Regional Minister’s Message

Peace and every Blessing, dear Sistersand Brothers! What a joy it was tospend time with our brothers andsisters at our Regional Chapter in RioGrande City and how blessed we werewith the hospitality of our dearBenedictine Sisters.

I am ever humbled by the love of GodI experience in all of my brothers andsisters! Your love and presence is theepitome of the life-giving union ourRule calls us to live with one another.

It seems hard to believe that a yearago we were preparing for ourRegional Chapter in Dallas and had noidea that a major hurricane wouldcause so much damage to our greatstate. THANK YOU to all, for yourgenerous contributions for people inthe area that were impacted by thestorm. Funds paid for food, medicineand building supplies in the wake ofthe storm.

Donations were made to St. Peter’sParish in Rockport whose Church andRectory were decimated.

This, dear ones, is life-giving union.This is Justice, Peace and Integrity ofCreation for our world. This is howwe continue to Rebuild the Church.

May we continue to rebuild theChurch, the Body of Christ, this fall aswe immerse ourselves inopportunities for prayer: Our BlessedMother’s birthday, the Feasts of theExaltation of the Cross / the Stigmataand the Transitus of St. Francis.

And as we celebrate the 40th

anniversary of our Rule of Life, maywe all pray for the help of our dearestspouse and Minister General, theHoly Spirit, to search us and guide usin a renewed commitment to this wayof life.

Patsy Cueva Philipps, ofs

Los Tres Companeros/The Three Companions Region Paz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018

In this Issue:

Spiritual Assistant’s Corner - A REFLECTION ON THE STIGMATA OF OUR HOLY FATHER FRANCIS Pg. 2

From our Formation Director -Barba non facit philosophum Pg. 5

JPIC Corner –The Role of JPICRepresentatives Pg. 6

12 Weeks of Prayer LTC Website Pg. 7

Elections Pg. 8

Visitations Pg. 10

Anniversary Pg. 12

Calendar Pg. 12

Los Tres Companeros Regional CouncilMinister……………………………………………… Patsy Cueva Philipps, OFSVice-Minister ……………………………………… Jorge Sosing, OFSFormation Director…………………………….. Tom Howard, OFSSecretary ……………………………………………. Ron Martinez, OFSTreasurer Norma Patricia Carranza, OFSRegional Spiritual Assistants ………………. Manuel Cortez, OFS

Br. Tim Unser, OFM, Conv.

Angelo Councilor & FY&YA Coordinator Teresa Adames, OFSAngelo Alternate Councilor ……………….. TBD Leo Councilor ……………………………………… Susan Bacak, OFSLeo Alternate Councilor ……………........... Janie Rios, OFSRufino Councilor ………………………………… Dolores Boswell, OFSRufino Alternate ………………………………… Azalia Perez, OFSRegional Canonist …….………………………. Fr. Jack Hopka, OFSJPIC Coordinator ………………………………… Lynn Freeman, OFS

WEBSITE: lostrescompaneros.org EMAIL: ltcregion.ofs@gmail.com

Upcoming Elections:Nov 24th San Antonio de Padua Fraternity, Hebbronville Upcoming Visitations:Oct 27th St. Angela Fraternity – San Angelo

What would you like to see in the next Newsletter?Send us an email at ltcregion.ofs@gmail.com by November 1, 2018 and we’ll see what we can do!

ORDO FRANCISCANUS SÆCULARISLOS TRES COMPAÑEROS REGION TEXAS

REGIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSISTANTS Bro. Tim Unser, OFM Conv Manuel Cortez, ofs, President-In-Turn

A REFLECTION ON THE STIGMATA OF OUR HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

On September 17th Franciscans celebrate theFeast of The Stigmata of Our Holy Father Francis.

In The Life of St. Francis of Assisi from the LegendaSancti Francisci by St. Bonaventure in Chapter XIII,Of The Sacred Stigmata, St. Bonaventure describesin glorious detail this incredible miracle no whereelse documented as completely.

Bonaventure’s writing of Francis’ biography was acharge given to him by his superior which heinitially was reluctant to accept, but did so inobedience. Francis had died not too many yearsbefore, but there were friars around whopersonally had known Francis and whomBonaventure could access. It is said that becauseof this source his biography is very historicallyaccurate.

It is said that St. Thomas Aquinas, who knew andwas a friend of Bonaventure, once attempted tovisit him while Bonaventure was busy writingFrancis’ biography. Seeing Bonaventure in a quietrapture over his work, Aquinas silently left sayingto his companion, “Let us leave a Saint to work fora Saint.”

St. Bonaventure’s biography is my favoritebiography of St. Francis, although its longunstructured pages in continuous long paragraphssometimes makes for difficult reading, but, as oneof my dear brothers in fraternity once said,Bonaventure’s biography is more a prayer thanjust a biography. I whole heartedly agree with thisand will present some verbatim excerpts on theStigmata from this document. My hope is that inreading this as a meditative prayer, and thenreflecting on my commentaries, you willpredispose yourself to enter by God’s grace into amore contemplative experience of the Divine.

And so we begin . . .

a long unedited passage, just as Bonaventurewrote it, other than my insertion of paragraphsto make reading it easier. Persevere and you willbe rewarded. Find a quiet place where you canspend some uninterrupted time in prayer. Gentlyread the passage, maybe several times, and letyour spirit be taken to Mount LaVerna alongsideFrancis and open your heart to God’s love.

It was the manner of this angelic man, Francis,

never to rest from good works, but rather, like

the heavenly spirits on Jacob’s ladder, to be

either ascending to God or descending to his

neighbour. And he so prudently divided the

time allotted him here for merit, that he spent

the one part of it in labours for the good of his

neighbour, and devoted the other to tranquil

contemplation. Therefore, after descending to

labour for salvation of men, according to the

exigency of time and place, he would leave

behind him the tumult of the multitude, and

retiring into some secret place where he might

wait freely upon God, he would endeavor to

purify his spirit from any dust which might’ve

adhered to it in his conversation with men.

Two years, therefore, before he gave up his

spirit to God, he was led by Divine Providence,

after manifold labors, into a mountainous place,

which is called Mount Alvernia. Having there

begun his fast, according to his wonted custom

of keeping a Lent in honor of St. Michael the

Archangel, being filled more abundantly than

usual with divine sweetness by the

contemplation of heavenly things, and

enkindled by a more fervent desire of the things

of God, he began to experience the gifts of the

divine visitation more perfectly and abundantly

than ever before. His spirit rose on high, not

curiously to scrutinize the Divine Majesty, and

so to be overwhelmed with its glory, but as a

faithful and prudent servant seeking out the good pleasure of God, to which with the utmost

ardor of love he desired to conform himself.

It was infused, therefore, into his mind by divine inspiration that it should be revealed to him

by Christ, on opening the Book of the Gospels, what in him, or from him should be most

acceptable to God. Having first prayed with great devotion, he therefore took the holy Book of

the Gospels from the altar, and caused his companion, a devout and holy man, to open it thrice

in the name of the Holy Trinity. Seeing that the book opened each time at the Passion of our

Lord, the man of God understood that, as he had imitated Christ in the actions of his life, so,

before he should depart from this world, he was to be conformed to Him likewise in the

sufferings and pains of His Passion. And although, by the great austerity of his past life and

his continual bearing of the Cross of Christ, he had become very feeble in body, yet was he not

terrified, but prepared himself with good courage to endure the martyrdom set before him. For

there grew in him an invincible fire of the love of his good Jesus, even a flame of burning

charity, which many waters could not quench.

