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The Canticle May, 2003 Divine Mercy Secular Franciscan Fraternity · Vero Beach, Florida
web site: www.franciscan-sfo.org Meetings: Please Note that our meeting day has been
changed to the third Sunday in May to allow our members to enjoy
Mother's Day (the 2nd Sunday in May) with their families. Council: Sun., May 18, 2003 - following the regular meeting Agenda: Pre-Meeting: 1:30 - INITIAL FORMATION: For inquirers and candidates before the meeting. 2:00 - Regular Meeting begins with our Opening Prayer 2:30 - Ongoing Formation: Study of the SFO Rule - Article 14. "Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone "who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself", let them exercise their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service." 3:00 - Mid-meeting break/Refreshments. Take a few minutes to
visit our library during this break! 3:45 - Liturgy of the Hours 4:00 - Dismissal * Refreshment Committee for May: Snacks - Kathleen Van Buskirk, Peter Askin Soda or fruit drinks - Helen Caldarone * Remember our fraternity apostolate, St. Helen's Food Pantry * Several changes in the May schedule: Third Sunday of May to avoid conflict with Mother's Day; Council meeting right after the regular meeting to prevent a serious delay in terms of "The Canticle" mailing; continuation of our new meeting time of 2 pm rather than 1 :30 pm to avoid parking problems. * Many thanks to Jennie for volunteering to be our Librarian. We encourage you to visit it during our break. Remember to include in your prayers: * A truly beautiful program on 10/4/03. . . and for the full commitment it will require from each of us. * Our Inquirers and Candidates: Ed, Pauline, Kathleen, Julie, and Peter. * Peace and stability in the Middle East…efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq will not be easy. Pray and fast. From the Minister's Desk :* PROFESSION CEREMONY FOR ANDREA AND PEGGY. Celebrate the Rite
of Profession and Mass on page 2 Are there still any special Indulgences
attached to being a member of the Secular Franciscan Order?
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there are! Appended to the revised General Constitutions of the Secular Franciscan Order is a copy of the Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary's January 22, 1972 letter to the 'Interobediential General Council of the Secular Third Order of Saint Francis' - the predecessor of the Presidency of the SFO General Council (CIOFS). It confirms that a plenary indulgence is available to members of the SFO 'on the day of their admission and of their profession, and at the conclusion of an official visitation' as well as 'on the feast-days of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8); Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4); Saint Louis, King (August 25); Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (November 17); Blessed Luchesius (April 28); Saint Clare of Assisi (August 11); Saint Margaret of Cortona (May 16); and all the Saints of the Three Orders of Saint Francis (November 29).' In addition to the usual conditions for obtaining an indulgence (celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation [going to Confession] sometime close to the time the indulgence is sought, reception of Holy Communion on the day of the indulgence, and prayer specifically for the intention of the supreme Pontiff, the Pope), Secular Franciscans are also required to 'make or renew, at least privately, their promise to observe faithfully the Statutes of their association,' in other words, to renew our profession-commitment to live the Gospel according to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. The renewal of commitment found on page 31 of The Ritual of the SFO can serve as a wonderful model for this type of experience, but we are not bound to recite these exact words; all that matters is that the general sentiment and interior disposition expressed in this model are present. These indulgences, still valid today, were granted to the Secular Franciscan Order in 1972, six years before Pope Paul VI approved the SFO Rule on June 24, 1978." ƒ
The Holy Spirit is working in the Church and in the world.
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