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​Living Fraternity Archives 2013-2020

Waterfall in a stream
2020
December, 2020:   Christmas - Divine Love that transforms - homily from Pope Francis on December 24, 2019.
November, 2020:   Reflection on the encyclical letter Fratelli tutti  from Pope Francis - mainly on texts from the introduction.
October, 2020:    Thankfulness - Article from Doug Hagen on thankfulness taken from Matthew's Gospel.
September, 2020:   ‘Faith and Pandemic’ – Reflection on a survey on faith during the pandemic, the initiative of the                           
                Pontifical    Urbaniana    University conducted in Africa, Asia and Oceania.
​June, 2020: ‘  Looking with the heart …’ – Reflection on an article by Bruno Leroy, educator, writer : Looking with the heart.                            
                A  look in the human language is the most lively expression of a person’s deepest feelings.

May, 2020:   'He really is risen …’ – Subject for reflection and sharing using passages from the Catechism of the Catholic   Church
                 (Nos.   651-659) III.    The meaning and saving significance of the Resurrection.

 April, 2020:   ‘The desert … are we living it? …’ – The gospel and the commentary given by Pope Francis (Angelus, March 5th, 2017) – Gospel
                 (Mt 4, 1- 11) – Jesus is tested in the wilderness.

March, 2020:   ‘Saint Joseph and the Church …’ – Passages from the book L’Église que j’espère, an interview by Father   Spadaro, s.j.
                 with Pope Francis   (from French version, Flammarion, Ser. 2013).

February, 2020:   ‘Sunday of the Word of God …’ – A reflection on Pope Francis’ homily on the third Sunday of Ordinary     time,
              Sunday of the Word of God – the basis of our way of life.

January, 2020:     ‘The admirable sign of the crèche …’ – A reflection on the text from Pope Francis’ Apostolic letter given on    December 1st, 2019
              at     Greccio – Origin of the Christmas crèche.
 2019
December, 2019: ‘What joy, a savior is born, it’s Christmas …’ – A text taken from Pope Francis’ homily on December 24th
                         2013 at the Christmas Eve mass. – The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:1).

November, 2019: ‘Perfect Joy’ according to Saint Francis of Assisi …’ – A reflection on a text from the writings of Francis
                         of Assisi – this text is a link to those presented in October.

October, 2019:  ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ – A reflection on a text taken from the Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii Gaudium
                         by Pope Francis - Chapter 1 – The Joy of the Gospel with links to articles 4 and 5 of our Rule.

September, 2019:  Wisdom - a reflection on a text from the book ‘Écoute la Sagesse’ by Henri Bloommestijn and Jos
                         Huls, Carmelites and Claire Dumont, Daughter of Wisdom.

June, 2019:  ‘To be who we are … witnesses to the Good News …’ – Reflection on our role in our world take from the
                         magazine Nouvelle Revue Franciscaine from the years 2011-2012.

May, 2019: ‘Mary’s gaze, a symbol of the myopia of the world...Excerpts from Pope Francis’ homily given on January 1,
                         2019.
April, 2019:  ‘Easter Vigil … holy night of hope’ – Taken from Pope Francis’ homily for Holy Saturday March 26th 2016.
                         The text invites all Christians to reflect on the significance of this favourable night.
March, 2019:  ‘Lenten time … a time of reflection’ – Taken from Pope Francis’ homily of Ash Wednesday, February 14,
                         2018. Lent as a favourable time to make changes in our lives.
February, 2019:  ‘Francis and the Sultan, 800th Anniversary’ – Taken from the Letter of the General Minister of the Order
                         of Friars Minor, Br. Michael A. Perry, ofm on the 800th anniversary of the encounter between Francis and Sultan  
                         Malik al-Kamil
January, 2019:  ‘See, Set out, Bring gifts’ – Taken from Pope Francis’ homily of January 6, 2018 – text invites us like the
                         Magi to see the star, to journey.
​
 2018
December, 2018:  ‘The Call to Holiness in the Light of the Master’ – Excerpts from Pope Francis’ Exhortation Gaudete et             
                         Exsultate – chosen from the 3rd chapter.
November, 2018:  ‘The Call to Holiness in Today’s World’ – Excerpts from Pope Francis’ Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate

                         – on the call to holiness in today’s world – The saints who encourage and accompany us.
October, 2018:  ‘Love, Study and Live our way of life, it is a treasure’ – Some excerpts from Fr. Peter Knaapen, our

                         National  Spiritual Assistant’s presentation on our present Rule.
September, 2018:  ‘Learning from Mary to be surprised by God’ – A reflection on a homily by Pope Francis given on

                         October 13, 2013 for the anniversary of Fatima and the Year of Faith.
June, 2018:   ‘Peace is born from the Encounter with Christ’ – Reflection on a commentary on the readings from the

