So, let’s start a discussion. DO you think we really have a shortage of vocation in this country? It really is not correct to say that vocation to religious life is diminishing because we see an increased membership of religious coming from Asia and Africa, . So what is going on here in our own country? Why do you think there is such a vocation crisis? What are we doing wrong?
First of all Sister, welcome. I’m Br. Julian Richard, OSF, but everone knows me as JR.
To answer your question, I also believe that the Lord is raising up new charisms in the USA as well as reshaping old ones. My own community started as a group of Secular Franciscan men (SFO) who wanted to live in a community house. We were all single or widowers. We wanted to live the Gospel in the manner of St. Francis, but within the secular world. The secular world needs the gospel brought into the office, the bank, the shop, and so forth. These are places where traditional religious normally do not find themselves.
As our numbers grew we became an autonomous group of Franciscans and were eventually received by the local bishop as the Order of St. Francis (OSF) under the title of Franciscan Brothers of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We made vows like any other religious does, but we continue to work in secular contexts.
For example, I run a high school for teens with emotional disabilities. Everyone on the staff is secular, about half are Catholic and the other half are Jewish. We have two Protestants. You’d be amazed how the kids and the staff come to my office not to discuss academics, but to talk about their life and their search for meaning. This is where I do the most important part of my ministry. This is where I help them think about God.
The other day one of our Jewish teachers came up to me and said, “I can see how much you love these kids, despite their strange behaviours. When I walk into a room and you’re there, I can almost touch the love.”
The kids on the other hand always ask me about my life as a monk. They don’t understand that I’m a mendicant, not a monk. I let them believe that I’m a monk as long as it allows me to share with them. In that environment, we’re not allowed to teach the faith. But there is no rule about answering questions initiated by the students. They see my habit and they ask questions. They are very excited about the answers.
My point is that maybe we don’t have such a shortage as we think, but that many men and women are answering God’s call to religious life, secular orders, and even the priesthood within alternative contexts, that is, contexts that are new.
I recall seeing one of the Franciscans of the Renewal walking down the streets of NYC rapping about life and abortion, Fr. Stan. I can’t recall his last name.
I’m looking at the Sisters of Life who are really cousins to the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. They follow their statutes, but they are in a different context from the Dominicans of St. Cecilia. They are very much in the pro-life ministry.
We have a new community of Franciscan Friars just outside of Boston called the Franciscans of the Primitive Observance. They do not commit themselves to any kind of institution, even parishes. Their call is to live a life of fraternity among their neighbors. Their ministry is to walk the streets and beg. But while they beg, they attract many people and they get to preach as our holy father Francis did 800 years ago.
I’m thinking that the Lord is calling, the problem is that people are waiting for the traditional ring tone. That is going to come for some, but not for all.
I have to chuckle, because we have changed the ring tones on our phones, but we want God to keep the same ring tone on his. When we feel attracted to live the Gospel and the evangelical counsels outside the box, we immediately think it must be a wrong number and don’t answer. Hence, we have a shortage of responses to the Lord’s call.
Those are my two cents.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
I just love kids, wish I could have had more and can’t wait for grandchildren.