CHAPTER IVCHAPTER IVGUIDELINES TO INITIAL GUIDELINES TO INITIAL

FORMATIONFORMATION

THE SFO RULETHE SFO RULE

OUR RULEOUR RULE

Source of inspiration for livingSource of inspiration for living Rich in Biblical elementsRich in Biblical elements Contains theology of earthly realitiesContains theology of earthly realities Full of Christian and Franciscan Full of Christian and Franciscan

spiritualityspirituality

TEACHING THE RULETEACHING THE RULE

Don’t present the 26 Articles separately.

Important to develop: The lines of strength in them The important ideas in each The dynamic of each Article

Christ sends us into the world; Action in the world sends us back to

Christ.

THE RULE – CHAPTER 1THE RULE – CHAPTER 1The Spiritual Family of Francis The Spiritual Family of Francis

in the Church – Article 1 in the Church – Article 1 “The Franciscan family, as one

among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, unites all members of the people of God - laity, religious, and priests - who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. “

[Article 1][Article 1]

“In various ways and forms but in life-giving union with each other, they intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church.”

HISTORICALLYHISTORICALLY

It’s good to place the Franciscan It’s good to place the Franciscan family in the history of the Church family in the history of the Church and society, thereby revealing the and society, thereby revealing the richness of the variety of the Orders, richness of the variety of the Orders, Congregations, and Institutes of Congregations, and Institutes of Perfection generated by the Holy Perfection generated by the Holy Spirit through the centuries.Spirit through the centuries.

[Art. 1][Art. 1]

Inspired by Vatican II documents. Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic

Constitution on the Church) - the Church is the people of God, centered around Christ Jesus as its head, and sustained by the Holy Spirit as its soul.

[[Lumen Gentium ]

“The Spirit is, for the Church and for each and every believer, the principle of their union and unity in the teaching of the apostles and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayer (cf. Acts 2:42 Gk.). All mankind is called to be part of Christ’s Church, that is, to be united with her.”

[[Lumen Gentium ]

Speaks of the various gifts given to the Speaks of the various gifts given to the laity, to religious, to priests – many laity, to religious, to priests – many spiritual families, who are spiritual families, who are “bound together in brotherly communion in the army of Christ.”

Read again the beginning of Article 1.

[Art. 1][Art. 1]

Apostolicam Actuositatem (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity) said: “. . .[T]he laity who have followed their vocation and have become members of one of the associations or institutes approved by the Church try faithfully to adopt the special characteristics of the spiritual life which are proper to them as well.”

[Art. 1][Art. 1]

Perfectae Caritatis (The Decree on the Appropriate Renewal of Religious Life) said that the “founders’ spirit and special aims” should be “faithfully held in honor.”

Introductory words to that Decree say it applied to both vowed religious and those without vows and in secular institutes.

[Apostolicam Actuositatem and Perfectae Caritatis ]

Those words were the inspiration for Those words were the inspiration for the words in Art. 1 that the Secular the words in Art. 1 that the Secular Franciscans Franciscans “intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father.”

Those Vatican II documents also made it clear that all institutes should “share in the life of the Church.”

In an address given by Pius XII to Seculars in 1956, he asserted the great need of the Church for the distinctive Franciscan spirituality to reform the world and help in rebuilding the Church. He also placed emphasis on the fact that the Secular Franciscan Order is “an order: a lay order, but truly an order”, quoting a statement to that effect made earlier (1921) by Benedict XV.

(Pius XII, Allocution to Tertiaries July 1, 1956)(Pius XII, Allocution to Tertiaries July 1, 1956)

WHO WAS FRANCIS?WHO WAS FRANCIS?

“ “Called to follow Christ in the Called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis” means we footsteps of St. Francis” means we need to look at Francis.need to look at Francis.

The first Life of Celano gives the The first Life of Celano gives the importance of the conversion-importance of the conversion-vocation of the young Francis, and vocation of the young Francis, and brings to mind the biblical elements brings to mind the biblical elements of the vocation of Abraham. of the vocation of Abraham.

GENESIS 12:1-2GENESIS 12:1-2

““The Lord said to Abram: “Go The Lord said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”you will be a blessing.”

[Who Was Francis?][Who Was Francis?]