Being thus raised to God by the ardor of seraphical love, and wholly transformed by the

sweetness of compassion into Him, Who, of His excelling charity, was pleased to be crucified

for us; early in the morning of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, as he was praying

in a secret and solitary place on the mountain, he beheld a seraph, having six wings, all on fire,

descending to him from the height of heaven. And as he flew with great swiftness towards the

man of God, there appeared between the wings the form of One crucified, having His hands

and feet stretched out and fixed to the Cross. Two wings rose above the head, two were

stretched forth in flight, and two veiled the whole body. When he beheld this, he marveled

greatly, and his heart was filled with mingled joy and sorrow. For he rejoiced at the gracious

aspect with which Christ, under the form of the Seraph, looked upon him; yet to behold Him

thus fastened to the Cross pierced his soul like a sword of compassion and grief. He wondered

greatly at the appearance of so new and marvelous a vision, knowing that the infirmity of the

Passion could in no wise way agree with the immortality of the seraphical spirit. Lastly, he

understood, by the revelation of the Lord, that this vision had been presented to his eyes by

Divine Providence, that the friend of Christ might know that he was to be into Christ crucified,

not by the martyrdom of the flesh, but by the fire of the spirit. transformed

The vision, disappearing, left behind it a marvelous fire in his heart, and a no less wonderful

sign impressed on his flesh. For there began immediately to appear in his hands and in his feet

the appearance of nails, as he had now seen them in the vision of the Crucified. His hand and

his feet appeared pierced through the midst with nails, the heads of the nails being seen in the

insides of the hands and the upper part of the feet and the points on the reverse side. The

heads of the nails in the hands and feet were round and black, and the points somewhat long

and bent, as if they had been turned back. On the right side, as if it had been pierced by a

lance, was the mark of a red wound, from which the sacred blood often flowed and stained his

tunic. The servant of God, seeing the Stigmata thus deeply impressed on his flesh, so that he

could not conceal them from his familiar companions, and yet fearing to discover the secret of

the Lord, was in great trouble and perplexity whether he should declare or conceal what he had

seen.

Spiritual Assistant’s CornerPaz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018

Commentaries: Reflect on our Mission as Secular Franciscans . . . we are to be “active-contemplatives.” Notice how St.

Francis ascends to God in “tranquil contemplation.” We, as Franciscans, engage with fervor in our apostolicministries and spend a good part of our time in service, as well we should. Let us not forget our “otherside,” the contemplative aspect of our charism in quiet time alone with our Heavenly Father just as Jesus,Scripture tells us, so often did, and our seraphic holy father Francis attempted to imitate so ardently. Arewe willing to follow in those footsteps? Do we habitually take the time to be alone with God in prayer tobe purified and be drawn closer to Him?

As Franciscans how often do we use fast and abstinence and other forms of penance to prepare ourselvesfor our apostolic and prayer/sacramental life? Remember we were originally called the “Brothers andSisters of Penance.” In preparation for the Easter Celebration we do forty days of Lenten penance. But,isn’t Penance, Conversion, Metanoia (interchangeable words) all part of our on-going conversionexperience? Francis understood that very well, and, thus, celebrated more than one Lenten season. Let usnot be hesitant to use acceptable means of mortification as part of our penitential practices on a dailybasis. Notice what Francis’ prayer led him to desire: to conform himself to God’s Will.

In your use of Scripture for prayer such as in Lectio Divina, consider sometimes just opening the Book ofthe Gospels at random and seeing where the Holy Spirit takes you.

How well did Francis understand that we are all called tothe Cross and how fitting that it was during the Feast ofthe Exaltation of the Cross that he was miraculouslytransformed into the likeness of the Crucified Christ.How willing are we to drink from that Chalice and becrucified with Christ? In our suffering we mostly pray forhealing; to be alleviated of the pain and burden of theheavy cross. Shouldn’t we be joyful in our sufferingknowing that as members of the Mystical Body of Christwe are being more completely united with him at thosetimes? Didn’t the Apostle Paul tell us that we in a sensecomplete and carry on Christ’s suffering here on earth?Isn’t this what Francis knew and practiced in his “perfectjoy?”

