A Franciscan Calling
Transcription
A Franciscan Calling
They were also the inspiration which led to the Society of St Francis, founded in the Anglican Church in the early twentieth century. Our First Order Brothers (SSF) live in community houses (friaries) in urban and rural settings. We make life vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and seek to live balanced lives of prayer, study and work, in a spirit of humility, love and joy. The common life is expressed in prayer, working together and fellowship around the altar and the meal table, We aim to build one another up in love by the grace of God, and to bear one another’s burdens. Our houses welcome all as brothers and sisters and fellow pilgrims on the path to God, with the hospitality of Christ. Work includes the ordinary tasks of life, as well as a wide range of ministries, drawing on the gifts of each brother. All Franciscans share a concern for justice and peace, seeing all people and all of creation, after the example of Francis, as brother and sister. This concern leads to a care for the created world, a deep respect for all life, a simple life style, and a desire to share what God has given us with others. In our Province of the Divine Compassion we have brothers (friars) in: Australia: www.franciscan.org.au New Zealand: www.franciscan.org.nz Korea: www.francis.or.kr And Sri Lanka. Other brothers are in England, the USA, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea: www.anglicanfranciscans.org Maybe … ? Franciscan artwork courtesy of: Hermano León Clipart (www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon), and Michael O’Brien (www.studiobrien.com) Too crazy to imagine … ? Handle a life commitment ?— Never! … ? A Franciscan Calling … ? All Franciscans seek to follow Christ, in the particular way shown by St Francis and St Clare of Assisi. These saints lived in Italy in the thirteenth century, and heard the call of Christ to a radical living of the gospel. Giving away all his possessions, Francis cared for lepers, preached the Good News and greeted people with the peace of Christ. Clare was inspired by him to embrace a live of radical poverty and prayer. Others soon joined them and their simple way of life. Is Christ calling you to life and ministry as an Anglican Franciscan brother? Are you inspired by Francis and Clare and the way they followed in the steps of Christ? “Come and See” (Jesus: Gospel according to John 1:39) “The Lord gave me some brothers” (Francis of Assisi: Testament 14) Can you help us live the gospel of Jesus Christ in a radical and fresh way? Are you a single man, 21 – 45 years old,* physically fit, of sound mind, capable of living in community and engaging in manual work? SEEK … Enquire … If you want to know more about our life or just to explore things further, please get in touch. Give a few details about yourself and your faith and why you are interested. If you want to come and visit one of our communities we can then arrange convenient dates. We also hold enquirers’ programmes from time to time to which we invite potentially suitable candidates. These programmes help people explore their possible vocation further and include some times of study and reflection, the opportunity to meet some of our brothers and ask questions about Anglican Franciscan life, as well as experiencing times of shared prayer and work. To find out more please contact: * Our normal age range can be varied in exceptional circumstances. Australia: Br Bruce-Paul, (02) 4994 5372, ssfstrd@bigpond.com Korea: Br Raphael Suh, (033) 263 4662, kfb1993@kornet.net Ask … New Zealand: Br Brian, (07) 856 6701, brian@franciscan.org.nz, Sri Lanka: Br Lionel, 077 294 8935, ljhpeiris@gmail.com