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MINISTER PROVINCIAL
Fr. Anthony Criscitelli, T.O.R.
Church of St. Bridget
3811 Emerson Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55412 |
Dear Friars,
Peace and Good Things!
As I write this, we are on the eve of the Feast of the Portiuncula�the
feast that recalls the humble first home of Francis and his brothers
and celebrates the generous mercy of God manifested in the great
indulgence associated with that place.� These twin commemorations
have much to say to us as a community of Franciscans a few years
into the 21st
century.
That Francis and his first companions rejoiced to call their home a
building smaller than many contemporary suburban garages vividly
reminds us of the simplicity and sense of gratitude that marked the
life of our Seraphic Father and the early friars.� It was, in fact,
this very simplicity that first attracted many of us in our
idealistic youths and which continues to attract people today.� And
yet, how far have we strayed from that pristine call?� When I was a
postulant in the early 70�s Alan Polimine chided us by telling us,
�When we enter religious life, we give it all up to follow Christ.�
Then, little by little, we take it all back�and then some.�� The
number of boxes, rented U-Haul vehicles, trunks, and shipped
packages that have recently traversed the Province bear witness to
the truth of Alan�s observation.� Although God has given us every
reason to trust in his providence, we continue to rely on ourselves,
surrounding ourselves with things to give us a sense of security.
Often in the Gospel Jesus tries to call the disciples to this same
sense of greater trust in and reliance on God.� He constantly
invites them to a deeper understanding of their mission and how it
is to be carried out, speaking to them in the very words that
inspired Francis at the Portiuncula in 1208:� �Go, sell what you
have, give to the poor, and then come and follow me�take nothing for
your journey�consider the lilies of the field��� When they are tired
and hungry, Jesus does not set a banquet before them, but invites
them to a deserted place where they must learn to be fed and
nourished by the Father, just as he was when he spent 40 days in the
wilderness after his baptism.� To come away to that place means to
be nurtured by God, becoming more dependent on him for sustenance
and security, and being content with �just enough.�
The resolutions and recommendations of the last Provincial Chapter
offer us, like the great Portiuncula Pardon, an opportunity to move
forward unencumbered by the past.� They call us to spiritual growth
and conversion so that we�individually and collectively�might know
the fullness of life the Gospel offers us.�� In the weeks ahead, we
will be gathering in our respective regions to begin to address and
give flesh to the work of the Chapter.� Some of the resolutions and
recommendations have the capacity to renew the vitality of the
Province in the hope of breathing new life into us, as well as
attracting others to our Franciscan way of life.� However, if the
potential contained in these documents is to be realized, it will
require of all of us a change of heart and spirit�a willingness to
let go of whatever it is that holds us back.� For some it may be a
hurt or resentment over an assignment or not feeling appreciated for
all one has done; for others it may be a longing for a time in the
life of the Province that has long passed and that is not likely to
come again.� Whatever it is, we are being invited to let go�to open
our hands and our minds and our hearts�so that we might accept and
realize the life that God desires for us.
May the remaining days of summer hold at least some peace and
relaxation for each of you.� When we go back to the more normal
routine of our lives and our ministries, may we do so with renewed
trust and deep faith in God, and great love for the Church, the
Province, and one another.
Fraternally in St. Francis,
�
� ������������������������������������ (Very Reverend) Anthony M.
Criscitelli, TOR
Minister Provincial
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