Hermits of St Francis & St Clare (csr)
In CSR and the Holy Celtic Church International we have for sometime been endeavouring to encourage and nurture those who may feel called to live according to a Franciscan charism. Therefore we decided to provide an opportunity for those who feel so inclined to test a Franciscan vocation with us. Actually there is historical precedent for Benedictines nurturing Franciscan vocations, as St Clare of Assisi and her first companions received their induction into monastic life with the Benedictine nuns, and also the first Capuchins (Friars Minor of the Eremitical Life) were sheltered from persecution by the great Camaldolese reformer Blessed Paul Giustiniani who gave them the eremitical habit.
This order is open to men and women who are married, partnered or single. Members may be clerical or lay and must be either members of the Holy Celtic Church International or in communion with us. There is a postulancy of three to six months, followed by a year of noviciate, after which if accepted for profession the novice may take vows of Humility (the essence of Obedience), Love (the essence of Chastity) and Joy (the essence of Poverty), with life long intent. Under the Guardianship and direction of an Abbot of CSR, members are inspired to live according to the spirit of the "Rule for Hermitages" by St Francis (below), as well as the Brief Rule of St Romuald, and the order also has a strongly Eucharistic and Marian spirituality.
The habit, with traditional Franciscan cord, is optional and is light grey or "natural" in colour with a hood for brothers and a veil for sisters. The cream mantle of CSR may also be worn and a Tau Cross may be worn with or without the habit.
Each member of the community writes a personal Rule of Life which will cover the following commitments and should be approved by the Guardian before commencing the noviciate:
Daily Prayer and regular reception of the Holy Eucharist
Repentance & Conversion
Humble Service and Contemplative Withdrawal
Study & Work
Professed:
Fr Bishop José Francisco HFC (csr) - Costa Rica
Br David Maximillian HFC (csr) - Philippines
Br Raciel Pascual HFC (csr) - Cuba
Br Lionel, Melbourne, Australia
Novices:
Br Leone - Italy
Br Joseph Lawrence - Georgia, USA
Br Liudger - The Netherlands
Interim Guardian and Master of Novices: Rt Revd Dom Edward of the Holy Cross OSBA (csr)
Fr Bishop José Francisco HFC (csr) - Costa Rica
Br David Maximillian HFC (csr) - Philippines
Br Raciel Pascual HFC (csr) - Cuba
Br Lionel, Melbourne, Australia
Novices:
Br Leone - Italy
Br Joseph Lawrence - Georgia, USA
Br Liudger - The Netherlands
Interim Guardian and Master of Novices: Rt Revd Dom Edward of the Holy Cross OSBA (csr)
The Vows - Humilty, Love and Joy (adapted from the Rule of the Christa Seva Sangha)
Humility
We always keep before us the example of Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and who, on the last night of his life, humbly washed his disciples’ feet. We likewise seek to serve one another with humility.
Humility confesses that we have nothing that we have not received and admits the fact of our insufficiency and our dependence upon God. It is the basis of all Christian virtues. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux said, `No spiritual house can stand for a moment except on the foundation of humility’. It is the first condition of a joyful life within any community.
The faults that we see in others are the subject of prayer rather than of criticism. We take care to cast out the beam from our own eye before offering to remove the speck from another’s. We are ready to accept the lowest place when asked, and to volunteer to take it. Nevertheless, when asked to undertake work of which we feel unworthy or incapable, we do not shrink from it on the grounds of humility, but confidently attempt it through the power that is made perfect in weakness.
Love
Jesus said, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13.34-35) Love is the distinguishing feature of all true disciples of Christ who wish to dedicate themselves to him as his servants.
Therefore, we seek to love all those to whom we are bound by ties of family or friendship. Our love for them increases, as our love for Christ grows deeper. We have a special love and affection for fellow Franciscans, praying for each other individually and seeking to grow in that love. We are on our guard against anything that might injure this love, and we seek reconciliation with those from whom we are estranged. We seek the same love for those with whom we have little natural affinity, for this kind of love is not a welling-up of emotion, but is a bond founded in our common union with Christ.
