St. Francis, The CFR's Founding, and Mission w/ Fr. Malachy Napier
Feb 21, 2024
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Fr. Malachy Napier discusses topics such as being ordained during the pandemic, the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and a fascinating story of prison ministry in an overcrowded Nicaraguan prison. The podcast delves into encounters with Jesus in everyday interactions, embracing vulnerability in faith, understanding the founding fathers of the CFRs, embracing grace through struggles, and the challenges faced in living in a religious community.
Founding of the CFRs involved leaving Capuchin order and starting a new community in poverty-stricken area.
CFRs embrace radical poverty, evangelization, and communal living inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.
Challenges faced by CFRs included opposition from within and outside the Church, but they remained steadfast.
Silence allows encountering Jesus, hearing His voice, and understanding our identity as beloved children of God.
St. Francis' life teaches humility, obedience to Church authority, radical surrender to Christ, and service to the poor.
Deep dives
The Beginnings of the CFRs
The podcast episode explores the origins of the CFRs and the challenges they faced in starting a new religious order. The founders, including Father Benedict Groeschel, sought to live the authentic Capuchin way of life and bring renewal to the Church. Their decision to leave the Capuchin order was met with mixed reactions, with some expressing sadness and others feeling relieved. With the support of Cardinal Connor, they established a friary in the South Bronx, an area plagued by poverty and crime. The early days were marked by wrestling with questions of identity and discerning what it meant to respond radically to the Gospel. The personalities of the founding members, such as Father Benedict, Father Stan Fortuna, and Father Glenn Sudano, contributed to the unique character of the community.
Living the Charism
The podcast delves into the distinct charism of the CFRs, which centers around radical poverty, evangelization, and a communal way of life. The friars embrace a life of simplicity, intentionally living with few material possessions and often sleeping on mattresses or mats on the floor. They have a strong emphasis on mission and reaching out to the poor, both in their neighborhood and abroad. The founders, inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, sought to put Jesus and the Gospel at the center of their lives and to serve others. Each member brings their unique perspective and gifts to the community, with various personality types contributing to the diverse mix of friars.
Challenges and Miracles
The podcast highlights the challenges and miracles experienced by the CFRs in their early years. They faced opposition and skepticism from both within and outside the Church, but remained steadfast in their mission. The South Bronx, where they established their first friary, was a crime-ridden and impoverished area. They worked tirelessly to serve the needs of the community, offering assistance to the poor and marginalized. Through their commitment to prayer, poverty, and evangelization, the friars witnessed incredible transformations in the lives of those they encountered. Despite financial difficulties, internal struggles, and the hostility of the environment, the CFRs experienced God's providence and were sustained by their strong faith and dedication.
Encountering Jesus in Silence
Silence is a powerful space where we can encounter Jesus and listen to his response to our deepest longings. It is in silence that we can hear the voice of Jesus and receive the truth of our identity as beloved children of God. Even in the midst of a busy and hectic life, we can find moments of silence and invite Jesus into those spaces, whether it's doing laundry or working. In silence, we can receive the gift of God's unconditional love and discover the truth of who we are.
Knowing Our Identity in Christ
It is important to know our identity in Christ and the story of salvation. In a world that tries to define us and impose its own narrative, we need to anchor ourselves in the truth that we are chosen and loved by God. Rather than seeking affirmation from the world, we should seek the affirmation of our identity as children of God. By understanding our origin story and our identity in Christ, we can withstand the accusations and lies of the enemy and testify to the truth of who we are.
The Friars of the Renewal: Proclaiming the Good News
The friars of the renewal, through their presence and service in marginalized communities, embody the story of God's love and mercy. Their work in neighborhoods filled with violence and poverty demonstrates God's transformative power and the hope found in the Gospel. As they encounter people in desperate situations, they provide a glimpse of the love and dignity that is available through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The friars' commitment to their mission, rooted in their identity as beloved children of God, inspires others to seek the truth and experience the healing power of God's love.
Francis' Encounter with the Leper
Francis had a disdain for lepers, but when a leper asked him for alms for the love of God, he fulfilled his promise and gave him money. Then, in a surprising act of compassion, Francis took the leper's hand, kissed it, and experienced a profound transformation in his perception of the poor and suffering. This encounter with the leper was a turning point in Francis' life, teaching him the importance of serving the least of his brothers and sisters as an act of love for God.
Francis' Humility and Obedience to the Church
Despite his radical devotion to poverty and his pursuit of a new way of life, Francis understood the importance of humility and obedience to the authority of the Church. He sought the approval of the Holy Father for his way of life and submitted himself to the guidance of the Church. Even in the face of scandal and confusion within the Church, Francis remained deeply reverent and obedient, recognizing that the Church held the true faith and that God was working through the institution. His example reminds us of the need to humbly trust in God's providence and remain faithful to the Church, even in difficult times.
The radical surrender to Christ as exemplified by St. Francis
St. Francis's life and teachings emphasize the importance of radical surrender to Christ. His actions, such as evangelizing Muslims and his encounter with the Sultan, demonstrated his unwavering faith and willingness to surrender even his life for the sake of proclaiming the gospel. Despite facing challenges within the church and shifts in the rules of his order, St. Francis chose to step down from leadership and prioritize unity among the brethren. In his later years, he experienced a mystical encounter with a crucified angel, leading to the appearance of the stigmata. Through these experiences, St. Francis exemplified the paradoxes, tensions, and ultimate freedom found in surrendering to Christ.
Living the Franciscan Charism and Discernment of a Vocation
To live the Franciscan charism, one must embrace poverty, obedience, and the call to serve the poor. Emphasizing the importance of prayer and discernment, individuals seeking the Franciscan way of life should pray, listen, and ask God what He desires for their lives. The journey of discernment includes reading the life of St. Francis and exploring the charism of the Franciscan order. For those interested in joining the Franciscan friars, reaching out through phone calls or emails can initiate contact with the vocations team. Come and see visits offer opportunities to experience the Franciscan way of life firsthand. The Franciscan order welcomes young men who are called to a radical response to the gospel and seek to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Fr. Malachy Napier joins the show. He talks about Being Ordained During the Pandemic, The Life of Francis of Assisi, and much More. He also tells a phenomenal story about doing prison ministry in an over crowded Nicaraguan Prison.
