Saint Francis
Embracing a Leper
(artist
unknown)
See in what manner God gave it to me, to me,
Brother Francis, to begin to do penitence; when I
lived in sin, it was very painful to me to see
lepers, but God himself led me into their midst, and
I remained there a little while. When I left them,
that which had seemed to me bitter had become sweet
and easy.
A little while after I quitted the world.
--Saint Francis
of Assisi, "The Testament"
Sending of the Spirit, detail
Heidelberg Bible of the Poor, c. 1430
"Repent and believe the Good News!"
Penance means conversion. The Confraternity of
Penitents is a world wide private Catholic
association of the faithful, completely loyal to our
Pope and the Magisterium.
Our Rule of Life has been reviewed by our bishop and
recognized in these words: "this Rule does not
contain anything contrary to our faith; therefore it
may be safely practiced privately by you or by
anyone inclined to do so. . . . His Excellency
is appreciative of your efforts to live and promote
Franciscan spirituality and especially promote the
neglected practice of penance and he wishes you
success" (January 30, 1998).
Members of the Confraternity of Penitents live this
Rule in their own homes, devoted to prayer, penance,
fasting, conversion, and works of mercy modeled on
Jesus Christ and inspired by the lives and teachings
of
St. Francis,
St. Dominic,
St. Therese,
St. Benedict,
St. Augustine,
St. Ignatius,
and all the saints, most especially Mary, the Mother
of God, who lived a life of true penance
(conversion) in perfect union with our Lord.
May Our Lady and all the saints intercede for all
who wish to embrace a life of penance, anywhere in
the world, so that the grace of God will assist them
to obtain every virtue necessary for a life of
holiness and surrender to the Will of God! Amen.
PRAYER OF PENITENTS
"Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness
of my mind, give me right faith, a firm hope and
perfect charity, so that I may always and in all
things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen."
(Saint Francis's prayer before the San Damiano
Crucifix)
MISSION OF PENITENTS
"Go and repair My House
which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." (The
message given to St. Francis in a voice from the San
Damiano Crucifix.)
ACTION OF PENITENTS
To pray for God's
specific direction in one's life so that, through
humbly living our Rule of Life, each penitent may
help to rebuild the house of God by bringing love of
God and neighbor to his or her own corner of the
world.
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VISION OF THE
CONFRATERNITY OF PENITENTS
The
Vision of the Confraternity of
Penitents is this: To give
glory to God and surrender to His
Will through the living of a
medieval, penitential Rule of Life,
the Rule of 1221. This Rule is
lived as closely as possible to its
original intent, and in one's
own home or CFP community house, in peace with all others,
and in obedience to the Roman
Catholic Church, its Pope, and its Magisterium.
The Prayer, Motto, Mission, and
Action of Penitents, as stated
below, complete the Vision of the
Confraternity:
PRAYER OF PENITENTS
"Most High, Glorious God, enlighten
the darkness of my mind, give me
right faith, a firm hope and perfect
charity, so that I may always and in
all things act according to Your
Holy Will. Amen." (Saint Francis's
prayer before the San Damiano
Crucifix)
MOTTO OF PENITENTS
"You shall love the Lord your God
with your whole heart, with your
whole soul, and with all your mind,
(and) you shall love your neighbor
as yourself." (Jesus's words as
recorded in Matthew 22:37-38)
MISSION OF PENITENTS
"Go and repair My House which, as
you can see, is falling into ruin."
(The message given to St. Francis in
a voice from the San Damiano
Crucifix.)
ACTION OF PENITENTS
To pray for God's specific direction
in one's life so that, through
humbly living our Rule of Life, each
penitent may help to rebuild the
house of God by bringing love of God
and neighbor to his or her own
corner of the world.
The living of the Rule of 1221 is
open to all, be they full members or
Associates. The leaders of the
Confraternity provide
formation in the living of the Rule
plus support, prayer, and
encouragement.
The Confraternity of Penitents
testifies to a secular world that
penance (conversion) is not only
possible but also wondrously
effective in bringing a penitent
ever closer to God's Will.
May God be praised for His gifts and
graces, given to those who fully
give themselves to Him in a life of
penance (conversion)!
Confraternity of Penitents
520 Oliphant Lane
Middletown RI USA
02842-4600
401/849-5421
bspenance@hotmail.com
copenitents@yahoo.com
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