Our holy father Francis is called our seraphic fatherbecause of the fiery love that burned in his heart forlove of Jesus Christ. His transformation was socomplete that, as he laid dying on the floor of thePortiuncula in physical mortal agony, he joyfullycomposed the most beautiful of all his prayers, theCanticle to Brother Sun, for in it was nothing for himself,but only glory and praise to God through all of God’screations.

Blessed be God and may he continue to mold andtransform us to be as holy and pleasing to Him as wecan possibly be given all our shortcomings and sinfulways for nothing is impossible for Him! Amen.

Manuel Cortez, ofs

From Our Formation Director

Barba non facit philosophumMany of you Latin scholars will remember this from your high school classes – a beard does not make a philosopher!

Please allow me a little poetic license to modify this to address a question that often arises about SecularFranciscans: vestimentum non facit Franciscanus Saecularis – the clothes do not make the Secular Franciscan.

May or should a Secular Franciscan wear a robe or habit? In the Rule of 1221, the Memoriale Propositi, the answer to that question was a resounding yes. Here’s what it said:

The men belonging to this brotherhood shall dress in humble, undyed cloth, the price of which is not toexceed six Ravenna soldi [about $5] an ell [the length of a man’s arm]. The sisters in turn shall wear an outergarment and tunic made of cloth of the same price and humble quality.

Why was this in the Rule at that time? We all remember the story of Francis going to Rome and changing clotheswith the beggar. He wanted to see what it was really like to be poor. By wearing a habit, the Seculars – the Penitents– knew what it is like to be poor and could work with the poor and not be concerned about how they dress. Clothesdid not make a Secular Franciscan, the way they lived their life did; the clothes merely facilitated the way of life.

Up until 1508, Secular Franciscans wore full habits. Then this changed to a large scapular held together by a piece ofrope around the waist. Over time, the scapular became smaller until the rope was no longer needed to hold it inplace and was replaced by a string, and both were then worn underneath clothing.

With the revision of our Rule in 1978, our habit changed from the small scapular and string to -- at least in theUnited States -- the Tau cross. The Judicial Commission of the CIOFS Presidency wrote:

. . . in obedience to the Rule, the Constitutions and the Ritual, the local Fraternities of the SFO cannotcontinue practicing the rite of “taking the habit” in admitting new candidates, who in turn, must not use ahabit . . .

One further comment – it is acceptable, as an exception to the norm, for a person to be dressed in the traditionalrobe – a burial shroud - for internment. This has no significance to the contemporary life of an OFS; it is merely aremembrance of faithfulness of the deceased. So, today our “habit” is our Tau cross, the distinctive external sign ofour membership in the Order.

Via habito facit Franciscanus Saecularis –The way we live makes us a Secular Franciscan! Tom Howard, OFS

LTC Regional Guidelines - TITLE 14—LIFE IN FRATERNITY: THE HABIT AND TAU CROSS

CANON 99—The Franciscan habit in its various forms is reserved exclusively to the friars, the Poor Clares and the variousinstitutes of professed Franciscan sisters and brothers. Professed Secular Franciscans are to refrain from wearing the habit inany form and at any time. All customs to the contrary, including those which are immemorial or worthy of special mention,are henceforth reprobated and not permitted to revive in the future.

CANON 100—The insignia of professed Secular Franciscans in the United States is the TAU cross. It may be worn as apendant, a pin or a ring.

CANON 101—Secular Franciscans, whether clergy or laity, who are either presiding or assisting at liturgical rites in vestments,are to refrain from wearing the TAU cross in the form of a ring. They may wear the TAU cross as a pendant or pin underneaththe alb or surplice.

Paz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018

Most of the Fraternities in the Los TresCompaneros Region now have a JPICrepresentative. Some of us have been doing it fora while and others are brand new. Now it’s like“ok, what to do next?” Everyone of us wants todo a good job and here is some informationabout our roles as a JPIC representatives.

