GUIDELINES FOR INITIAL FORMATION
IN THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CHAPTER 5
A METHODOLOGY OF FORMATION:
HOW TO EXPLAIN THE SFO RULE
TO THE CANDIDATES FOR PROFESSION
A Preview of Chapter 6:
Aspects of Formation;
“ Review of Life “
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CHAPTER 4:
LIVING THE SFO RULE IS A PROJECT, A JOB, FOR
THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
- IT IS A VOCATION, A CALL, AND A FAITH-FILLED
RESPONSE (AN ANSWER!) TO GOD’S UNIVERSAL
AND PARTICULAR INVITATION/CALL TO YOU TO
BECOME HOLY…..TO BECOME A FRANCISCAN
SAINT!!..... WHO, ME?.............YES, YOU!!!!
Chapter 6:
‘The Review of Life’:
Vatican II – Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity
(Apostolicam Actuositatem)
“In keeping with their purpose and according to their
measure, lay groups and associations dedicated to the
apostolate or to other supernatural goals should carefully
and persistently promote formation for the apostolate.
Frequently these groups are the ordinary vehicle of
harmonious formation for the apostolate since they
provide doctrinal, spiritual and practical information.
Their members meet in small groups with their associates
and friends, examine the methods and results of their
apostolic activity, and measure their daily life against the
Gospel.”
“FORMATION OF THIS TYPE MUST BE DESIGNED TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE WHOLE LAY APOSTOLATE, WHICH IS TO BE CARRIED-ON
NOT ONLY AMONG THE ORGANIZED GROUPS THEMSELVES BUT ALSO IN
ALL CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE, ESPECIALLY IN THE BELIEVERS
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL LIFE.
INDEED, EVERYONE SHOULD PAINSTAKINGLY READY THEMSELVES
PERSONALLY FOR THE APOSTOLATE, ESPECIALLY AS AN ADULT. FOR
THE ADVANCE OF AGE BRINGS WITH IT BETTER SELF KNOWLEDGE,
THUS ENABLING EACH PERSON TO EVALUATE MORE ACCURATELY THE
TALENTS WITH WHICH GOD HAS ENRICHED THEIR SOUL AND TO
EXERCISE MORE EFFECTIVELY THOSE CHARISMATIC GIFTS WHICH THE
HOLY SPIRIT HAS BESTOWED ON THEM FOR THE GOOD OF THE
BROTHERS AND SISTERS.”
Chapter 5
A Methodology of Formation:
How to Explain the SFO Rule to the
Candidates for Profession
“
The Grids”…...............
OH!
NO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!!!!
‘THE GRIDS’ ARE A METHOD, A MODEL, A TOOL,
TO HELP YOU TO EXPLAIN THE SFO RULE TO
YOURSELF, AND/OR TO THOSE WHOM YOU MAY
BE INSTRUCTING…..IN INITIAL OR ON-GOING
FORMATION; IN OTHER WORDS,
HOW TO GO
‘FROM GOSPEL TO LIFE
AND LIFE TO THE GOSPEL’
THEY MAY OR MAY NOT ‘WORK’ FOR YOU……EH!!! ????
THE GRIDS ARE A WAY OF EVALUATING YOUR
HUMAN, CHRISTIAN - CATHOLIC AND FRANCISCAN
PROGRESS…(OR NOT)…IN VIRTUE, IN GRACE …..
A PERSONAL AND/OR COMMUNAL WAY TO AN
‘EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE’………
“THERE CANNOT BE TWO PARALLEL LIVES IN THEIR
EXISTENCE: ON THE ONE HAND, THE SO-CALLED
‘SPIRITUAL LIFE WITH ITS VALUES AND DEMANDS; AND
ON THE OTHER, THE SO-CALLED ‘SECULAR LIFE’, THAT
IS, LIFE IN A FAMILY, AT WORK, IN SOCIAL
RELATIONSHIPS, IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC
LIFE AND IN CULTURE”-FROM THE APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION ON THE LAITY, CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI – JPII 1988
THE ‘PLACES’ OF OUR LIFE ND OUR ACTION
SFO RULE #14-19……READ TEXT
____________________________________________
PLACES:
PLUS
MINUS
PROJECT/PROGRAM
Public Life
_________________________________________________________
Work, Activities
_________________________________________________
Family
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Creation
__________________________________________________
TO THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER IN
THE UNITED STATES
“I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU THAT CONCERNS ME AND
WHICH I HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON WHILE PREPARING VARIOUS
PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE RULE. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT MAKES US
BELIEVE THAT IT IS ENOUGH TO MERELY SPEAK OF A VALUE (THE RULE)
WITHOUT HAVING ACTUALLY LIVED IT?.......HAVE WE GIVEN THE RULE LIFE IN
OUR LIVES, OR HAS IT REMAINED NEW AND VIRGIN-LIKE FOR US BECAUSE
WE ONLY SPEAK IF IT IDYLLICALLY, OR WITHOUT HAVING MADE IT A PART OF
OURSELVES? BETTER STILL, IS CHRIST THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES WITH GOD
AND WITH MEN, AS THE RULE SUGGESTS IT SHOULD BE?
……IN ORDER TO INCORPORATE AND GIVE LIFE TO THE RULE, SUPPOSE WE
COMPLETELY IMMERSE OURSELVES…INTO THE GOSPEL AS DID FRANCIS,
……SUPPOSE WE ACCEPT JESUS’ INVITATION TO REMAIN WITH HIM AS HE
REMAINS IN US…..SUPPOSE WE ACCEPT HIS FRIENDSHIP AND INTIMACY
…..JUST AS FRANCIS DID.
In this way, with this support and foundation, despite all issues,
difficulties and the numerous interests that are associated with our
secular vocation, we would be able to carry on the Franciscan way,
and with that a message alive with optimism, hope, and joy,
because inside us we would have found the resources that are only
prevalent through a genuine relationship with Jesus in the manner
of the spirituality of St. Francis.
May you have a positive and favorable journey together and may
our Rule, the Word and Life of Salvation, become for all the
beautiful words of the Lord.
-Encarnacion del Pozo, sfo
Minister General -2003