Cyan Reed began her journey as a Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Candidate in October 2024. Arriving in Manitowoc, Wisconsin from (Holy Rosary Parish) Houston, Texas, her initial stage of inquiry has included study, service and many opportunities of learning and seeing in action our unique Franciscan charism. Through prayer and spiritual reading, she has also grown in self-knowledge continuing to discern God’s will. As our Franciscan rule states: “Let everything pertaining to this gospel way of life be explained to them, especially these words of the Lord: ‘If you wish to be perfect (Mt. 19:21) go and sell all your possessions (cf. Lk. 18:22) and give to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” And “if anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16:24)
Francis’ admission requirements are few but demanding.
Candidate Becomes Postulant
On December 8, 2024 Cyan accepted the Insignia of Postulancy signifying her desire to experience more of our particular Community’s spirit and history.
The Insignia of St. Francis of Assisi is a symbol referred to in Friar Thomas Celano’s first book. Francis made for himself a tunic showing the image of the tau cross so as to remind himself of his call to imitate Christ. The tau is formed with the hand of Jesus covering that of Francis. It is often referred to as the Franciscan Coat of Arms. The Postulant Insignia ceremony was held in St. Mary Chapel at the Motherhouse.
Community Director, Sister Natalie Binversie, after presenting the Insignia, read this Exhortation taken from the Letter to the Ephesians and Chapter 24 from the Earlier Rule of St. Francis:
“Live life then with a sense of responsibility not as a person who does not know the meaning and purpose of life, but as one who does. With Francis I ask that you learn and frequently call to mind the tenor and sense of what has been written in this life for the salvation of our souls, I beg God, Who is All-powerful, Three and One, to bless all who teach, learn, retain, remember and put into practice there things each time they repeat and do what has been written there for the salvation of our souls.
I implore everyone to love, keep, and treasure them greatly. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.”
Sister Natalie: May the Lord enable you to experience the joy of Christ as you live among us.
All: Amen.
Sister Natalie: May the love of God unite you with us and may we gladly share each other’s burdens.
All: Amen.
Sister Natalie: May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father…
Song: Blessing of St. Francis
Article Comments:
Sister Anne Marie Lom 12/09/2024 @ 5:59 am
What a blessing to have Cyan become a postulant yesterday! She can be assured of our prayer and support. Thank you for a well-written article and sharing our joy with others.
Fr. Placid Stroik, OFM 12/13/2024 @ 11:49 pm
I was there to hear
Cyan say
“I’m here I want to follow Francis”
And I say
“thank you God who calls,
thank you Cyan who responds.”
Anna Laxson 12/15/2024 @ 4:32 pm
We are so proud of Cyan from an early age she was constant with her faith and love for the Lord. She has always wanted to serve others and be devoted to became a servant of the Lord.