The early biographer of St. Francis, Thomas of Celano, recounts that as Francis was nearing the end of his life, he said to the friars: “let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up to now we have done little or nothing.” When I was asked to write this reflection, this was one of two quotes that came to mind. Some time ago, I began to feel restless as I was living the Franciscan life in Brooklyn, New York. This was a persistent restlessness that would not go away. I ultimately made the decision to request to live the Franciscan life as a Conventual Franciscan Friar with the Province of Our Lady of Consolation. On August 24, 2023, I began my journey from Brooklyn, NY to Mt. St. Francis, IN, and then to San Antonio, TX. The first place I had an extended encounter with the friars was at Mt. St. Francis several months ago. I was grateful for the gift of spending a week with the friars who initially made me feel welcome in the Province.
“Let us begin again.” With these words, St. Francis offers us an opportunity to have the courage to be able to say goodbye as we finish a part of our story, our journey of life, and to have the strength to embrace each new beginning of the next part of our journey. Pope Francis talks about creating a Culture of Encounter. This requires an openness to do just what St. Francis told the early friars to do – to begin again. Encounter requires an invitation and an acceptance. I have been fortunate to experience a mutual invitation and acceptance. My encounter with the Conventual Friars has been the acceptance of an invitation to live a life where I can fully and authentically live the Franciscan life as myself.
The second quote that came to mind is from the Testament of St. Francis, “and…the Lord gave me brothers.” Yes, the Lord has given me brothers – the friars who I now call my brothers. They are the friars I live and minister with at Our Lady of Guadalupe filial house, the friars who are part of the community at San Damiano Friary where the friars from my house are connected, the friars from the greater Our Lady of Consolation Province, and the friars from around the world who make up our Conventual Franciscan family. Yes, the Lord did give me brothers and for this, I am blessed as I begin again, standing with over 4,000 Conventual Franciscan Friars around the world, that I know are with me in prayer and spirit every day as I live this Gospel life.
