SFO members go on retreat

Nov 29, 2019

By Stephanie Cheong
The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis), also called the Third Order Secular, is a world-wide community of Catholic lay men and women who seek to model their lives after Jesus in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi.

A total of 13 professed members and candidates of this Order, belonging to the Fraternity of St Felix of Cantalice, and six invited guests came together for a retreat facilitated by Fr John Anandan, OFM Cap, Nov 15-17 at the Stella Maris Retreat Centre situated by the beach.

The theme for the retreat was Franciscan Spirituality: A Way to God. Fr John placed the participants in the right frame of mind and disposition at the beginning of this retreat. He mentioned that the retreat is an encounter with the Lord Jesus. They were asked to reflect on what they wanted out of the retreat, what their deepest desires were and what they hoped would happen within them. What was important was the openness of faith, availability of hope as they encountered God, generosity in love, silence both interior and exterior and focus on the Scriptures. Fr John outlined the meaning of Christian Spirituality and how St Francis lived a new form of the Gospel life. Franciscan spirituality encompasses living a life of penance, making the Gos pel the centre of life and stressing on poverty, preaching, fraternity, prayer, joy and freedom.

Talks were held throughout the three days on the following topics: Faith in God, Total Trust and Confidence in God, Love for Christ, Christification, A Life of Penance, Word of God and Mary our Mother. On the final day, the Annual Renewal of Profession by Members of the Order was incorporated into the Eucharistic celebration.

Lilian Ch’ng, Minister of the Fraternity, shared that the retreat was a timely reminder for her to put Jesus back to where He truly belongs, at the centre of her life.  Jesus should be the guiding force in deeds, actions and relationships. It is only then that she said she would ac claim “it is no longer I who live, but He who lives in me.”

A professed member of the Order, Mildred Fletcher, found that Fr John’s presentation was very good. His talks were down-to-earth and meaningful. She said, “I find deeper meaning as I strive to live life as a Secular Franciscan.”

A very touching comment was made by Lucy Tan, an invited guest. “It has been 10 years since my last silent retreat. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to attend this current one. This retreat is a blessing for me – to know Him better and to be able to trust Him in all circumstances. It is not by chance but with the grace of God that I came.”