Dying, As A Franciscan: Approaching Our Transistus to Eternal Life, Accompanying Others on the Way to Theirs

Introduction

Dying, as a FranCisCan Many of us within the Franciscan Family of the twenty-first century – friars, sisters, seculars and all those associated in any way with the Poverello of Assisi – find ourselves surrounded by those within our own communities and families who are in need of accompaniment and companionship as they walk the road toward the fullness of life. And each one of us, one day, will walk the same path ourselves. Numerous poignant artistic depictions in the famous Giotto frescoes show us the dying Francis and Clare being cared for and mourned by brothers and sisters gathered around them during the final days of their lives. These beloved friends of our founders journeyed with them, preparing them for that great transitus which would take each of them from this life through death into eternal life. Is there a particularly Franciscan manner of approaching our own passage to the Lord and of helping others to do the same? Are there particular elements within the Franciscan tradition – stories, symbols, 8 rituals, and so forth – on which we can all draw to help us and others whom we accompany in this ultimate pilgrimage of the human journey? There are indeed! On June 17-20, 2010, the Ninth National Franciscan Forum explored both aspects of this journey through a series of talks and discussions led by a group of distinguished presenters including: Michael F. Cusato, O.F.M.; Thomas Nairn, O.F.M.; Mary Petrosky, F.M.M.; Daniel Sulmasy, O.F.M.; Thomas Lynch; Kathleen McCarron, O.S.F. Held on the scenic campus of Regis University in Denver, Colorado, the Forum allowed presenters and participants the opportunity to delve deeply into their shared experience of sharing with, ministering to, and personally preparing for the transitus from earthly to eternal life. In this volume you can experience, in a vicarious manner, elements of the journey our presenters and participants took in their investigation of death and dying with a specifically Franciscan interpretation. Beginning with the reflection given by Michael Cusato during the opening prayer service –an adapted transitus service for Francis and Clare of Assisi – we look at the challenges we face in acknowledging an increasing awareness of our fragility, of our need for the companionship of and our responsibility to be companions to our brothers and sisters on that same journey with us, and finally accepting the grace to make that final act of surrender to our Good God. Thomas Nairn then opens up the early legendae and the writings of St. Bonaventure to begin a dialogue about what it meant to Francis and Clare to be lovingly embraced by Sister Death. Francis and Clare died surrounded by those who loved them and whom they loved. Similarly, members of the Franciscan family who are facing serious illness and death need to know that their sisters and brothers are around them. Mary Petrosky takes the discussion from the aspects of the process of dying – physically, emotionally, and intellectually – which can be considered universal to a recognition that the experience of dying is also singularly individual. Much of the individuality of the experience can be shaped, nurtured and deeply affected by one’s spirituality. In the end Francis teaches us much about Death, but also much about Life. “Francis knew how to die because Francis knew how to live.” Continuing with the connection between how Francis lived and how he died, Mary then draws attention to the challenges we face today in accepting the diminishment which is happening in our bodies, 9 our minds, and our spirits, which calls us to enter into a new phase of our lives. This transition most often means less physical activity with the gradual (if not sudden) withdrawal from the ministries which gave us life. How do we help our brothers and sisters to accept their new ministry of aging? Kate McCarron expands the discussion, considering three themes: mindfulness, wisdom and transparency. Mindfulness leads to integrity and authenticity. Wisdom is the second characteristic achieved through successful transitioning and leads to self-awareness. Finally, in transparency , we realize that God continues to call us to life until our last breath. “The center of our Franciscan call is a life of conversion of heart, and the real heart of the matter is our final conversion, our final turn from life as we know it, to the fullness of life, eternal life.” Kate next looks at how...