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[Dear Brothers here in we present the Second part of the article of Br. Kees Thönissen Ofm Cap., on Contemplation, He is a Franciscan Scholar from South Africa, who makes a fraternal call to return to Contemplation to renew our Capuchin Life. You would find the find the First Part in our Formation Office Blog: https://www.ofmcap.org/it/curia/nostri-blog/segretariato-generale-della-formazione We hope these articles and other ones found in our blog will inspire us to re-root ourselves.]

Part 2   Depth-formation, prayerful experiential pedagogy, sharing contemplation, reform

Francis was sure what prayer can do. He told a dejected brother to go and pray until his spirit and depression had changed. Francis was sure of an experiential impress that will alter one’s entire psycho-spiritual disposition in praying. He expected this to occur at a deep level. Are we convinced so as to be able to assure our postulants/novices that we expect them to blossom in ‘affective relationship’ with God as they keep praying during their coming years? (cf. PCOII^4a,h).

Segretariato Generale della Formazione

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Continuation from => https://www.ofmcap.org/it/curia/nostri-blog/segretariato-generale-della-formazione/item/2986-witnessing-integral-formators-of-our-time

Through his creative Initiatives Fra. Salim Rizkallah our Capuchin brother had run the “Voice of Charity,” Radio station to help the migrant workers in Lebanon. It was interesting to note that he had also set up a post office box to help the migrant workers. Once posts arrived Br. Salim used to announce about it so that people could come and collect their letters from the place specified. He showed me number of sheets of paper where he has written so many names of the migrant workers and their contact numbers. Over the phone he was able to help a lot. All these was done by networking with a group of good willed people who are selfless lawyers, doctors and social workers from Lebanon who used to do these humanitarian service with minimum compensation.

Noble humanitarian reach out

The Laksehta centre (Lebanon), like caritas migrant centre, in 1980s and late 1990s did a lot of service by catering to the many migrant working women and also non-arab, Afro Asian migrants. One of their main apostolate was to visit the detained migrants and others who are incarcerated. They got to know the grievances of them and other migrants thoughtfully. It was then brought to the knowledge of the government officials and employers. It helped the migrants to register themselves properly and also brought reconciliation between the employers and the migrants.

I was impressed to know from the volunteers that Fr. Saleem used to get back the confiscated documents of the migrants in difficulty by dialoguing with the employers and sometimes he had to have pay the fine or compensation. The migrants women who ran away from their working places were able to find asylum in Laksehta.  Being there they were given medical treatment, counselling and also had a possibility to find a new job. The most touching part was the burial service rendered to the migrants who died during the work. Laksehta had burial vaults at the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Fanar to place the remains of the dead before they are repatriated to their respective countries. But here also Fr. Salim had a different approach for the poor. He used to tell the relatives not to spend too much of money in repatriating the body.  At the end of the year the remains were put in separate bags with name identification. His suggestion was to take the insurance company money when it arrives and at the end of the year take the remains kept in that bag at the burial vaults to bury it in their respective countries, when possible, with less expenses.

May God inspire many more people to follow the integral compassionate way of our Brother, Capuchin Friars of Lebanon, Religious, Caritas Members and his generous friends there in Lebanon. Now being retired from his active ministry he inspires us with his very presence. We are proud of you Br. Salim Rizkallah.

Fra. Charles Alphonse Ofm Cap

General Secretary for Formation

Segretariato Generale della Formazione

=>Continuation from

A Pro-active Capuchin Response – Part - 1

This article also brings you the insights about the new initiatives of our brothers from Belgium. It may also give you a new hope of doing something in your own jurisdiction. Franciscan Capuchins have a special grace to begin again even in situations where others may give up. Thanks to Br. Kenny Brack Ofm Cap for sharing this with us. We hope it will help those jurisdictions that are undergoing difficulty due to fewness of the number of friars. The first part can be read in our Formation Office blog from the Order’s website:

https://www.ofmcap.org/it/curia/nostri-blog/segretariato-generale-della-formazione/item/3297-a-pro-active-capuchin-response-part-1

(Fra. Charles Alphonse & Jaime Rey Ofm Cap)

Project within a pastoral approach.

The fraternity of Meersel-Dreef has a history of more than 400 years. It is rooted in history and the area. The brothers living in this community have always had a role in the community. Not long ago, the fraternity was integrated into the diocesan pastoral structure. The fraternity lies on the border with The Netherlands and on Sunday welcomes many Dutch parishioners. The Capuchin fraternity is mostly known for its prayer garden that has grown into a true pilgrims park. In the summer months, the brothers take care of the pastoral needs of the thousands of pilgrims visiting every day to pray, celebrate the Eucharist, burn a candle in the Lourdes grotto, lay their hands on the bronze statue of Padre Pio, pray the rosary or meditate the way of the cross. 

Next to the friary, there is also a small tavern and a play park for children. This means that all types of people pass by this friary, and find what they need. Some say that now with the Franciscan Experience Centre, the fraternity has all the cards to play a good pastoral hand.

Live with the fraternity.

The Franciscan Experience Centre could be realised because the brothers moved to a renewed wing of the friary. The whole of the South wing came to be empty and was in great need of renovation. The ground floor would become the Experience Centre, but we were left with the old cells of the friars. A thorough renovation and total renewal of water, heating and electricity made it possible to create a guesthouse with 15 beds. This gives the opportunity to host individuals and small groups to live in the rhythm of the community. 

For a while now schools have shown interest to organise retreat days for class groups, we would expect them to join in a minimum of two pray times a day. In this way, we keep away those thinking us to be a cheap hotel.

A stay in the Capuchin friary of Meersel-Dreef would be synonymous to being plunged into a peaceful, enjoyable Franciscan spiritual bath.

International

The Capuchin province of Flanders (Flandro-Belgica) has been for a while now part of the Fraternities for Europe via the fraternity of Antwerp. It is the intention of the provincial council that also Meersel-Dreef would become a fraternity composed of international brothers. An international fraternity offers the opportunity that a youthful community can offer a fruitful dialogue in an ever-changing society. 

A Franciscan Experience Centre, combined with a lively Capuchin fraternity will offer many opportunities to bear witness and strengthen our Capuchin way of life in this century.

By Br. Kenny Brack Ofm Cap

Segretariato Generale della Formazione

A BLESSING ON GARO HILLS

Blessing of Garo Village Chapel in Khasi Hills

About 40 Capuchin friars who were participating in the ongoing formation program at the headquarters friary of Nirmala Matha Custody at Guwahati, Assam-Meghalaya, descended on the non-descript village of AMPHANGGRE on 10 December 2017 for the blessing of its newly built chapel and for the Holy Mass, giving a festive mood for the occasion. Obviously the villagers were overjoyed at the presence of a large number of Capuchins in their small hilly village. Children and elders alike heartily welcomed each one with a broad smile, warm hand shake, and the JISUNA RASONG (‘Praise be to Jesus Christ’) greeting on their lips, which are customary among  Garo tribe in the north-eastern part of India.

Formazione Permanente

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