3rd Sunday in Lent

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

You know the story of Saint Francis’ gradual conversion after his experience as a POW. By the spring of 1209 he and eleven or twelve other men had committed themselves to following Jesus in what they saw as a Gospel lifestyle. They decided to go to Rome to seek the approval of Pope Innocent III for their way of life. No exact records of that encounter exist, but Innocent blessed the group and gave it his oral approval. Francis’ earliest biographer wrote that the date was April 16.

On April 16, 2009, more than a thousand friars of every flavor and variety will gather in Assisi to mark the eight hundredth anniversary of the approval of Francis’ way of life. Each province has been invited to send representatives. I will be one of nine representatives from our province. To be with all those brothers, acknowledging our common origin and our common vocation, will be a grace. The gathering itself is to be relatively brief. We arrive in Assisi Wednesday afternoon, April 15, for two and a half days of communal and private reflection. On Saturday morning, April 18, we conclude our experience in Rome in the presence of Innocent III’s successor, Pope Benedict XVI.

I will extend my personal pilgrimage by another four days in Ireland, where I hope to visit the grave of my Franciscan mentor, Felix Blake, OFM. A few of you old-timers no doubt remember his Irish charm and Franciscan hospitality. It will be thirty years this May that Felix died, and I look forward to reverencing his burial site. I’ve said more than once that sauerkraut and shamrocks mean little to this descendent of German and Irish immigrants. However, I admit to a little excitement as I anticipate traveling to Cork and the home of the Connells, Driscolls, Callahans, and Carneys.

I will celebrate the Triduum with you. Not having the energy to prepare Easter dinner before flying to Europe, I will even be with you for Easter Sunday Mass. I leave Cincinnati Monday, April 13, and return Thursday, April 23. I will not be at Saint Leonard Saturday or Sunday, April 18 or 19. I hope to celebrate with you Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26. Please pray for my safe travel and that of all the other friars.

Peace and every blessing,

Loren, OFM