Post by lechat on Mar 30, 2021 22:17:21 GMT
Father Gerard, the most recent Franciscan to graduate from the Seminary of the University of Paris, stood on the step just outside the small chapel he had been appointed to, and reflected on the previous year. It had not been a good one.
Only a short time ago he had been enjoying the pleasures of an idyllic youth, until the fateful day he had been called before his father, the day that led to him standing here. He recalled the episode well. Instantly on reaching his fathers’ study he had known something was afoot, catching the sombre, almost pitying look given to him by his eldest brother who was standing by his Fathers side. “Well, my Lad”, started his father. “You’ve reached your Majority, it’s time I told you what I’ve decided about your future occupation”.
Gerards hearts sank. He had long dreaded this interview, for in truth he knew their could only be one outcome. His eldest brother would of course inherit the manor and estate, and his other elder siblings had already left their childhood home, to pursue careers in the Law and the Military respectively. That left only one course left for the youngest son. The family was a religious one, and Gerard knew he would be expected to fulfil the family religious obligations by taking orders, and offering the rest of his life to the Church.
The meeting had been concluded in minutes, and Gerard had found himself packed off to the Seminary within the week.
Life had not been sweet since that day.
His Patron, a Canon and ‘friend’ of the family, had proved himself no friend to Gerard. An acerbic old Franciscan, he had insisted Gerard give away every single one of his belongings on the very first day, to be replaced by nothing more than a threadbare, rough soutaine. And that was just the start. The Canon had proven to be one of the most uncompromising and zealous of the order, even among Capuchins, and Gerard had spent the next few months cold, often hungry, overworked. Never mind physical possessions, at times he had so many observances and duties, he had not even possessed sleep.
Unfortunately for the taciturn old Canon, this regime had not led to Gerard embracing such a hard, ascetic future, Instead, it had made him determined that there must be a more wholesome way to serve God and the Church, without such privations.
On the day of his Ordination, Gerard had therefore fervently declared his vows for The Order of Friars Minor Conventual, the most convivial of the Franciscan orders. In his heart, Gerard knew that to be fully effective in his ministry and to Parisian society, he had to live as one of the people, and evangelise through example, instead of scaring sinners away in case they thought they too should live the impoverished lifestyle adopted by some of his brethren.
With a blink, Gerard came back to the present. His new life awaited. Paris awaited. He took the first step towards facing it.
Only a short time ago he had been enjoying the pleasures of an idyllic youth, until the fateful day he had been called before his father, the day that led to him standing here. He recalled the episode well. Instantly on reaching his fathers’ study he had known something was afoot, catching the sombre, almost pitying look given to him by his eldest brother who was standing by his Fathers side. “Well, my Lad”, started his father. “You’ve reached your Majority, it’s time I told you what I’ve decided about your future occupation”.
Gerards hearts sank. He had long dreaded this interview, for in truth he knew their could only be one outcome. His eldest brother would of course inherit the manor and estate, and his other elder siblings had already left their childhood home, to pursue careers in the Law and the Military respectively. That left only one course left for the youngest son. The family was a religious one, and Gerard knew he would be expected to fulfil the family religious obligations by taking orders, and offering the rest of his life to the Church.
The meeting had been concluded in minutes, and Gerard had found himself packed off to the Seminary within the week.
Life had not been sweet since that day.
His Patron, a Canon and ‘friend’ of the family, had proved himself no friend to Gerard. An acerbic old Franciscan, he had insisted Gerard give away every single one of his belongings on the very first day, to be replaced by nothing more than a threadbare, rough soutaine. And that was just the start. The Canon had proven to be one of the most uncompromising and zealous of the order, even among Capuchins, and Gerard had spent the next few months cold, often hungry, overworked. Never mind physical possessions, at times he had so many observances and duties, he had not even possessed sleep.
Unfortunately for the taciturn old Canon, this regime had not led to Gerard embracing such a hard, ascetic future, Instead, it had made him determined that there must be a more wholesome way to serve God and the Church, without such privations.
On the day of his Ordination, Gerard had therefore fervently declared his vows for The Order of Friars Minor Conventual, the most convivial of the Franciscan orders. In his heart, Gerard knew that to be fully effective in his ministry and to Parisian society, he had to live as one of the people, and evangelise through example, instead of scaring sinners away in case they thought they too should live the impoverished lifestyle adopted by some of his brethren.
With a blink, Gerard came back to the present. His new life awaited. Paris awaited. He took the first step towards facing it.