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Breath of life ministries stamford ct11/25/2023 ![]() One of the tree’s larger branches came into existence in the early sixteenth century, an era ripe for change. Its history accounts for the various types of Franciscans, who have emerged over the years, each identified by a different cut and color. The Franciscan Order, begun eight centuries ago, can best be compared to an old tree: it has deep roots and diverse branches. To the uninitiated, the entire event resembles an unfortunate amputation yet in reality it is the fortunate arrival of new life. Communities of reform are indeed breech babies, who bring pain to the mother during their birth. Like human life, some religious communities often come into existence only by expending considerable blood, sweat, and tears. Unlike many communities, we were not slowly and meticulously built, but rather quietly conceived and painfully born. We can point to no founder, although spiritual leadership was far from lacking. Soon, others follow, and a community is formed. It often happens that a prophetic or charismatic founder or foundress sees a need in the Church or the world and personally responds to that need. Unlike us and our Capuchin forefathers, many religious communities enter the world quietly and unannounced, like spring crocuses. In another metaphor: tepid water makes weak tea. Planes never lift off the ground at low speeds, regardless of the sincere intentions of pilot or passengers. Timid attempts to make life better rarely bring effective results. Any authentic attempt to bring reform and renewal to an institution is accompanied by pain. No doubt, one can be both surprised and inspired, and at times perhaps entertained, by the mysterious interplay between divine grace and human weakness. Despite the human backdrop, we should not become distracted but center our attention on the drama unfolding on center stage. Understandably, to examine every aspect of our own early days would be an indiscretion. The opening chapters of both the Capuchin and Carmelite reforms were not lacking in strong characters who wrestled with serpentine subplots. Times of reform are often dramatic and accompanied by the clashing of opposing ideas and expectations. History attests that, in every age, attempts to bring renewed vigor and focus to religious life have met with a predictable amount of fear and distrust. If we survive the storms to come, one reason will be the strength of his Christian witness and the ballast of his wisdom and devotion. We have much to say about-and, indeed, a debt of gratitude to offer-Pope John Paul II, who was a source of instruction and inspiration to us. That year, eight finally professed Franciscans (I being one of them) began a renewal at a time in history and with a vision that were quite similar to those of our Capuchin confreres in sixteenth-century Italy. By the grace of God, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal came to birth twenty five years ago, in the spring of 1987, which was, providentially for us, a Marian year.
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