And The Lord Gave Me Brothers
When
I was asked to take on the responsibilities of vocation director I was filled with apprehension. The
job of vocation director is one filled with disappointment and rejection;
watching men you have walked with join other orders, the dioceses or leaving
religious life. This is not to say there are no success stories and men who
successfully endure the rigours of formation; it is the hope in these successes
that gives me the desire and will to take on my new responsibilities.
This
hope, in fact, led me to choose a quote from the testament of St. Francis as my
maxim. The quote comes after St. Francis describes his encounter with the
lepers and his love for the church. He says “And after the Lord gave me
brothers,” and it is my belief that the
lord continues to give St. Francis brothers. The testament continues:
“...no one showed me
what I should do, but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live
according to the form of the Holy Gospel. And I had this written down simply
and in a few words and the Lord Pope confirmed it for me. And those who came to
receive life gave to the poor everything which they were capable of possessing
and they were content with one tunic, patched inside and out, with a cord and
short trousers. And we had no desire for anything more. We who were clerics
used to say the Office as other clerics did; the lay brothers said the Our Father; and we quite willingly stayed in
churches. And we were simple and subject to all.”
I
believe the Capuchin Order still lives these precepts, and that by living them
we will continue to inspire men to join us in living the Gospel Life. As
evidence, in the short time I have been vocation director I have met several
men who desire to follow St.
Francis and live his gospel life.
Please
pray for these men as they discern their call to join us:
Michael Giglio from Toronto,
Ontario
Akram Esho from Toronto, Ontario
Martin Ngo from Toronto, Ontario
Vince Thomas from London, Ontario
David Clark from Ottawa, Ontario
Victor Doudolad from Montreal, Quebec
Joe Rodrigues from Winnipeg, Manitoba
It
is my prayer that these men be inspired by God and the life of the Capuchin
Friars to follow the gospel life as St. Francis understood it and experience
the joy of that life.
