The Cord

THE CORD Now in its fortieth year of pubUcation (1990), The Cord describes itself as "A Franciscan Spiritual Review." It is a thirty-two-page magazine which appears monthly, except for the July-August issue. When the world-renowned scholar, Fr. Philotheus Boehner, O.F.M., a founder of the Franciscan Institute, originated the periodical in December of 1950, he stated in an opening editorial that, "The primary purpose of The Cord is to aid in effecting among us a deeper knowledge and more ardent love of the Franciscan way of life." What prompted this new project was Boehner's burning concern regarding a romanticized or even a sterile Franciscanism spawned by a superficial or indifferent attitude toward the rich tradition of Franciscan spirituality. Prophetically anticipating the aggiornamento oí Vatican II, he had discerned already in the postwar years the value for the world of a revitalized commitment on the part of all Franciscan men and women. He was especially concerned that Franciscan women of the Third Order Regular for various reasons had been denied rightful access to the remarkable tradition of the Franciscan masters. Their needs and desires were to be addressed in a special way. His hope was that The Cord might be a strictly Franciscan forum for "such matters as are of particular concern and interest to the Franciscan family." The last two words point to the great vision which Fr. PhUotheus entertained regarding the full Franciscan charism. This he expressed in the final sentence of his first editorial: For as the Franciscan cord is the symbol of that way of life which binds together all members of the Franciscan family, the symbol of that charity which Saint Paul describes as the bond of perfection, it is our hope to make The Cord an instrument for promoting closer unity among us not merely in symbol but in fact, and greater perfection through mutual love and coordinated effort. A "Message of the Editor" on the final page of the first issue expressed gratitude especially to the superiors of women religious who had subscribed to The Cord for all of their communities. It also mentioned the financial support provided by the Franciscan Educational Conference. 134+ JOSEPH D. DOINO, O.F.M. Keeping true to his purpose, Fr. Philotheus began by contributing monthly conferences on Franciscan themes, later relinquishing this feature to the esteemed Fr. Thomas Plassmann, O.F.M., whüe he himself translated for his readers each month a section of Saint Bonaventure's "Examination of Conscience." From the earliest issues of The Cord Franciscan men and women accepted its invitation to contribute articles. Early in 1951, Sr. Frances Laughlin, S.M.I.C., of Paterson, New Jersey wrote a twopart article entitled "Study and the Franciscan Vocation." This was the first of many fine articles written by Franciscan women of the Second and Third Orders over the years. From early on, lay Franciscans and others began to take note of the magazine, friars and sisters from around the globe made fine contributions. Franciscans from Australia, India, South Africa, Ireland, and the Philippines, as well as those studying or stationed in Rome, have become regular contributors. In recent years, articles from the pens of English-speaking Europeans have been published. Remarkably, the ecumenical impulse of the Second Vatican Council seems to have inspired Lutherans and Third Order Regular Anglican Franciscans to author articles dealing with Franciscan topics. Also, with the renewed interest in Franciscan scholarship in the academic world in general, professors and doctoral students having no direct affiliation with the Franciscan family continue to enrich the magazine with fine presentations. The initiative undertaken by Fr. Philotheus to familiarize the readers of The Cord with the thought and spirituality of the Franciscan masters through translations from Latin has continued through the years. Of special interest are the sermons and select sections from other writings of Saint Bonaventure which appear from time to time in original English translation. As a service to our readers, the translators are careful to provide insight into the inspiration which guides the Seraphic Doctor's considerations. The editors of The Cord have been quite sensitive to the socalled kairos in which spirituality in general...