During the Lenten Season, the Community of Assisi Shanthi Kendra, Karukutty, arranged special spiritual preparation for the people at St. Francis Church. The well-known Retreat Preachers namely Fr. Shaji Thumbechira, Fr. Bosco Njaliethu O.Carm, Fr. Thampy Antony from Sehion Retreat Centre, Fr. Job Kottungal, Bro. Any George from Divine Retreat Centre, Fr. Benny Ennackappilly CMI from Jeevas Aluva and Bro. Joykutty Moolamattam from Divine Retreat Centre preached the Word of God and led the Inner Healing Services. Holy Mass, Confessions, Adoration, Eucharistic Procession etc… were the times that many received infinite blessings and favours from God. As the days come closer to Easter, the Church started to teem with devotees.

My Dear Friars,

The little poor man of Assisi is once again the subject matter of our reflection and meditation especially these days when we celebrate his feast. Prayer was not something artificial to Francis but like the oxygen that we breathe to sustain our life. He was the embodiment of prayer, prayer that lifts the human soul to higher realms union with God. It is not accidental that some of the beautiful prayers ever made in the history go back to this little poverello of Assisi. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me saw love, prayed St. Francis of Assisi. Very often we recite this prayer and very many people of opposing faith realizes the universal appeal of this prayer, and it lifts us to a mystical realm of our human existence. Besides through this prayer we get a glimpse of spirit, we are being touched by the dynamism of his all-embracing spirituality, a committed and surrendered existence of a human soul at the Mystery, which is not yet being understood and loved.

My Dear brothers I do believe that through this prayer or within the framework of these lines, there lies the ideal depiction of a friar envisaged by St.Francis too.

For the Little Poverello a Friar is:
Peace and Peace maker is a synonymous term. It is in the harmony of the Divine- human encounter peace originates and besides, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Be someone who enjoys it and shares it others.

Self-esteem and messenger of love.He should sow seeds of love in hearts filled with hatred because love, love alone is creative as St. Maximilian too appeals.

One who Pardons the injury of others, not seven times but seventy times says the Gospel, if then how we can store up the injuries for revenge.

Try to be a person who kindles a light instead of cursing the darkness. Even when it seems darkness overwhelms everywhere who believes in the power of God to do miracles. Is the darkness an illuminating light that voluntarily disappears by dispelling darkness?

It is the inner joy, calmness and integrity of personality that wins the hearts. Be positive and a prophet of genuine joy in being and in action.

Whose foundation is on solid faith in the Lord? Doubts, suspicion, lack of trust and confidence are the trends of the time. The capacity to outreach these tendencies is relying on God’s mercy.
A man, who could instill hopeespecially among the hopeless, marginalized, down trodden and desperate people.

Someone, who is not, interested in theworldly consolation of others, but he is ever ready to wipeout the tears of others with a smile.

Someone who already tasted the great forgiveness of the Divine healer, whose wounds are healed. Without merit He called and sanctified us so let us share it with all deserving and not.

Yes, the concepts of a friar, how he should look, behave and establish his being is well articulated in this simple prayer. During this feast, let us reflect on our own self-image to see whether it corresponds with the original. Sometimes it is the shallow, worldly and uncompromising attitudes that prevent us from the true conversion. It is said of Judas that although he was with Jesus he failed to understand the beauty of Christ’s personality. As Francis realized we are all instruments and God’s Stewart’s only. Let us place ourselves before his presence to live in simplicity and mutual love.

Happy Feast to All.

Fr. Sebastian Pendanathu
Minister Provincial