From the Friars: Lord Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
The Prayer of St. Francis was a constant companion throughout my college years. It spoke to me. It became my constant desire and my Rule of Life, especially since I needed order in my life during those years! I have always seen St. Francis as a sort of “father figure”, someone whom I respect and reverence as a friend, and, at the same time someone whom I fear with all my heart!
St. Francis of Assisi, by Philip Fruytiers – Source, Public Domain, Link
Never would I dare contradict in words or in his presence the Poverello—the Poor Man from Assisi. Yet nevertheless, my actions do not always coincide with the high ideals of the Saint in his outlook on poverty and prayer.
Perhaps one of my biggest mistakes looking back on my vocation as a friar was the way I treated my family. I remember my dad coming to visit me in college when he already had clear signs that I was planning on leaving music school to become a Franciscan. “Are you really going to leave all this, son?” “Yes dad, I am. I have made up my mind and God is calling me to follow the life of St. Francis.” I cannot express the love and deep concern I found in my father’s eyes; my dad always supported me in my music since day one. In fact, I don’t ever remember him missing a concert all throughout my junior-high and high-school years—well, at least when I didn’t forget to tell him that I had a concert!
St. Francis’ father rejected his vocation and divine calling to follow the Lord. My father, however, was different and to be quite honest the love and deep concern I found in his eyes at that moment, scared me beyond belief. I often wonder if it is harder to walk away from rejection or to walk away from love. The virtue to accept my vocation while at the same time giving my earthly father the honesty, time, and open heartedness on my part that he deserved, was not present in me then. It was easier for me to interpret my fathers concerns as an obstacle or weakness instead of what it truly was, curiosity to know more about what God was doing in my life and prudent awareness of providing for my future.
Let us all pray for more vocations to the religious life, in particular our little community, so that more young people will feel the call and the support that is needed to respond courageously to follow the Poverello of Assisi.
St. Francis, pray for us!
–Fr. Francis