Our mission statement reads as follows: “Themission of JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity ofCreation), is to assist the Professed SecularFranciscans as they reflect on their relationshipwith God as manifested in the fruits of conversionin their lives. This with special regard to the dailychoices made in the areas of justice,peacemaking and respect for all created thingsand people; as brothers and sisters of penancebringing life to the Gospel and the Gospel to life.”

In our rule, articles 15-19 talk about how we areto live out our lives as Franciscans in this world.They are the action articles. Article 15 inparticular says “Let them individually andcollectively be in the forefront in promotingjustice by the testimony of their human lives andtheir courageous initiatives. Especially in thefield of public life, they should make definitechoices in harmony with their faith.” So how dowe assist our sisters and brothers in doing this?

The NAFRA SFO describes three actions that wetake in order to make this happen: contemplate,educate, and animate. We contemplatesituations and activities that we see going on inlife in the light of what the Gospel teaches. In ourFraternity, there is a small group of people whoget together on a monthly basis and just talkabout what has prayerfully come up for us as aJPIC issue that month. Then we educateourselves on the topic, and write up or print upsomething to bring to the next meeting of ourFraternity.

The Role of JPIC Representatives

At the meeting, one of the members of theJPIC committee or the JPIC representativeBRIEFLY talks about the topic. Some of thetopics we have talked about are: plastics in theenvironment, respect life issues, how todispose of old medications, recycling, andimmigration and homeless issues.

And we animate the Fraternity by invitingthem to consider the subject. And maybemake small changes in their daily decisions inorder to make God's kingdom more present onearth. Our job is not to change anybody’smind, but just to present and generatediscussion.

And we have found that our JPIC discussionsare very rewarding and fun. Many of themembers have heard about the topics, and arehappy to have more information. It generatesdiscussion about concrete ways that we, asindividuals and as a Fraternity, can live out ourcall to be bearers of peace and justice.

Pax et bonum! Lynn Freeman ofs

JPIC Rep St. Padre Pio FraternityLTC Region JPIC Coordinator

12 Weeks of Franciscan Peace October 3 – December 25

12 weeks of Franciscan Peace

was provided by our National JPICCoordinator, Carolyn Townes, OFS, some yearsback. Carolyn has done a wonderful job oftaking 12 topics to consider during the 12weeks from the Transitus of our SeraphicFather to the birth of our Dear Lord Jesus.

Prayer Empathy Active Listening Compassion Evangelical Love Humility Poverty Kindness Silence Conversion Peace

Each week has:

An explanation of the concept A Psalm Fragment A Reflection Question An action to take A Prayer for the week

The document can be downloaded from ourRegional Website: lostrescompaneros.orgunder the DOCUMENT Section at the bottomright hand corner of the HOME page.

The DOCUMENTS section has variousdocuments that can be downloaded.

The main page has a link to the current TAU-USA and the Paz y Bien newsletters!

If you want the website translated to Spanishor Tagalog, go to the bottom of the homepage and select the language you prefer!

Los Tres Companeros WebsiteHave you checked out our website lately? Wework to update it periodically with informationfrom across the region.

The NEWS section has information aboutevents, Seasonal Prayers and other news thattouches our Region.

Paz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018Around the Region - Elections

San Jose Obrero Fraternity Council - McAllenSt. Francis of Assisi Fraternity Council – Dallas

(from left to right), Vice-Minister, Marge Shivvers, OFS,Secretary, Melanie Dively, OFS, Minister, Dan Marotta,OFS, Treasurer, Amelia Palacios, OFS, FormationDirector Cathy Pierce, OFS

From Left to Right – Treasurer, Abraham Jaber, OFS, Formation Director Pura Reyna, OFS, Minister, Fe Huevos, OFS, Secretary, Maria Josefina Salinas, OFS, Vice-Minister, Enrique Torres, OFS

