That's very, very nice, but the title really does say it all- "sandals and fiddlebacks." It is bothersome that two externals were chosen to present to the world their charism.
How many more times must the Franciscan order fracture?
That is a beautifully produced video. No doubt, it will attract a lot of attention. My qualm is that I believe it's almost always a mistake for youngsters to become attracted to the religious life because of romantic ideas and trappings - the externals, if you will. That phase lasts only so long.
Re Thom's comment, I don't see anything wrong with starting a new branch of Franciscans. That's been the history of religious life. Nearly every order has been divided and subdivided for one reason or another, usually because some believe the order has strayed from the charism as originally envisioned by the founder.
Michael is right - since the beginning the Franciscans have always split into different reforms. From what I read of this group, their association to St. Maximillian and devotion to Our Lady says more to me than this video. I think they are very solid. I also admire the CFR's.
Well, I realize the history, and I acknowledge that often a "split" was necessary. But it seems more and more as of late there are more and more tiny little groups breaking off and starting anew because of liturgy or authenticity... everyone seems to know better than anyone else. So instead of a unified group, we have dozens of little groups competing for top ecclesiastical billing.
I find it hard to imagine Francis approving some of his friars leaving to start a new group because they wanted to say Mass a different way, as if that's a charism.
Juat a comment from the "peanut gallery"...authentic religious life is tough, no matter what tradition you are attempting to live... that being said, the FMI did not begin some thirty years ago with the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite; that is something that has developed, and I must say, is definitely in line with the traditional Franciscan life they are living...the asceticism and dedication that is, quite frankly, not found in a lot of other communities. Nevertheless, I must say that their ascetical life and dedication is something to be admired by most and not imitated. Our own foundling contemplative community, a diocesan community that has gone through some very difficult and awful times, and still is just a "germination" in the Church, could never equal the external austerities and numbers that this community can. Nevertheless, I believe that God blesses those that are faithful to Him and His Church, whatever the numbers and however seemingly "Authentic" they may be. I'm not jealous; believe me, I understand what dealing with a large number of postulants/novices/professed can mean...I did live and work in a seminary for some time. I also understand from those I know intimately that a new foundation can look very good on the outside and have a lot of problems from within. But God blesses our efforts and our desire to love Him above all, and no matter what the situation, He is Lord. And consecrated life as religious life will always be in the Church,
Fr. I know another priest who seems to have misgivings about this group, I on the other hand see them as a wonderful reform - but what do I know? I'm of the belief that the mainstay of the Franciscan order is found in reforms such as these.
I hope my previous comment did not sound disparaging of the FI's. I have a lot of respect for them. There are some aspects of their life (the daily "discipline" for instance, or the pictures of their contemplative sisters each carrying a cross in the cloister that, I must say, shocked me,...it is an aspect of Catholic devotion/asceticism that is not something Americans might understand...but anyway)that might not be so understandable to some. But God bless them for their fervor, their commitment to the New Evangelization, their fidelity to Peter and to Saint Francis/Saint Clare. They are definitely a community that is going to be around for a long while and are attracting many vocations.
Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.
Oh, what a beauty. Music is perfection. Thanks Terry.
ReplyDeleteThat's very, very nice, but the title really does say it all- "sandals and fiddlebacks." It is bothersome that two externals were chosen to present to the world their charism.
ReplyDeleteHow many more times must the Franciscan order fracture?
That is a beautifully produced video. No doubt, it will attract a lot of attention. My qualm is that I believe it's almost always a mistake for youngsters to become attracted to the religious life because of romantic ideas and trappings - the externals, if you will. That phase lasts only so long.
ReplyDeleteRe Thom's comment, I don't see anything wrong with starting a new branch of Franciscans. That's been the history of religious life. Nearly every order has been divided and subdivided for one reason or another, usually because some believe the order has strayed from the charism as originally envisioned by the founder.
Michael is right - since the beginning the Franciscans have always split into different reforms. From what I read of this group, their association to St. Maximillian and devotion to Our Lady says more to me than this video. I think they are very solid. I also admire the CFR's.
ReplyDeleteWell, I realize the history, and I acknowledge that often a "split" was necessary. But it seems more and more as of late there are more and more tiny little groups breaking off and starting anew because of liturgy or authenticity... everyone seems to know better than anyone else. So instead of a unified group, we have dozens of little groups competing for top ecclesiastical billing.
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to imagine Francis approving some of his friars leaving to start a new group because they wanted to say Mass a different way, as if that's a charism.
Juat a comment from the "peanut gallery"...authentic religious life is tough, no matter what tradition you are attempting to live...
ReplyDeletethat being said, the FMI did not begin some thirty years ago with the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite; that is something that has developed, and I must say, is definitely in line with the traditional Franciscan life they are living...the asceticism and dedication that is, quite frankly, not found in a lot of other communities.
Nevertheless, I must say that their ascetical life and dedication is something to be admired by most and not imitated.
Our own foundling contemplative community, a diocesan community that has gone through some very difficult and awful times, and still is just a "germination" in the Church, could never equal the external austerities and numbers that this community can.
Nevertheless, I believe that God blesses those that are faithful to Him and His Church, whatever the numbers and however seemingly "Authentic" they may be.
I'm not jealous; believe me, I understand what dealing with a large number of postulants/novices/professed can mean...I did live and work in a seminary for some time. I also understand from those I know intimately that a new foundation can look very good on the outside and have a lot of problems from within. But God blesses our efforts and our desire to love Him above all, and no matter what the situation, He is Lord. And consecrated life as religious life will always be in the Church,
Fr. I know another priest who seems to have misgivings about this group, I on the other hand see them as a wonderful reform - but what do I know? I'm of the belief that the mainstay of the Franciscan order is found in reforms such as these.
ReplyDeleteTerry, if you're in favor of Franciscan reform, what about the SFO? *grin*
ReplyDelete(btw, I found a place you can get a scapular and cord if you're still looking.)
I hope my previous comment did not sound disparaging of the FI's.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of respect for them.
There are some aspects of their life (the daily "discipline" for instance, or the pictures of their contemplative sisters each carrying a cross in the cloister that, I must say, shocked me,...it is an aspect of Catholic devotion/asceticism that is not something Americans might understand...but anyway)that might not be so understandable to some. But God bless them for their fervor, their commitment to the New Evangelization, their fidelity to Peter and to Saint Francis/Saint Clare.
They are definitely a community that is going to be around for a long while and are attracting many vocations.
Thom - yes, I'm still interested.
ReplyDeleteFather - no - I didn't think you were being negative - I responded badly.
http://franciscanresources.com/store/large/2xnfg/BOOKS-OUT_OF_PRINT-COLLECTIBLES-CLOSE_OUTS-ANTIQUES-MISC_ITEMS/ANTIQUE_OR_COLLECTIBLE_ITEM_-_THIRD_ORDER_SCAPULAR_CORD.html
ReplyDelete