Franciscan Resources - Constitutions

The following eight reflections were developed by Fr. Giles Schinelli TOR.

Study of the Constitutions

By: Fr. Giles Schinelli, TOR

to aid the friars of the Immaculate Conception Province united in their local chapters to reflect upon our Franciscan penitential charism and to discover new ways of applying it to the circumstances which confront them. Although, they were originally designed for communal reflection, the reflections are useful for individual meditation.

Each reflection begins with a prayerful reading of the texts and is followed by discussion. Some questions have been provided to aid the discussion process. Time is also given to applying the material to appropriate decision making. This is followed by spontaneous prayers of petition or praise.

Suggested Process

I . Opening Prayer: Have one of the friars lead the group in a brief opening prayer. Some suggestions from the prayers of St. Francis are included at the end of these reflections.

2. Reading the Texts: Although there is some value in taking the time to read the texts in their entirety, it may be best if this is done beforehand by the participants. What might be helpful to set the tone of the discussion is to read one article from the Constitutions which seems to capsulize the theme (sometimes this article number will be in bold type), an appropriate corresponding article for the TOR RULE and the brief introductory remarks. Adapt as you feel the need. Each exercise can be duplicated so that the participants have a personal copy. These reflections follow the order of the Constitutions.

  3. Discussion Questions: These questions are simply starters and certainly are not meant to be exhaustive. The leader should be sure to inquire whether the texts stimulate other questions.

4. Application/Areas of decision: This is crucial to the process. Tile goal is to encourage and to stimulate assimilation of the charism. It is not desirable that this becomes merely an academic or conceptual exercise. Like the Ignatian method of meditation, the participants should come to some decision or some action. This could be followed up by some kind of review (How is it working?" or "Do people really get a sense of what we are trying to accomplish?") at the next meeting of the Fraternity Chapter.

5. Concluding Prayer: Although utilizing the praise or petition modes, the focus should relate to the theme discussed. For example, gratitude and praise for having this time to understand and appreciate the TOR gift for the Church, or prayer and support in living out a particular vow, etc.

6. Recording Additional Insights: As the fraternity engages in these exercises, some idea, question, suggestion or reflection might strike someone as particularly poignant or helpful or even disturbing. These might be recorded as they may be helpful in making this a better tool.

I.

Continuing Formation
in the TOR Charism

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 1, 2, 3 and 6.
  Constitutions: nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 24, 25, 29.
  General Statutes: nos. 13, 14, 15.

Our Rule makes it clear that the TOR way of life is anchored in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the profession of obedience, poverty and chastity (no. 1, Rtor). To be faithful to the Gospel we have to do penance always as Francis' experience shows. This "doing of penance" flowers in poverty, minority and contemplation. - these four values being the prism, or optic through which Francis saw and understood the Gospel of Jesus (no. 2, Rtor).

Our Constitutions (no.2) speak of the particular ways TOR friars have concretely lived out these four values: in lives of prayerful contemplation, in dedication to the works of mercy, and in attention to the poor.

Discussion Questions:

I . What ties you personally to the TOR tradition'? How has this developed in your years as a friar'?

2. Can you talk about a way in which the mercy of God (directly or mediated through others) touched your life profoundly'? Did this experience invite you to become a "man of mercy"'? How did this find expression in your life, in your ministry?

3. What ministry in the Province seems to most embody the TOR spirit? Why?

Application - Areas of Decision:

1 What needs to be clarified or developed so that you can get a better appreciation of the TOR tradition? How can you go about doing that'? Can the local fraternity assist in the process and if so, how?

2. Reflect on your current ministry. Are there ways it speaks concretely to the people of the TOR tradition? If not, what creative avenue can be developed to make people aware of the TOR gift to the Church?

Prayer:

It might be useful to close this session by adding a prayerful recitation of the TOR Profession Formula (no. 49, Const.).

II.
Prayer
A Way of Life

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
  Constitutions: nos. 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75.
  General Statutes: nos. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53.

Our Rule invites us to make within ourselves a dwelling place for the Lord God Ali-nighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so that, with undivided hearts we may increase in universal love by continually turning to God and to neighbor. Francis was alive to God's deeds in His greatest deed, the Incarnation. By being present to all creatures, Francis discovered a, great mystery - the Presence of God.

Our Constitutions are eloquently simple when it comes to your commitment to prayer: "The vitality of fraternal life and apostolic witness depends upon commitment to growth in prayer. Each friar and each local fraternity is responsible for this vitality and witness. " (no. 74)

Discussion Questions:

I . Who or what has helped you to grow in prayer? Why?

2. Describe the last bit of spiritual reading you have done. What attracted you to this piece and how did it help you on the prayerful journey?

