ACCEPTANCE INTO THIS LIFE
The second chapter describes the various stages of formation
and emphasizes the corresponding Gospel attitudes required - in both the candidates and
the community which accepts them - in regard to their formation, both initial and
on-going.
Beginning with this chapter, the four values which the C.F.I.
and the responses of the congregations indicated were essential in this Rule (poverty,
minority, penance-conversion and contemplation) begin to emerge as the «plot» which runs
through the whole document.
ARTICLE 4
Those who through the Lord's
inspiration come to us desiring to accept this way of life are to be received kindly. At
the appropriate time, they are to be presented to the ministers of the fraternity who hold
responsibility to admit them.
CONTENT:
Who is the candidate?
a) one who is moved and inspired by the Lord;
b) one who desires this kind of life;
c) one who has been presented to the minister who has the authority of admitting
him or her. Nothing is specified here because the details on this point will be indicated
in the constitutions and specific statutes of each congregation. The first two points,
.however, emphasize the essential requirement of every << vocation>>.
ATTITUDES:
a) openness, response, acceptance of the <<divine inspiration>>;
b) examination of one's will and capacity to respond adequately to the
inspiration for this particular type of life.
This article also emphasizes that formation is a dialogical process in which
both the candidate' and the community have their own responsibilities.
ARTICLE 5
The ministers shall ascertain that the
aspirants truly adhere to the Catholic faith and the Church's sacramental life. 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, go and sell all your possessions 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>>.
CONTENT:
a) the responsibility of the «minister» (the superior entrusted with that
task) to examine the candidate and determine his utter adherence to the Catholic faith and
the Church's sacramental life;
b) initiation into the life of the fraternity which, for Francis, is first of
all accepting the entire Gospel, which is the text book for all Franciscans, and
especially the phrases he cites.
ATTITUDES:
a) discernment of the candidate on the part of the community/fraternity through
the action of the <<minister>>;
b) a sense of responsibility in communicating and helping - the candidate
understand the Gospel and the Gospel sense of a vocation to the Franciscan life.
The biblical citations included are fundamental for Francis. Therefore they are
included in their entirety, as Francis did in the Regula non bullata.
ARTICLE 6
Led by the Lord; let them begin a life
of penance, conscious that all of us must be continuously and totally converted to the
Lord. As a sign of their conversion and consecration to gospel life, they are to clothe
themselves plainly and to live in simplicity.
CONTENT:
The beginning of religious life in this Order. Its
characteristics are:
a) it will be a life of <<conversion to God>>;
b) <<conversion>> is an interior movement; however, there should be
a corresponding external sign which tells others that the person is dedicated and
consecrated to that type of life.
ATTITUDES:
a) the desire to dedicate oneself to a life of conversion and consecration to
God according to the Gospel;
b) the desire to manifest this dedication externally as well;
The expression << conversion to God>> is the core of the entire
<< penitential spirituality>> which should and must be treated in the
particular instructional documents. It should also be noted that penance-conversion
(Gospel metanoia) is presented in this Rule as the basic characteristic of the Order.
ARTICLE 7
When their initial formation is
completed, they are to be received into obedience, promising to observe this life and rule
always. Let them put aside all attachment as well as every care and worry. Let them only
be concerned to serve, love, adore and honor the Lord God, as best they can, with
singleheartedness and purity of intention.
This article refers to perpetual profession. The second part concerns the
attitudes necessary for living what has been professed.
CONTENT:
a) profess (<<be-received into obedience>>) to live this form of
religious life forever;
b) this essentially consists in << serving, loving, honoring and adoring
the Lord totally and exclusively>> (<<with singleheartedness and purity of
intention>>), with no other <<attachment>> or <<worry>>.
ATTITUDES:
Be disposed to:
a) promise to live this type of life forever;
b) to the exclusion of all other concerns.
ARTICLE 8
Within themselves, let them always make
a dwelling place and home for the Lord God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so that,
with undivided hearts, they may increase in universal love by continually turning to God
and to neighbor.
CONTENT:
It is ongoing formation (<<let them always
build>>) which will be:
a) conversion to God. The phrasing of this article is nothing other than an
accurate, although different, definition of << continuous conversion>>;
b) conversion to one's neighbor, that is, in growing in love of God, love of
neighbor will be manifested, as the Lord commanded.
ATTITUDES:
a) dedication to a contemplative life;
b) dedication to a life of external, active charity.
The terminology of this article insists once again, as does the preceding one,
but with different expressions (<<with undivided hearts, they may increase in
universal love») on the exclusive dedication to the love of God and love of neighbor
which is a result of loving God.>> |
