A Day of Joy, Fraternity and Ongoing Conversion

“Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:28–29)

What do a bat, a mosquito, a Pharisee and St Francis have in common?

At first glance, very little. Yet they became the unlikely teachers at this year’s Day of Recollection, masterfully facilitated by Friar Michael d’Cruz, OFM. Through games, storytelling, performances, prayer and Eucharist, the retreat invited members not only to learn about the Franciscan life, but to experience it together through joy, creativity and fraternity.

Returning to Our Original Identity

Early in the day, Friar Michael reminded everyone that before the Friars Minor and the Secular Franciscans were ever called “Franciscans”, they were first known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance.

This was more than a history lesson, it was a reminder of our vocation. Penance is not simply an act of sacrifice, but a continual turning back to God. The Franciscan journey is one of ongoing conversion, lived daily in fraternity.

Discovering God Through His Creatures

The day began with an engaging activity on the “Creatures of Six” –  the Bat, Rat, Mosquito, Pigeon, Cockroach and Snake. Organised by Gerry, members were grouped together to explore the virtues and challenges of one assigned creature before presenting, through a song, poem or skit, how St Francis would embrace that creature as his brother or sister in creation.

Every presentation was filled with laughter, creativity and surprising insight. Members discovered that even creatures often feared or overlooked reveal something about God’s wisdom and, perhaps, something about ourselves. The performances beautifully reflected St Francis’ reverence for all creation, ending with each group receiving a specially wrapped mango from Friar Michael as a joyful token of appreciation.

Who Is the Real Pharisee?

The morning’s highlight transformed a profound spiritual reflection into an unforgettable game show.

As host, Friar Michael welcomed six contestants onto the “stage”:

• The Pharisee
• The Sadducee
• The Temple Priest
• The Zealot
• The Tax Collector
• St Francis

The audience’s task was simple: Who is the real Pharisee?

As each character passionately explained their beliefs and actions, members laughed, debated and reflected. Yet the game gradually revealed a deeper truth.

Drawing from Scripture and the Franciscan tradition, Friar Michael explained that none of these characters was simply good or bad. Each represented a gift needed within fraternity – fidelity, stewardship, reverence, zeal, honesty and humility – but each could also become a stumbling block when pride overshadowed grace.

The answer, ultimately, was not found among the six contestants.

As Friar Michael concluded, the real Pharisee is “probably you, probably me, probably all of us.”

The game was never about identifying someone else. It was about recognising the different characters within ourselves and learning to engage one another in fraternity through the spirit of St Francis.

When Fraternity Becomes Formation

The success of the game show owed much to the six members who courageously accepted their acting roles with less than twenty-four hours’ notice.

Gerry shared that she was inspired by Friar Michael’s explanation of each character, recognising that every one of us carries aspects of them within ourselves. She was amazed at how members willingly stepped into unfamiliar roles at short notice, and concluded that when we allow ourselves to become instruments, God can use us in unexpected ways.

Nick found great joy in seeing the fraternity laugh together. He was struck by the actors’ willingness to say “yes” in service, seeing in them an expression of holy obedience. His personal takeaway was equally profound, that while acting requires wearing a costume, we often wear masks in daily life that conceal the person God created us to be.

For Angelo, studying his character revealed that every group represented in the Gospel acted from deeply held convictions. He was especially struck that the self-righteous Pharisee was ultimately no different from the passionate Zealot in their shared need for God’s mercy. His reflection extended beyond Scripture into fraternity life today: before judging a brother or sister too quickly, we are first called to seek understanding.

The experience resonated throughout the fraternity.

Jeremy reflected that the game show helped him recognise how easily we become “the Pharisee” in the way we relate to one another. He was grateful to celebrate the Eucharist together as one fraternity and to witness the many talents shared through the performances.

Gaily appreciated how both the game show and the creature presentations invited members to look deeper into their Franciscan vocation. She observed that we often judge too quickly, whether deciding who the Pharisee is or dismissing creatures such as pigeons, mosquitoes or cockroaches as insignificant, when both people and creation reveal God’s wisdom. She left with a renewed desire to recognise the Pharisee within herself and to see every person and creature with St Francis’ spirit of humility and wonder.

Pauline was deeply moved by the honesty shared during the group discussions on fraternity life. The creativity and passion shown in the skits touched her heart, while the game show helped her recognise moments when she herself could become a stumbling block instead of living in humility and obedience. One examination question especially stayed with her: “When I am most convinced I am right, am I still capable of gentleness?” It prompted an immediate decision to reconcile with a dear friend whose attempts at reaching out she had ignored.

Jennifer Tan shared, “I enjoyed the session on 5th July organised by NC. The highlight for me was the creative skits presented by the six groups. Each group showcased unique creatures (God’s creation) bats, rats, pigeons, snakes, mosquitoes and cockroaches. The activity not only brought us together but also allowed us to explore the strengths and weaknesses of each creature. Through this session, I had the opportunity to bond with fellow fraternity members, share ideas, and discover the distinct characteristics of our assigned creatures. We enjoyed the skits, songs, and poems from all other groups.

The Song of Sister Bat

Out from the shadows of the cave she springs,
Exquisite design on leathery wings,
No mere glider like the squirrel in the tree,
But a master of true flight, wild and free.

Though the world calls you blind in the bright day sun,
Your true vision begins when the shadows have run.
Through the pitch-black void you can perfectly see,
By the bounce of your sonar and swift ecstasy.

Yet a heavy cross weighs on your fragile frame,
A carrier of sickness, targeted with blame.
Men flee from your touch, they curse your dark flight,
While you hunt all alone through the isolating night.

But look at that face, so humble and sweet,
Where beauty and burden so quietly meet.
In the frost of the winter, you cluster as one,
Sharing your warmth till the cold days are done.

A hero to boys who dream of the night,
A source of deep healing and medicine's light.
Little Sister, though feared, your purpose is grand,
Sustained by the touch of the Creator's hand.

Together, these reflections revealed the true fruit of the retreat. Formation had become deeply personal because it was experienced together in fraternity.

Shoulder My Yoke

The day concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, with music beautifully accompanied by Friar Derrick Yap, OFM.

Reflecting on Matthew 11:25–30, Friar Michael focused on Jesus’ invitation to “Shoulder My yoke.”

He invited every member to ponder three questions:

• What is making us tired?
• What is the meaning and purpose of our ministry in fraternity?
• What is God calling us to as Secular Franciscans?

These questions gathered together the entire day’s journey, from creatures to characters, from laughter to reflection, from performance to prayer.

As the General Minister, Jennifer Marie, closed the retreat with words of gratitude, members departed not simply with fond memories, but with renewed hearts. We left reminded that fraternity is not built by perfect people, but by Brothers and Sisters of Penance, people willing to begin again, to carry Christ’s yoke together, and to grow daily in humility, gentleness and love.

Perhaps that was the greatest lesson of the day: the real question is not “Who is the Pharisee?” but “How is Christ inviting me to become more like St Francis today?”

This article was written by Nicholas Gabriel Lim, OFS, Vice-Minister of St Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity.