ROME — For weeks, the world has focused on Rome. Now, Rome is focusing on celebrating Easter. In a letter distributed by the Order this month, General Minister Fr. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, spoke about the Year of Faith and the need for people to think of themselves as being on a pilgrim’s journey.
Faith can never be taken for granted, especially in a time when a deep crisis of faith affects many people, said the General Minister. In his traditional Easter letter, Fr. José describes the importance of reflecting on faith and of asking oneself: “Is faith truly the transforming force in our life, in my life?”
He suggests in the communication dated March 19, the solemnity of St. Joseph, that it is “necessary at all times and in all circumstances of life to review faith, so that it may grow from day to day, and illuminate ever more clearly the joy and renewed enthusiasm of our encounter with Christ.” The letter says that faith aims to act and transform people from within and “obtain the conversion of the mind and heart.”
Fr. José includes teachings of St. Francis in his letter, titled “Lord, I Believe But Help My Unbelief,” emphasizing “his faith has an ecclesial dimension, thus overcoming a merely individualistic vision. Francis, like the Church herself, teaches us to say ‘I believe’ and ‘we believe.’”
The headquarters of the Order of Friars Minor also recently released a special edition of Fraternitas, the newsletter of the international order, about the pope. Titled “Pope Francis and a Tribute to Pope Benedict XVI,” the 12-page publication focuses on the relationship that the pope emeritus had with the Franciscan Order. Hard copies of both items have been distributed to HNP friars.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.