The French poet, journalist, and novelist Anatole France wrote: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe”. Dreaming and believing in the dream were the two ingredients which the joyful faces of Emanuel Said and Aron Abdilla, the two Franciscan postulants who start their novitiate experience in San Damiano Assisi this month, undoubtedly radiated.
In a Mass which was presided by the Franciscan Provincial Fr Sandro Overend OFM on 27 August in Saint Francis Church Hamrun, Br Emanuel Said and Br Aron Abdilla received the Franciscan habit as a preparation for the commencement of their novitiate year. In his humorous, simple yet incisive spirit, Fr Sandro invited the two novices to embrace the humble spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi. These two courageous youngsters are a living testimony that the dream of the Poverello of Assisi: “To observe the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by living in obedience, without anything of one’s own, and in chastity” can still be dreamt and believed in.
The little cards carrying Saint Francis’ blessing for Brother Leo which were given as remembrance for the occasion, showed how much Br Emanuel and Br Aron are really two big blessings for the Franciscan movement. The presence of each one of them had the same astounding message for us Franciscans as well as the people who were present for the Mass: “May the lord bless you and keep you. May He show His face to you and be merciful to you. May He turn his countenance to you and give you peace”. Their contagious fraternal zeal made us realize that when people dwell in the Holy Spirit, it is only there that “the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore” (Ps 133, 3).
When the Lord made me join the Franciscan Capuchins, a wise friar whom I highly esteem, gave me some sound advices on which I keep referring to from time to time. In this light I also want to present the following advises to you, dear Emanuel and Aron, our zealous novices, as reference points in your Franciscan vocation journey. I purposely chose these words of wisdom from the spiritual richness of the Friars Minor’s tradition. From Saint Bernardino of Siena I encourage you to call upon the name of the Lord at all times.
By Jesus’ name you are saved and can actually persevere in your commitment to Christ and his Church. “Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love and strength! You are the refuge of those who repent, our banner of warfare in this life, the medicine of souls, the comfort of those who mourn, the delight of those who believe, light of those who preach the true faith, the wages of those who toil, the healing of the sick. To You our devotion aspires; by You our prayers are received; we delight in contemplating You. O Name of Jesus, You are the glory of all the saints for eternity. Amen.” From Fr Slavko Barbariæ, the former spiritual director of the visionaries in Medjugorje, I exhort you to seek and live to the full the miracle of everyday life with God. “We don’t have to create anything new. We just need to renew our relationship with God, with people, with objects and with life in general around us. In other words, we need to discover the miracle of the everyday, the miracle that happens in our very midst”.
You, who are inspired by the Holy Spirit to follow Christ in a radical manner, the Franciscan way of life might be what your heart is longing for. Why don’t you have a talk with Fr Eddie Pace OFM at the Franciscan Friary, 11 Xambekk Str, Bahar ic-Caghaq. Fr Eddie can be also contacted by phone 21378639 or 99463275 or by email: [email protected]. If you might want to know more about the relevant mission the Maltese Franciscans Friars are doing both in Malta and abroad you can have a look at their website: http://www.ofm.org.mt/
Believe the dream by following it!
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
San Gwann