Friars and Minors in our Times
Chapter delegates discuss
Instrumentum Laboris
DOMUS PACIS, ASSISI - On Friday, the attention of the General Chapter turned to discussion of the
Instrumentum Laboris for the Chapter.
The
Instrumentum Laboris is the guide for the work of the Chapter that will help focus the discussions of the friars around the chosen theme of "Friars and Minors in our Times".
The introduction of the
Instrumentum describes its purpose this way:
"The
Instrumentum Laboris for the OFM 2015 General Chapter is based on investigations requested by the General Chapter of 2009, the 2013
Lineamenta and the responses to the
Lineamenta received by the Secretariat of the General Chapter. A sub-committee, appointed by the General Definitorium, studied all the material received and, in view of the theme of the Chapter,
Fratres et minores in nostra aetate, organized the present document into two major themes:
to live as brothers and to live as minors.
The purpose of the Instrumentum Laboris is to facilitate the reflection and the decisions to be taken in the context of the chapter itself, without pretending to describe exhaustively or to interpret the wealth of material that was used in the preparation of the Chapter."
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Provincial Minister Carlo Serri, OFM (St. Bernardine in Abruzzo) was Moderator of the Session
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To accomplish this goal of reflecting on these themes, the methodology of the document is to take a theme, give a description of the current situation, based on the Report of the Study on the State of the Order, followed by some insights or reflections on the situation. One of the major points of reflection for each of these themes is the recent Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis,
Evangelii Gaudium. The presentation of each topic is followed by some suggestions to assist in the drafting of any proposals during the work of the General Chapter.
The first section of the document is entitled "To Live as Brothers." This section provides an extensive reflection on the quality of our fraternal life.
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The question we have to ask ourselves during this Year is if and how we too are open to being challenged by the Gospel;
whether the Gospel is truly the "manual" for our daily living and the decisions we are called to make. The Gospel is demanding: it demands to be lived radically and sincerely. It is not enough to read it (even though the reading and study of Scripture is essential), nor is it enough to meditate on it (which we do joyfully each day). Jesus asks us to practice it, to put his words into effect in our lives."
Some of the section reflections include: "Brothers in our Life with God," "The Evangelical Quality of our Fraternal Relations," and "Evangelizing Brothers."
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Friars listen to the translated presentation on headsets. Translation is offered in all three official languages of the Order - English, Spanish and Italian - translating into English are Friars Patrick Hudson, OFM (Ireland) and Gearoid Francisco O'Conaire, OFM (Central America)
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The document also reflects on the importance of the vocation of the lay brother, a vocation which has been on the decline in the Order in recent years. It also renews the call for the Order to receive a designation as a Mixed Institute.
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The lay brothers in the Order offer a valuable counterpoint to clericalism
because they remind us that in the moment of its foundation, the 'little group of brothers, the seed of the Franciscan Order, in this founding moment precedes any distinction by ministry. They are just believers who wish to take the Gospel seriously". This is something that we should not forget in this time when in the Order we are talking insistently about the need to reflect on our identity."
In the second section, "Living as Minors," the text explores the relationship of the friars with the world noting that to claim to be "minors" or "lesser ones" is to be immediately relational because the term can only be understood in relationship to another. The introduction to this section explains the term a bit more: "In the union of both (brotherhood and minority) we find our identity because, according to the Old Testament biblical tradition, identity resides in the name. Our name speaks of an eminently relational identity: we are brothers and we are minors. If Brotherhood specifies the type of relationship that we are called to establish with all, Minority defines the place from which to establish this relationship: not as indefinite affirmation of the subject rather as an attitude and spirituality that leaves space for the existence of the other...Our name is a whole way of life, action and spirituality."
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| Friars listening to presentations on the Instrumentum Laboris |
Some of the section headings are: "Minors confronted with Secularization," "Minors with and for the poor," "Minors in Economy: Towards a Transparent Economy," and "Minors in the Safeguarding of Creation."
Some of the reflection questions that the friars will deal with:
- How do we deal with the crisis of faith connected gentrification and lack of accompaniment?
- How do we help the brothers live in this time of secularization without losing their Franciscan identity?
- How do we help the brothers choose a simpler lifestyle, both personally and in Community?
- How do we do ongoing and suitable formation and accompaniment for discernment and a more simple and sober use of goods (car, internet, clothes, food)?
- How do we live with the poor and as the poor?
Additional key quotes from the document:
- Evangellization: "Enhance Franciscan evangelization with the following elements: sharing bread with the poor, participation in social movements of liberation and initiatives in favor of human rights and the resolution of human problems; creating spaces for the poor to exercise their creativity with our support; proclamation of the good news of the Gospel, accompanied by compassion towards people who suffer."
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With the Poor: "Create new forms of life, of service, of presence and witness to the Gospel, especially in geographical and spiritual 'margins, even accepting the inevitable downsizing connected with these choices.'"
- With the Poor: "Create communities of insertion, as a presence in the 'margins,' Communities of closeness and service to those who are 'without', to the poor, the marginalized, the 'invisible and disposable' of our society and Communities that defend their rights and claims, denouncing the injustices of the powerful . A greater use of this type of Community can stimulate more to live the radical nature of our charism."
- Economics: "Being minors is the radical expression of the sequela of Christ, who emptied and humbled himself (kenosis), who washed feet and entered into solidarity with fragile and sinful humanity. Minority is the concrete means of living sine proprio, of avoiding undue appropriation regarding God, our brothers and sisters, ourselves and all of creation."
- Economics: "Entities that receive grants from any source (even from the general Curia) must be sure to administer the funds transparently, exercising great care to use them for the purposes for which they were requested, and meet all requirements of the funding agency when the project is finished. Regarding donations there must be careful discernment. Some are good and create no problems. Others should not be accepted, not even to be used later for good purposes, because they come from unjust circumstances or from 'dirty money'. From the earliest times Christian tradition has asked that the Church not accept this type of offering."
- Creation: "How should we understand the expression 'like St. Francis of Assisi?' Not just or primarily by his example, but rather in his own way, and that way is marked by Minority. It is beginning with (a sense of) minorite brotherhood that Francis establishes a new relationship with creation. By calling 'brother and sister' all creatures, he exempts them from the self-referencing domination of humanity who assigns to them the only end of serving humankind. Francis rather, sees (all creatures) as an end in themselves and therefore beings with their own dignity. So, Minority lies at the origin of a new way of relating with the creation."
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| One of two English-language small groups |
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| One of two English-language small groups |
The Instrumentum Laboris ends with this prayer:
Lord, together with the grace of work,
grant us the Spirit of prayer and devotion,
to commit ourselves with greater enthusiasm
to your creative work;
brotherhood to live in communion, to discern, choose and do our work together;
minority and humility, to overcome all forms of fear and power;
liberty, to keep from appropriating works and to initiate new forms of presence;
gratuity, to put out all desire for wealth and accumulation;
solidarity, to sensitize ourselves to and be with and work with the poor;
justice, to abandon all forms of abuse;
honesty, so as to use goods in a poor and fraternal manner.
Lord, through our lives and our commitment,
may we
return to You by way of the poor and needy,
all the goods that we have received from You.
Amen!
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