Dear Friends,

Greetings in the Lord from the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation!

The word “encounter” is very much in society and Catholic Church news. In the previous issues of our St. Anthony Newsletter, friars and friends of the friars have been reflecting on Pope Francis’ vision of creating a culture of encounter in his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti.

Encounter is part of the fabric of being a human being, a person. In our birth experience, we encounter love from our parents and family. Bonding in and with the family are moments of encounter. We become fully alive and aware of who we are formed in God’s image by relating with others and all aspects of God’s creation.

Pope Francis notes how St. Francis of Assisi “felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea, and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his flesh.” (FT, 2) Francis took a risk to encounter the leper and embrace him. Francis’s eyes beheld the person of Jesus Christ. On another occasion, he crossed the Crusade lines to seek peace to meet the Sultan of Egypt, Malek el-Kamil. In that encounter, they both understood that true peace is of God.

Let us not be afraid to step out in faith to meet and greet and listen to God, who dwells in the person before us.

We friars will continue to remember you, our dear friends and companions, in our daily prayers and devotions.

May God bless you and fill you with the Peace of our Lord!

Fr. John Elmer OFM Conv.
Spiritual Director