MilesChristi Posted February 9, 2006 Posted February 9, 2006 Brothers and Sisters, I'll be spending my spring break in early March with the Franciscans of Primitive Observance. It's still about three weeks away, but I thought I'd post anyway since I'm feeling pretty excited about the whole thing, and Phatmass played a part in making it possible. I posted a question on here about the FPOs last spring, and I was soon contacted by a Phatmasser who had just joined the board. He was preparing to enter the FPOs, and he kindly gave me a bit of an introduction to the order before he became a brother. It'll be cool to finally meet him in person. I've been exploring various orders for a while now, and there's something particularly compelling about these guys. Hopefully, spending this time praying and working with them will give some indication one way or the other of what God wills. Here's some cool stuff..... The friars don't have a website, but you can check out this [url="http://204.27.188.70/daily/03-97/03-31-97/c01ho236.htm"]article[/url] written about them. Also, some of you girls out there may be interested in the female branch - the Capuchin Recollect Sisters. Here's an [url="http://204.27.188.70/daily/03-97/03-31-97/c01ho238.htm"]article[/url]. Christ's peace, Peter
benedictaj Posted February 9, 2006 Posted February 9, 2006 Thats awesome Peter!! Franciscans are awesome You will definitely have my prayers. :
jezic Posted February 9, 2006 Posted February 9, 2006 That sounds great. Keep us informed about how it is going.
MilesChristi Posted March 8, 2006 Author Posted March 8, 2006 I'm leaving for the friary early tomorrow morning. Please keep me in your prayers, that I may be completely open and receptive to whatever God wills.
magnificat Posted March 8, 2006 Posted March 8, 2006 Interesting...I've never heard of them before! May the peace of Christ be with you and may your eyes and heart be open to what it is God wants you to experience with the Friars.
be_thou_my_vision Posted March 9, 2006 Posted March 9, 2006 I was in contact with the sisters for a while. Sister Kelly is the one I talked to. She was so kind and patient to me. I like them very much... they moved the pennsylvania to a new convent a couple of years ago. The website is www.medugorje.com/sisters/. There is also a link to another one of their websites... it's on the left side of the above address. Have fun!
MilesChristi Posted March 27, 2006 Author Posted March 27, 2006 Hey Brothers and Sisters, I'm sorry I didn't post about my visit sooner; things were kind of busy when I got back to the university. Anyhow, here's an outline of their schedule.... 1:30 AM - rise, Office of Readings 5:30 AM - rise again, Morning Prayer, Angelus 6:30 AM - hour of mental prayer before the Blessed Sacrament 7:30 AM - Holy Mass 8:30 AM - optional quick breakfast 9:00 AM - manual labor, apostolic work, etc. 12 Noon - Angelus, Daytime Prayer 12:20 PM - lunch 1:00 PM - manual labor, apostolic work, etc. 4:00 PM - stow tools, shower, etc. 4:30 PM - Evening Prayer 5:00 PM - Holy Hour 6:00 PM - Angelus, supper with conversation 7:00 PM - clean refectory/kitchen, free time 8:30 PM - chapter of faults, Night Prayer 8:50 PM - Holy Rosary Their complete poverty on a communal and individual level really resonates with me. I found that the austerity of my surroundings drew me powerfully toward God. When I saw my cell, a small wooden cubicle with a bare lightbulb and a sleeping bag on the floor, I was filled with joy for some reason. The rhythm of prayer through the day and night was wonderful. Work became a prayer as well, since my heart was continually recollected in God's presence, and I was doing my tasks for love of Him. The brothers are building a new friary on a mountain near their current house, so I spent a lot of time insulating, drilling, and drywalling. Friday is reserved as a special day of fasting and prayer, so no outside work was done then. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the chapel all day. I soon found that the exterior silence eased me into a corresponding interior calm. I was also able to spend some time reading and praying over their constitutions that afternoon. The brothers themselves are great guys. There is quite a mix of different backgrounds within the community. I've been invited back to make a more extended visit. I definitely plan to do so, but it probably won't be right away since I'll be on Crossroads all summer and then the fall semester starts right after that. In the meantime, I'll continue praying and discerning God's will regarding this community.
benedictaj Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Sounds FANTASTIC!! : Still praying down here too!
shortnun Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 Sounds just wonderful.... glad to hear that it really resonated in your heart as well! Prayers and keep us posted!!!
HisChild Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 What an incredibly awesome bunch of ascetics! I read their articles. God bless you if you do join. I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers. What is Crossroads, btw?
passionheart Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 I know these sisters. I met them when they were in the Rhode Island. I was close friends with Sr.Veronica's mom back in my Brother and Sisters of Penance days. I had the opportunity to talk and pray one of the Offices with them. They have some beautiful voices and they have a wonderful sense of humour. I am glad you are allowed to return. May God bless you on your journey. Blessings, Donna-Marie
HisChild Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 You know. . .had I not felt so completely that the PCPA was where I am called? I definitely would have looked into these sisters. And, in addition, the threads on the Contemplative Sisters of St John and the Sisters of Our Lord and our Lady of Matara (I think that's what they are called) . . .all three just seem like fabulously wonderful and passionate, as well as penitential orders! I will keep all three in my prayers for good and holy vocations.
Guest anselmi05 Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Miles Christi! I'm really glad to hear that you had a good visit with the FPO's. This is the guy that gave you some info on them last summer before I entered as a postulant. After spending three months with the friars I realized that I needed some time away to continue my discernment but am seriously considering entering again in the fall. We'll see what Jesus wants, right? Praise God that you had a good visit! They are some great guys aren't they? No doubt challenging but truly a gift from God to be called to that lifestyle. Amen. You'll be in my prayers! -Matt Anselmi
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