What are we to make of Assisi?

[JReducation]

I believe that the difficulty that many people have with the Assisi gathering is because the Vatican has not taken the time to explain. I’ve read some of these points, but they are not widespread. You pick up a little here and a little there by reading this book, that article or another letter written by the popes.

First, to understand Assisi one has to understand Francis. The Assisi project is inspired by him. Francis set out to convert the Muslims and to bring peace to the Holy Land. He failed at both. However, he made with the Muslims in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine. In exchange for free and safe passage of the friars to the Holy Lands, Francis promised that his brothers would not preach to the Muslims or Jews, nor would they engage in any activity to proselytize them. Before he died, the Province of the Holy Land was created. Later, the pope would elevate it to an independent custody.

The friars have been there since the 1200s. They have had many converts, without ever preaching conversion to these people. They take care of the Christians, pray with the local people, Jews and Muslims, and work with them to develop charities for the local people. The point is that praying with people of other faith has been a Franciscan practice that dates back to the 13th century and no pope every condemned it or asked them to stop.

We also have to understand Assisi itself. The City of Assisi breathes Francis and Clare. Everything in the old city is about them. You can feel the peace that they experienced and that they brought to the region through their holiness. Catholics and non-Catholics have claimed that they feel at peace in Assisi. The story is that it is the City of Peace, because it’s the City of Francis, the greatest apostle for peace in Church history until Mother Teresa.

Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI are both very Bonaventurian. Who was Bonaventure? He was a Franciscan friar and the Minister General of the Order. Bonaventure spent 15-years of his life writing about Francis’ soul. He also wrote a one-year cycle of homilies on some aspect of Francis for each Sunday of the year to help people see how the Gospel can be lived. He and his spiritual father have inspired both of these popes.

The Holy Fathers are not inviting people to Assisi to convert them. That’s not what Francis , Bonaventure or the Franciscans would do. Everyone is invited to Assisi to experience the spirit of peace that only God can give. Francis taught that you allow the grace of God to transform souls and lives. That’s how Franciscans have worked alongside people of many faiths and have achieved many converts, very slowly. Francis preached only when necessary. Most of the time he was simply very fraternal to believers and non-believers. He answered questions and taught when invited to do so, never forced it on anyone. Some people do not agree with this method. That’s OK. You don’t have to agree with it.

I’m just explaining that it’s a method of ecumenism that dates back 800 years and with which these two popes identify and in which they see great value. If you want to see the fruits of this method visit the site of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. The focus is typically Franciscan. Be a brother, be visible and be available. God will lead the way.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[PA650]

Actually Fr. Mitch Pacwa briefly explained that Christmas was not put on at the winter solstice is order to “over ride” the pagan holiday. It was on the episode of EWTN live where they talked about the 3rd edition of the Roman missal. I wish I could get a link to it.

The following link entails EWTN Live regarding the new translation of the Mass, which may be what you are referring to:

youtube.com/watch?v=kMxRko5gmr0&feature=more_related

 

[GaryTaylor]

Fr Serpa responded to a question today. And it made me think of this thread and Assisi.

JR is also right above and got me thinking again. “Witness to Hope” spends a chapter with John Paul II on Assisi. All his own writtings are great. But that particular Biography is very well done and gets in-depth about Assisi.

And yes its just being human and doing Gods work on the frontlines of humanity. When you immediately try to preach the Bible and Catholic teaching to others. They don’t want to hear that. Matter of fact many will run away. You have to show them “you” first. The you that is no different from them aside from God. And its great if from the start they just think, “hey hes a good person he’s for real”. They begin to trust and the fear declines. What they are really seeing is God in you. They don’t know that though. But they will if you can continue to treat them as a human brother. And of course some will use you or the service, others are evil or just mislead. But most are just lost and can’t find God. Its an example of Gods mercy. We are all saved by the mercy of God. And that is the thinking of St Francis. The total descent of the self, dust to dust. So no conversion from the on-set, just building a bridge, allowing God to open a door and then trusting Him, and walking through it.

People in desperate areas by the most part are living off the pure instinct of survival. The basic instinct of animal survial. And immediatly they know if you think you are better than them, if your blowing smoke, preaching to them etc. You have to be them. Only continue to hold your own morals, ethics, faith etc. Then after the care and trust is established. Then you can tell them about “you”. And how God lives in you. Not how they should live in God. You teach by example first. The best teacher is a good example, and God is that example.

