FI celebrates the 800 years of the Franciscan Way of Life

On October 1, representatives from Geneva based NGOs and officials from diplomatic missions gathered at the Franciscans International office in Geneva to celebrate with FI Staff the “800^th Anniversary of the Franciscan way of Life”. The event, organized close to the feast of Saint Francis, proved to be a great success. It confirmed that FI, after more than 20 years, is  still one of the largest and most respected faith-based  NGOs advocating for Human Rights.

After an opening speech from Sr. Denise Boyle fmdm, Executive Director of FI, which detailed the role of Franciscans International within both the Franciscan Family and the international community, Br. John Doctor President of the International Board of Directors, evoked the beginnings of the FI dream.  

Inspired by the values of Saint Francis and Saint Claire, a sister from the United States and a brother from Malta had the same vision: to bring the Franciscan voice to the United Nations.

 Br. John praised the achievements that the three FI offices have reached since in the defence of Human Rights and underlined how FI is a wonderful expression of Franciscan solidarity; a collaboration of all the orders and congregations of the Franciscan Family.

FI staff share the joy of the celebration with the whole Franciscan Family and all those who defend, on a daily basis, Human Rights all over the world. For those who believe in the ideals of peace and justice, the achievement of one, is the success of many.

Br. John Doctor OFM president of the International Board of Directors of FI and Sr. Denise Boyle fmdm, Executive Director of FI with some of the participants to the event

Br. John Doctor OFM, President of the International Board of Directors of FI

Sr. Denise Boyle fmdm, Executive Director of FI and Br. John Doctor OFM, President of the International Board of Directors of FI

Opening speech given by Br. John Doctor OFM,  President of the International Board of Directors of Franciscans International (FI),  on October 1st at FI Geneva office, during the celebration for the “800 years of the Franciscan Way of Life”:

In the name of the Staff and the Partners of Franciscans International I welcome you to our Geneva Office and I greet you as St. Francis of Assisi would have:  “May the Lord give you peace.”

800 years ago the Franciscan Order came into existence when St. Francis and his early followers presented their simple rule of gospel life to Pope Innocent III.  At first the Pope was reluctant to approve their way of life as penitents, as Brothers of Penance.  After he had a dream of St. Francis holding up the Church of St. John Lateran in Rome, he approved their proposed rule of Gospel life.

When the Franciscan Family looks back over these 800 years, they realize that they stand on the shoulders of countless men and women who, like St. Francis and St. Clare, had given birth to Christ, who had mirrored Christ and who had proclaimed Christ by their unique gifts and talents. 

The Franciscan Family recognizes the great legacy they have inherited.  Like those who have gone before them, Franciscans throughout the world realize that each day is a new beginning.  Every day is a new opportunity to give birth to Christ in their hearts, to mirror Christ by their deeds and to proclaim Christ by their words.

This 800 Anniversary of the birth of the Franciscan Family is an opportunity for Franciscans to remember their past with grateful hearts, to live out their legacy in the here and now with passion and conviction, and to journey into the future with confidence and openness.

Franciscans have inherited a particular lens that colors how they live life and how they assess what is going on around them.  They see all that is as gift.  There is nothing one can claim as one’s own.  Since everything and everyone come from the same creative source, then all creation demands one’s reverence and respect.  All of creation is seen as a particular reflection of God in the world.

Franciscans also see themselves as lesser brothers and sisters.  They realize that they are called to be men and women who identify with the life of the poor and those found along the side of the road.  For it is the poor and most vulnerable who teach us what it means to be truly human.   They put us in touch with our vulnerability, dependency, powerlessness and limitations.  They reveal to us our interconnectedness, interdependency and interrelatedness as God’s sons and daughters.

Franciscans, likewise, see themselves being called to be bridge builders of dialogue, of encounter, of reconciliation and peace.  Finally, Franciscans perceive themselves as guardians of hope and promoters of the culture of life from conception to death.

The 800 Anniversary of the Franciscan Family has definitely offered Franciscans throughout the world to deepen their commitment to witness more boldly a Gospel response to the wounds of our world in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.  Franciscans International offers the Franciscan Family a vehicle to make a difference and to create a more just world.

In 1982 a Franciscan Sister from the United States and a Franciscan Friar (OFM) from Malta shared a common dream that the whole Franciscan Family would someday have a presence at the United Nations.  This dream started to become a reality in 1985.   A small group began the application process for NGO status at the United Nations.  In 1989 the Franciscans were granted NGO status, which gave birth to Franciscans International.

In 1995 Franciscans International received General Consultation Status at the United Nations.  At that time Franciscans International was the 43rd NGO to receive this status.  Today slightly more than 100 NGO’s have attained General Consultative Status out 1500.  Franciscans International is also a member of the Working Group on the Security Council.   This enables Franciscans International to bring information and concerns of the Franciscan Family directly to the Members of the Security Council.

In 1997 Franciscans International opened this Office in Geneva in order to work more directly with the Human Rights Commission.   And in 2008 Franciscans International opened an Office in Bangkok at the request of the Franciscan Family in the East.

What is unique about Franciscans International is that it is the one collaborative work that involves the whole Franciscan Family.  Presently, there are over 800,000 sisters and brothers in 180 countries.  If you know anything about the Franciscan Family, this is a miracle.  To get the whole Franciscan Family to rally around one common venture is like herding cats. 

Franciscans tend to be now people.  They generally deal with what is right in front of them.  Franciscans International has helped the family to be more proactive in bringing about systemic change both locally and globally, especially through the structures of the United Nations.  Franciscans International makes it possible for the Franciscan Family to influence policy makers and world leaders at the United Nations and at the grassroots. 

Franciscans International advocates on behalf of the poor and most vulnerable of our global community, especially with regards to human rights, peace-making and environmental injustice.  Franciscans International also facilitates dialogue between Franciscans and local governments on issues of peace, ecology, and human dignity and rights.

Franciscans International also animates and informs the Franciscan Family and grassroots partners on issues of importance; such as,

The violations of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The need for peace-making efforts in Sri Lanka and Israel

• Human trafficking
• HIV & AIDS in Africa
• Migration
• Poverty
• Disarmament
• Environmental challenge 

The Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations is also generating interest within the Franciscans Family.

I want to thank each of you for your presence among us tonight. The Franciscan Family is most grateful for your interest and support of Franciscans International.  May we continue to accompany each other in our ongoing efforts to be the voice of the voiceless. In the spirit of St. Francis, may we begin each day afresh and never lose sight of building a new heaven and new earth. 

Let us now pray together The Peace Prayer of St. Francis.