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How to Become a Secular
Franciscan
Article 6 - Secular Franciscan Rule
"They have been made living
members of the
Church in Baptism; ...
Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses
and
instruments
of her mission among all people
Proclaiming Christ by their life and words."
�
Is God Calling You to the
Secular Franciscan Order?
The process of
becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves
three separate stages and culminates in a lifelong commitment to live
the gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This
formation process unfolds in regularly scheduled formation sessions
during which the home study material is thoroughly discussed.
The first stage,
Orientation, provides time for dialogue and developing relationships
in fraternity. During Orientation you will be introduced to the lives
of St. Francis and St. Clare and share in Franciscan prayer life. You
will be given general information about the Secular Franciscan Order.
Orientation is a time to discern if the Spirit is calling you to a
Secular Franciscan vocation. The period of Orientation is a minimum of
three months.
The second stage,
Inquiry, is the first formal period of initiation. It is a time of
in-depth study of the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. During
Inquiry you will learn about the Franciscan charism and Franciscan
history. You will deepen your understanding of what it means to be
secular and Franciscan, and you will continue to discern if the Spirit
is calling you to the Secular Franciscan way of life. The period of
Inquiry is a minimum of six months. If a vocation is discerned, the
Inquirer is received into the Order.
The third stage,
Candidacy, is the final formal period of initiation. It is a time of
preparing for permanent commitment by immersion into fraternity life.
Central to this stage of formation is Article 4 of The
Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order which states, �The rule and life
of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the
inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.�
The period of Candidacy is a minimum of eighteen months and culminates
in permanent commitment to the gospel life.
After profession of
the Rule and permanent commitment to the gospel way of life, the newly
professed member joins the rest of the fraternity in ongoing
formation.
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