VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2002 (VIS) -
The Pope today welcomed members of the presidency of the International
Council of the Secular Franciscan Order, meeting in their Tenth General
Chapter on the theme "Vital, Reciprocal Communion in the Franciscan Family."
The Pope noted that the Chapter "brought to an end the updating of your
basic legislation," including the Rule, the Ritual, the General Constitutions
and the International Statute, which was approved in the current Chapter.
He said the Church awaits the Order's "great service to the cause of the
Kingdom in today's world" and she desires your Order to be a model of an
organic whole and of structural and charismatic union at all levels."
"Your renewed legislation," he added, "gives you optimum instruments to
realize and fully express the unity of your Order and the communion with
the Franciscan family" as well as your mission to be "courageous and coherent
witnesses of Christian and Franciscan life."
"You are called," John Paul II affirmed, "to offer your own contribution,
inspired by the person and message of St. Francis of Assisi, to hasten the
advent of a civilization in which the dignity of the human person,
co-responsibility and love are living realities. You must study deeply
the true foundations of universal brotherhood and create everywhere a
spirit of welcome and an atmosphere of fellowship. Commit yourselves
strongly to fighting every form of exploitation, discrimination and
marginalization and every attitude of indifference towards others."
The Holy Father said he wished to conclude his message "by recommending
to you to consider your family as the priority place in which to live
your Christian commitment and Franciscan vocation," doing so through
prayer, Christian catechesis, promoting respect for every life from
conception to natural death and "offering a convincing example of the
possibility of marriage lived in a way that fully conforms to God's plan."
Reference to the Holy Father's Message to Secular Franciscans
The following communication was received at NAFRA
from Fr. Nils Francis Thompson, OFM, former General Spiritual Assistant.
"We are blessed to hear the hope the Holy Father
expresses for us as Secular Franciscans, in his message at the General Chapter
of the SFO. …
I'm attaching an item, which you likely already have
seen: The statement of Pope John Paul II to the SFO General Chapter last week.
The statement of the Holy Father was a great blessing
to me, as well as to the whole SFO internationally. He makes it very clear
that your organic unity and your autonomy within the Franciscan Family are a
witness to the whole world of what Christian living is meant to be.
I am sure you will be publishing this to NAFRA-USA
in some way or other, and I hope that our people will really understand how
important this step in your Secular Franciscan history really is. It is a
sign to the Church that the Secular Franciscan Order is measuring up to make
Jesus present to this new millennium.
The Pope's mandate for the SFO … is to be taken
seriously by the SFO because he is telling you to take seriously the Franciscan
desire to be instruments of evangelization and peace-making.
The Gospel from which you take life leads you to care
for all the universe, which is so sorely needed today. Thank you for answering
your call from God.
This is so exciting! It was a blessing to me because
I worked hard to promote your unity and autonomy. It was worth the effort and
the difficulties. I believe the Spirit has led the SFO in this new direction
back to its roots. This direction has been confirmed by the Pope's discernment
if you continue to obey the Spirit. The S.F.O. in the U.S. and in the world
will see an even more impressive blossoming. It's happening, my brothers, and
I pray that all of you will keep going forward courageously. God be praised for
my small part in this amazing work of His! Forgive me for preaching to the
converted, but I feel so enlivened by this development.
Nils Thompson, O.F.M.
