Drop your ego then begins contemplation

Singapore

Let our prayers be simple. God knows our hearts. He is our merciful Father.

Silence of ego begins contemplation

Where reason fails Faith enlightens you. Thank God for his wonderful deeds he has done for me. I remember all persons who brought God's love to me. I am in Singapore and I have seen how faith helps people to close to God inspite of their problems.

Brief History of the Secular Franciscan Order

Pre-Franciscan Period

Obligations of the Penitents

Today it is difficult to reconstruct the situation of the Order of Penance in the period before Francis of Assisi and his companions. We can say that there were bishops who spoke of the Penitential Movement and other personages who had a great influence on the spirituality of the Penitents. These persons will help, at least in part, to bring about the Gregorian Reform. Through preaching and the practice of poverty after the manner of the Apostles, they will give to the Christian people a form of gospel life.

We can summarize the obligations of the penitents in these few lines.

- the habit: simple, of wool only, not expensive and dark in colour, characteristic of penance or of a hermit, often with the sign of the TAU on the mantle or hood; a staff, a haversack and sandals;

- the profession: made with the clothing of the habit; a written document was requested

- the tonsure: the public sign of the penitent; they could not cut their hair and they wore beards; a special penitential blessing was recited over the women;

- prohibited: public spectacles, banquets, commercial work (for fear of fraud and

speculation) ; exercise of administrative or juridical public functions; military service;

- fasts and abstinence, twice or three times a week, in the feriae legitimae,

- participate in the Eucharist, especially on the solemnities of Christmas, Easter and

Pentecost;

- dedication to the works of charity in hospitals, hospices for pilgrims and also leprosariums;

repair of churches and voluntary help in building cathedrals.

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How often shall I forgive

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

We must be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt let me sow faith. Where there is despair let me give hope. Where there is darkness let me give light. Where there is sadness let me give joy." (Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi)

Brief History of the Secular Franciscan Order

The SFO is a penitential Order that comes under the name of a Movement born in the Church as the result of the ecclesiastical penitential discipline. From the beginning of the Church a penitential doctrine and a practice – doctrinal and ritual – was outlined, which can be summarized in these terms: the baptised who commits sin can obtain pardon provided “he does penance” and “is converted”. The sinner who wanted to be converted, to change his life, to give up sinning, entered into the Order of Penance or of Penitents and remained there until he carried out the expiation determined by the church community together with the bishop. Alongside the “compulsory” penitents there arose, in time, the “voluntary” penitents, who desired a life of greater perfection

The SFO is a secular Order, and this value of secularity always appears with the passing of time in such a way that in the Middle Ages it was recognized as one of the three Orders existing in the Church: The Order of Clerics, the Order of Monks, and the Order of Penitents. This Order of Penitents does not refer to all the faithful of the Church but only to those Christians who have decided to belong to one of the existing different forms of voluntary penitents.

The SFO is a Franciscan Order. Our aim is to try to know how a part of these secular penitents seek the help of Francis and his friars and follow the norm of life given them by Francis of Assisi. So, this penitential secular Order is animated by and immersed in the charism of Francis and forms part of the great Franciscan Family.

Francis is the man of penance. He was a penitent in the gospel sense; the first friars were called “penitent friars of Assisi”; and the Franciscan Third Order was known as the Order of the Brothers and Sisters of penance

No prophet is acceptable in his own country.

Gospel Reading: Luke 4:24-30

The prophets confronted God's people with their indifference and unbelief. God's grace and mercy is offered freely to those who seek it with sincerity, repentance, and faith.

FORMATION COURSE FOR FORMATORS

International Formators of SFO around 30 gathered for formation course at Suore Francescane Angeline ,via di Villa Troili, 26, 00163 Rome. It is for Spanish and French speaking brothers and sisters. Formation in SFO is primary priority. It is from 10 -18 nth March 2007. Ivan,Martin and Samy wished all the participants to have fruitful and lively seminar.

If it does not bear fruit, you can cut it down

Gospel Reading: Luke 13:1-9

Can suffering and misfortune serve any good purpose? When calamity and disaster hit the Jewish people, such as their 400 year enslavement in the land of Egypt, they often saw it as the consequence of their unrepentant sin and persistent unfaithfulness to God. God, however in his mercy, promised to deliver the Israelites when he sent his servant Moses to lead his people to freedom.Jesus' parable of the barren fig tree challenged his listeners to consider what causes fruitfulness or barrenness in their lives.

ONE DAY IS YESTERDAY AND SECOND DAY IS TOMORROW. TODAY WE CAN LOVE, TO DREAM, TO WORK AND MAINLY TO REJOICE. LOOK AT THE PAST, LEARN FROM THE PAST BUT DO NOT REMAIN IN THE PAST, LIVE THE PRESENT FULL AND FUTURE IS NOT YET. LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. NOW IS THE REALITY.(SFO) MEMBER FROM CECA.REPUBLIC FRATERNITY MAGDALENA TUCKOVA

I will arise and go to my father

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3,11-32

How can you love someone who turns their back on you and still forgive them from the heart? The prophets remind us that God does not abandon us, even if we turn our backs on him (Micah 7:18). He calls us back to himself -- over and over and over again.In this parable Jesus gives a vivid picture of God's love and mercy.and what God is like. He does not lose hope or give up when we stray. He rejoices in finding the lost and in leading them home.
The story of the Prodigal son is the story of a God who goes searching for us and who doesn't rest until he has found us.He urges and he pleads.God is looking for you.He will go anywhere to find you. He loves you , he wants you home, he cannot rest unless he has you with him.

