Posted on 10/04/2010 11:09:28 AM PDT by marshmallow
Without money, modern-day comforts or even shoes, brothers spread Gospel in neighborhood
A curious band of barefoot men robed in floor-length tunics have piqued the interest of their neighbors in Fort Wayne, Ind. And that’s just what they hoped for.
The Franciscan Brothers Minor, an evangelical apostolate, follow the philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, who, after experiencing a religious conversion, renounced his patrimony and stripped himself of all worldly possessions to follow the way of Christ. Each of the brothers has chosen to shed his own form of earth-bound wealth in the present-day consumer-driven culture to bring the Word of God to their neighborhood.
The apostolate was founded in Pennsylvania by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, then bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., and now bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, at the request of Franciscan Father David Engo in November 2009. Since its move to Fort Wayne in March, the nascent community has found a home in the former rectory of St. Andrew Parish, now known as Our Lady of the Angels Friary. The parish had been closed since 2003.
The apostolate, consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, has grown to include a dozen men. They live an inspiring yet remarkably austere lifestyle immersed in poverty, obedience, chastity and prayer.
The radical penitential lifestyle chosen by these men may not appeal to everyone. The barefoot brothers wear coarse woolen tunics all year-round, use unfinished wood furniture constructed by a postulant, have no televisions or computers and only take nourishment from community food donations. The friary is sparsely decorated with crucifixes, images of the Blessed Mother and saintly statues.
Because the brothers don’t hold traditional jobs or raise funds, they earn no money as they serve the community, in accordance with their vow of poverty. They rely, said Father............
(Excerpt) Read more at osv.com ...
No pre-Christmas skiing in Vail with your trophy wife beating up the stewardess cause Mrs. Prospertity preacher is a b*tch? First class tickets too.
“Jesus is gonna send you a BMW.”
St. Francis was the best.
No pre-Christmas skiing in Vail with your trophy wife beating up the stewardess cause Mrs. Prospertity preacher is a b*tch? First class tickets too.
“Jesus is gonna send you a BMW.”
St. Francis was the best.
a good idea for a reality show-let’s watch the monks go at each other
Tetanus shots. Hepatitis-C, too.
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