This year marks the 800th Anniversary of the 1223 Rule of Saint Francis. From January 9-12, Friar Bill Short, OFM (St. Barbara Province), a theologian, professor, speaker and author, presented a conference on the histories and developments of the Rule of 1221 (Regula non bullata) and the Rule of 1223 (Regula bullata), to the Novices of the First Order USA Novitiates which includes the Friars Minor (OFM), the Friars Minor Conventuals (OFM Conv.) and the Friars Minor Capuchins (OFM Cap.), all located in California's Santa Barbara County.
During one of the conferences, Bill, best described as an "animated" speaker, demonstrated how a friar professes his feudal obedience to his "Lord" ('master'), in the same way that Francis of Assisi vowed his fidelity and allegiance (Forma Vitae) to Pope Innocent III and his successors . . . Bill was also one of the contributing editors of The Francis Trilogy, the landmark English translation of the Sources for the Life of St. Francis and collected writings of the 13th century.
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. . . and our brother Bill Short was not the only friar sharing reflections on the Rule. On Thursday, January 12th, we received this news and photo from our brother Jude Emmanuel Quinto. OFM Cap., Assistant Archivist of our St. Conrad Province:
"[This is a photo] our annual formation gathering that was held in Amarillo, TX. Bobby Barbato, OFM Cap., of the California Province of friars, presented on the Rule to celebrate our 800th year." In the photo are postulants and post-novices from the St. Mary, St. Conrad and St. Augustine Provinces. Our confrere Connor Bannon was able to escape DC for the Texas trip. Connor can be found third from left in the second row from the top. Our other men from Washington, DC were unable to make the workshop.