One of the most important parts of my autobiography concerns my being a Secular Franciscan and all my activities with this group. I belong to Our Lady of the Pearl Fraternity, Pearlington, MS, and was instrumental in starting this community as well as assisting with the formation of the first members for profession into the Order. I also have served as web designer for our website, administrator of our two blogs and Secretary of the Council.
We have been waiting almost ten years and a hurricane or so for approval by Franciscan hierarchy to be canonically established. Under canon law, this would make our fraternity a juridical person with certain obligations and rights. Stated differently, it provides us with greater independence and no longer under the sponsoring fraternity. The step is somewhat like a child reaching the age of majority.
My news is that we have met all the requirements for approval for canonical establishment by the many levels and had a meeting with Archbishop Thomas Rodi in Biloxi, Mississippi, on July 8, 2008. The Archbishop added his signature to the official documents, giving his approval. Below is a photograph of the Archbishop along with me and several of my Franciscan friends. (I'm the short one standing by Bob and behind the Archbishop.)
The meeting was scheduled on short notice and we came immediately, in our jeans, shorts, or however we happened to be dressed. St. Francis was delighted, I'm sure, with our "ragged" appearance. After all, he and his brothers appeared before Pope Innocent III, seeking approval of their rule, dressed like beggars.
The date of our canonical establishment is set for August 23, 2008. It will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Center, Pearlington, MS. Friends and family are invited. St. Joseph Church was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina with only the steps remaining which is why the Mass and ceremony are being held in the Center, not the Church. The poverty of the setting is very appropriate for this Franciscan event.
Anyone in the area, please feel free to come. I would be so pleased to have you there.
5 comments:
Ouida, thanks for telling us more about this aspect of your life. That you've found contentment going down this path is so clearly evident in the things you post for us to reflect upon. I'm happy for you.
Thanks, David. I think you would have liked St. Francis as he took "the roadless traveled" for his day, was an innovator, wrote poetry, liked to sing (in French) and saw the Divine seed in all of us and creation. This includes our dogs. My Maltese rescue efforts and giving homes to unadoptable senior Maltese are one of my Franciscan ministries.
Oh, Ouida, me , too!
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous ?
Sonnez les matinées,
Sonnez les matinées
Ding dang dong, ding dang don
See, I told you. When you were 18 and St. Francis was 18, y'all would have had a great time together. He was a party person, the leader of his group, dressed lavishly and was generous to all in spending his father's money. "Drinks all 'round." His family was very wealthy, members of the rising merchant class. Francis wanted to be a knight and went off to war, was wounded and held prisoner for a year. He returned home in not so good health and disillusioned with many things in the society of his day. He became ripe for the picking, so to speak, and the Lord dubbed him his knight, in service of Lady Poverty. Not ever one to do things half way, he lived a radical Christian life, reforming the Church and society by his life and example. And the song goes on.
The thing about St. Francis and me is that when we got out of the service, our paths diverged. He went off helping people and I went off smokin' dope 'n' chasin' wimmin... for about 3 years.
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