Sweden

TOR Resource Manual
(Pages 277 -278)

THE HISTORY OF THE DELEGATION
OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST - SWEDEN

Attracted by the life of St. Francis, two Lutheran men, the one a native of Sweden and the other an American of Swedish extraction began their Franciscan journey in 1973 as novices with the Anglican Society of St. Francis in England. They took this step on the advice of the Lutheran Bishop of Gothenburg, who had encouraged them to get several years of training in a religious community with solid experience of religious life before attempting the project of establishing a fraternity in Sweden.

In the Fall of 1973, a house was established in the greater Gothenburg area and eventually a third brother came to test his vocation and stayed. The life of the fraternity and their ecumenical contacts with Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox necessitated a process of deepening theological reflection. Gradually, they became more aware that their convictions, particularly with regard to the Holy Eucharist, the Priesthood, and the Magisterium were Catholic and that they could not expect to make these convictions credible either to the people encountered in their evangelistic endeavors or to candidates interested in their life if they themselves remained outside the Catholic Church. This was a painful decision since many others within the Church of Sweden shared the same convictions and yet were strongly committed to working and waiting for the corporate reunion of Lutheranism with the Catholic Church. During this period the advice and counsel of the Friars Minor at Linkoping was a great help. In 1983 the Brothers were received into the Catholic Church but were allowed by Bishop Hubertus Brandenburg of the Diocese of Stockholm, which includes all of Sweden, to continue their life in community as a diocesan "consociatio publica. " The continued help of the Dutch Franciscans greatly speeded the integration of the brothers into the Diocese and the Franciscan Family of Orders and Congregations.

In 1988 the community was affiliated with the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance (T.O.R.) with its General Curia located at the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Rome. In 1991 the the Swedish fraternity was permanently united to the Order as the Delegation of St. John the Baptist directly subject to the General Curia. On the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, the Minister General, Fr. Jos6 Angulo Quilis received the solemn profession of Brothers Frans-Eric, Ingmund and Stefan. At Vespers of the same day, a young man was admitted as a Postulant.

In union with their brothers of the Order throughout the world, the Friars in Sweden try to live out the penitential charism of the Franciscan Third Order Regular understood as repentance or conversion of life. The fruits of penance are to be found in their dedication to community life and apostolic work. The works of mercy as well as the evangelical and pastoral work undertaken by the friars are accomplished in harmony with the rhythm of conventual life. The TOR Franciscan fraternities are composed of ordained and non-ordained members who are "Friars" or "Brothers" equal in all things not pertaining to the celebration of the Sacraments and the proclamation of the Word in a sacramental context. Actually, the Delegation uses the title "brother" for its members, including the ordained priest of the fraternity. None of the friars is exempted from doing humble manual work except on account of illness or weakness. The dark gray habit is used as the normal daily garb both inside and outside of the house.

The primary apostolate of the fraternity is the operation of St. Francis House as a long or short term home for people in need of a supportive environment. To the friars come both men and women, elderly and young people, who are in need of physical or social support or seeking spiritual help. Ordinary lay folk are also often guests at the House which has maintained a distinctly ecumenical character. Whether believer or non-believer, all are welcome to assist at the community's Liturgy, to spend time in private prayer or just enjoy themselves in the quiet. The friars share all their meals with their extended family of residents or guests. Everyone is invited the share in the work of cooking and cleaning, doing repairs or looking out for the vegetable garden.

The Friars know that they really do not fit into the scheme of things in modern, secularized Sweden where less than half the population acknowledges the existence of God , much less the possibility of consecrating one's life to Him in this manner. However, they firmly believe that the very existence of their Fraternity raises questions and this is the essence of their prophetic witness. Not by chance have the brothers chosen St. John the Baptist as the Patron of this Delegation of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance!

For more information: Contact
Franciskusgarden
Jons vag 44. S-433-75
Jonsered, SWEDEN
or e-mail: [email protected]