Sun. July 21, 2013 (Ken Friesen)

Ken Friesen provided a historical overview of the emergence and nature of two monastic orders. The election of the current Pope, Francis has brought renewed attention to the Franciscans. They are a monastic order based on the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi (1209), who was told by God to rebuild the church. Franciscans take vows of poverty, chastity and proclamation of the kingdom of God. Later Ignatius, a soldier, felt badly about conquering others and decided to do what St. Francis had done 300 years earlier start a monastic order. His group - the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) - believe reform begins with the individual; they strongly emphasize education and by 1556 had founded 73 colleges. The current pope is the first Franciscan pope in history. Ken noted that his habits point to a life of simplicity: using public transport and washing the feet of the poor including a Muslim woman. He has become a symbol of what the church should be. “I’d like a poor church,” the pope said. The issue of charity is important; Ken noted that less affluent people donate more the affluent. St. Francis was never ordained, and Ken observed that we have a pope named after a lay leader and a Mennonite church named after a Roman Catholic priest. (HN)

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