In the name of Christ. Amen. I announce the new elected council of…

St. Padre Pio Fraternity - Georgetown

From L to R: Formation Director, Peter Gruning, OFS,Secretary, Lynn Freeman, OFS, Treasurer, Mark Watson,OFS, Vice Minister - Virginia Livesay, OFS, Minister - BobPine, OFS

Immaculata Fraternity - Colleyville

From L to R: Minister, Carol Lieser, OFS, Treasurer, Chuck Lieser, OFS, Secretary, Mary Dang, OFS, Vice-Minister, Brad Toups, OFS, Formation Director, Teresa Stadelman, OFS

Paz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018Around the Region - Elections

Senor Santo Nino Fraternity Council – Dallas

(left to right), Minister, Mary Byers, OFS, Vice-Minister, Elma Granado, OFS, Secretary,Isabel Pina, OFS, Formation Director, Timothy Frost, OFS, Treasurer, Jorge Sosing, OFS

In the name of Christ. Amen. I announce the new elected council of…

San Jose Fraternity – San Antonio

From L to R: Minister, George Irving, III, OFS, Treasurer,David Basile, OFS, Vice-Minister, Judith Hooge, OFS,Secretary, Yolanda Montoya, OFS, Formation Director, LoisGuckian, OFS

Fraternidad San Damiano - Dallas

From L to R: Vice-Minister, Carlos Camacho, OFS,Minister, Maria Bernal, OFS, Formation Director,Lourdes Derr, OFS, Secretary, Alfonso Resendiz,Treasurer, Jose Flores, OFS

Paz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018Around the Region - Visitations

To promote fidelity to the charism as well as observance of the rule and to receive

greater support in the life of the fraternity, the minister or president, with the

consent of the council, should take care to ask for a regular pastoral visit by the

competent religious superiors as well as for a fraternal visit from those of the

higher fraternities, according to the norm of the constitutions. OFS Rule #26

St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity, Dallas – July 16, 2017

San Jose Fraternity, San Antonio – July 16, 2017

Paz y Bien Newsletter Fall 2018Around the Region - Visitations

St. Clare Fraternity, Crowley – April 7, 2018

St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity, San Antonio – Jan 7, 2017

To promote fidelity to the charism as well as observance of the rule and to receive

greater support in the life of the fraternity, the minister or president, with the

consent of the council, should take care to ask for a regular pastoral visit by the

competent religious superiors as well as for a fraternal visit from those of the

higher fraternities, according to the norm of the constitutions. OFS Rule #26

Happy AnniversaryFr. Chuck Gunti, OFM

50 years

Calendar

September 1st – October 4th Franciscan Season of Caring for Creation -https://franciscanaction.org/sites/default/files/Franciscan%20Season%20of%20Caring%20for%20Creation.pdf

September 30 3:00 pm “Come & See” St. Frances Cabrini, Granbury, TexasOctober 3rd - Transitus of St. Francis

Rufino Portion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Newman Center 7:00 pm

Leo Portion San Jose Mission Church, San Antonio 7 pmOblate School of Theology Chapel, San Antonio 7:00 PM

Angelo Portion 7 pm St. Francis Village Chapel, Crowley, Texas

October 12th 6:30 pm Fiesta Franciscana with Music – Mission San Jose Parish HallOctober 13th 9 am – 3:30 pm Fiesta Franciscana Mission San Jose Parish Hall 701 Pyron St., San Antonio

God’s love affair with Francis of Assisi: as seen through Thomas Celano’s,The Life of St. Francis and then God’s love affair with us today!

October 20th “Farewell to the Friars” 3 pm followed by 5:30 Mass and St. Francis VillageParish Picnic

November 3rd Angelo Portion Retreat: Fr. Lester Bach Stay tuned to the LTC website for infoNovember 10th 9 am – 4 pm San Jose Fraternity Day of Reflection Our Lady of Czestochowa, San AntonioNovember 17th 9 am – 4 pm Rufino Portion Formation Workshop