Candidacy

All sessions begin at 1 p.m. in Founders Room at St. Francis

of Assisi Catholic Church unless otherwise notified.

Session 6: A Franciscan Prayer Life

READ: The Franciscan Journey Ch. 16 When You Pray

READ: FUN Manual, The Rule of the SFO-Teresa Baker, OFS, pgs. 18-28

1. Rule, Constitution
2. Delio- Franc.iscan Prayer
3. Francis Admonitions Adm.#1
4. Lectio Divina (1)

---

Sunday,  March  27, 2022

THEME:

Conversion and Penance

 

READ:

The Franciscan Journey Ch. 15 Gospel, Conversion, and Reconciliation 

FUN Manual: The Rule of the SFO-Teresa Baker, OFS, pgs. 18-28 

FUN Manual: Penitence and Conversion-Ron Pihokker, OFS, pgs. 1-18

 

READ the following portions of the Rule and Constitution, set forth below:

 

RULE 7: United by their vocation as “brothers and sisters of penance” and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel calls “conversion.” Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. On this road to renewal the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace.

 

Article 13 

 

1. Rule 7. Secular Franciscans, called in earlier times “the brothers and sisters of penance”, propose to live in the spirit of continual conversion. Some means to cultivate this characteristic of the Franciscan vocation, individually, and in fraternity, are: listening to and celebrating the Word of God; review of life; spiritual retreats; the help of a spiritual adviser, and penitential celebrations. They should approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently and participate in the communal celebration of it, whether in the Fraternity, or with the whole people of God . 

 

2. In this spirit of conversion, they should live out their love for the renewal of the Church, which should be accompanied by personal and communal renewal. The fruits of conversion, which is a response to the love of God, are the works of charity in the interactions with the brothers and sisters. 

 

3. Traditionally among Franciscan penitents, penitential practices such as fasting and abstinence should be known, appreciated, and lived out according to the general guidelines of the Church.

---

Sunday,  Feb. 27, 2022

The Theme (Contained in Rule Art. 6) 

Profession and Rebuilding the Church 

Areas of Consideration: 

Baptism, Profession, Rebuilding the Church, Building the Kingdom, Hospitality 

 

READ: The Franciscan Journey Ch. 14, “A Rebuilding Task” 

 

READ: Fun Manual, Chapter 15, pages 1-18. Title: “Profession and the Secular Franciscan Order (By Fr. Richard Trezza).

 

READ: SFO Rule Art. 6, which states in full:

6. They have been made living members of the Church by being buried and raised with Christ in baptism; they have been united more intimately with the Church by profession. Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses and instruments of her mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by their life and words. Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired by his example, let them devote themselves energetically to living in full communion with the pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open and trusting dialog of apostolic effectiveness and creativity. 

 

READ: OFS Constitution Article14-1, and Article 17, which states in full:

Subject: The Way of life. Article 14 

(1)  Aware that God wanted to make us all a single people and that he made his Church the universal sacrament of salvation, the brothers and sisters should commit themselves to a faith-inspired reflection on the Church, its mission in today’s world and the role of the Franciscan laity within it. They should take up the challenges and accept the responsibilities that this reflection will lead them to discover.

 

Subject: Active presence in the Church and world. Article 17 

(1) Called to work together in building up the Church as the sacrament of salvation for all and, through their baptism and profession, made “witnesses and instruments of her mission”, Secular Franciscans proclaim Christ by their life and words. Their preferred apostolate is personal witness17 in the environment in which they live and service for building up the Kingdom of God within the situations of this world.

(2) The preparation of the brothers and sisters for spreading the Gospel message “in the ordinary circumstances of the world”18 and for collaborating in the catechesis within the ecclesial communities should be promoted in the fraternities. 

(3) Those who are called to carry out the mission of catechists, presiders of ecclesial communities, or other ministries, as well as the sacred ministers, should make the love of Francis for the word of God their own, as well as his faith in those who announce it, and the great fervour with which he received the mission of preaching penance from the Pope. 

(4) Participation in the service of sanctification, which the Church carries out through the liturgy, prayer, and works of penance and charity, is put into practice by the brothers and sisters above all in their own family, then in the fraternity and finally through their active presence in the local Church and in society. 

Sunday,  Jan. 23, 2022

Session 3:  Focus on Christ, the Gospel and Encountering Christ  (Rule Arts. 4 and  5)

 The Franciscan Journey

• Ch. 12 A Focus on Christ and Ch. 13 Encountering Christ

Other:

• SFO Rule Arts. 4, 5
• Constitution Arts. 8, 9, 10, 11
• The Incarnation (Catholic Update Article)

FUN Manual

• The Rule of the SFO-Teresa Baker, OFS, pgs. 7-17

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 Assignment

1. Ch 10 and 11 in Franciscan Journey. In journal, respond to all  reflection questions at the end of Ch. 10 and 11.