In a parallel way, we should take note In a parallel way, we should take note how every vocation becomes a mission: how every vocation becomes a mission: Abraham was called to be the father of Abraham was called to be the father of a great people in order to give witness a great people in order to give witness to the true and one God in the midst of to the true and one God in the midst of the nations. Israel had a profound the nations. Israel had a profound consciousness that she was a people, a consciousness that she was a people, a real community. This awareness we real community. This awareness we discover again in the first Christian discover again in the first Christian groups and in the Muslim world.groups and in the Muslim world.

[Who Was Francis][Who Was Francis]

St. Francis has become the “father of St. Francis has become the “father of the Franciscan people.” “The Lord the Franciscan people.” “The Lord gave me brothers,” Francis says in gave me brothers,” Francis says in his Testament. These brothers are a his Testament. These brothers are a “little flock that the Son of God in “little flock that the Son of God in these latter times has asked of his these latter times has asked of his Father.” Father.”

(Legend of Perugia 67)(Legend of Perugia 67)

WHO ARE THE “FRANCISCAN WHO ARE THE “FRANCISCAN PEOPLE/FAMILY”?PEOPLE/FAMILY”?

First Orders:First Orders:– Order of Friars Minor, O.F.M.Order of Friars Minor, O.F.M.– Order of Friars Minor, Conventual, Order of Friars Minor, Conventual,

O.F.M.Conv.O.F.M.Conv.– Order of Friars Minor, Capuchins, Order of Friars Minor, Capuchins,

O.F.M.CapO.F.M.Cap Second Order: Poor Clares, P.C.

[Franciscan Family][Franciscan Family]

Third Orders:Third Orders:– Secular Franciscan Order, S.F.O.Secular Franciscan Order, S.F.O.– Third Order Regular, T.O.R.Third Order Regular, T.O.R.– Third order sisters: O.S.F. (and Third order sisters: O.S.F. (and

others)others)– Anglican Third Order of St. FrancisAnglican Third Order of St. Francis– Ecumenical FranciscansEcumenical Franciscans

THE CALL TO FOLLOW THE CALL TO FOLLOW CHRISTCHRIST

Each person is called by God and Each person is called by God and sent.sent.

How were YOU called and sent?How were YOU called and sent?

THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER – ARTICLE 2ORDER – ARTICLE 2

• ““The Secular Franciscan Order The Secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in this holds a special place in this family circle. It is an organic family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world scattered throughout the world and open to every group of the and open to every group of the faithful.“ faithful.“

[Art. 2][Art. 2]

• ““In these fraternities the In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state.in their own secular state.

• By their profession they pledge By their profession they pledge themselves to live the gospel in themselves to live the gospel in the manner of Saint Francis by the manner of Saint Francis by means of this rule approved by means of this rule approved by the Church.”the Church.”

[Art. 2][Art. 2]

• The Secular Franciscan Fraternity is The Secular Franciscan Fraternity is presented as an integral part of the presented as an integral part of the Franciscan family. Much has been Franciscan family. Much has been written about the origins of the written about the origins of the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. “Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis.” To understand the SFO, you Francis.” To understand the SFO, you need to know its history and the need to know its history and the contribution of the secular dimension contribution of the secular dimension toward the fullness of the Franciscan toward the fullness of the Franciscan charism.charism.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE THE EVOLUTION OF THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN SECULAR FRANCISCAN

RULE - ARTICLE 3RULE - ARTICLE 3 ““The present rule, succeeding The present rule, succeeding

Memoriale PropositiMemoriale Propositi (1221) and (1221) and the rules aproved by the Supreme the rules aproved by the Supreme Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII, Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII, adapts the Secular Franciscan adapts the Secular Franciscan Order to the needs and Order to the needs and expectations of the Holy Church expectations of the Holy Church in the conditions of changing in the conditions of changing times.”times.”