The Hermits of St Francis and St Clare is a Christian community whose diverse members are bound into a living whole through the love we share in Christ. This unity of all who believe in him will become, as our Lord intended, a witness to the world of his divine mission. In our relationships with those outside the Order, we show the same Christ-like love, and gladly give of ourselves, remembering that love is measured by sacrifice.
We always keep before us the example of Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and who, on the last night of his life, humbly washed his disciples’ feet. We likewise seek to serve one another with humility.
Humility confesses that we have nothing that we have not received and admits the fact of our insufficiency and our dependence upon God. It is the basis of all Christian virtues. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux said, `No spiritual house can stand for a moment except on the foundation of humility’. It is the first condition of a joyful life within any community.
The faults that we see in others are the subject of prayer rather than of criticism. We take care to cast out the beam from our own eye before offering to remove the speck from another’s. We are ready to accept the lowest place when asked, and to volunteer to take it. Nevertheless, when asked to undertake work of which we feel unworthy or incapable, we do not shrink from it on the grounds of humility, but confidently attempt it through the power that is made perfect in weakness.
Love
Jesus said, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13.34-35) Love is the distinguishing feature of all true disciples of Christ who wish to dedicate themselves to him as his servants.
Therefore, we seek to love all those to whom we are bound by ties of family or friendship. Our love for them increases, as our love for Christ grows deeper. We have a special love and affection for fellow Franciscans, praying for each other individually and seeking to grow in that love. We are on our guard against anything that might injure this love, and we seek reconciliation with those from whom we are estranged. We seek the same love for those with whom we have little natural affinity, for this kind of love is not a welling-up of emotion, but is a bond founded in our common union with Christ.
The Hermits of St Francis and St Clare is a Christian community whose diverse members are bound into a living whole through the love we share in Christ. This unity of all who believe in him will become, as our Lord intended, a witness to the world of his divine mission. In our relationships with those outside the Order, we show the same Christ-like love, and gladly give of ourselves, remembering that love is measured by sacrifice.
Joy
Hermits of St Francis & St Clare, rejoicing in the Lord always, show in our lives the grace and beauty of divine joy. We remember that we follow the Son of Man, who came eating and drinking, who loved the birds and the flowers, who blessed little children, who was a friend to tax collectors and sinners and who sat at the tables of both the rich and the poor. We delight in fun and laughter, rejoicing in God’s world, its beauty and its living creatures, calling nothing common or unclean. We mix freely with all people, ready to bind up the broken-hearted and to bring joy into the lives of others. We carry within us an inner peace and happiness, which others may perceive, even if they do not know its source.
This joy is a divine gift, coming from union with God in Christ. It is still there even in times of darkness and difficulty, giving cheerful courage in the face of disappointment, and an inward serenity and confidence through sickness and suffering. Those who possess it can rejoice in weakness, insults, hardships, and persecutions for Christ’s sake; for when we are weak, then we are strong.
Hermits of St Francis & St Clare, rejoicing in the Lord always, show in our lives the grace and beauty of divine joy. We remember that we follow the Son of Man, who came eating and drinking, who loved the birds and the flowers, who blessed little children, who was a friend to tax collectors and sinners and who sat at the tables of both the rich and the poor. We delight in fun and laughter, rejoicing in God’s world, its beauty and its living creatures, calling nothing common or unclean. We mix freely with all people, ready to bind up the broken-hearted and to bring joy into the lives of others. We carry within us an inner peace and happiness, which others may perceive, even if they do not know its source.
This joy is a divine gift, coming from union with God in Christ. It is still there even in times of darkness and difficulty, giving cheerful courage in the face of disappointment, and an inward serenity and confidence through sickness and suffering. Those who possess it can rejoice in weakness, insults, hardships, and persecutions for Christ’s sake; for when we are weak, then we are strong.
Rule for Hermitages by St Francis of Assisi
Those who want to remain in hermitages to lead a religious life should be three brothers, or four at most; of these, let two be "mothers" and have two "sons," or one at least.
The two that are "mothers" should maintain the life of Martha and the two "sons" the life of Mary, and have a single enclosure, in which each may have his cell to pray and sleep in.
