Over the centuries, men and women of faith have embraced the charism of St. Francis of Assisi – “to live the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ” – through their membership in the Secular Franciscan Order.
The third of three spiritual families founded by St. Francis 800 years ago, the Secular Franciscan Order is the largest lay order within the Church, encompassing more than 300,000 members worldwide, according to its website. The United States is home to more than 600 local fraternities of the Order and approximately 12,000 professed members. Its members, which include laity and religious brothers and sisters, make a public commitment to emulate the Franciscan way of life.
In the Diocese of Trenton, secular Franciscans who form the Blessed Sacrament Fraternity (part of the Katharine Drexel Region of the Secular Franciscan Order) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its establishment during a Mass in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting, April 26.
During the Mass, Fraternity members renewed their commitment to following the example of St. Francis, professing their vow to Christ and to live the Gospel. They also attested to be an instrument of the Church’s mission, to resemble Christ, and proclaim Christ in their deeds and words in service of others.
Members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OSF) have a calling to walk as a community of sisters and brothers with the Gospel and work together for peace and harmony for the good of all people, stated Conventual Franciscan Father Noel Danielewicz, celebrant and homilist of the Mass.
In his homily, Father Danielewicz, who is from St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, and serves as the spiritual assistant for the Blessed Sacrament Fraternity, spoke of the April 21 death of Pope Francis and his message to go out and spread the Good News, the same as the mission of the Blessed Sacrament Fraternity. To the world, Pope Francis is described as the “People’s Pope,” and St. Francis is considered the “People’s Saint.”
The priest also reminded the Secular Franciscans of the mission to follow Jesus as St. Francis did. The priest urged participants to see Christ in every person, strive for relationships with everyone, and show others the vibrancy of life, compassion, and love so they feel and learn the Gospel.
“May the transformative gifts of the Risen Lord enable us to mix and mingle among the flock and not be apart from them,” he said.
Members of the Blessed Sacrament Fraternity gather monthly for ongoing formation, to pray together, discern the needs of the Church, and respond with dedication and charity, in accordance with their vows. Blessed Sacrament Fraternity has 19 professed members, three candidates for profession, and one aspirant. It is bonded to the OFM Conventual friars, assigned in the Diocese of Trenton to St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, and St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach. Along with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, the 19 members hail from the parishes of St. Dominic, Brick; St. Mary, Barnegat; St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach; St. Veronica, Howell, and Sacred Heart, Mount Holly.
Teresa Redder, OFS, St. Katharine Regional minister and member of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, pointed to the convergence of special commemorations for the local Fraternity. She explained, “This year, the Franciscan Family celebrates the 8th Centenary, 800 years since St. Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures (also known as Canticle of the Sun, Francis’ seminal work).”
“This centenary happens to be marked during the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’,’ which was inspired by the canticle,” Redder added.
The Secular Franciscans “follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi by embracing poverty, simplicity, and a life of service to others, particularly the poor,” explained Rosalie Viragh, OFS, minister of Blessed Sacrament Fraternity and member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting. Members primarily carry out their works of service in their own parishes in a variety of ways, including serving in liturgical ministries, participating in community outreach such as prison ministry or helping out in a parish-based food pantry. One member is the parish catechetical leader in her parish.
To learn more about the Secular Franciscan Order – USA, visit www.secularfranciscansusa.org; to read more about the local Secular Franciscan Fraternities, visit www.secularfranciscansusa.org/map-of-local-fraternities/
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