[Article 3][Article 3]

““Its interpretation belongs to Its interpretation belongs to the Holy See and its the Holy See and its application will be made by application will be made by the General Constitutions the General Constitutions and particular statutes”and particular statutes”

[Evolution of the Rule][Evolution of the Rule]

It is important to study an overview of It is important to study an overview of the four Rules that the S.F.O. has had the four Rules that the S.F.O. has had since the time of Francis, as well as the since the time of Francis, as well as the Volterra Letter (Prologue to the Rule). Volterra Letter (Prologue to the Rule). Memoriale Propositi (1221)Memoriale Propositi (1221) Rule of Nicholas IV (1289)Rule of Nicholas IV (1289) Rule of Leo XIII (1883)Rule of Leo XIII (1883) Rule of Paul VI (1978) Rule of Paul VI (1978)

[Evolution of the Rule][Evolution of the Rule]

It is necessary to know the evolution It is necessary to know the evolution of the Secular Franciscan Order from of the Secular Franciscan Order from Leo XIII to the present, paying Leo XIII to the present, paying attention to the renewal movements attention to the renewal movements pre and post Vatican Council II. The pre and post Vatican Council II. The unity of the Franciscan family with its unity of the Franciscan family with its dynamic interaction emerges from dynamic interaction emerges from this historical reflection.this historical reflection.

11STST UNOFFICIAL RULE UNOFFICIAL RULE

The first form of life Francis gave to the lay men and women who wished to follow the Gospel way of life was found in his First Letter to All the Faithful,1 often called the Earlier Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance written between 1209 and 1215

11 Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance Resource Manual, 50.Resource Manual, 50.

Five elements set forth in that “First Letter” as directions for the penitents: Love God; Love one’s neighbor; Resist the sinful tendencies of our fallen

nature; Participate in the sacramental life,

especially the Eucharist; and Act in conformity with the conversion that

the person has accepted.1 11 Raffaele Pazzelli, St. Francis and the Raffaele Pazzelli, St. Francis and the

Third Order 42. Third Order 42.

[1[1stst “Rule”] “Rule”]

That document is the Prologue to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order today.

Followed in about 1221 by the Later Admonition and Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance (Second Letter to the Faithful)

Central theme in both – “love of God”

[1[1stst “Rule] “Rule] Called those who would follow Francis

to

“a radical Christianity that goes against our human nature” where

“there could be no compromise.”1

11 Esser, La Lettera, 73, quoted in Pazzelli Esser, La Lettera, 73, quoted in Pazzelli

Memoriale propositii -Memoriale propositii -12211221

First official Rule of the Seculars.First official Rule of the Seculars. Probably a combined work of Francis Probably a combined work of Francis

and Cardinal Ugolinoand Cardinal Ugolino Contained specific requirements and Contained specific requirements and

prohibitions prohibitions Based on Based on an “austere principle of

personal sanctification,” demanding a sincere vocation and total dedication

[[Memoriale PropositiiMemoriale Propositii]]

Showed how to live the Gospel in Showed how to live the Gospel in secular life based on the love taught secular life based on the love taught by Jesus.by Jesus.

Demanded a life of prayer and Demanded a life of prayer and A more intense sacramental life than A more intense sacramental life than

was expected of other Christians at was expected of other Christians at the time.the time.

Contained instructions to be peaceful Contained instructions to be peaceful and to be charitable.and to be charitable.

Rule of Nicholas IV - Rule of Nicholas IV - 12891289

Had laws on dress, fasting, Had laws on dress, fasting, sacraments, etc.sacraments, etc.

Required certain communal actions Required certain communal actions such as monthly meetingssuch as monthly meetings

Communal life involved the minister, Communal life involved the minister, the visitator, and the “suitable the visitator, and the “suitable person” for instruction.person” for instruction.

[RULE OF NICHOLAS IV][RULE OF NICHOLAS IV]

Affirmed that “the present way of life Affirmed that “the present way of life had its beginning in blessed Francis.”had its beginning in blessed Francis.”

Had specific prohibitions and Had specific prohibitions and requirements on how to live life as a requirements on how to live life as a Secular following the Franciscan Secular following the Franciscan charismcharism

Contained all the basic Gospel Contained all the basic Gospel elements of living a life of peace and elements of living a life of peace and love. love.

[Rule of Nicholas IV][Rule of Nicholas IV]

Specified how and when to fast, what Specified how and when to fast, what to wear, and the color of clothingto wear, and the color of clothing

Provided for a monthly collection, to Provided for a monthly collection, to be used to first help those brothers be used to first help those brothers and sisters in need, then other poorand sisters in need, then other poor

Required visiting the sick members Required visiting the sick members once a week.once a week.

Visitation was to be once a year.Visitation was to be once a year.

RULE OF LEO XIII – 1883RULE OF LEO XIII – 1883

Shortened the Rule to three chapters:Shortened the Rule to three chapters: Reception, Novitiate and ProfessionReception, Novitiate and Profession Rule of LifeRule of Life Offices, Visitation and the Rule itself.Offices, Visitation and the Rule itself.

Core was based on the teachings of Core was based on the teachings of Christ and the Church – love and Christ and the Church – love and peace.peace.

[Rule of Leo XIII][Rule of Leo XIII]

““Habit” was a small scapular and the Habit” was a small scapular and the cord, worn under outer clothing.cord, worn under outer clothing.

11stst year in the Order was one of year in the Order was one of probation.probation.

Had two fast days – Vigil of Had two fast days – Vigil of Immaculate Conception and Vigil of Immaculate Conception and Vigil of Feast of St. FrancisFeast of St. Francis

Should receive Sacraments of Penance Should receive Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist monthlyand Eucharist monthly

[Rule of Leo XIII][Rule of Leo XIII]

Encouraged daily Mass.Encouraged daily Mass. Term of office 3 years.Term of office 3 years. Visitors came once a year.Visitors came once a year. Visitors admonished those who had Visitors admonished those who had

failed to live the Rule; after 3 failed to live the Rule; after 3 admonishments, members were admonishments, members were dismissed from the Order.dismissed from the Order.

For good cause members could be For good cause members could be dispensed.dispensed.

CONNECTION OF THE RULESCONNECTION OF THE RULES

A careful study of all the Rules will A careful study of all the Rules will show some common threads running show some common threads running throughout them.throughout them.

Our Chapter 1 refers back to all the Our Chapter 1 refers back to all the other Rules.other Rules.

The importance of the five elements The importance of the five elements set out in the Prologue have never set out in the Prologue have never changed. Present in various forms in changed. Present in various forms in every Rule.every Rule.

[Connection][Connection]

Our Article 1 sets out this unity and Our Article 1 sets out this unity and continuity.continuity.

It is essential to our Rule to give It is essential to our Rule to give present day Seculars assurances of present day Seculars assurances of our continuous history since Francis.our continuous history since Francis.

THE RULE -CHAPTER 2 THE RULE -CHAPTER 2 THE WAY OF LIFE – THE WAY OF LIFE –

ARTICLES ARTICLES 4 - 19 4 - 19

Introduction: A Project of Life Introduction: A Project of Life or Ruleor Rule::

This theme should be unfolded This theme should be unfolded in in a dialogue with the candidates, a dialogue with the candidates,

starting with the question? starting with the question? “What “What do you want to do with your do you want to do with your life in life in response to the Divine response to the Divine call?”call?”

[The Way of Life][The Way of Life] Discuss with the candidates the Discuss with the candidates the human human

vocationvocation as related in the Scriptures: as related in the Scriptures: Adam and Eve are called to life to Adam and Eve are called to life to

work together with God to develop work together with God to develop all of the created world in accord all of the created world in accord with the plan of God, who entrusts with the plan of God, who entrusts the world to the human family;the world to the human family;

Abraham is called to follow the Lord Abraham is called to follow the Lord in a special way.in a special way.

[The Way of Life][The Way of Life] Through the dialogue the candidates will Through the dialogue the candidates will

be able to reflect upon the response to be able to reflect upon the response to this divine call, and this divine call, and how they have how they have responded to their own callresponded to their own call to live the to live the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This process will help them to discover sisters process will help them to discover sisters and brothers in the Fraternity who tend and brothers in the Fraternity who tend toward the same basic gospel toward the same basic gospel experience, and who follow the experience, and who follow the Franciscan way, helping one another in Franciscan way, helping one another in turn.turn.

[The Way of Life][The Way of Life]

The candidate who wants to "follow The candidate who wants to "follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi" (SFO RULE #4) will gradually Assisi" (SFO RULE #4) will gradually understand that the understand that the SFO Rule, the SFO Rule, the Project of LifeProject of Life, is the light and the , is the light and the help along the way toward Christ; and help along the way toward Christ; and is necessaryis necessary as an inspiration and guide as an inspiration and guide to live together in Fraternity according to live together in Fraternity according to the same ideal — Franciscan gospel to the same ideal — Franciscan gospel life.life.