And they are always to say Compline of the day immediately after sunset. And they should make sure to keep the silence. And they are to recite their Hours. And they are to get up for Matins. And let the first thing they seek be the kingdom of God and his justice.
And let them say Prime at the appropriate hour and, after Terce, conclude the silence so that they can speak and go to their "mothers," from whom, when they want to, they can beg an alms, like little paupers, for love of the Lord God.
And afterwards, they are to recite Sext and None and, at the appropriate hour, Vespers.
And as to the enclosure where they stay, they may not allow any person either to enter or to eat there.
Those brothers who are the "mothers" are to make sure they keep their distance from people and, on account of the obedience due their minister, shield their "sons" from people, so that nobody can get to speak with them.
And those "sons" are not to speak with any person other than their "mothers" and their minister and custodian, when he wishes to visit them with the blessing of the Lord God.
The "sons," nonetheless, should now and then take over the duty of the "mothers," according to what arrangement they have come to about taking turns at intervals.
As for everything above-mentioned, let them earnestly and carefully endeavor to observe it.
The two that are "mothers" should maintain the life of Martha and the two "sons" the life of Mary, and have a single enclosure, in which each may have his cell to pray and sleep in.
And they are always to say Compline of the day immediately after sunset. And they should make sure to keep the silence. And they are to recite their Hours. And they are to get up for Matins. And let the first thing they seek be the kingdom of God and his justice.
And let them say Prime at the appropriate hour and, after Terce, conclude the silence so that they can speak and go to their "mothers," from whom, when they want to, they can beg an alms, like little paupers, for love of the Lord God.
And afterwards, they are to recite Sext and None and, at the appropriate hour, Vespers.
And as to the enclosure where they stay, they may not allow any person either to enter or to eat there.
Those brothers who are the "mothers" are to make sure they keep their distance from people and, on account of the obedience due their minister, shield their "sons" from people, so that nobody can get to speak with them.
And those "sons" are not to speak with any person other than their "mothers" and their minister and custodian, when he wishes to visit them with the blessing of the Lord God.
The "sons," nonetheless, should now and then take over the duty of the "mothers," according to what arrangement they have come to about taking turns at intervals.
As for everything above-mentioned, let them earnestly and carefully endeavor to observe it.
Notes from "Mateczka" on the Franciscan Life, to her Mariavite Sisters
from Letter number 40
Beloved Sisters, we entered the order, because we want to sacrifice our lives for the rule, and not to sacrifice the rule for our life.
The four founders of orders who wrote a Rule were St Benedict, St Basil in the East, St Augustine and St Francis of Assisi, our Seraphic Father. St Francis wrote three rules: the first for the friars, the second for the sisters, and the third for laity. Beside rules, there are also constitutions, instructions and rites.
We often break the rules because of the opinions of others, for example: (1) we excuse ourselves in breaking the rule when we are following the example of another who is our senior in the order (2) if we keep the rule, we may be afraid that somebody will laugh at us or will stop being our friend or we will be persecuted. (3) we may also excuse ourselves if we believe that we have acted against the rule out of sisterly love and love to our fellow men. Especially if we have some responsabilty in our community like bursar, sacristan or infirmarian we may give ourselves dispensation. But if the Rule appears to be against charity it would never have been written and practiced by the saints. The rule would not have led the saints to sanctity, they would not have been recognised as saints and Our Lord Jesus Christ would not have inspired these rules and given us the example of St Francis. We should love the Rule as the will of God and believe, that the rule is our only path and instrument to our salvation. If we go away from this path, then we loose also all the grace which this path gives us. We will break the promise made to God, despise the Will of God, and in this way we will prepare for ourselves an unhappy eternity.
Beloved Sisters, we entered the order, because we want to sacrifice our lives for the rule, and not to sacrifice the rule for our life.
The four founders of orders who wrote a Rule were St Benedict, St Basil in the East, St Augustine and St Francis of Assisi, our Seraphic Father. St Francis wrote three rules: the first for the friars, the second for the sisters, and the third for laity. Beside rules, there are also constitutions, instructions and rites.