Lord, may I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me.
Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful.

The kingdom taken from the unrepentant

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-46

Joseph was violently rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. His betrayal and suffering, however, resulted in redemption and reconciliation for his brothers.This parable tells us of God's patience and justice. Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice prevail in the end.

ACCEPTANCE

ROME Every human being wants to be valued. Every human being wants to be loved. Every human being craves to be accepted. When I am not accepted then something in me is broken. Acceptance means that the people with whom I live, give a feeling of self -respect,a feeling that I am worth while. Acceptance means that I am welcome to be myself. Acceptance means that though there is need for growth, I am not forced.I am given room to unfold, to out grow the mistakes of the past. Acceptance liberates everything that is in me. I am accepted by God as I am - not as I should be. I have met the person to whom I can really talk, who understands me and the words I say - who can listen and hear what is left unsaid and then really accepts me. Love is an empty vessel waiting to be filled.

"Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom"

ROME What sustains you when trials and affliction come your way? Jeremiah tells us that whoever relies on God will not be disappointed or be in want when everything around them dries up or disappears. God will not only be their consolation, but their inexhaustible source of joy as well. Jesus' parable about the afflictions of the poor man Lazarus brings home a similar point.Jesus paints a dramatic scene of contrasts – riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God.

Lord give me a generous heart
that I may freely share with others the spiritual
and material treasures you have given to me.

Human being is tied with fantasies

Human being is tied with fantasies and walls, mental walls and prejudices.Persons are imprisoned in the walls. He is thrilled and frightened by illusion. Boundaries are in our head. Our ideas that move us.We see only the label. We have to see whether our virtue comes from our freedom or from our programme or culture. This programme or culture is conditioning and we need to throw it out. No Indians,no Germans, no Americans, no French men, no Czech.men,no white man and black man - these are all monkeyness. We are human beings. When we throw all these then we become human. Drop all the influences that made you, conditioned you and programmed you. We need to clean our heart. Spiritual man is to heal and create.

"Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?"

ROME JESUS told the disciples that the path to glory would be through suffering and the cross. And he wedded authority with selfless-service and with sacrifice – the willing offering of one’s life for the sake of another. Authority without sacrificial love is brutish and self-serving. Love indeed costly.
Lord Jesus, make me a servant of love for your kingdom, that I may seek to serve rather than be served. Inflame my heart with love that I may give generously and serve joyfully for your sake.

Holiness

The election of National Fraternity SFO of Republic Ceskà.

Holiness and spirituality does not consist in doing things, but seeing things, understand things. Fear that prevents us do something, fear that does something.I don't get what I wanted that is broken relationship or friendship. Every relationship is selfish. Wherever there is fear, there is no love. Love can exist only between two people who do not need each other. Touch with reality. understand our selfishness. You yourself have broken yourself - no body has the power to break yourself. It is very difficult to listen. Be ready to change.

"Whoever humbles himself will be exalted"

Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

Who doesn’t want to be admired and honoured by others? God, however, sees us truly as we are – beggars and sinners in need of his constant grace and mercy. Jesus chided the scribes and Pharisees for seeking the praise of others by drawing attention to their showy religious practices.True respect for God and his ways inclines us to Godly humility and to simplicity of heart.

A truly humble person regards oneself neither smaller nor larger than one truly is. True humility frees us to be ourselves as God sees us and to avoid despair and pride. A humble person does not want to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others. Such a person is not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, reputation, success, or failure.

Humility is the queen or foundation of all the other virtues because it enables us to see and judge correctly, the way God sees.

All evil comes from Selfishness

ROME

There are crack pots in our life. Foundation stone of loving a person is Forgiving. Why you are not forgiving because you are an idiot. You don’t know what bastard you are. If you realize that you are a rascal, you will never criticize or judge anybody. One who thinks that he is better than others Jesus blasts them.

All evil comes from Selfishness. We are full of SELF. All our violence comes from fear. There is only one devil that is fear. All our so called evil come from fear.

No fear - no hatredness. Ultimately what we call love is Refined Selfishness. Love consists in dropping something – (Negative things)

"Judge not; condemn not"

ROME
Gospel Reading: Luke 6:36-38

Do you pray for mercy and compassion? Daniel was ‘shamefaced’ before God because of the unfaithfulness of his people. But that didn’t stop him from pleading for compassion and pardon. Do you know the joy and freedom of repentance and forgiveness? God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike.

With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction.

The Formation Corse for the Spiritual Assistants in Croatia

Sambor-Tabor-ZAGREB

It was a wonderful sight to see more than 80 spiritual assistants of SFO and GIFRA from Croazia ,Bosnia and Erzegovina participated in the formation seminar from 27 -1 march 2007 . It was arranged by the National conference of Spiritual Assistants of Croazia. The 3 General Spiritual Assistants also took active part in that seminar. Fr.Ivan OFM, Fr.Martin OFMConv and Fr. Samy Irudaya OFMCap were main speakers in the seminar. Our Denifitor General Fr. Jure Šarčević and Fr. Ivica Petatanjak Minister Provincial of Cappucin Croazia added flavor for this seminar by their active presence and celebrated mass. Fr.Martin Pablo Bitzer,OFMconv spoke about Collegial Assitance to the Secular Franciscan Order. Fr.Irudaya Samy,OFMCap. Spoke about the role of the Spiritual Assistant in the Local Fraternity. Fr.Ivan Matic spoke about Spiritual Assistance to the Young Franciscans. The seminar was very much appreciated by every body and all decided to have it every year.

Jesus transfigured in glory

ROME

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36

Luke’s gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep.Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God.The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?