The Order is a worldwide fraternity with Friars in Canada in Toronto, Kingston and Ottawa.  
 We follow Jesus Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.  The first line of our rule states: 

The rule and the life of the Friars Minor is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…  

Is God Calling You?

Friar Ed Debono

            I didn’t like school.  When I got out of grade 8, I went to a technical school, not too far from our home in Toronto, to learn to be a cabinet maker.  I loved working with wood.  I loved the hands on experience.  During this time my parents subscribed to a magazine entitled “The Companion of St. Francis and St. Anthony” published by the Conventual Franciscan Friars.  In one of the issues there was a story about St. Francis.  I read it and enjoyed it.  It resonated with me, but that’s all.
One day when I was doing my homework by myself in our kitchen, I heard a knock on the back porch door.  I went to answer it.  There was a poor man there and he asked for some food.  I told him we didn’t have any.  The reason why I said that was because we were poor.  He left and I went back to my homework.
When I went back to the kitchen, my mother, who was in the front room, asked me who was at the back door.  I told her it was a poor man.  What did he want?  He asked for some food.  Did you give him any?  I said no.  She said something to me I will never forget:  when anyone asks you for food always give them something.
About this time I saw an ad in the Toronto Star advertising for apprentices at a cabinet making factory.    I went for an interview.  The personnel director told me towards the end of the interview that we do not have a job for you.  Why did you say that?  Do you mean you do not have a job for me or you don’t have a job for anyone?  We don’t have a job for you.  Why did you say that?  Ed, there comes a time when other people see more in you, than you do in yourself.  I think you should go back to school.
I went to have an interview with the principal of St. Michael’s College School.  I told him my situation and mentioned I didn’t think I could do the academic work.   He said: Well, Ed, you will never know unless you try.  I tried and was able to do it.
So during that year I decided to apply to the Conventual Franciscan Friars, because I realized that that story about St. Francis was on my mind and that now I knew I could handle the academic work.

My father didn’t want me to be a Franciscan or a priest.  Dad, why don’t you want me to do that?  Because I want you to give me grandchildren.  But you have three other sons.  I want them from you.  My dad and I were very close.  I mentioned nothing is definite.  I would like to go and try it.  He said, OK.  Go and give it a try.  If you don’t like it, the door is always open.  If you like it and stay, then be the best Franciscan you can be.

I stayed.  During this phase, the time while I was in formation with the Franciscans, I attended classes and saw how the Friars lived.  I read about St. Francis to find out what he was all about.  The librarian recommended some books.  I was also assisted by my spiritual director.  I was gradually introduced to the spirit of St. Francis.
I asked a lot of questions, did a lot of thinking and refined my appreciation of the life of the Friars and the spirit of the Gospels. It took a while for all of this initial exposure to Franciscan life to sink in and come together.
This next phase took place several years later.  I was jogging at the time and for some reason I stopped abruptly.  A question came to mind:  Are you really living the Gospel life that St. Francis lived and others wrote about?  My immediate answer was no.  And why not?  I stopped jogging and went back to the Friary, picked up a book on St. Francis.  I saw new insights into his life, his prayer life, his life with his brothers and his love for Jesus.  I was struck by the way he lived the Gospel.
Franciscan spirituality is all about living the Gospel, with Jesus as our model.  St. Francis says it very simply:  “The rule of the Friars Minor is to observe the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ…”  This phase is a work in progress.
As Friars Minor we Franciscans try to live the Gospel in the spirit and footsteps of St. Francis.  It is a fantastic journey, it goes through various phases but it is always forward looking.
I look forward to anyone who is interested in talking about the Franciscan spirit.  I am currently the chaplain for the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul at their Mother House, in Kingston, Ontario.  I live at our Friary, next door to St. John the Apostle Church, at 88 Patrick Street, Kingston.

If you are inspired to follow St. Francis as a friar or as a Secular Franciscan, contact me at [email protected]

St. John the Apostle Parish:  (613)546-6900 x 204

From https://www.heavenlydivinecustomrosary.com/

Saint Francis of Assisi, for Our Pets

Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures. To you they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy. Amen.
 

Saint Francis of Assisi, for Sick Animals

Heavenly Father, you created all things for your glory and made us stewards of this creature If it is your will, restore it to health and strength. Blessed are you, Lord God, and holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen
 

Saint Francis of Assisi, for our Animal Friends

Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is wonderful and special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering they have. Give us, their human friends, new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of Yours. They have trust in us as we have in You; our souls and theirs are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection, and caring. Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have.

(Here mention the names of the animals needing prayer).

Your goodness is turned upon every living thing and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. From our souls to theirs goodness flows, touching each of us with the reflection of Your love. Grant to our special animal companions long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with us, and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our prayer through the intercession of good St. Francis of Assisi, who honored You through all Your creatures. Give him the power to watch over our animal friends until they are safely with You in eternity, where we someday hope to join them in giving You honor forever. Amen.

15 year old Carlo Acutis, computer whiz, was beatified on Saturday, October 10^th at the Basilica of St. Francis,  Assisi, Italy.  The Basilica is administered by the Franciscan Friars Conventual.  Carlo is buried in Assisi.

Carlo told his mother he would give her many signs of his presence after death.

His mother said:  “Before he left us, I told Carlo: If in heaven, look for my  four-legged friend Billy, my childhood dog.”  Carlo never knew the dog. 

One day Carlo’s mother received a call from an aunt, who was unaware of the mother-son agreement. The aunt said:  “I saw Carlo in a dream last night.  He was holding Billy in his arms.”

(News article from CTV News)

 

Photo: Painting by Elisabeth S, in memory of Sailor.