As is usual, as we approach the Feast of St Francis of Assisi (4 October), the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady offer to the readers of this magazine a reflection on some excerpts related to his life.
We remember that St Francis of Assisi founded three great Orders, and we belong to the Third Regular Order.
This time, we chose the theme of the Cross of San Damiano.
Why?
St Francis lived the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the letter and the whole of his life, in obedience, in chastity and without anything of his own. St Bonaventure, a contemporary of St Francis and one of his early biographers, in chapter II of the Major Legend tells how Saint Francis sought the church of St. Damian on the outskirts of Assisi to pray there with all the ardor of his soul and listen to the voice of his Lord, who made him feel flooded with unspeakable consolation.
It was in this church that the saint, with his eyes bathed in tears, looked at the cross and heard a voice from the crucifix three times and clearly: “Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is all falling.” Hearing that voice – he was alone in the church – the immense power of the word of God, impelled him to act. Without any hesitation, he decided to devote himself to the reconstruction of the church, asking for stones and aid from the inhabitants of Assisi.
Francis only came to realize later, as he told the brethren, that this voice referred to the Church that Christ had redeemed with his blood, as the Holy Spirit revealed to him.
Christ needed Francis to restore His Church; not the one of stone, but the Church made of men, who did not understand each other.
In our day, men also are so absent from Him! How can we restore this human construction made in the image and likeness of God, our Father and Creator of Heaven and earth and all things visible and invisible, since science and technology are worth everything today?
Maybe we have to go often to the Cross, the most beautiful symbol of Christians, and there to hear the voice of the One who calls us to take Him with our testimony to those of us who need it.
Here is the prayer that St Francis prayed before the crucifix of San Damiano:
“O Most High and Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart. Give me straight faith, firm hope, and perfect love.
Give me sensitivity and knowledge, Lord, so that I may fulfill your holy and true commandments. Amen.”
We, the Missionary Franciscans of Our Lady, take this opportunity to invite you to join us for the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on October 4.
It will begin with the solemn Eucharist presided over by Bishop Stephen Lee at 6:45 pm at the Cathedral, followed by a dinner-party, for which you can buy the ticket from the people at the entrance to the Cathedral. The cost is 100 Mops / person.
THANK YOU and welcome!
Franciscan Sisters Missionary of Our Lady
September 2018
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