A Visit to the Franciscan Secular Order

            Last Sunday, I was able to attend the Secular Franciscan monthly meeting. It is every 3rd Sunday of the month. Sr. Precy Cruz, SFO invited and welcomed me. I am not fully 100% made up that I will join their order. It is hard to forget my Carmelite family. I was an Order of the Discalced Carmelites aspirant before. I was accepted in the Carmelites convent in Gilmore, Quezon City. Every month I attended our meeting at Carmel House of Prayer in New Manila, Quezon City. Many years ago has passed and even if I did not become a religious nun, there is still an empty space in my heart, that I know only God can fill. Maybe, this is God put me. To be a mother and a wife. Still my desire to be closer with God and learn more of him did not die. 

I sat with the Secular Franciscans. The meeting was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of St. Francis Parish Church in Meycauayan, Bulacan. It is considered one of the oldest church if I'm not mistaken. After praying the Franciscan rosary (this is different with the regular rosary that we are familiar with), bible readings, they also shared personal stories, a lot of the members were flooded, most of the members houses and things were submerged in floodwaters. They were all teary eyed and a few cried recounting their stories. 

Most of the members were in their senior already. Only three of us were the young ones in the group. I don't want to join this order half-heartedly. I just felt that I don't belong in their community. 

There are many Franciscans well-loved saints by everyone, I like St. Anthony of Padua who is a Franciscan is one of my favorite saint, I have a 3rd class relic of his, piece of cloth that touched his tongue. As an observer in this community I thank the Lord for the opportunity to experience being with another spiritual family. Still, I pray that I might go back to Carmel. 

Catholic Saints Relics

            I have known about relics when I attended the feast day of St. Rita de Cascia's feast day and St. Anthony de Padua after attending the holy mass. We were allowed to kiss the relic. 

What are relics. They are the mortal remains of a saint or someone you considered to be a holy person. For us Roman Catholics, they are a source of inspiration especially to our faith. They have been a source of miracles and an advancement of faith. 

It is forbidden to buy 1st and 2nd class relics as states in the Canon law. If you mistakenly bought one without the knowledge that it is it is forbidden. You should immediately talk to your parish priest. I read that you can give these relics to the church for safekeeping, for it really belongs to them, not for individuals like us. We are allowed to have 3rd class relics (items that has been placed and has touched a first or a second class relic) and mementos from the place of saints or the place that the Holy Family has trod upon. For example it is not wrong to have a piece of soil rock. I also have a St. Michael rock from Mount Gargano in Italy which I obtained from a seller who was referred to me by a brother tied to a religious store in the U.S.A who brings relics to the faithful. The relic is free according to him. Only the case of the relic and the material of it is the one that you need to pay.

I thank God for these tangible things that has been left by his holy and faithful men and women. These things brings us more closer to Him and has helped us experience his love and miracle.