VERBUM SERAPHICUM
PAX ET BONUM MARCH -- 2000 A. D. AVE MARIA
"If thou wilt be perfect, go,
sell what thou hast, and give to the poor,
. . . and come follow Me." Matthew 19:21
|
INTRODUCTION This is the second issue of VERBUM SERAPHICUM: a newsletter for vocations to traditional Franciscan life. The purpose of this publication is to provide information that assists in the discernment of a supernatural vocation to religious life and to the priesthood. O Mary, Mediatrix of every Grace, pray for us! THE FEAR OF GOD: Part I By. St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, OFM What is the root of the fear of the Lord? .... the fear of the Lord rises in us first from the consideration of the sublimity of the Divine Power; second, from the consideration of the perspicacity of the Divine Wisdom; third, from the consideration of the severity of the Divine Vengeance. -- First, I say, the fear of God rises in us from the consideration of the Divine Power. Whence in Jeremiah: There is none like Thee, Lord, great art Thou, and great Thy Name in strength; who will not fear Thee, O King of the nations? For Thy distinction is among all the other wise men of the nations and in their diverse kingdoms who is like Thee? (Jer 10:6-7) First he speaks of the magnitude of the Divine Power, when he says: There is none like Thee, Lord etc.. Whence in the Book of Wisdom: As a drop of pre-dawn dew, so before Thee is all the earth (Ws 11:23). Therefore who will not fear Thee, except the impious and the stupid? Wherefore there is also said in Malachi: A son honors his father and a slave his own lord; if I am Thy Father, where is My honor? And if I am Thy Lord, where is fear of Me? (Mal 1:6) If a man is impious, he is in want of punishment; if he is stupid, he is in want of sense. That the highest stupidity is not-fearing the Lord, the Lord says in Jeremiah: Hear he says, stupid people, who have not a heart; because having eyes, you do not see; ears, and you do not hear. Therefore you will not fear Me and grieve from My Face? Who has placed the sand as the terminus of the sea, a sempiternal precept, which will not pass away (Jer 5:21-22). You will not fear Me? -- Therefore I say, that fear first rises in us from the consideration of the Divine Power. |
THINGS TO DO TO AID DISCERNMENT There are a few things recommended to those who desire to be more certain regarding the possibility of a vocation. Indeed these practices are recommended for every one, since we all are called by God in baptism to holiness of life, and because these practices are nothing more than fidelity to our baptismal promises. At the present you may practice one or more of these, or even none of these. Are you required to practice them all? Is that necessary to know for certain your vocation? The answer is simple enough. These practices are like flames of a fire. The more flames, the more heat, the more heat, the greater the likely hood of a wet log burning. Now the soul who is beginning to walk to the Lord, indeed even many of us who have begun long ago, is likened to a wet log. It must draw close to God, or God to it, to be dried from sin, enlightened by faith, kindled by charity for God and neighbor. Therefore the more that one does to draw closer to God, the clearer will be one's knowledge of one's vocation, whatever it may be, and wherever it may lead. Here are some recommended things you can do: 1. Consecrate yourself to the Blessed
Virgin Mary and ask Her for all the graces and lights you need to please Her
Son best of all. |
VERBUM SERAPHICUM
PAX ET BONUM MARCH -- 2000 A. D. AVE MARIA
"If thou wilt
be perfect, go, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor,
. . . and come follow Me." Matthew 19:21
|
not optional, but obligatory, for "He who lives by the sword is doomed to die by the sword.") 8. Read the lives and/or writings of canonized saints. Especially those who were outstanding priests, religious and founders of religious orders. 9. Study the Catechism & Make spiritual communions. 10. Take up some work of charity for your neighbor, in so far as your present duties allow. 11. Frequently ask God for the grace to know and love Him more and more. 12. If there is a priest who in his actions is faithful to Christ, a man of prayer, ask for his advice and counsel. If you think you need advice concerning a vocation to religious life choose a priest who does not in any way despise the religious vocation. 13. Be faithful to your present duties in life, even making sacrifices to fulfill them without negligence. Glorious St. Joseph, pray for us! The Reward for those who follow Christ Peter said to Jesus, "We have left all we own to become Your followers." And Jesus said, "I solemnly assure you, there is no one who has left home or wife or brothers, parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, who will not receive a hundred homes, brothers, parents or children in this age and in the world to come life everlasting." (Luke, 18:29-30) What is a Traditional Franciscan Vocation? Part II St. Francis was called by God to lead a great community of the faithful back to God, from all walks of life. He lead the laity back to a life of good works and devotion through the Third Order of St. Francis, whose members are often called Secular Franciscans. Some members of the Third Order, became religious and |
formed the Third Order Regular of St. Francis (TOR). These are religious who observe a life inspired by the ideals of St. Francis and who observe the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis. St. Francis lead religious women to imitate the poverty and contemplation of the Blessed Virgin. The first of these was St. Clare of Assisi, who under the direction of St. Francis, founded the Poor Clares. These holy woman observe the Rule of St. Clare, which is very similar to the Rule of St. Francis. St. Francis lead religious men to undertake the apostolic life of the Apostles. These men are called Friars Minor and they observe the Rule of St. Francis. Of these there are three great branches: the Conventuals (OFM Conv ) who formed part of the Order from the beginning; and who undertook a mitigated observance of the Rule during the pontificate of Pope John XXII (c. 1325 AD) in accord with certain discipline he imposed for the extirpation of heresy in the Order. From the Conventuals have come such great saints as St. Joseph of Cupertino and St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe. The Observants (OFM) traditionally have lived the same form of life as St. Francis commanded in the Rule, without mitigations. From the Observants came a great number of Saints, such as St. Peter of Alcantara St. Bernadine of Sienna, St. Bonaventure, Bl. John Duns Scotus, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Pascal Baylon, St. John Capistrano, and many others. The Capuchins (OFM Cap) have traditionally not only observed the Rule of St. Francis but also strove to imitate the personal holiness and life of St. Francis. Such great Capuchine Saints as St. Felix of Cantalice, St. Lawrence of Brindisi, St. Conrad of Parzhein, and Bl. Padre Pio are well known around the world. In accord with the "spirit of Vatican II", the OFM and OFM Caps have now come to observe the Rule in the general manner of the OFM Conventuals, that is, with mitigations. If one desires to be a saint, God will give him the grace to choose that state in life that will please Him most. If one does not want to be a saint, he ought to strive to save his soul in the lay state, where one is free of the moral obligations of religious life. Published by The Franciscan Archive, 62 Pilgrim Rd,Mansfield, MA 02048 http://www.franciscan-archive.org |