A Franciscan Memory which never faded
My adventure with Saint Francis started when I was around 14 or 15 years old. I was part of the youth group in my parish, and as part of our formation, I was sent on a retreat during the school holidays.
One night on that retreat, we were invited to watch a movie about Saint Francis of Assisi. The movie was projected for us in a barn in the village where we were staying. Just imagine it: the priest sitting on a ladder so he could be heard throughout the entire barn, translating all the dialogues from the original Italian into Polish as the movie played.
We watched the movie, listened to the translation, and when it all finished, it was already dark. That night, we had to walk back to the place where we were staying. We walked through the fields on a warm summer night, with the full moon lighting our way.
The words of the movie had never been more vivid. The experience was so powerful that I can still recall it today. Back then, we did not have mobile phones. We could not take photos, but we could absorb the experience with our eyes. We saw the beauty of the night, almost feeling as though we could reach out and touch the full moon. We sang the Canticle of Saint Francis about Brother Sun and Sister Moon, and about the beauty of all creation around us.
We could smell the summer air and the wildflowers and grasses we passed along the way, even without seeing them clearly in the darkness of the night.
That experience did two things for us. First, we fell in love with the beautiful life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Second, we all wanted to follow Jesus, to whom Francis pointed by the witness of his life.
His life was radical. His life was lived to the full. His life was filled with joy, suffering, and challenges. And we all wanted to live that way, for Christ's sake.
Fast forward a few decades, and here I am: a religious sister (not Franciscan, but that's another story) for over 35 years, living in Australia and belonging to a parish served by the Franciscan Friars Capuchin. This year, they are celebrating the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis' death.
What a privilege that is. And yet, it is also a challenge.
As I reflect on my journey, I find myself asking: Am I still following the call many of us received so many years ago after watching that movie in the barn? Am I still open to the zeal and enthusiasm of following Christ as best I can? Is my life marked by gratitude and attentiveness to the many gifts God has given me through the saints who have accompanied me on my journey of consecrated life?
Saint Francis of Assisi remains a powerful example for all of us. Even after eight centuries, he continues to inspire people to follow Jesus. His witness still speaks to our hearts.
And perhaps that is the challenge for each one of us. Through our baptism, we are all called to lead others closer to Christ.
Are we inviting others to follow Him? Are we creating opportunities for people to encounter God? Through our words, our actions, and the witness of our lives, are we helping others discover His love?
This year, perhaps we can ask Saint Francis to renew within us a willingness to live a radical and wholehearted life for Christ. Perhaps we can join him in singing the Canticle of Creation and in seeing God's presence reflected in the beauty of the world around us.
So wherever you may be today, at home, in a local park, by the ocean, in the mountains, beside a river, or even simply scrolling through your phone, I invite you to pause for a moment.
Look around you. Notice an image, a view, or an experience that reminds you of God's glory. Let yourself be touched by the beauty of creation, the same beauty that captured the heart of Saint Francis and transformed his life.
At this day and age, may St.Francis lead and inspire us to live a simple and humble life, that our life has a deeper meaning than what worldly things can offer.
Praying...LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE....