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arrowSt Francis' Life

 

ill titleWhat is the SFO Formation?

According to Constitution of the Secular Franciscan Order Article 40:

  • The time of formation lasts at least one year
  • The purpose of this period is the maturation of the vocation, the experience of the evangelical life in Secular Franciscan Fraternity, and a better knowledge of the Secular Franciscan Order.
  • This formation should be carried out with frequent meetings for study and prayer and with concrete experiences of service and of apostolate.
  • The formation guides the candidates to read and meditate on Sacred Scripture, to come to know the person and writings of Francis and of Franciscan spirituality, and to study the Secular Franciscan Rule and Constitutions.
  • The formation is done in a love for the Church and acceptance of her teaching.
  • It provides insights on how lay persons should practice living their secular commitment in the world in an evangelical way.
  • Participation in the meetings of the local fraternity is indispensable presupposition for initiation into community prayer and into fraternity life.

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    ill titleFormation Process

    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. ill_2

    Source: National Fraternity of Secular Franciscan Order-USA (http://www.nafra-sfo.org)