3. Whom do you consider to be prayerful friars in your local community or in the Province. Why?

Application - Areas of Decision:

1. If you could design the kind of retreat that would be most helpful to your growth in prayer, what would it be like'?

2. In terms of the friars of your local fraternity, what do you expect from them that would support your journey of prayer? And what can they expect from you?

3. You pray together as a local community. Does that prayer ever express itself in common action on behalf of "the neighbor"? How might it?

Prayer:

Pray together Francis' prayer for enlightenment in the light of some neighborhood crisis or need.

III.
Celibate Chastity
A Way of Loving

• TEXTS: TOR Rule; nos. 14, 15, 16, 17.
  Constitutions: nos. 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 76 (par.2).
  General Statutes: no. 53.

Chastity is not a privatized aspect of one's religious vocation but empowers us to witness to God's primacy in practical, visible ways, especially charity towards our neighbor. Far from diminishing our capacity to love, it is a grace which draws us into the world of human need. Lacking attachment and responsibility to wife and children it offers the opportunity for our love of neighbor to be radical and fearless.

This celibate way of living needs support. Our Constitutions remind us that fraternal love and the common life can provide that support (no.83).

Discussion Questions:

1. What have been some of your personal struggles in being faithful to celibate chastity? Have these struggles changed over the years?

2. In terms of your experience of living with your Franciscan brothers, what do you think are the significant sins against celibate chastity?

3. What risks has your commitment to celibate chastity enabled you to take for the sake of others?

Application - Areas of Decision:

1. If you had the opportunity to give advice to someone in formation about celibate chastity, what would you say?

2. If the local fraternity can serve as a support for friars who are serious about celibate chastity, what kinds of decisions/actions does your fraternity face in this regard?

3. What kinds of behavior in a member of your local community would concern you enough to speak to him about celibate chastity?

Prayer:

Our Rule (no. 17) speaks of the example of the Mother of God in living chastely. One of the prayers to Mary by Francis, for example "The Salutation to the Virgin" might be appropriate here.

IV.
The Way to Serve and Work

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 18, 19, 20.
  Constitutions: nos. 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91.

The Commentary on our Rule reminds us that intrinsic to the life of penance are the works of charity. Our turning to God (conversion) is only authentic, as the Johannine literature points out, when it manifested by a love of neighbor. The experience of metanoia projects us into the ongoing and daily reality of God's little ones, the marginal, the helpless and the unwanted.

Discussion Questions:

I To what extent are you "what you do"? Do you have a private, personal life? And how do you cultivate and share that private, personal life?

2. What has work taught you about your gifts and your limitations?

3. What group of marginal or poor people would you most like to work with? How would you go about realizing this dream?

Application - Areas of Decision:

I What kind of arrangements has your local fraternity worked out for itself to ensure that its members have a healthy balance of work, prayer and recreation?

2. Does recreation always have to cost money or be centered around the TV? Rather than approach this subject from an "a priori" stance, ask the friars of your local community what their recreational needs are and plan accordingly.

Prayer:

Spontaneous.

V.
The Life of Poverty

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 21, 222.
  Constitutions: nos. 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 78.

The Constitutions insist that poverty, like the other vows, is ail important expression of inner conversion. Article 93 sums it up well: "By placing themselves in the condition of poverty, the friars are better able to discover their powerlessness to save themselves and the richness of God's love and mercy. They strive, therefore, by this vow to be transformed from being totally self-reliant to being totally dependent on God".

Movement away from selfishness and greed and movement towards a generous and deliberate sharing of all goods and talents with the poor is essential to the life of poverty. Selfishness and greed can refer both to material and spiritual realities: seeking the latest electronic device, or complaining about one of the friars because of his apparent lack of usefulness.

Discussion questions:

1. What recent experience can you recount which has served to liberate your heart from self-reliance?

2. The vow of poverty is often reduced simply to a concern for material things. Francis saw it in larger terms. Holding on to grudges and hurts can be obstacles to living poorly. Do you have any of these secret possessions which you might care to be relieved of?

Application - Areas of Discussion:

1. Describe how you or your fraternity puts your personal talents or fraternity resources at the service of the poor. Is this effort visible in the local community? How do you go about determining what needs should be served?

2. Is there a need for reconciliation in your fraternity or in the Province? What can be done practically to bring this about?

3. Some local fraternities make it a practice of giving part of their Province income to the poor. What impact does this have on the annual Province budgetary process? Should we encourage this practice to ensure a corporate witness to poverty?

Prayer:

As you like.

