Franciscan Friars feature online "Spiritual Toolbox" for National Vocations Awareness Week

    /24-7PressRelease/ - FRANKLIN, WI, January 14, 2008 - Designed to compliment questions usually considered in beginning
vocation discernment, the "Spiritual Toolbox" is an online
experience modeled on St. Francis' life-changing experience at San
Damiano - www.franciscan-friars.org/vocations/spiritual_tools.asp.

According to Fr. Joachim Studwell, OFM, Vocation Director of the
Franciscan Friars Assumption BVM Province, "As a young man, St. Francis of Assisi, our founder, prayed deeply at San Damiano a ramshackle chapel outside the city walls of his home town. He asked the Lord what he was to do with his life, and heard the Lord Jesus speaking from the Crucifix saying, "Francis, go rebuild my Church which you see is falling into ruins." Francis responded promptly and began his vocation by literally rebuilding the chapel of San Damiano."

Like St. Francis, men visiting the Spiritual Toolbox have similar
spiritual means at their disposal. By reviewing challenging scenarios
and offering their conclusions, they can consider how to participate in "rebuilding" and "repairing" the world today, whether they choose
consecrated life as a religious or another vocation path.

As Fr. Kim explains "There are no "right" or "wrong" answers to these
questions. It's an exercise to reflect on real life challenges and, as in many situations in life, there may be several ways to reply! Here's a great way to prayerfully and deeply think how YOU would respond to possible situations in life and in ministry."

"This experience at San Damiano changed the life of Francis and led him to follow Jesus in a radical way, leading him to other encounters with the Lord and in service to his people."

The Franciscan Friars of the Assumption BVM Province serve throughout
the United States in Catholic education, parishes, health care, military chaplaincies and mission ministry.

Contact: Franciscan Friars - Assumption BVM Province
http://www.franciscan-friars.org/vocations/religious_vocations.asp
Fr. Joachim Studwell, OFM - Vocation Director, 877-636-3742
Prophetic, Fraternal, Franciscan

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