Dear Friars, May the Lord grant you peace!

Last month I was privileged to attend my first conference of Provincial and Regional Spiritual Assistants at the Marytown Retreat Center in Libertyville, Illinois. The center is staffed and operated by the Conventual Franciscans; assistants from the four obediences came from all parts of the country. Allow me this opportunity to share my experience with you.

I say "privileged" for several reasons: first, that it's an opportunity for me to assist you in strengthening that vital link between ourselves and our Secular sisters and brothers; second, that the Secular Franciscan Order has a role to play in the revitalization of the Church; third, our image of the Church is helped by the faith of the Seculars; and last, we have to remember that the Lord has called and chosen our Secular brothers and sisters to follow Him, just as He has called us. All Franciscan life and prayer is rooted in this following of Christ - listening to Him and learning from Him. This is the way Francis and Clare did it; this is what they invite us to do also.

Our work with and for the Secular Franciscan Order is, I believe, one of the most important apostolates in which we can be engaged. It is an obligation which comes from our own Third Order history. It is also an answer to the needs of the Church today.

What really is historical is that when Francis was rebuilding San Damiano, he called out for people to help him. This involvement was the symbol, and perhaps a certain beginning, of what would become a great movement which we today know as the Secular Franciscan Order - called now, as then - to help rebuild the Church, not just with stones but with Gospel lives.

The way Francis rebuilt the Church, historically and symbolically, was by working with the laity - "Christ's Faithful" - and by learning from them. What draws people to associate with religious communities is not only a chance to serve, but a desire for holiness, by sharing in the life and spirituality of the religious community. Our TOR beginnings is from such lay involvement.

Allow me to assist you in strengthening the vital link between the TOR and SFO, and to appreciate the vitality and enthusiasm which they bring to our own fraternal life. Their generosity in living out the spirit of our Founders in the world is a great challenge and encouragement for us to live this spirit as religious. The SFO have given to the Church examples of gospel holiness lived in the -midst of the world.

Blessings many!

Fr Christopher Panagoplos TOR Provincial Spiritual Assistant - SFO 806 11th Street Altoona, PA 16602
814.942.6671
 [email protected]