Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brandisi

Hello Reader,

As you may remember, I belong to the Fraternity of St. Lawrence of Brandisi in Patchogue, NY.  As today was his Memorial, I was especially moved to pray for this SFO Fraternity as a whole and for its individual members.  I especially pray for an increase to our vocations and the communal resolve to live truly Franciscan lives.

I just did a little research on St. Lawrence.  I never heard of this saint before coming to the Fraternity but I'm impressed by the biography as posted on http://www.americancatholic.org/.  St. Lawrence was a genius at languages, very scholarly.  But he was sensitive to the needs of others.  According to Doctors of the Catholic Church, St. Lawrence can be considered an advocate/patron saint of patriots, diplomats and peacemakers, as well as linguists.

Since today is Thursday, I spent a little time before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration and submission.  My prayer before the Blessed Sacrament today was for my country.  It is my prayer and sincere hope that my beloved United States returns to our traditional values.  Those values of home and family, country and God are inspired by our Judeo-Christian faith.  I personally think that many are returning to the Holy Catholic Church because she hasn't lost the vision of her Spouse Jesus Christ.

We are in a lull with the formation process as I continue to read, study and reflect.   But I'll be writing about all the Franciscan doings happening the last weekend of July.  Truly God has greatly blessed me in finding the Secular Franciscan Order.

Faithfully,
Sylvia

At Last...Candidate to the Secular Franciscan Order

First off, I want to thank You Blessed Trinity for the Grace You have given me.  I receive Your gifts as humbly as possible.

My day started off with serving as a Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist (EME) at my Deacon's 40th Wedding Anniversary.  He was assisting at the Mass where he renewed his vows to his beautiful wife.  Deeply moved by their love, I am happy that my Frankie and I can aspire to that blessed number.

Later on that day, I began my candidacy formation with my new Formator.  I approach the tasks at hand in as much faith as possible but also with some trepidation because it seems a lot.  But I have a lot of faith in my Formator as he is led by the Holy Spirit who is the Source of my vocation.  I am to pray twice a day, read my lessons as outlined in my course and pray using those themes.  The lessons themselves encourage me to write whether it is answers to the questions or journal my growth in the Franciscan path.



Candidacy!



Then the ceremony!  After the Liturgy of the Hours, I was asked to join the Minister Bob to my left and the Formation Director Tony who's on the right.  At that point, I formally asked to become a Candidate.  And then I got the SFO Rules to carry with me so I can begin to make them prominent in my life.  And then the TAU.  My joy is complete.  I carry Francis' TAU which is shared with thousands (if not millions) of others.

Francis' TAU Shared