The TAU pendant

albertziggy · #1 Apr 11, '10, 10:13 pm

The TAU is the visible sign of the Secular Franciscan Order and is presented to a newly-admitted candidate (novice) in the form of a small wooden pendant. I noticed though that some are (silently Shhhhh!) not content with it. They would go purchase bigger ones, metal ones, etc. In some gatherings, fraternities would come wearing brown shirts, or jackets - just to let others know their identity. Then there are professed members who have full habits secretly tucked somewhere in their closets.

On the CAF, the visible sign of the secular orders is often brough up.

My question is, are you contented with the TAU pendant, or would you want a more visible sign?

Thanks,

albertziggy

Marauder · #2 Apr 12, '10, 6:48 am

I personally am happy with the Tau cross as is. My only complaint about it is that anyone is allowed to wear it, although in practice I usually only see member of SFO wear it, but there is no restriction to only members of SFO wearing it. It would be nice to have something that was really identified members as being in SFO and not just as interested in Franciscanism. We ask that anyone that comes to our fraternity events that isn't currently at the stage where they are supposed to wear it, not wear it. But they sell the Tau cross at the Friary gift shop with no restrictions.

Just as an FYI, the Tau wooden cross isn't the only thing you can wear to identify yourself as a member of SFO. Depending on what you are wearing you can wear a simple Tau lapel pin or a Franciscan Tau ring.

I think not wearing anything more then the Tau cross fits into the idea of us being in the world not seperate from the world like those that are religious brothers/sisters.

I know I get questions about my Tau cross at times and it gives a perfect chance to tell what it means and about what Franciscans are.

I actually had to get a special dispensation for my Tau cross. I am an usher at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. and officially you are not supposed to wear ANYTHING on the uniform that isn't part of the uniform. They made the exception for the Tau cross. So if you are ever at the Bascilica and you see an usher wearing the Tau cross, it is probably me.

Pax et Bonum,
Jim

JTheresa · #3 Apr 12, '10, 1:39 pm

I'm not a member of an SFO, but soon i'll be an TOR sister. In my opinion, just wearing the TAU cross is enough because, as previously said, the SFOs are still mostly in the world, if you know what I mean. Not wearing a habit makes them a little more approachable for people who aren't really comfortable around really outwardly religious people. Plus, it gives them an opportunity to show that you don't have to be a consecrated religious to be a part of a large religious family and share in a common spirituality with other people.

This may not be a very mature analogy, but it seems to me like the SFOs are the undercover workers of evangelization. They are in the world, working side by side with the people who are afraid of the church and just need an "ordinary person" to bring them back to God. But an outward sign of their membership in the Franciscan family is necessary, just as an undercover policeman still wears a badge.

That's a weird analogy, but that's just how I see it. Please correct me if it seems a little hazy.

Marauder- you are so lucky! I've been to the Shrine twice and could never have enough time to spend there. It's so beautiful!!

albertziggy · #4 Apr 12, '10, 6:01 pm

[quote=JTheresa;6516978]

This may not be a very mature analogy, but it seems to me like the SFOs are the undercover workers of evangelization. They are in the world, working side by side with the people who are afraid of the church and just need an "ordinary person" to bring them back to God.

QUOTE]

Hi Ma'am,

It's a very good analogy

Thanks!

albertziggy

Marauder · #5 Apr 13, '10, 6:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTheresa

Marauder- you are so lucky! I've been to the Shrine twice and could never have enough time to spend there. It's so beautiful!!

It is a wonderful blessing to volunteer there. Almost every time I go there I see something new. If you haven't already found it, the "Franciscan area" is in the Upper Church in the Sorrowful mystery section near the Upper Altar. St. Francis, St. Bonaventure, St. Anthony, St. Clare, etc. are all around the sorrowful mystery chapels. Since I am an usher I can usually pray in that area after they have shut off the section to everyone else while they are preparing for the next Mass. I just wish my family duties would allow me to volunteer at the Shrine more often then I do.

iloveangels · #6 Dec 12, '11, 4:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTheresa

I'm not a member of an SFO, but soon i'll be an TOR sister. In my opinion, just wearing the TAU cross is enough because, as previously said, the SFOs are still mostly in the world, if you know what I mean. Not wearing a habit makes them a little more approachable for people who aren't really comfortable around really outwardly religious people. Plus, it gives them an opportunity to show that you don't have to be a consecrated religious to be a part of a large religious family and share in a common spirituality with other people.

This may not be a very mature analogy, but it seems to me like the SFOs are the undercover workers of evangelization. They are in the world, working side by side with the people who are afraid of the church and just need an "ordinary person" to bring them back to God. But an outward sign of their membership in the Franciscan family is necessary, just as an undercover policeman still wears a badge.

That's a weird analogy, but that's just how I see it. Please correct me if it seems a little hazy.

Marauder- you are so lucky! I've been to the Shrine twice and could never have enough time to spend there. It's so beautiful!!

I like it. We are the marines. No, wait. We can't fight. LOL.

At any rate, yes, we are on the front lines and see people who would never know what to think of a sister in habit. I know what you mean.

albertziggy · #7 Apr 12, '10, 5:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marauder

I personally am happy with the Tau cross as is. My only complaint about it is that anyone is allowed to wear it, although in practice I usually only see member of SFO wear it, but there is no restriction to only members of SFO wearing it. It would be nice to have something that was really identified members as being in SFO and not just as interested in Franciscanism....

....Just as an FYI, the Tau wooden cross isn't the only thing you can wear to identify yourself as a member of SFO. Depending on what you are wearing you can wear a simple Tau lapel pin or a Franciscan Tau ring.

