Franciscan Spirituality #15: Sources, Part 5 – Mar 17 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Mar 17, 2023, on how the Church's liturgy was a source of strength and inspiration for the spirituality of St Francis. This is a continuation of his series of homilies on Franciscan Spirituality. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom

Notes:

0:00 Intro - Liturgy, Francis's strength and inspiration

Liturgy is a source of Francis's strength and inspiration, a place to find God who acts.

0:55 - What is Liturgy

Liturgia originally meant a public work of civil or religious duty

In the Christian Church, it is public worship, expressing our relationship with Christ, which is not just private  CCC 1069 - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2.htm#1069

Participating in the liturgy is participating in the priestly minister and in Christ's works

We do it, but it is Christ working

Not just sterile remembrance of past events but makes Christ present and sanctifies and renews the Church, the body of Christ

2:46 - St Francis's view of the liturgy

St Francis's view of the liturgy is based on the concreteness of his spirituality, to live what he loves,

This is the basis of his Christocentric objectiveness

Worship of the trinity to continually adore Christ in the cycles of the Liturgical seasons

Admonition to continually worship Christ

In the first rule in all times and seasons, have a true and humble faith, love , adore ... supreme god trinity

Friars should always take care of the abode of Christ in the tabernacles of the world.

4:55 - St Francis contributions

The Grotto in Greccio was the first nativity scene. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euGVYbwK93A

Lent - Office of the Passion - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Office_of_the_Passion

Reinvigorated eucharist by Restoring three churches and

Did not want to be a priest because he did not feel worthy

Devotion to the bible was part of his liturgical practice

Received Eucharist as often as he could with great devotion.

6:37 - Breviary, Divine office

Breviary and other liturgical books were very diverse between friaries as things were in the whole Church. He standardized on the version used in the Papal chapel and, 70 years later, the Pope took his queue and standardized this breviary throughout the Church.

Francis would recite the breviary every day, even when traveling or sick.

8:07 - St. Bonaventure 5 Reasons to recite the Breviary

1 Imitates the angels in praises for God
2 Thank God day and night, recalls the life, passion, and death of Christ
3 rekindles the heart with love for God
4 Encourage the Faithful to pray by example
5 For the beauty and decorum of the Christian world.

9:22 Conclusion - Participation in the mysteries of the Chruch

Francis's spirit of the Liturgy was lively, and an intimate participation in the mysteries of the Chruch, especially the yearly cycle, receiving the graces offered, Making Christ present, here and now, and for the entire world.

Ave Maria!

This is a continuation of his series of homilies on Franciscan Spirituality - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNN151zTIO4&list=PLejh_e0-LN4xgMllKrzSasL2Hljd5BHom

The material for this series comes primarily from Ciccarelli, Marciano M., "I capisaldi della spiritualità francescana" in Italian, which translates as "The Cornerstones of Franciscan Spirituality". No English translations exist at the time of this recording.

Mass: St. Patrick - Opt Mem
Readings: Friday 3rd Week of Lent - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031723.cfm
1st: hos 14:2-10
Resp: psa 81:6-11, 14, 17
Gsp: mar 12:28-34

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1045&r=1669

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