning so don’t look at me.” Vince said, “Sorry, but I could not find my size in the Mission Basket. Right now I am not embarrassed. I have absolutely nothing of my own. However, I do consider myself the luckiest and richest man in the world.” Tears mixed into the smiles of everyone in the church.

One year later Jackie and Vince returned to a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment in New Orleans. They went home the richest husband and wife in the world because of the love shared by a small, poor community of people in “little Greenwood, Mississippi.” They gave to those in desperate need, like Jackie and Vince, not from their wealth but from their poverty. We all became the richest people in the world!
-Fr. Jim-