E. CANDIDACY PHASE

RITE

Rite of Admission [ Ritual P. 11 ]

3.2 Rite of Admission

3.21 the rite of admission, which precedes the time of formation or candidacy, should be simple and plain. It is appropriate that this entrance into the Secular Franciscan Order take place within a celebration of the Word of God with the whole fraternity present, and not during the

celebration of the Eucharist.

3.22 The normative elements that should be clearly and evidently highlighted for the candidates are the following:

a) the request and the will to experience the gospel life, like Francis of Assisi;

b) having in mind that the request

is related to a possible future commitment to live this way

of life, with the help of a fraternity, in communion and harmony with the whole Franciscan family.

This period of formation begins withthe Rite of Admission into theSecular Franciscan Order, the publicacceptance of the Candidate’s requestand intention to live the gospel life inthe manner of St. Francis.

During CANDIDACY, the entirefraternity participates in, and nurturesthe ever deepening of the Candidate’sevangelical living out of the SFO Rule.It is important that the Candidate be given opportunities to experience,internalize and integrate the gospelvalues presented in SFO Rule.

The time of CANDIDACY is an extendedperiod, lasting at least 18 months. Justbecause the minimum time ofCandidacy is 18 months, there is no reason why that time frame should bethe maximum. In particularcircumstances, it may be prudent toExtend the actual time beyond 18months to broaden and deepen theCandidate’s formation experience.

The main purpose of CANDIDACY is to prepare the Candidate to makePERMANENT COMMITMENTPROFESSION of the SFO Rule. However the fraternity, through thedecision of the Fraternity Council and the Formation Director/Team,

together with the Candidate discern one of thethree possible options:

1. Extension of the actual time of Candidacy before profession. Permanent

Commitment.2. Profession, Permanent Commitment followed by a structured time of special continuing education in which are covered an in-depth study and further experience in the area of Scripture, Ecclesiology, Franciscanism and fraternity structure, etc. 3. Temporary commitment is discouraged.

SUGGESTED CONTENT FOR CANDIDACY PHASE

• The Pauline Rule• The Volterra Letter (prologue to the

Rule)• Sacred Scripture, especially the

Gospels• Franciscan Spirituality• Franciscan Apostolic Life• Ritual of the Secular Franciscan

Order

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. What content would you add to your

fraternity’s Candidate Phase?2. How well does your fraternity understand the Candidacy Phase, and what needs be done?3. What did you see today that was new to your understanding of the Candidacy Phase?4. What is the most important thing you learned today that needs to be added to the Candidacy Phase in your fraternity?