 

[Judge_Mental]

It’s black propaganda that Christian feasts were intended to replace pagan ones.

The 25th of December is 9 months after 25th March: the Annunciation.

The festivals of Sol and Sol Invictus do not fall on the 25th December. We all know mid-winter is the 21st - why not use that if you want to appropriate a pagan rite?

Easter is derived from the time of the Jewish Passover. Bunnies and eggs are alien to it.

The most telling argument against ‘pagan Christianity’: The early Christians were killed, tortured and tormented by pagans. Why then would they adopt their festivals and practices?

Time for a revision of the revision, I think.

 

[white_sheep]

This is difficult to define exactly. Let me venture out and say when you convert someone, he or she fully accepts your way of thinking, your philosophy, your doctrines, and/or practices and makes it a part of their life. Ecumenism is probably more of respecting others’ thinking, philosophies, etc. The problem is that this can become a convoluted argument when your own philosophy evolves to the point ecumenism is required, in which case conversion isn’t required or becomes meaningless. Why convert when everyone’s philosophy is equally good and must be equally respected? Does this make sense?

Yes, that makes sense. So almost the entire membership of the Church worldwide are merely ecumenized Catholics as they certainly hold to other opinions. Even people in various regions of the U.S. hold culturally diverse opinion which even affect the way they perceive Church teaching and morality. When you leave the U.S. you find it is a much different story, much more pronounced. Look at all the Catholics in Latin America and all the native Indian cultural elements still present in the way they think and believe. They were never converted, they were ecumenized or they would have left those practices behind. Then there’s Africa, it’s a can of worms!

 

[archangel04]

The following link entails EWTN Live regarding the new translation of the Mass, which may be what you are referring to:

youtube.com/watch?v=kMxRko5gmr0&feature=more_related

hhmm I looked through the episode but could not find the part where he answers the questions about Christmas. It was a young seminarian/priest who asked and mentioned something about Christmas replacing a pagan holiday and Fr. Pacwa corrected him giving him the true historical background and mentioned the it is common misconception people have made about our Christian holidays. Regardless, thank you very much for the link.

I agree with the other poster, the saying that our holidays are in place in order to replace pagan holidays is propaganda. But tha’ts not what we are talking about and I will leave it at that.

Br JR thank you for this information once again you have open my eyes and I feel much more at ease about Assissi and have more trust that our Holy Father knows what he is doing.

 

[Lormar]

I believe that the difficulty that many people have with the Assisi gathering is because the Vatican has not taken the time to explain. I’ve read some of these points, but they are not widespread. You pick up a little here and a little there by reading this book, that article or another letter written by the popes.

First, to understand Assisi one has to understand Francis. The Assisi project is inspired by him. Francis set out to convert the Muslims and to bring peace to the Holy Land. He failed at both. However, he made with the Muslims in Egypt, Jordan and Palestine. In exchange for free and safe passage of the friars to the Holy Lands, Francis promised that his brothers would not preach to the Muslims or Jews, nor would they engage in any activity to proselytize them. Before he died, the Province of the Holy Land was created. Later, the pope would elevate it to an independent custody.

The friars have been there since the 1200s. They have had many converts, without ever preaching conversion to these people. They take care of the Christians, pray with the local people, Jews and Muslims, and work with them to develop charities for the local people. The point is that praying with people of other faith has been a Franciscan practice that dates back to the 13th century and no pope every condemned it or asked them to stop.

We also have to understand Assisi itself. The City of Assisi breathes Francis and Clare. Everything in the old city is about them. You can feel the peace that they experienced and that they brought to the region through their holiness. Catholics and non-Catholics have claimed that they feel at peace in Assisi. The story is that it is the City of Peace, because it’s the City of Francis, the greatest apostle for peace in Church history until Mother Teresa.

Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI are both very Bonaventurian. Who was Bonaventure? He was a Franciscan friar and the Minister General of the Order. Bonaventure spent 15-years of his life writing about Francis’ soul. He also wrote a one-year cycle of homilies on some aspect of Francis for each Sunday of the year to help people see how the Gospel can be lived. He and his spiritual father have inspired both of these popes.

The Holy Fathers are not inviting people to Assisi to convert them. That’s not what Francis , Bonaventure or the Franciscans would do. Everyone is invited to Assisi to experience the spirit of peace that only God can give. Francis taught that you allow the grace of God to transform souls and lives. That’s how Franciscans have worked alongside people of many faiths and have achieved many converts, very slowly. Francis preached only when necessary. Most of the time he was simply very fraternal to believers and non-believers. He answered questions and taught when invited to do so, never forced it on anyone. Some people do not agree with this method. That’s OK. You don’t have to agree with it.

