Bringing the pace of life down a notch or two.
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
I am looking at three items that draws my attention to the Day of Recollection* I just participated in. The items are a leaf, a stone, and a sand dollar. The leaf of a species unknown is no longer alive, but one sees veins that once supported its structure. Veins that bring life (nutrients) to the edges of the leaf. The stone, lifeless, shows different materials it may have touched in the garden where it was found. Then there was a sand dollar. Do you know that the sand dollar's mouth has a jaw with five tooth-like sections to grind up tiny plants and animals? Sometimes a sand dollar "chews" its food for 15 minutes before swallowing. It can take two days for the food to be digested. An interesting marine creature. And all these items were created by God.
Article 18 of the Rule of the OFS tells Secular Franciscans: “Moreover, they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the "imprint of the Most High,” and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.” The leaf, the stone, and the sand dollar are some of the creatures we are to respect, along with all human beings and many other creatures, great and small.
As we reflect on what we discussed, we realize that God is present to us in all of creation. (See the lyrics of “Canticle of the Sun” by Marty Haugen) “The heavens are telling the glory of God; And all creation is shouting for Joy.” [https://giamusic.com/resource/canticle-of-the-sun-print-g2788 ]
As I was absorbing all this and internalizing the lyrics and music of this composition, I was indeed shouting for joy, not at the top of my voice, but in my soul, and I was whispering, “My God and my All.” Jesus, in the monstrance, was set up on a table (altar) and we were sitting so all 30+ people were able to look at Him. (in other words, a Holy Hour). A beautiful time with the Lord!
I don’t get to Holy Hours often because I do not have a car. I am a homebound Catholic and Franciscan. Fortunately, friends take me to Sunday Mass and to Fraternity meetings. Holy hours remind me of a beautiful time in my life. In 1998, for almost five years, I was in religious life as a contemplative monk. The Order was in Massachusetts, and to continue this life, we needed a minimum of 6 members. Unfortunately, membership remained at three, and the Order was closed down, even after moving to Florida. I wasn’t happy with that turn of events, but our Lord provided a solution. I returned to Vero Beach and rejoined the Divine Mercy Fraternity. That fraternity was recently closed for the same reason: insufficient vocations. The remaining members transferred to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity in Port Saint Lucy, Florida. A very large and vibrant fraternity (29 professed, 4 candidates, and many new applicants at this time). Praise the Lord!
I need to add that Rule 8 of the OFS talks about contemplation. “As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do.” So contemplation is definitely a characteristic of our members. A perfect solution for an ex-monk who can’t let go. Forgive me, Lord.
“Peace and all Good”
Fred Schaeffer, OFS, Jan. 17, 2026
* Day of Recollection, January 17, 2026. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity, Order Franciscans Secular (OFS), Port St. Lucie, Florida.