DOMUS PACIS - Today's business found Chapter delegates engaged largely in small group work as the tasks of the Commissions got underway. Over the course of this week and next, delegates will meet in Commissions that will discuss and formulate proposals on a wide variety of areas affecting the life of the Order including mission and evangelization, formation and studies, and the economics of the Order.
The delegates also received a first draft of a letter that will be sent from the Chapter to the world leaders of the G8 summit which will meet in L'Aquila next month. The final version of the text will likely be approved tomorrow.
CHAPTER DELEGATES GATHER IN THE LOWER CHURCH OF THE BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS TO CELEBRATE THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RULE AND TO RENEW THEIR RELIGIOUS PROFESSION
Although it was a day of business, the day had a taste of glory as it ended in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Late in the afternoon the Capitulars went up to the city of Assisi where they celebrated the 800 years from the foundation of the Order and renewed their religious profession. The celebration was presided by the Minister General.
PRESIDENT OF THE ESC JOHN O'CONNOR, OFM AND ESC VICE-PRESIDENT CAOIMHIN O'LAOIDE, OFM PARTICIPATE IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 8TH CENTENARY OF THE RULE
The Capitulars prayed the Seraphic Father Francis for the protection of his children and that the Spirit might come upon them and lead them in the path of humility and evangelical poverty. The General Minister prayed:
Dear Brothers, we reverently recall that our Blessed Father
Francis, from the earliest days of his conversion, prayed to the
Most High, glorious God, to enlighten the darkness of his heart.
And the Lord graciously answered his prayer by revealing to
him the Gospel Way of Life.
Let us with humility and gratitude prayerfully consider the
progress of this revelation, and take to heart the gift of this
way of life. In so doing we hope to follow more closely in the
footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, and come, like Francis, to
the fulfilment of the promises.
And so let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
in the fullness of time you inspired Brother Francis
to follow in the footsteps of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Renew within us, his brothers and sons,
the burning desire to live the Holy Gospel today.
As we celebrate the anniversary
of the approval of our Rule,
help us to live joyfully
our vocation as lesser brothers
and heralds of the Great King.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
GENERAL DEFINITOR FRANCIS WALTER, OFM, LEADS THE RENEWAL OF VOWS IN ENGLISH
The friars renewed their Profession of Vows in each of the official language groups - English, Spanish and Italian. The renewal in English was led by newly elected General Definitor Francis Walter, OFM. Here is the text that the friars all prayed together:
I, Brother N.N.
Led by divine inspiration
to follow more closely in the footsteps of Jesus Christ,
want to live the gospel faithfully.
I vow to Almighty God
to live the whole time of my life
in obedience, without anything of my own and in chastity.
I promise to observe always the life and Rule of the Friars Minor
confirmed by Pope Honorius according to the General Constitutions
of the Order of Friars Minor.
Therefore with my whole heart
I entrust myself to this brotherhood
that by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me,
and the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, Mary Immaculate
and of our blessed Father Francis
and all the other saints,
and with the help of my brothers,
I may live out my consecration
for the service of God and His Church
and for the good of humankind.
The celebration ended by the blessing of St. Francis to Brother Leo and with a fraternal embrace of peace.
THE GENERAL MINISTER BLESSES DELEGATES WITH THE BLESSING OF BROTHER LEO
The Conventual Friars, who have care of the Basilica, offered the Capitulars a meal and a moment of fraternity at the Sacro Convento.
THE CONVENTUAL FRIARS WELCOME THE CHAPTER FOR A MEAL IN THE MASSIVE REFECTORY OF THE SACRO CONVENTO
This DAILY NEWS BRIEF is produced by and for the friars of the English Speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor. Executive Secretary: Thomas Washburn, OFM.