RULE – ARTICLE 4RULE – ARTICLE 4

The rule and life of the Secular The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who of Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God the center of his life with God and people.and people.

2. The Focal Point: Life in 2. The Focal Point: Life in Christ, Through Christ, With Christ, Through Christ, With

ChristChrist

In the Way of Life there exists a In the Way of Life there exists a central reality, a constant presence central reality, a constant presence brought to mind in almost every brought to mind in almost every article: article: Jesus ChristJesus Christ. There are other . There are other presences as well: the laity, the presences as well: the laity, the fraternity, the Church — and these fraternity, the Church — and these cannot be detached from Christcannot be detached from Christ

[Life in Christ][Life in Christ]

The candidate must be presented The candidate must be presented with the with the central position that Christ central position that Christ occupies in the Ruleoccupies in the Rule. This is clearly . This is clearly indicated in Article #4, and is evident indicated in Article #4, and is evident at the beginning of the conversion at the beginning of the conversion process of St. Francis (See also, I process of St. Francis (See also, I Celano 6; L3C 8; and I Celano 115).Celano 6; L3C 8; and I Celano 115).

Legend of Three Legend of Three Companions 8Companions 8

The reference is in Chapter III which The reference is in Chapter III which is entitled “How the Lord visited is entitled “How the Lord visited Francis’s heart for the first time filling Francis’s heart for the first time filling it with marvelous tenderness that it with marvelous tenderness that gave him strength to begin to gave him strength to begin to progress spiritually in looking down progress spiritually in looking down on himself and all vanities, in prayer, on himself and all vanities, in prayer, almsgiving, and poverty. almsgiving, and poverty.

[Life in Christ][Life in Christ]

The candidate's experience of Christ The candidate's experience of Christ can vary greatly. It is a service in the can vary greatly. It is a service in the formation of the candidate to help formation of the candidate to help each each become aware of his/her own become aware of his/her own unique encounter with Christ, to live unique encounter with Christ, to live it out, and to deepen itit out, and to deepen it . .

[Emphasis added][Emphasis added]

[Life in Christ][Life in Christ]

The candidate is invited:The candidate is invited: a) a) to become aware of to become aware of his/her his/her

relationship with Christ, by relationship with Christ, by responding to the question the Lord responding to the question the Lord Jesus addressed to the Apostles: Jesus addressed to the Apostles:

"Who do you say that I am?""Who do you say that I am?"

MARK 8:29MARK 8:29

Peter said to him in reply, Peter said to him in reply, “You “You are the Messiah.”are the Messiah.”

[Life in Christ][Life in Christ]

Become aware of the responses to Become aware of the responses to Jesus’ question of “Who do you say Jesus’ question of “Who do you say that I am?”that I am?” --- --- in the response of the Apostles;in the response of the Apostles; — — in the response of St. Francis;in the response of St. Francis; — — in each one's personal response;in each one's personal response; — — in what Jesus says of Himself.in what Jesus says of Himself.

[Life with Christ][Life with Christ]

b)b) [The candidate is invited][The candidate is invited] to deepen to deepen the personal relationship with the personal relationship with ChristChrist::

— — in Fraternity with the sisters and in Fraternity with the sisters and brothers. brothers.

— — in hearing the Word proclaimed;in hearing the Word proclaimed; — — in study and reflection of the in study and reflection of the

Word;Word; — — in prayer and liturgical life;in prayer and liturgical life;

[Life in Christ][Life in Christ]

c)c) [The candidate is invited][The candidate is invited] to have to have the sentiments and attitudes of the sentiments and attitudes of ChristChrist::

— — regarding the Father;regarding the Father; — — in caring for the marginalized in caring for the marginalized

after after the example of St. the example of St. Francis;Francis;

— — in service and ministry to all. in service and ministry to all.

[Life in Christ][Life in Christ]

The process of on-going The process of on-going conversion is dealt with as a conversion is dealt with as a growth in faith, in fidelity, in growth in faith, in fidelity, in love. The Secular Franciscan, love. The Secular Franciscan, with all the baptized, knows with all the baptized, knows he/she is "called to follow he/she is "called to follow Christ." and prompted by the Christ." and prompted by the Holy Spirit, to grow in holiness.Holy Spirit, to grow in holiness.