We often break the rules because of the opinions of others, for example: (1) we excuse ourselves in breaking the rule when we are following the example of another who is our senior in the order (2) if we keep the rule, we may be afraid that somebody will laugh at us or will stop being our friend or we will be persecuted. (3) we may also excuse ourselves if we believe that we have acted against the rule out of sisterly love and love to our fellow men. Especially if we have some responsabilty in our community like bursar, sacristan or infirmarian we may give ourselves dispensation. But if the Rule appears to be against charity it would never have been written and practiced by the saints. The rule would not have led the saints to sanctity, they would not have been recognised as saints and Our Lord Jesus Christ would not have inspired these rules and given us the example of St Francis. We should love the Rule as the will of God and believe, that the rule is our only path and instrument to our salvation. If we go away from this path, then we loose also all the grace which this path gives us. We will break the promise made to God, despise the Will of God, and in this way we will prepare for ourselves an unhappy eternity.
Love to our fellow men should be: (1) A thoughtful and discerning love, which means love in our mind. 2) love in our words, which means love in our feelings. (3) love in actions, which means love in our will.
To have love in our mind, we ought not to judge and not to condemn others. It is a sin to belive that someone is a bad person, and it is a great sin to condemn him. A lie about other person is a very great sin. Don’t not interrupt if someone is speaking. It is a bad habit, for a religious person, to want always want to have the first word and to speak as if you know it all. But during recreation it is good to speak, because if you are all silent during recreation, it would be contrary to the rule. If an older sister speaks, young sisters shoudl liste, and if the older sisters are silent, the younger sister may speak. You have be careful when making jokes not to hurt someone. Avoid sarcasm and irony, which are very foolish and a sign of a bad education. Dont speak arrogantly and dont boast. Follow this rule: let other lips praise you, but not your own. If you hear somebody speaking very well about you, raise your thoughts to God and thank Him, observing that all you have comes from Him, or change the subject of the conversation. If somebody speaks badly about you or laughs at you, do not be angry, but be peaceful and laugh at yourself! Dont speak too much good about persons who are present during the conversation, because this can have destructive effects. The monastic rule directs us towards balance in our speaking and laughing. A nun must be humble and devoted, but not sad and disappointed, because such a disposition does not display a good example for a religious life. A nun must always shine with peace, friendliness and angelic kindness, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And we should avoid profane conversations about parties, theater, clothing etc. Be always content with whatever you have to eat in the refectory. Be moderate in your eating for in the Holy Scripture is written, that the Jews were not content in the desert because they were hungry, but God send them quails. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins and leads to a loss of salvation. Gluttony follows the sin against purity and both of them attack the soul.
To have love in our mind, we ought not to judge and not to condemn others. It is a sin to belive that someone is a bad person, and it is a great sin to condemn him. A lie about other person is a very great sin. Don’t not interrupt if someone is speaking. It is a bad habit, for a religious person, to want always want to have the first word and to speak as if you know it all. But during recreation it is good to speak, because if you are all silent during recreation, it would be contrary to the rule. If an older sister speaks, young sisters shoudl liste, and if the older sisters are silent, the younger sister may speak. You have be careful when making jokes not to hurt someone. Avoid sarcasm and irony, which are very foolish and a sign of a bad education. Dont speak arrogantly and dont boast. Follow this rule: let other lips praise you, but not your own. If you hear somebody speaking very well about you, raise your thoughts to God and thank Him, observing that all you have comes from Him, or change the subject of the conversation. If somebody speaks badly about you or laughs at you, do not be angry, but be peaceful and laugh at yourself! Dont speak too much good about persons who are present during the conversation, because this can have destructive effects. The monastic rule directs us towards balance in our speaking and laughing. A nun must be humble and devoted, but not sad and disappointed, because such a disposition does not display a good example for a religious life. A nun must always shine with peace, friendliness and angelic kindness, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And we should avoid profane conversations about parties, theater, clothing etc. Be always content with whatever you have to eat in the refectory. Be moderate in your eating for in the Holy Scripture is written, that the Jews were not content in the desert because they were hungry, but God send them quails. Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins and leads to a loss of salvation. Gluttony follows the sin against purity and both of them attack the soul.