PERPETUAL PROFESSION: A STORY of LIGHT and LIFE

Perpetual Profession: The ultimate goal of Initial Formation; the renewal of Baptismal promises; a reaffirmation of the promise to live "from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel" (OFS Rule, 4). Each Formation journey that ends (and begins anew) with Perpetual Profession is unique. Chris Jeffcoat, OFS, of St. Joseph Fraternity in Charlton, MA (Joe Krans, OFS, Minister) reflected on his recent Perpetual Profession to the OFS.

In the photo above, in St. Patrick Church in Rutland, MA, Fr. James Boland, Pastor, representing the Church, accepts Chris (kneeling) as a Perpetually Professed member of the OFS. Fraternity Formation Director Stephen Maxson, OFS, is seated; Fraternity Minister (and Blessed Solanus Casey Regional Vice-Minister) Joe Krans, OFS, is standing at rear center; Tammy Hitzfeld, OFS, Fraternity Treasurer (foreground right) and Angela Richardson, OFS, Fraternity Vice-Minister (background right) were witnesses. 

FPC

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Towards the beginning of Saint Francis’s journey to sainthood, standing naked and before many onlookers in Assisi, Francis renounced his inheritance and his father’s name.  I was urged not to repeat such theatrics at my own profession.  I do feel though, that my Franciscan journey has been one of shedding of layers of the self that I thought I should or had to be, and a discovery of who God created me to be.  Some of what was revealed were things that I did not like about myself and it has taken years to begin to acknowledge and accept.  

 The Apostle John, says “In love, there is no fear; indeed, perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment and whoever fears has not yet achieved perfection in love “ (1 John 4:18).  It has not been my life experience that there is no fear in love.  The fear of losing parents as they get older, the fear as my children become more independent, the fear of letting down my wife, and the general fear of rejection every time I open myself up to close friends; love and fear seem to go together.  John was not talking about just any love but that of the divine love of our God.  This perfect, all-giving love is something that I have rarely encountered in my life, but it is exactly the type of love of God that Francis had and the type of love I yearn to know.

 As I sat with my daughter on the morning of my profession, after praying morning prayer with her, it became clear to me this type of love is worth living and even dying for.   This perfect love is not only what I desire for myself but also what I hope for my children.  If life is a school of love then surrendering to God’s perfect love is the purpose of each lesson.  This love is not achievable while layered in the garments of our false selves. Even Adam and Eve wore clothes that God made to hide the shame of their sin.  My profession is not a celebration of my nakedness with God but the beginning of the long journey knowing that as my life goes on I will hopefully take one layer off at a time.  The Franciscan Rule guides me and reminds me of the Gospel way of life which includes the cross, the mirror needed to gaze, contemplate, consider, and imitate Christ’s model of perfect love. 

 As I looked out at my church on my profession day and saw my friends, family, and fraternity, I felt an overwhelming experience of love.  I knelt before the priest but couldn’t help gazing at Jesus on the cross, and I said the words that made me a Franciscan for life.  At that moment, just for a second, I felt the deep knowing of God and the blessing, grace, and love that He has for me and I joyfully received this love with no fear.  This a foretaste, I pray, for the long journey ahead in my future as a professed Secular Franciscan.

 Chris Jeffcoat OFS

Professed January 30, 2022