I’m just explaining that it’s a method of ecumenism that dates back 800 years and with which these two popes identify and in which they see great value. If you want to see the fruits of this method visit the site of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. The focus is typically Franciscan. Be a brother, be visible and be available. God will lead the way.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I thank you for this too. No one ever explained it to me like this. I wish someone had.

If it is good enough for my friend St. Bonaventure, it is good enough for me!

 

[pnewton]

It’s black propaganda that Christian feasts were intended to replace pagan ones.

I do not think I agree with you, though I might be wrong. I have seen too much evidence to the contrary. I would welcome any new evidence. I think one of the strongest cases comes from the use of pagan places for Christianity, as in when Paul spoke at the Acropolis.

 

[JReducation]

Yes, that makes sense. So almost the entire membership of the Church worldwide are merely ecumenized Catholics as they certainly hold to other opinions. Even people in various regions of the U.S. hold culturally diverse opinion which even affect the way they perceive Church teaching and morality. When you leave the U.S. you find it is a much different story, much more pronounced. Look at all the Catholics in Latin America and all the native Indian cultural elements still present in the way they think and believe. They were never converted, they were ecumenized or they would have left those practices behind. Then there’s Africa, it’s a can of worms!

Are you sure that you’re not confusing conversion with inculturation? I served as a missionary in South America, seven-years in the Amazon and three-years on the coast. I found that the indigenous populations are very devout and very faithful Catholics.

What they are not is European. The Gospel was originally brought to them by the Dominicans and the Franciscans. The mendicants always had a strong position against imposing European culture on the indigenous people where they went. This was inconsistent with the vision of Dominic and Francis. You have to remember how Dominic and Francis founded the first mendicant communities. What does that mean? It means that they took from the monastery everything that was essential for religious life and left behind that which was not. They were looking for freedom from these structures in order to fulfill the command that God have given them.

How does this play out in their missions? They take to the people of other cultures and places that which is essential to the Catholic faith and incorporate cultural elements that compliment the faith, that reflect Truth in a different way, but the same truth, or forms of art and music that triggered a spirit of prayer and reverence in the local people. It was a matter of transferring the reverence and prayer from the pagan gods to the God of Abraham, not a matter of changing the way they express their reverence.

However, the indigenous people came to appreciate the sensitivity of the Dominicans and Franciscans. They too began to look more closely at how the European Catholics expressed their faith. Today, you have great cathedrals and beautiful shrines built in both the indigenous style and the European style. You have the mass celebrated in Latin and Spanish for the descendants of the Europeans and in Quichua or Guarani for the indigenous population. The latter is very important. The rite is the same for everyone.

There were certain concessions that had to be made to the indigenous populations in order to gain their support in the fight for independence. Among them was language. The Whitie population would not impose the languages of Europe on the indigenous people, not even Latin. Another concession was autonomy. The white population would not govern the indigenous people. They would be self-governing and they would have representation in government. These concessions included the Church. The Franciscans and Dominicans headed the Church in the northern cone of South America. They agreed to these concessions.

In the southern cone, the story was very tragic. The white Europeans would not agree to any concesions. No one stood up for the Indigenous population. The Church sat quietly. Today, there hardly any indigenous people in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, the numbers are so small that they hardly register in a census. Entire communities were exterminated because they refused to become European.

In the long-run, it has been the Andean and the Amazonic nations that have kept the Catholic faith alive in South America. These were the people for whom the Dominicans and Franciscans went to bat. As you can see, there is a difference between conversion and inculturation. My experience of these people was that they were very Catholic, but they are also very Native American. They are very proud of being Indigenous Americans.

You can convert an entire population, as we have seen in Africa and in South America, but you must separate Evangelization from Inculturation. The idea is to establish Catholicism, not European Catholicism. Just as the Catholic faith took on the many aspects of the cultures that surrounded it in the Eastern countries and in the Roman Empire, so it has to be allowed to take on the color and flavor of these newer communities, without sacrificing the essence…

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[white_sheep]

Excellent post, but there are still a good number of superstitious practices prevalent throughout the entire Latin American world.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Excellent post, but there are still a good number of superstitious practices prevalent throughout the entire Latin American world.

