Since returning from a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy in October 2003, I have been blessed to hear several speakers talk about Franciscanism. For example, I have had the privilege of hearing Fr. Kenan Osborne OFM, a well-known Franciscan theologian, speak on two occasions.
Recently, Marian College in Indianapolis, Indiana made a DVD available of a talk he gave at the college in March 2007. There is no charge for the DVD and it is well worth having. Click on this link to order you copy: Franciscan Theology and Philosophy: Its Contemporary Value.
The DVD is a great introduction to Franciscanism. Fr. Osborne traces the history of the Thomistic and Franciscan traditions. He also discusses several contemporary issues facing the Church and how the Franciscan tradition might serve the Church as it addresses these issues.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Following the Gospel in the Spirit of St. Francis
Sometimes I think to be a very good Secular Franciscan all I have to do is go to mass on Sunday, say I like St. Francis, have a statue of him in my backyard, and love nature.
Thirteenth century Franciscans like Brother Thomas of Celano, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Bonaventure, and Blessed John Duns Scotus were very well-educated. They even took courses in logic. Imagine that! After reading the SFO Rule, I am pretty sure they would say that I need to do more. They would agree with this reasoning.
If Bob is a very good Secular Franciscan, then Bob is trying to live his life in accord with, i.e., follow, the Gospels and is familiar with the writings St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. Bob is trying to follow the Gospels. However, Bob is not familiar with the writings of St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. Unfortunately, Bob is not a very good Secular Franciscan. (He might be a good Catholic, however.)
As stated above, if Bob is a very good Secular Franciscan, then Bob is trying to follow the Gospels and is familiar with the writings St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. However, Bob is not trying to live his life in accord with the Gospels. Actually, he doesn't know much about them at all. He seldom reads them. Still, Bob is familiar with the writings of St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. Unfortunately, Bob is not a very good Secular Franciscan.
To be a very good Secular Franciscan you have to do both, i.e., read and try to live the Gospels and be familiar with the writing of the early Franciscans. Then you can live the Gospels in a Franciscan way.
Thirteenth century Franciscans like Brother Thomas of Celano, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Bonaventure, and Blessed John Duns Scotus were very well-educated. They even took courses in logic. Imagine that! After reading the SFO Rule, I am pretty sure they would say that I need to do more. They would agree with this reasoning.
If Bob is a very good Secular Franciscan, then Bob is trying to live his life in accord with, i.e., follow, the Gospels and is familiar with the writings St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. Bob is trying to follow the Gospels. However, Bob is not familiar with the writings of St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. Unfortunately, Bob is not a very good Secular Franciscan. (He might be a good Catholic, however.)
As stated above, if Bob is a very good Secular Franciscan, then Bob is trying to follow the Gospels and is familiar with the writings St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. However, Bob is not trying to live his life in accord with the Gospels. Actually, he doesn't know much about them at all. He seldom reads them. Still, Bob is familiar with the writings of St. Francis, St. Clare, and other early Franciscans. Unfortunately, Bob is not a very good Secular Franciscan.
To be a very good Secular Franciscan you have to do both, i.e., read and try to live the Gospels and be familiar with the writing of the early Franciscans. Then you can live the Gospels in a Franciscan way.
Monday, June 9, 2008
People of Peace SFO Fraternity
Greetings! I created this blog for a couple reasons. First to provide information about the People of Peace SFO fraternity to those who are looking for a lay Franciscan group to belong to in the Indianapolis area. On the sidebar I will post information regarding the fraternity, e.g., meeting times, elections, activities, etc. Second, I became a professed Secular Franciscan in October 2006 and from time to time I will reflect on what it means to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)