                         Sunday   of Divine Mercy, April 8, 2018 by Archbishop Francesco Follo.
May, 2018:  ‘Here is the servant of the Lord, Mary’– A reflection on a homily by Pope Francis during a Marian mass on the 

                         occasion of the Year of Faith, October 13, 2013.
April, 2018:   ‘Francis of Assisi or rebellion by example’ – Text taken from the Serviteur-ofs in Nouvelles (March 15, 2018)

                        -  from the work of Fr. Enzo Fortunato.
March, 2018:  ‘In the heart, love is the core of all the Gospel …’ – Taken from a message by Pope Francis for Lent–

                         Preparing  for our journey to Easter.
February, 2018:  ‘Listening, Discerning, Living the Lord’s Call’ – Taken from a message by Pope Francis for the World Day

                         of Prayer for Vocations.
January, 2018:  ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God … and our Mother’ – Excerpts from Pope Francis’ homily of January 1, 2017 on

                         the Virgin Mary and her role in our human lives.
 2017
December, 2017:   ‘Christmas calls us to peace, to welcome our differences…’ – A reflection on a theme presented in                    
                         December  2010 – As Christians and members of the OFS.

November, 2017:   ‘Let us love, not with words but with deeds’ – In relation with the First World Day of the Poor, 17th of
                         November).
October, 2017:  ‘The Golden Rule of Human Nature’ – Taken from a message by Pope Francis during the September 3rd        
                         Angelus - ‘that only love gives meaning and happiness to life’.
September, 2017:  ‘The fraternity … a welcoming place…’ – A reflection on life in fraternity which should be a privileged
                         place of gathering and sharing (Article 22 of our Rule).
June, 2017:  ‘With the Gospel in your pocket’ – Excerpt from a meditation by Pope Francis – To know and recognize Jesus
                         –   Link to Article 4 of our Rule.
May, 2017:   ‘Accompanying, discerning and integrating frailties’ – Excerpts from the work by the CIOFS Commission on
                         the Family on the theme for 2017 Caring of frailties: Mercy and Discernment. (includes the papal exhortation                   
                         Amoris Laetitia – the elderly - Article 191 of the Exhortation).
April, 2017:  ‘Accompanying, discerning and integrating frailties’ – Excerpts from the work by the CIOFS Commission on
                         the  Family on the theme for 2017 - Caring of frailties: Mercy and Discernment. (includes the papal exhortation               
                         Amoris Laetitia - Article 29 of the Exhortation).
March, 2017:  ‘The Word is a gift, other persons are gifts’ – Taken from the message from Pope Francis for the feast of
                         Saint   Luke, evangelist.
February, 2017:  ‘The family’s vocation’ – Excerpts from the Apostolic exhortation on Love in the Family by Pope Francis
                         –  Articles 59 and 60 of the Exhortation.
January, 2017:   ‘The experiences and challenges of the family’ – Excerpts from the Apostolic exhortation on Love in the      
                         Family by Pope Francis – The welfare of the family (Article 31 of the Exhortation).
2016
December, 2016:   ‘The Humility of the Incarnation – A Demonstration of Divine Love’ – A special text prepared by Jewel      
                         Jasmins (National Director of Formation) and Br. Jerry Clyne, ofm spiritual assistant – In Franciscan spirituality,               
                         Christmas is an important feast.
November, 2016:   ‘Ecumenism: the pilot is the Holy Spirit’ – A text from Cardinal Koch (Osservatore Romano. July 8,

                         2016) – a text full of hope and the possibility of sharing.
October, 2016:   ‘Do we know how to recognize the signs?’ - Excerpts from the 6th chapter of Laudato Si - Educating for

                         the Covenant between Humanity and the Environment.
September, 2016:   ‘Are we ecologists?’ – Certain excerpts from the 4th chapter of Laudato Si - The ecology of daily life,

                         the situation of the poor.
June, 2016:   ‘What does the Gospel say about creation?’ – Certain excerpts taken from the encyclical letter of Pope

