ROME — On Nov. 1, the Feast of All Saints, General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, made available on the Order’s website a document titled “Poor and Lesser Ones: Where Are We?” The document is intended to help friars reflect on the way in which they live their lives.
“This resource booklet asks the question, ‘Where are we?’ in regard to our commitment to a way of life that is lived in simplicity and solidarity both at a personal and a community level,” he said. “It encourages us to examine seriously questions about simplicity of life, proximity to our brothers and sisters living on the margins, and the relationship between our individual lives and what is taking place in the world today in order that we might embrace our vocation in new and fresh ways.”
The document focuses on four areas: being “Lesser Ones,” living Gospel poverty, being poor amongst the poor, and working in a spirit of fidelity and devotion.
“All of these are firmly grounded in our Franciscan Gospel tradition and concern our relationships with God, with one another, and with our world,” said Fr. Michael. “We also wish to take up the insights of Pope Francis, who speaks of ‘the intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet, the conviction that everything in the world is connected, the critique of new paradigms and forms of power derived from technology, the call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress, the value proper to each creature, the human meaning of ecology, the need for forthright and honest debate, the serious responsibility of international and local policy, the throwaway culture, and the proposal of a new lifestyle.”
Fr. Michael encourages friars and local fraternities to read, reflect and act on the document, which is available in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
Other news from the Order includes:
- Fraternal visits by the General Minister to Immaculate Conception Province and Assumption BVM Province in Poland, the Greco-Byzantine Rite Foundation of All Franciscan Saints in Ukraine, and St. Francis Province in Umbria, Italy
- The beginning of the new academic year at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome
- A message about Syria from Fr. Michael and Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, custos of the Holy Land
- The meeting of the provincial ministers of the South and North Slavic Conference on Oct. 18
The November 2016 issue of Fraternitas, the Order’s monthly newsletter, and previous issues can be found on the Publications page of the OFM website.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.
Related Links
“ESC Leaders Hold Fall Meeting in Montreal” – Oct. 19, 2016, HNP Today
“General Minister Shares Feast Day Message” — Oct. 5, 2016, HNP Today
“Antonianum Partners with Research University to Expand Franciscan Scholarship” – May 4, 2016, HNP Today