VI.
Fraternal Living

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 23, 24, 13.
  Constitutions: nos. 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 228, 230 (2 & 3),
  231, 232, 77.
  General Statutes: nos. 53, 56, 57, 58, 59.

The significance of the word "fraternity" in the vocabulary of Francis is found in his insight that Jesus became brother to all of us in the Incarnation. Thus, "fraternity" is not a synonym for "community", but a special description of a relational commitment rooted in our relationship to this elder Brother of ours. Since we are received into the obedience of this relationship, we are not bound to place (e.g. monastery). By the inspiration and power of the Spirit, our gospel life means being ever open to a deeper relationship with God in Christ in whose footsteps we walk. Our loving service to each other and all creatures manifests this relationship (Commentary on the TOR Rule, M.Carney, T. Horgan).

Discussion Questions:

1. What skills have you developed in your experience as a friar which help you to recognize the Christ in your fellow friars?

2. How do you (your local fraternity) deal with those inevitable differences and disagreements which arise in fraternal living?

3. Describe the kind of caring and affection which would make you feel a part of a gospel fraternity.

Application - Areas of Decision:

1. To what extent is your friary open and inviting to others? Do you ever invite neighboring friars to dinner, to recreation? What about friends and others? What can be done to insure that your local fraternity will project this attitude of brotherly hospitality'?

2. Do you ever celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation together or does ministry or sense that "this is private" deter you? Acknowledging sinfulness, without necessarily confessing actual sins, can strengthen the bonds of fraternity.

3. Does your community ever plan to regularly visit the sick or retired friars of the Province?

Prayer:

Your choice.

VII.
The Obedience of Love

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 25, 26, 27, 28.
  Constitutions: nos. 114, 115, 116, 117.

Our TOR Rule reminds us "that in every kind of Chapter we should seek first the kingdom of God and its justice, exhort one another to observe the Rule we have professed and discover how we might more faithfully follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ (no.25).

Our Constitutions tell us that Chapters, whether they be of the Provincial variety (every four years) or Fraternity Chapters (the regularity of which are determined in the Provincial Statutes) are to be a regular feature in our lives. Chapters are explicit structures intended to enable us to renew repeatedly our living and ministry. They make sense if the focus of our lives as TORs is continual conversion. They also enable us to take shared responsibility for our lives without which the service of our ministers has limited effect.

Discussion Questions:

1. At this time in your life, what is the Will of God for you? At this time in the history of the Province, what is the Will of God for us?

2. The tradition of the Third Order Regular has been to become involved in the various works of mercy. What contemporary needs call for our involvement and how can we respond?

3. Has your conscience ever brought you in conflict with the ministers of the fraternity? What has been your course of action and how have you attempted "not to spurn authority but to speak the truth that comes from the heart" (Const. no. 1 16, par. 3)?

Application - Areas of Decision:

I . The obedience of love invites us to a shared responsibility. Sometimes individual friars need helpful support and intervention. Which cases could be handled on a local level? What skills and resources would be needed? Can your local fraternity assume this responsibility?

2. Is your local fraternity willing to assume the responsibility of regularly calling its members to fidelity to the Rule and Constitutions? How would a local fraternity go about doing this?

Prayer:

Francis' prayer which is found in the "Letter to the Entire Order" would be appropriate. 

VIII.
The Apostolic Life of the Friars

• TEXTS: TOR Rule: nos. 29, 30, 3 1.
  Constitutions: nos. 118, 119, 120, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127,128, 129, 130,131.cf. also nos. 139ff for concrete forms of evangelization.
  General Statutes: nos. 77,78, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84.

In our TOR Rule the chapter on Apostolic Life has many quotes from the Rule of 1221. In the sixteenth chapter of this Rule, Francis offers a "program" for the apostolate:

1. The friars are sent as lambs among wolves.
2. Discernment for a mission is to be done both by the friar and minister.
3. Two forms of witness should be given:

• a. peaceful Christian conduct.
  b. announcement of the Word.

4. Because we have been given over to Christ, every etieniy is to be faced with confidence. (Commentary on TOR Rule)

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you describe the connection between your life of prayer and your ministry?

2. How does your ministry involve you in proclaiming peace and working for justice? (This questions is also applicable to those working in internal ministries.)

3. From the time you became a friar, what kind of gospel have you written with your life?

Application - Areas of Decision:

1. How does your local fraternity stimulate zeal for the apostolate? What do you do to communicate and share with each other enthusiasms, concerns and problems relative to ministry?

2. To preach the Word of God one must understand the Word. Does your local fraternity provide you with the necessary resources- commentaries, dictionaries, etc. which can facilitate this task? Is there ever any kind of shared preparation for preaching?

Prayer:

As you like.

END

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