You have hinted around to this a couple times, why not start a new thread on it? This one is not about Latin American superstitious practices its about Assisi.

 

[white_sheep]

You have hinted around to this a couple times, why not start a new thread on it? This one is not about Latin American superstitious practices its about Assisi.

Sure it is. It is about ecumenism. Ecumenism means that the “converted” aren’t really converted as they still hold to previous pagan superstitions. The problem with the argument against ecumenism is that Latin America was converted prior to ecumenism. These points are true with virtually all the Catholics in the whole world. Ergo, there is a false dichotomy between conversion and ecumenism.

 

[JReducation]

You have hinted around to this a couple times, why not start a new thread on it? This one is not about Latin American superstitious practices its about Assisi.

This is true. I will repeat myself. To understand why Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI are big on the Assisi gatherings one must understand Francis of Assisi, the spirit of the City of Assisi, the Franciscan involvement in relations with non Christians since the 13th century, and the influence that the Franciscan movement has had over many popes, in these later years, over John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Suffice it to say that about a month ago, Pope Benedict gathered the entire conference of Italian bishops and gave them a tongue lashing for their disobedience and then proceeded to tell them how they should imitate the obedience and unquestioning submission of Francis of Assisi. This is public record. The draft of the talk is on the Vatican site. Don’t ask me for the name so you can find it, because I don’t know the name. I found out about it through Zenit.

The point is that there is a strong Franciscan influence and at the core are the two fathers of the Franciscan school: Francis of Assisi who began the dialogue with non Christians and Bonaventure who defended the faith and denounced all forms of forced conversions of non Catholics and capital punishment for heretics. Francis and Bonaventure introduced a whole system that has actually worked for the Franciscans for eight centuries, Evangelization of the non Catholic by presence and speak only when asked to do so. Francis set the example and Bonaventure made it the law of the order when he became the Minister General.

Obviously, this is not the only method of evangelization. Great mssionaries such as Francis Xavier had their own method too. However, this is the method that Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict are comfortable with. It fits their spirituality.

I’ll add here that it has worked for the Franciscans and the Dominicans too, because the foundation is peace. You build on a peaceful relationship. Francis of Assisi laid it out throughout his life. You preach peace through word and action, but more by action. As peaceful co-existence grows, so does trust. Trust leads to fraternity. Fraternity to mutual service. Mutual service triggers curiosity and invitation.

I’ve broken it up in fragments here just for the sake of putting it in writing. The whole process does not go in such neatly carved out stages. There are always three steps forward and two steps backward. However, Francis celebrated the one step that he had advanced.

That’s why he returns from Dalmieta with a sense of accomplishment. He had not converted the Sultan and his people, but he had gained passage for his brothers to travel through this sultan’s territory to reach the Holy Land and had gained permission to take care of the Christians in the Holy Land.

But I believe (I never interviewed either pope) that these two popes have been very impressed by the results of 800-years of peaceful relationships between the Franciscans and the Muslims in the Middle East and 500-years of peaceful relationships between the Indigenous Americans in South America and the Franciscans and the Dominicans. Throughout these many years, many lives have been saved and many converts were made without the mendicants proselytizing.

The Dominicans are an order preaching priests. The Franciscans are an order of brothers who live for poverty, not preaching, even though many of our brothers are both, brother and priest. But preaching as the Dominicans and the Jesuits do is not the Franciscan charism.

However, Dominicans and Franciscans have been very successful in evangelizing non Christians and prayerfully and peacefully co-existing with non-Catholics, without conflicts. Both orders have often found much more opposition among Catholics than among non Catholics. Some see the Dominicans as lofty, while others view the Franciscans a sticking their head in the sand, because of our non reactive manner of living. As a good Jesuit friend of mine once said at a retreat that he preached for a group of Franciscans from the different branches of the family.

“Despite the fact that you come from different branches of the Franciscan family, branches that were born because of differences in ministries, culture, and the different needs of your brothers and sisters, there is one thing that is common to all Franciscans, it takes an earthquake to rattle you, maybe not even that.”

I quote this, because I think that this sense of peace is what these two popes find very attractive about Assisi, St. Francis and St. Bonaventure. These men recovered very quickly when they were rattled. Both had a rather interesting manner that they imposed on their sons and daughters.

“If you are rattled by the failings of another, then your failing is much greater than the other person’s. This means that you have not yet reached perfect poverty, which is that point where I no longer place value neither on material things nor on my own opinion. The only thing of value is trust in God.” This mindset, gives our brothers and sisters peace.

