For last two months I have
been in Kerala conducting visitation of three Provinces. I landed here on 1st
of July and today I wind up the visitation. It has been great and rich
experience of Capuchin Brotherhood. It was a time of renewal and strengthening
the Capuchin brotherhood, spirituality and Charism. It was a time to listen, to
be with the friars and encourage them to live the Capuchin charism. The
pastoral visitation opened before me the tremendous possibilities and potentialities
of our Indian Provinces. The provinces are gifted with multi talented and
gifted young friars who are just willing to explode the areas of spirituality
and various ministries.
The friars welcomed me in
the name of the General Minister and much more in the person of our Father and
Founder St. Francis. The friars during the visitation followed the age old and
good traditions of the Capuchin Order. It was very heartening to see some of
the senior friars kneeling and seeking my blessing. The personal moments with
the friars was a rich and never forgetting experience. I carried out the
visitation not just mere an obligation but holy duty towards the friars who
have got the need and desire to speak and to be listened. It is very easy to
write a letter or circular and it is another great thing to meet and see friars
in person. The visitation according to me is a great fraternal service to the
Order and brothers. During the visitation it is just not only the time to
admonish and encourage the friars spiritually but to know their hopes and
aspirations. It is wonderful experience to hear about their prayerful and
spiritual experiences in their growth as Capuchins. Speaking and dialoguing
with the friars opens you up to a different reality and world altogether.
My main focus was the “friar”.
It was to hear and listen to him. I had no ready-made answer and solutions but
was able to speak to their hearts with the words of St. Francis, through the
talk and prayer service and Eucharistic celebration. I was able to remind the
brothers fraternally about the Capuchin charism, commitment and the Holy
Constitutions. The friars were reminded about their promise to observe
faithfully the Gospel, rule and constitutions. The common dialogue was very
useful wherein I communicated many happenings and events in the Church and
Order. The friars were recommended to live with the Capuchin spirit and charism
and make holy and lasting impressions where we go. I urged the friars to
progress in all the areas of our commitment, prayer, fraternal life and vowed
life.
The visitation time was to
encourage the friars to live fraternal bonds sincerely and genuinely in the
fragmented and broken world. I tired to promote a message as to how each one of
us could be a sign of union and unity, to create schools of communion among
ourselves in spite of our differences and up bringing. The friars must feel
accepted and loved, understood and encouraged by the others. The secrets about
each one have to be maintained and honored. The name of the Order and province
should be the top priority on the list of all friars. The good of the
fraternity to be promoted with all the talents and gifts received by each one.
If one is not able to do good, one has no right to do bad and inflict pain on
others.
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