 |
MINISTER PROVINCIAL
Fr. Anthony Criscitelli, T.O.R.
Church of St. Bridget
3811 Emerson Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55412 |
�
Peace and Good
Things!
�
�...we strive to
live the Gospel through gentleness, hospitality and service��
�
This is a
sentence taken from the recently revised Mission/Vision Statement of
our Province.� A cursory scan of the index to the Franciscan sources
reveals a myriad of citations for the words �gentleness�,
�hospitality�, and �service.�� These were characteristics woven into
the fabric of Francis� nature and which subsequently became
hallmarks of the early Franciscan movement.� Whether it was in the
way he interacted with the Sultan of Egypt, the manner in which he
welcomed and cared for the lepers, or his efforts at rebuilding San
Damiano and other neglected and abandoned chapels, gentleness,
hospitality, and service were as much a part of Francis as his love
for creation, his fidelity to the Church, or his devotion to Christ
crucified.� It was his regular practice of these things that gave
authenticity to his witness of the Gospel and prompted others to see
him as a �second Christ.�
These
references from the sources, as well as those contained in our Rule
of Life, and Constitutions, make it clear that our living of the
Gospel must be modified by gentleness, hospitality, and service, as
it is stated in our Mission/Vision Statement.� While they may not
make these intangible qualities any more concrete, they do make it
clear that these qualities must mark all that we are and all that we
do in the name of the Gospel.� Whether in the daily give-and-take of
living the fraternal life, ministering in parishes, hospitals,
retreat centers, or any apostolic work, these are primary among the
qualities that should characterize our witness to the Gospel.
In the course
of our most recent Regional Day of Reflection, Giles Schinelli
shared with us a reflection on the San Damiano Cross.� In a slim
volume on the San Damiano Cross and the Gospel of John, Michael
Guerin, OFM suggests that
the community
gathered under the arms of the crucified Christ was an inclusive
community defined not by gender, race, economic status, or class in
society.� Indeed, all are one in Christ.� This has something
significant to say to us about the way we strive to live the Gospel
and about the implications of gentleness, hospitality, and service.�
Like Jesus who
always welcomed individuals �where they were� and gently challenged
them to live lives reflective of the Kingdom of God, so must we
strive make all feel welcome in a non-judgmental and inclusive way.�
This is a gift that is at the heart of Francis and the Franciscan
movement and which is much needed at a time when there is a growing
tendency to see narrowly and define very specifically who is within
and who is outside of the Church.� It may sometimes place us at odds
with the institutional Church, but it must be a fundamental posture
we bring to our life as brothers and in whatever we do in service of
the Gospel.
During this
Easter Season, may we know abundant life, new possibilities, and the
courage to live the Gospel�with gentleness, hospitality, and
service.
�
Fraternally in
Saint Francis,
�
� ������������������������������������ (Very Reverend) Anthony M.
Criscitelli, TOR
Minister Provincial
newsletter
contents�
Province
Regional News
|
Page Up |
|