Pax et Bonum,
Jim

Thank you sir for your inputs. I share the same complaint you have. It is no longer surprising to see so-called 'rap artists' , 'rockers' here and their fans to have the TAU included in their fashion accessories. I doubt if they would go an extra mile to know its meaning. What is attractive to this group is the stainless steel version that goes well with the metal chains.

Personally, I would wear something to complement the TAU pendant. It could be as simple as a plain brown golf shirt or polo shirt.

By the way, in our country, the wooden Tau, and lapel pin are also the visible signs of the religious (friars), as most do not wear the habits as often as they used to. I am always mistaken as a friar than a Secular Franciscan because of the wooden TAU.

In Christ,
albertziggy

iloveangels · #8 Dec 12, '11, 4:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertziggy

Thank you sir for your inputs. I share the same complaint you have. It is no longer surprising to see so-called 'rap artists' , 'rockers' here and their fans to have the TAU included in their fashion accessories. I doubt if they would go an extra mile to know its meaning. What is attractive to this group is the stainless steel version that goes well with the metal chains.

Personally, I would wear something to complement the TAU pendant. It could be as simple as a plain brown golf shirt or polo shirt.

By the way, in our country, the wooden Tau, and lapel pin are also the visible signs of the religious (friars), as most do not wear the habits as often as they used to. I am always mistaken as a friar than a Secular Franciscan because of the wooden TAU.

In Christ,
albertziggy

Oh, I just look at it the same way I look at Christmas. Lots of people who aren't Christian celebrate Christmas. And every Christmas, a few of them come to their senses and join the church because they finally "GET" it.

{And 26 years ago this Christmas, I was one of them. LOL}

Luigi Daniele · #9 Dec 20, '11, 1:58 pm

I like the Tau with Corpus.

I just re-ordered one

Luigi Daniele · #10 Feb 27, '12, 1:40 pm

Anyone know where to get a Tau lapel pin that's a wee bit bigger than the "standard issue" ones?

Marauder · #11 Feb 28, '12, 1:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi Daniele

Anyone know where to get a Tau lapel pin that's a wee bit bigger than the "standard issue" ones?

I'll have to re-check the gift shop at the friary near me, but I seem to remember they had several sizes. Of course I doubt that will help you much.

There are several size available here:
http://franciscanresources.com/store...OOD_METAL.html

However, I personally have never ordered from the site.

Luigi Daniele · #12 Feb 28, '12, 2:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marauder

I'll have to re-check the gift shop at the friary near me, but I seem to remember they had several sizes. Of course I doubt that will help you much.

There are several size available here:
http://franciscanresources.com/store...OOD_METAL.html

However, I personally have never ordered from the site.

Grazie, fratello. I will look into it

EDIT: I have ordered from them before. Always been a good experience. What I'm specifically looking for is a Tau pin, that I can pin to the lapel of my pharmacist jacket....made out of metal, I would imagine...

odopa · #13 Apr 13, '10, 5:03 am

The Tau cross is my priceless possession!
I am only at the enquiry stage but no dragon can separate me and my Tau. I bought at a religious shop, had it blessed and wore it and from the time it hit my neck I felt so at peace, i felt physically liberated. I have worn it since, sleep, wake shower etc i dont remove it. It calms me, it reminds me of my desire to follow our holy father St Francis and our Lord Jesus constantly. It has a soothing effect on my emotions and I have to admit it has become part of me.

When I first attend the SFO meeting, I asked them if they had any reservations about my wearing the taus cross ( my is a plain wooden tau cross on the brown thread, small size). They were quite happy for me to continue to wear it.

Love always
odopa

Keystone28 · #14 May 2, '10, 7:15 am

I wear one, but keep it tucked inside of my shirt most of the time. I am currently in the inquiry phase, but will not be able to carry on, as family obligations are still not to the point where I can meet the demands of my fraternity. It is a challenge I have been trying to overcome for over 8 years now, balancing SFO with children and a wife who works weekends as a cardiac nurse.

On top of that, I am a Cub Scout leader for my oldest son, and that consumes a great deal of my free time ("an hour a week" my foot!!

), and I am running a business from my home making personalized Holy Cards and remembrance cards, along with a full time job. I read everything I can on St. Francis, Padre Pio, Solanus Casey, etc. I pray the Liturgy every day, the rosary and try to live my life as close to the Franciscan rule as possible. But because I cant continue my formal journey at this time, does that mean I shouldn't be allowed to wear the Tau I have?

Marauder · #15 May 3, '10, 5:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keystone28

But because I cant continue my formal journey at this time, does that mean I shouldn't be allowed to wear the Tau I have?

First off, I am sorry to hear you have decided not to continue in with SFO. That is part of the process in determining if the calling was meant for you. There is no way to know exactly what the calling is, it might just be that you are called, just not now. I personally was a Scoutmaster and then a Committee Member of a Scout troop. When I first felt called to SFO I started the process and was getting ready to enter the Inquiry program then the day I was supposed to say yes or no to entering the program, my wife said she was pregnant with our first child. I stopped the SFO discernment process.

When I decided to go down the road of discerning SFO again the fraternity that I had to switch to meet on the same night as my Troop Committee meetings. I decided that the calling was more important to me so I stopped attending the Troop Committee meetings. Not saying that decision is for everyone. Everyone's circumstances are different. I personally had no kids in the troop and had two kids below Scouting age. So that also infuenced my decision. You may still be called in a couple years.

As for your question about whether you can continue to wear the Tau cross. Yes you are allowed to continue to wear the Tau cross. There are no restrictions on who can wear it. The Franciscan Friary near me has it available in the gift shop and even gives it out free to people attending Franciscan workshops. However, if you ever attend an event held by the members of the SFO fraternity in your area it would be courteous thing to "hide" the cross under a shirt or something so they don't thing you are a member of the Order. Not a requirement, just a matter of courtesy.