By Joan D. Warren
WAREHAM — Mary Peabody waited better part of her adult life for this day.On Monday, March 11, 2024, couldn’t hold back tears as St. Patrick’s Parish in Wareham received its official paperwork to be a chapter of the Divine Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Fraternity Order of Franciscans Secular.
An Establishment Mass at 4 pm was presided by Father Cidouane Joseph, Regional Spiritual Assistant of the Blessed Solanus Casey Region, the area of Franciscan seculars in North Eastern United States.
The Secular Franciscans have been in existence for centuries. It was established by St. Francis of Assisi 800 years ago with a purpose to bring the Gospel to life through living a life like Jes
Father Cidouane Joseph, Regional Spiritual Assistant of the Blessed Solanus Casey Region, the area of Franciscan seculars in Northeastern United States.
Secular Franciscans seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church and in liturgical activity. They do this by studying, loving and living in an integrated human and evangelical life.
Originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, the Order is open to any Catholic, in good standing, at least 18 years in age, and not bound by religious vows to another religious order. It is made up of both the laity (male and female) and secular clergy (deacons, priests, bishops and even Popes).
Today there are approximately 650,000 secular Franciscans in 110 countries.
They look for ways to embrace the Gospel in their daily lives and try to help others to do likewise.
Newly consecrated members from St. Patrick Parish in Wareham and members of the Solanus Casey Order of Franciscans Secular after the Establishment Mass on March 11, 2024. Mary Peabody (center seated) prayed for the day when the group of faithful officially became members of the Divine Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Fraternity Order of Franciscans Secular.
A group of parishioners at St. Patrick have been meeting for more than 25 years and in recent year, have gone through the steps to become a recognized fraternity.
“We are faithful Catholics who are in service to others. We pray together and enjoy fellowship. We are a Franciscan family serving our church and the community,” Peabody said.
‘‘We live according to the gospel; together with sisters and brothers in fraternity,” she said.
The current Franciscan secular community at St. Patrick’s has about 18 members. To become a member, there is a process of study and prayer of about three years of participating in meetings, outreach and prayer, a profession in made for the desire to be in the fraternity.
In his homily, Father Joseph said that being in the fraternity is a privileged, joyful place.
‘‘As part of this fraternity, you have big shoes to fill. You will be an example to future candidates through ongoing formation. The Holy Spirit is your boss in everything that you are doing. By your example, you will win people to Christ,” he said.
The official reading and signing of the document followed by an exhortation from the writings of St. Francis and remarks by Joseph Krans, Council Vice Minister, OFS (Franciscan Secular Order) from the Solanus Casey chapter.
Mr. Krans spent the past four years mentoring potential members to become secular Franciscans
‘‘I came to help you know what it means to be a secular Franciscan. To help you grow and know what it is to live in fraternity — to care and love one another, simply and humbly,” he said.
Glenda Banfield, a parishioner at St. Patrick for the past 48 years, professed on February 24 of this year.
“I was asked to go to one of their prayer meetings and enjoyed it. It is basically what the church believes — to live the life of the Gospel. I think I liked the idea of joining, since St. Francis was kind of a rebel and I am, too,” she said.
Although the majority of members are female, there are male members as well, united by the desire to live the life of the gospel and to serve others.
Marion Raymond, a parishioner at St. Patrick’s since 1983, had been exploring the idea of joining the fraternity after her husband John passed away seven years ago.
“He was in the fraternity and it was so very important in his life. After he died, I wanted to have what he had. When I professed, I had an overwhelming feeling of peace. It was beautiful,” she said.
The Mass was followed by a dinner in the parish hall catered, by Dan Minkle Catering.
