For St. Francis, Community since the beginning was understood as a gift. St. Francis says in his Testament: “The Lord gave me some friars as gifts” and wants the friars to be called “minor” from the beginning.
The Community never considered itself as a privileged group or as being better than others. Within the Community there is room for everyone, whether poor, rich, educated or illiterate...
In the Community, each one is equal and cares about everyone else. The care is directed in a special way toward the poor – lepers, sick, thieves. Creation participates in this communion, and Francis calls all into this relationship as brothers and sisters: the birds, the wolf, the moon, the sun, worms, rocks and even death. We can say that Francis was the first one to sing and praise the Community of Life.
Community is a gift
So, how can we live this out NOW? How and where can we bring about places for COMMUNION AND CARE? We need to take up this great challenge in order to build our future:
Generate compassion and hope in the Community of life
Our 2014 Assembly, “Embracing the Call to be Apostles the Resurrection,” began with a warm welcome by Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, and a prayer ritual during which Associate Gloriajean Wallace called each participant...
The General Chapter came to a close on September 6. Now it is time to pause, to ponder what happened to us as Congregation, as Areas, as individuals. I believe the Holy Spirit worked once again with our frail and wounded...
From February 14 to 16 2014, the Sisters and Associates of the Italian Area met in Vermicino for the Assembly. We experienced the joy of being together again and of welcoming among us Sisters Licia, Marvi, Giannica, and Marina.
On January 4, 2014, in my home parish church of SS. Trinità in Torre Annunziata, I said my eternal “yes” to God with Perpetual Consecration in this family of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. The preparation time up to the celebration...
Sunday, January 19, 2014, was a day marked by a special melody for our “patriarch”: Sister Angiolina Marino. It was a day of feast and joy in the courtyard of the KEUR M’BAYE FALL Novitiate. This feast was filled with simplicity just...
I had the opportunity on October 4 to personally meet Pope Francis during his visit to Assisi. The Director of the Seraphic Institute for Disabled Children, where I worked during the months of August and September, requested my availability...
Called to this Direction Statement...“As Apostles of the Resurrection, we will set free the healing energy
of Christ in the Community of Life”. The Installaon Liturgy will be held on December 1, 2013 at
2:00 p.m. at the Church Undercroft — Assumpon...
Last Spring I requested the Congregation’s permission to take a sabbatical to prepare for heaven. I am not sure what this meant for me -- except I had lived a very active, busy life and was involved in ministry with our...
The final week of the 14th General Chapter of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor was busy indeed! When the Members entered the Chapter Room for morning prayer on Sunday, September 1, 2013, they could see that it was a new day...
On September 4, 2013 and September 5, 2013 at the 14th General Chapter held in Marriottsville, Maryland, after prayer and discernment there was an election process to elect new leadership.