This was not new. Francis did not invent this. He saw it in the Gospels. However, as the Franciscan movement has proven, this takes centuries to happen.

Excellent post, but there are still a good number of superstitious practices prevalent throughout the entire Latin American world.

No doubt! However, we in the USA must also remember that the same holds true for Europe, the Orient, Africa and many sectors of our own country. Some of these practices have become more ethnic symbols than superstitions, but there are some and many people blend them with religion, because they don’t see the line of demarcation.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

Sure it is. It is about ecumenism. Ecumenism means that the “converted” aren’t really converted as they still hold to previous pagan superstitions. The problem with the argument against ecumenism is that Latin America was converted prior to ecumenism. These points are true with virtually all the Catholics in the whole world. Ergo, there is a false dichotomy between conversion and ecumenism.

If you speak to any good spiritual director, he or she will tell you that conversion is a journey that is never ending. The great teachers of the mystical life have taught us that there are stages that we go through, individually and collectively. However, they also tell us, that it is not necessary to go through all of them in this life. You work toward the ideal. God will lead you as quickly and as far as you can go.

These Catholics, whom you are judging, because they have superstitions, are no less Catholic than you are. You may not share in superstitions, but you have other weaknesses that indicate that you have not reached the fulness of conversion. Teresa of Avila once said, “We have all betrayed Him.” She was asked why she revered a man whom other judged as not being “totally Catholic.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[At_Trent]

The importance of dialog has beeen discussed, but what about sacrilege in the sanctuary ?

 

[JReducation]

The importance of dialog has beeen discussed, but what about sacrilege in the sanctuary ?

I believe that there is a difference of opinions here. What many lay people would consider a sacrilege in the sanctuary, the Holy Father does not.

As far as I know, none of the Assisi gathering have used the conventual chapel. They have used the chapter hall. The chapter hall is not consecrated space. It is a space that was used in the past for general chapters of the order. It has outgrown its usefulness, because the order no longer fits in that space. The local friars use it for many functions, including cultural, civil, and often on loan to people of other faith. There is no sacrilege involved here. It would be a sacrilege to profain consecrated space. A chapter hall that no longer serves that purpose ceases to be a consecrated space when the major superior of the order recinds the consecration.

Since the basilica is not a parish church, but a conventual chapel, even that is under the jurisdiction of the superior of the house, not of the universal church. The superior of the house has the authority to make changes in its use as long as he protects the Blessed Sacrament, which is rarely kept in the basilica, because there are many tourists who walk through the building in order to get to the crypt to venerate the tomb of our Holy Father. During the Assisi gatherings the crypt is closed so as to protect the remains of our Holy Father. No one may enter the crypt, because the remains cannot be moved to a more secure place.

In addition, there is a conference center adjacent to the convent where most of the activities actually take place. The problem is that those who are unfamiliar with the physical arrangement of the convent, don’t realize that each space is distinct and are not aware of what spaces are consecrated spaces and which ones are not. Nor do many people know that the Superior General has absolute and canonical jurisdiction to lift restrictions and impose restrictions regarding the use of a religious house. What a Superior General must guarrantee the Church is that the Blessed Sacrament and any other sacred item, such as the relics of our Seraphic Father, are protected, even if it means moving them. As I said, the relics cannot be moved, but the crypt can be closed, if there is a need to do so. There is something rather interesting, there are many people of many faiths who actually want to spend time before the relics of our Holy Father. When they ask to visit them, they are welcome to do so. Even when you go down into the crypt, you cannot go anywhere near the coffin. It is deliberately high above your head.

As I understand this, every measure is taken by the major superior, the local superior and the Holy See to ensure that consecrated spaces are respected and that the Blessed Sacrament is always under the watchful care of the brothers who live in the convent.

I hope this helps clarify some of the misconceptions that have been passed around, often by people who are looking at pictures, but are not familiar with the physical arrangement of the Mother House and with the rules that govern that particular house.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[GaryTaylor]

I believe your right. I remember also the question to John Paul II about Alters being used at an outside event at Assisi. And yes the photos were all over the internet. And he had stated they were simply tables.

 

[JReducation]

I believe your right. I remember also the question to John Paul II about Alters being used at an outside event at Assisi. And yes the photos were all over the internet. And he had stated they were simply tables.