                         Francis’  Laudato Si - Chapter 2 (relationship with God, one another and the earth)
May, 2016:   ‘What is happening to our common home!’ – Three aspects of our common home take from the encyclical
                         letter   of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si - Chapter 1 – Climate as a common good.
April, 2016:   ‘Praise be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth!’ – Taken from the Encyclical letter from Pope
                         Francis’ Laudato Si -Our Sister Mother Earth …
March, 2016:  ‘During this Holy Year, will we be merciful?’ –  Another excerpt from the bull concerning the Year of Mercy
                         announced by Pope Francis – Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life.
February, 2016:   ‘Our vision in this Year of Mercy’ – A 2nd excerpt from the bull concerning the Year of Mercy announced
                         by Pope Francis – It is proper to God to exercise mercy.
January, 2016:  ‘What is a Holy Year of Mercy?’ – Excerpt from the bull concerning the extraordinary Jubilee of mercy                 
                         announced by Pope Francis – Jesus Christ, face of the Father’s mercy.
2015
December, 2015:  ‘Christmas, this time of peace and joy … how do we welcome it?’ – taken from the gospel according to
                         Luke  and the Franciscan writing “Christmas in Greccio”.
November, 2015:   ‘Our Sister death… how must we welcome it?’ – a text from the book ‘The Passage’ by Kahlil Gibran –
                         an  opportunity to reflect on death.
October, 2015:   ‘Let us be witnesses of tenderness in our families’ – a text from Raymond St-Gelais (Revue montante
                         2015, no 217) - The Family and fraternal values.
September, 2015:   ‘Becoming experts in communion’ – a 3rd document in which Pope Francis presents on the Year of             
                         Consecrated Life. – Fascinated by the unity.
June, 2015:   ‘Living our prophetic mission’ – a look at the 4th document from Pope Francis on our baptism – Our
                         prophetic   mission Living our prophetic mission’ – a look at the 4th document from Pope Francis on our baptism –
                         Our  prophetic mission
May, 2015:   ‘Grateful for the past – living the present with passion’ – Excerpt from Pope Francis’ exhortation on religious
                         life   for the Year of Consecrated Life (ofs members make profession to live the gospel) – Look at the past with                     
                         gratefulness – the inspirational spark.
April, 2015:   ‘Saint Louis and Marriage’ – a 6th theme on Saint Louis – Historical perspective: Married life lived with
                         faith.
March, 2015: ‘Saint Louis and Education’– a 5th theme on St. Louis – Historical clarification: Saint Louis on the concern
                         for an integral education.
February, 2015:   ’Saint Louis, social justice and evangelization’ – a 4th theme on St. Louis - Openness toward all his
                         subjects -  Historical vision: St. Louis, a new Solomon.
January, 2015:   ‘Saint Louis and his public commitment as a Christian’ – a third theme on St Louis of France – Justice
                         toward  all his subjects – poor or rich – Historical vision: St. Louis conforms to the model of the Christian king.
 2014
December, 2014:  ‘Saint-Louis : The Good News is announced to the Poor’ – Historical enlightenment: Saint Louis and his
 
                         love for the poor.
November, 2014:   ‘Saint Louis and Spiritual Life’ Jubilee Year of Saint Louis – Historical perspective: Saint Louis – a Royal
                         who prays.
October, 2014:  '
Go forth today as confident and happy missionaries’ – Excerpt from Pope Francis’ Exhortation - The Joy
                         of  the Gospel – A church which goes forth.
September, 2014:   ’Go confident and happy’ – a 4th excerpt from the presentation by Fr. Louis Cinq-Mars, ofmcap, given
                         at Fraternité 2013.
July, 2014:   ‘Go, in confidence with Jesus Christ’ – a third excerpt from Pope Francis’ Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel –
                         Yes to the new relationship brought by Christ.
June, 2014: ‘Go confidently’ –  a 3rd excerpt from the presentation by Fr. Louis Cinq-Mars, ofmcap – Go, confident and             
                         happy, given at Fraternité 2013.
May, 2014:   ‘Go, with Mary, more enthusiastically’ – Excerpt from Pope Francis’ Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel from
                         the fifth chapter – Spirit-filled Evangelizers and Mary, Mother of Evangelization.
April, 2014:   ‘Go, more lively, more enthusiastically’ – 2nd excerpt of the presentation from Fr. Louis Cinq-Mar, ofmcap –
                         Go   into the world and in a precise time frame.
March, 2014:   ‘Go, more lively, more enthusiastically’ – Excerpt from Pope Francis’ Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel–
                         The Church’s missionary transformation.
February, 2014:   ‘Go, more lively, more enthusiastically’ – Excerpts of a presentation from Fr. Louis Cinq-Mars, ofmcap
                         on reading the word of God.
January, 2014:  
‘To go forward with more life, more enthusiasm’ – Excerpts of a text from Fr. Roland Bonenfant, ofm on
                         the   reason for fraternal monthly meetings in the OFS.
 2013
All the meetings from January to December were based on the theme: Lord, what do you want me to do?’ Theme developed by Fr. Pierre Brunet, for Fraternité 2012
 
December, 2013: 
Becoming ferrymen
November, 2013:  A Church in ruins
October, 2013:   Jesus sows pebbles
September, 2013:   Is God absent or present? The specter of secularism
Summer, 2013:   Facing today’s world
June, 2013:   The Kingdom is already here, but hidden!
May, 2013:   The legacy of the Beatitudes
April, 2013:   Believing without seeing
March, 2013:   The challenges to my humanity
February, 2013:   A recall of the conversion of Francis of Assisi
January, 2013:   A search for the answer using the psalms
Sunset on the water
Contact us: 
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                                                                            A Blessing:                  
​                                                          May God bless you and keep you,
                                        May God's face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
                                     May God look upon you with kindness, and give you peace. 
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