Ruth's Book I

The Secular Franciscan’s

Daily Office

     The Franciscan daily office or any Office, priestly, religious, etc. should be said for the intention of the Church (Keep in mind that we are the Church as well as those in the Vatican and all the hierarchy). While you actually say your Office which is most of the time alone, you are never really saying it alone. There is no time when somewhere someone in the world is not also saying an Office for the Church, thus, it is a Church prayer, a liturgical prayer.

    According to the SFO Rule, the members of the Secular Franciscan Order are to join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of Christ.

    Here are some suggestions regarding how the Secular Franciscans may fulfill this responsibility:

1. Morning and evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, either in common or in private. This celebration is preferred at the fraternity meeting.

2. A shortened form of the Liturgy of the Hours

3. The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is compatible with the structure of the Liturgy of the Hours.

4. The Office of the Passion written by St. Francis of Assisi.

5. The Office of the Twelve Our Fathers in one of its many versions that have been enriched with short biblical readings. This form of prayer still thrives in many parts of the world, and has become a traditional expression of Secular Franciscan prayer. It is a useful way of praying in everyday circumstances.

6. Other forms of liturgical prayer, approved by the spiritual assistant or by one's spiritual director, as long as they contain psalms, or their equivalent with Scripture readings and prayers.

7. Special Prayer forms for the liturgical seasons, for example:

      a)  The Way of the Cross during Lent (with Scripture readings).

      b)  The Rosary  or  Franciscan  Crown  during  May  and  October   with                                       

Scripture readings.

     There are books like the “Secular Franciscan Companion” to help you with the meditation of the Office.

     But you should keep in mind each day the intentions of the Church, which are the intentions of Christ. This brings us still closer to Him because we are praying for what He wants. You should be very faithful to this devotion of praying the daily Office.

    No, they do not have to be prayed at those specified times. You can arrange them to suit your own convenience.

A Secular Franciscan’s Life of Prayer

    The Secular Franciscans aim should be, at all times, a closer and closer union with Christ. This can be done in many ways, but there is no way better than by talking directly to Christ. We have considered some of these ways: daily Mass and Holy Communion when possible; a Spiritual Communion when you can’t make Mass; the Franciscan Crown (rosary); There are many ways that are personal to each one of us — morning and evening, before meals and after and walking the “Way of the Cross” with Jesus down the aisles of a church. There are mental tête-à-têtes with God — Sacred readings inspired by the sight of a flower, a leaf, a cloud, the sound of music, or a bird, of laughter, of weeping, of any beauty, any kindness, any compassion, any reaching out; in the blossoming of any such buds anywhere in God’s creation, from our heart to the heart of God.

   "Come," we say to Jesus — at any time, day or night. "Come into my heart, my soul and my thoughts. Jesus, if you are in my thoughts, you are in my heart, and in my soul, and in my life. If you are in my life, then I am truly united with you, and that is what I want, my life united with the real presence of my Jesus."    

     Now, none of these is obligatory. You and I choose what best suits each one of us in our endeavor to bring Christ into the very inmost center of our life, and, no prayer, and no attendance at a spiritual service, or gathering must ever interfere with one’s obligations to those in our care, or those in need around us. If it is a question of should I say my prayers right now, or should I take care of household task that needs to be done for the care of someone, the latter takes precedence always. The household task is your prayer. If it is a question of, should I attend this religious service, or should I take care of this sick person who has no one else to care for him or her, then the answer, of course, is self-evident. Remember what Jesus said, “As long as you do it to one of these, the least of my brethren …” These actions are prayers. This is union with Christ, to the Christ who is in this person I am helping — from the Christ who is in me.