A wonderful photo of the Bishops Protector of the First, Second and Third Orders of SSF, together with the three Ministers General. The Lambeth Conference has provided a great opportunity for our global Franciscan family to meet up in person.
Our brothers in First Profession are meeting together for a few days at Freeland convent in Oxfordshire, hosted by our Sisters of the Community of Saint Clare. They have been joined by the Minister Provincial, Micael Christoffer SSF (back row, second left). Topics for discussion are wide-ranging, and it’s providing a great opportunity to reconnect after a considerable time in their various locations across the country.
Back row, left to right: James Douglas, Micael Christoffer, Vincent Paul, Tobias. Front: Finnian (left), David (right).
The Annual Brothers’ Chapter has just finished at Hilfield. Micael Christoffer gave the closing address as our new Minister Provincial, and Benedict was thanked for his ten years of service in that role.
It’s been a joy to meet this week and discern plans for the year ahead. New projects are in formation and there is a sense of reinvigoration after the challenges of the pandemic.
This year’s group photo was taken with our Bishop Protector, Christopher Chessun.
This year’s Annual Brothers’ Chapter has commenced at Hilfield Friary.
Our Minister General, Christopher John SSF, opened proceedings with a fascinating history of the Christa Seva Sangha, a Christian ashram which started in the 1920s at Poona in India. The ashram played a pivotal role in the formation of the Society of Saint Francis, and our daily principles are a slightly modified version of what was used at Poona.
This session was followed by a Eucharist, during which Micael Christoffer SSF was installed as our new Minister Provincial by our Bishop Protector, Christopher Chessun. Please keep Micael in your prayers as he takes on his new role.
The Annual Brothers’ Chapter continues until Friday (10th June).
The brothers at Plaistow were visited today by members of the Community of Saint Anselm. CoSA is based at Lambeth Palace and offers a one-year experience of monastic life for people aged 20-35.
Samuel and Tobias spoke about the many years of Franciscan witness in East London and the varied forms of ministry which we have today. Lunch was shared, followed by a visit to the parish of Saint Martin’s in Newham. Father Marco Lopes explained about the growth of Spanish, Portuguese and English-speaking congregations at the church, and the ensuing discussion focused on the importance of inclusive youth ministry.
Connections between SSF and CoSA have been developing for several years now, and it was great to share dialogue and insights with young people from all over the world.
Micael Christoffer has been elected as the new Minister Provincial of SSF’s European Province.
Micael is originally from Sweden and has been a friar since 2011. He is currently the Guardian of our friary at Alnmouth.
Our outgoing Minister Provincial is Benedict, who officially ends his term at our Annual Brothers’ Chapter in June. He will hand over to Micael after ten years in the role.
Please keep Micael Christoffer in your prayers as he prepares for his new responsibilities, and in thanksgiving for Benedict’s many years of supportive leadership.
The May issue of Franciscan Magazine is now available. This edition is focused on the links between faith and sport, exploring how games and activities can be a great way of reaching out to people who might otherwise not have any connection with the Church or the Christian faith.
This issue also has a wonderful feature on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of SSF in the Solomon Islands, plus a report of the Centenary celebrations at Hilfield.
We also have the usual round-up of news from our houses, plus extensive book reviews.
Copies and subscriptions are available via: https://www.franciscans.org.uk/franciscan-magazine/
Micael Christoffer, David and Tobias are in Sweden for a couple of weeks, meeting with various groups to celebrate the links between SSF and the Church of Sweden.
Here they are at Finnåkers kursgård, a retreat centre in the diocese of Västerås, pictured with Bishop Mikael Mogren and representatives from the diocese.
Destinations have included the delightful town of Arboga, where a special Mass was held in a church first established by Franciscans in the 13th Century.
The brothers then travelled north to the town of Rättvik, where an SSF presence was first established by Father Hugh SSF in the 1960s (pictured).
Now they are in the diocese of Skara, meeting local church and community groups for a number of days. Their visit will conclude with several days at Klaradals kloster, a Franciscan convent near Gothenburg. They will be meeting local members of the Third Order and prayerfully reflecting on the new connections that have been made.
The Society of Saint Francis has provided practical support for displaced people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom for many years now. This has included the offer of shelter, food, friendship, plus advice and support during the sometimes lengthy legal processes that can be involved.
The current political discourse around the subject of asylum seekers is becoming an ever-increasing source of dismay for many. We were heartened by the words of Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, during his Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral. Like him, we are deeply concerned by the ethics of sending asylum seekers overseas. We very much hope the UK government will reassess and withdraw this proposal.