I have never been to the Mother House during an Assisi event, but I have been there during many other ecumenical events. The friars run them all year-long. They are very good at setting up the environment while protecting the sacred. When you look at the building from the outside, it all looks like a huge basilica. But it’s not. There are sections to it. Also, when you’re in the basilica, you realize that the main church is like St. Peter’s. It’s a thoroughfare. The Blessed Sacrament is not there. He’s kept in a small chapel, just like he is at St. Peter’s. Whenever the basilica is used for anything other than a mass, the main sanctuary is not used. Everything takes place on the lower platform, just as they did at St. Peter’s during concerts, before John Paul II built the auditorium next door.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[At_Trent]

I have never been to the Mother House during an Assisi event, but I have been there during many other ecumenical events. The friars run them all year-long. They are very good at setting up the environment while protecting the sacred. When you look at the building from the outside, it all looks like a huge basilica. But it’s not. There are sections to it. Also, when you’re in the basilica, you realize that the main church is like St. Peter’s. It’s a thoroughfare. The Blessed Sacrament is not there. He’s kept in a small chapel, just like he is at St. Peter’s. Whenever the basilica is used for anything other than a mass, the main sanctuary is not used. Everything takes place on the lower platform, just as they did at St. Peter’s during concerts, before John Paul II built the auditorium next door.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Well, it’s comforting to hear this explained in your posts and I thank you for taking time. I feel better about it, and I’m sure H.H. will not allow any nonsense.

It’s just seeing some of the photos. When I see an old altar, I think of relics and all of the Masses prayed there. Tiny areas of holiness surrounded by vast expances of the mundane and often evil world. And even if the altar is de-consecrated and the relics removed, that visual imagery of the Mass remains. And seeing these holy places, even if they remain holy only in the minds of some, as a backdrop to pagan ritual can really hurt.

Best to let it rest though. I love H.H. and that should be enough.

pax

 

[JReducation]

Well, it’s comforting to hear this explained in your posts and I thank you for taking time. I feel better about it, and I’m sure H.H. will not allow any nonsense.

It’s just seeing some of the photos. When I see an old altar, I think of relics and all of the Masses prayed there. Tiny areas of holiness surrounded by vast expances of the mundane and often evil world. And even if the altar is de-consecrated and the relics removed, that visual imagery of the Mass remains. And seeing these holy places, even if they remain holy only in the minds of some, as a backdrop to pagan ritual can really hurt.

Best to let it rest though. I love H.H. and that should be enough.

pax

That was beautifully said.

I also love Pope Benedict. I had met him when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. He helped me get in to an audience with Pope John Paul. Both of them exude a very strong spirit of holiness and afffection and yet they are very different. Pope Benedict is shy and Pope John Paul was very outgoing. Both of them love the Church. That’s why we have to be very careful with what people show us in videos and photographs. Sometimes, people have an agenda. Sometimes, they’re simply very innocent and do not understand the difference between one thing and another, for example, they may not understand that the chapter hall is not longer a place of prayer, because it does not meet the needs of the friars. They walk in, they see beautiful paitings on the walls and ceilings with stained glass and they think it’s a chapel. They don’t know that it functions as a meeting room. They make their videos, put them on the Internet along with their shock.

The Mother Houes is run by the Conventual Friars Minor. They are very good about protecting the the sacred spaces. They are also “experts” in ecumenism. They and the Observant Friars Minor have been doing this since the 13th century. In the 16th century the Capuchin Friars Minor joined in. Eventually, a group of friars was cut off from the Friars Minor to do nothing but ecumenical work. They are the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Most people call them the Greymore Friars, because they have a huge home in Greymore, NY. They too are in Assisi and they help the Conventual Friars and the Vatican orchestrate all of this.

Remember, the object of the event is to experience the peace of Assisi. When one experiences peace, one begins to wonder. Wonder leads to questions? Questions lead to answers? It’s a long process. But that’s why Assisi is perfect for this. Assisi has been there for over 1,000 years. It speaks about timelessness. It speaks about the patience of Francis and Claer and how the waited for God to act in the hearts of men and women, while they tried to stay out of his way.

Assisi is a wonderful place for anyone who wants to contemplate on peace. That’s what you feel as soon as you arrive. The fact that they don’t allow cars into the city is already peaceful. The cars have to turn back at the gate of the city. For those who have never been to Assisi, there is the old city,up on the hill and the modern city in the valley. Francis and Clare lived in the old city. That’s where these events take place. Actually, the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare are larger than the diocesan cathedral. The cathedral church is big, but it does not have the many other facilities that the two basilicas have.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF