Glorious music new and old and prayerful reflection marked the Francis 800 events over the weekend of 3rd and fourth October led by tertiary Franciscans based in North Wales and enjoyed by 80+ participants in person and 25+ online from St Asaph to New Jersey USA!
On Saturday, brother John SSF, the guardian of Hilfield Franciscan friary in Dorset, shared thoughts on the meaning of “repair my house”; the words heard by Saint Francis as he prayed before the cross at San Damiano.
After sharing his own Franciscan journey and some context, revealing similarities between 13th century Italy and our times, John asked participants to consider broadening their understanding of God’s house from simply “the church” to include the entirety of the created order. He suggested reflecting on Francis’ last hope that Christ would teach his brothers ‘what was theirs to do’ and asked participants to reflect on what is *ours* to do now in the spirit of Francis. He suggested this might include being present in the community to those ‘not like us’ but In whom Christ may be seen reflected.
The day culminated in a prayerful *transitus* service marking the passing of Francis from earthly to eternal life and premiering new choral works by Gareth Glyn (mab a’n rhodded) and Ellen Davies (nunc dimittis) sung by Kana choir with cellist Anastasia Zaponidou.
Francis of Assisi was musical and wrote the Canticle of the creatures – also heard during the service together with two Salutations to the Virgin Mary written for the celebrations by Stafford based composer Andrew Baker. Baker watched the livestream of the service and said afterwards
“It was an inspiring and moving service. The words and music were beautifully chosen and placed. The nunc dimittis was haunting with the cello adding shadows and depth.”
On Sunday, the pilgrimage walk from Llanfaes to Beaumaris , Anglesey explored local links with Francis. A joyful Franciscan flavoured eucharistic service followed in Beaumaris church led by Rev’d Huw Butler with input from North Wales Tertiaries and Brother John.
The weekend was marked by humility, joy, simplicity, music and prayerful reflection, as is fitting for “the little poor man of Assisi” who sought to follow Christ so faithfully and whom we try to follow in turn. .
Grateful thanks to + Manon and Dean Tracy, Rev’d Andy Broadbent TSSF and Brendon Burmester from Bangor Cathedral plus Rev’d Peter Pike TSSF Rev’d Canon Michael Balkwill TSSF and Rev’d Jampa King TSSF plus Rev’d Huw Butler and all the tertiaries who took part.
Special thanks to Kana choir and Anastasia Zaponidou and John SSF for their part in this unique celebration.
