The need of Praying Fraternity

Today the World is spiritually hungry and thirsty. Men and women from all walks of life are turning to all sorts of spiritual Gurus. The need is felt strongly because of economic situation. Many are turning to Church and Charismatic prayer groups to seek God and spiritual solace. We Capuchins are known all over the world for our life of Prayer especially contemplative prayer. Many of our friars are giving good example all over the world. Many lay people are attracted to our form of life and prayer. We have to keep this going and contribute our might and share in satisfying the hunger and thirst of millions of people all over the world. There are challenges before us, which we need to face and some even needed to be tackled too. One challenge is the need to stress enough the importance of the daily community prayer that brings together all the Brothers. This community prayer is now compromised and pushed to a corner. We know that a praying community is most vibrant one. Praying community leads by example. Today in the name of apostolate and ministry friars are found absent in the chapels. Our senior friars wait for the young to come to the Lord and they are disappointed. If a Brother is absent on a regular basis from community prayer, the Guardians should do everything in their power to invite him back. The community cannot be idle on that score. It must always bear in mind that things can change and that such an attitude is not inevitable.

After admonishing the brothers we need to surrender these brothers to the Lord and pray for the conversion of these Brothers. We need to find best ways and means to reach out to these brothers who could be spiritually lost in oblivion. We need to help brothers their moral responsibility as a Capuchin who has to be a man of prayer and spirituality. We have to be grateful to the Brothers, especially the older ones, who spend free time in the oratory before the Lord, whether during daytime or when others are asleep. They are the heart and soul of our communities. They are the rock other Brothers rely on for support. Their brotherly presence and their silent prayer are a grace, which obtains countless benefits for us all.

In the west and Europe many of our Capuchin friars together listen to the Word and put it into practice is a community that shines forth. The morning meditation is an ideal time for Jesus, Word of the Father, to mysteriously transform hearts even better than a potter fashions his work. Let us safeguard that half hour, giving it all our care. Each one helps the other by the quality of his silence and of his attention. The Chapel then becomes the Upper Chamber where the apostles, together with the Virgin Mary, allow themselves to be schooled by the Spirit. Let not our words distract us from the Lord’s. Let us allow him to speak to each one, in his own language, for he knows us through and through.