May 3, 2007

Where were you twenty years ago? For me, this question is real easy to answer since it was twenty years ago, through the grace of God, that I, together with seven other Capuchin friars, began an effort to bring renewal to Franciscan life. This quiet endeavor would, in time, give birth to a new religious community in the Church now known by many as “The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.”

It was in the spring of 1987 when the eight of us, four priests and four brothers, presented ourselves to our religious superiors requesting a leave of absence with the intention of beginning a renewal within our Capuchin Order. At the time, it was not our intention to sever ties and begin a new religious community; yet after three years of fraternal dialogue with our superiors, both here in the States and in Rome, the will of God in this regard was to be fully unveiled. The process of discernment and negotiating would reach its definitive conclusion in June of 1990, when all eight of us received a canonical dispensation from our solemn vows as Capuchin friars and were accepted by JohnCardinalO’Connor into the archdiocese of New York as a “Public Association of the Faithful.”

Understandably, some of our confreres in the Order thought we went insane. Looking back and considering the whole situation, I better appreciate their opinion. In many ways each of the “founding friars” is very different, a fact which would be immediately evident is you personally met us! Yet, the contrast in our personalities eventually would serve to assist us. Despite our differences, with regard to our spiritual ideals and objectives, we stood as one man. Perhaps we were a bit insane to leave the secure shores of our community, climb into a very fragile boat, and head straight into the heart of a vast ocean!

Although I am sure no one made any formal bets, some held the opinion that our dingy would collapse close to shore. Others held their breath hoping that we would make it well beyond the horizon. Well, we did indeed spring a few leaks and totter more than once, yet by God’s grace we have more than simply stayed afloat. The adhesive which bonded the tiny crew was the certain conviction that the Church and the world was in the midst of a spiritual crisis—in the Church itself, in the priesthood and religious life, in the school, and in the family. However, the word “crisis” doesn’t mean disaster, but rather a crossroad or anopportunity. In short, we are experiencing a crisis in faith. Where and when faith is weak, the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, the Church, languishes and loses its strength and luster.

So, twenty years ago, by the grace and mercy of the Almighty, we seized an opportunity and chose a path which would lead us to where we are today. This is why the friars, along with the sisters, our associates, volunteers, and benefactors, gathered in the Church of Saint Adalbert, the church loaned to us through the generosity of the late Cardinal O’Connor, to commemorate our establishment with the celebration of the Eucharist. Honestly, it felt like both yesterday and ages ago when eight of us, perhaps looking like little lost lambs, first entered into a dark and almost abandoned parish church which was now bristling with light and life. What a difference two decades can make!

I can only speak for myself, but the way I see it, the spiritual crisis in the world continues to deepen. We can see that in many ways people are choosing two opposite paths. Yet, there are many, too many, who are standing with one foot on the shores of illusion and the other on the boat of truth. As the world continues to journey into the new millennium, no doubt the pain of straddling will become unbearable. Many will be forced to make a choice. This is why we must pray and preach the gospel. This is not a time to be afraid, but rather to be courageous and take a step which others call crazy. May God give each of us the grace to not keep one foot on shore, but to step aboard the barc of Peter where Christ is Captain. Yes, the world’s only sane asylum!

Fr.Glenn Sudano, CFR

Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, Newark, NJ