The Requirements
After discerning that Christ is calling you to join the OFS, there are the steps one must go through to become a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. Acceptance into the Order is attained through a time of initiation, a time of formation, and the perpetual profession of the Holy Rule
The journey of formation is an on-going process of conversion, directed toward a fuller living of our Christian lives, modeled on the values of the Franciscan life. This journey begins with entrance into the fraternity. In Article 37, 2 of the Constitution it states, “Mindful that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of formation and always attentive to collaboration with Him, those responsible for formation are: the person seeking entrance, the entire fraternity, the council with the minister, the master of formation and the assistant.” It continues in verse 3, “The brothers and sisters are responsible for their own formation, developing in an ever more perfect way the vocation received from the Lord. The fraternity is called to help the brothers and sisters in this journey by means of a warm welcome, prayer and example."
- In most countries, the minimum age for profession is 18
- Must be a Catholic in good standing and in full communion with the Catholic Church
- Must live one’s Catholic faith in season & out of season, & when there is no emergency circumstances in one's life, attend Holy Days of Obligation
- Must have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist)
- If married, the candidate must receive consent from his/her spouse
- Reference letter from your parish priest
- A copy of the certificates of the sacraments you have received. As a minimum, a baptismal certificate is required
After discerning that Christ is calling you to join the OFS, there are the steps one must go through to become a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. Acceptance into the Order is attained through a time of initiation, a time of formation, and the perpetual profession of the Holy Rule
The journey of formation is an on-going process of conversion, directed toward a fuller living of our Christian lives, modeled on the values of the Franciscan life. This journey begins with entrance into the fraternity. In Article 37, 2 of the Constitution it states, “Mindful that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of formation and always attentive to collaboration with Him, those responsible for formation are: the person seeking entrance, the entire fraternity, the council with the minister, the master of formation and the assistant.” It continues in verse 3, “The brothers and sisters are responsible for their own formation, developing in an ever more perfect way the vocation received from the Lord. The fraternity is called to help the brothers and sisters in this journey by means of a warm welcome, prayer and example."
The Time of Initiation and Formation:
The time of initiation is intended for the discernment of the vocation, and for the reciprocal acquaintance between the fraternity and the person interested in joining the Order. The period should guarantee the freedom and the seriousness of entrance into the Order. Participation in the meetings is an indispensable presupposition for initiation into community prayer and fraternity life. There are 4 phases for a person to go through, before being professed into the Order. They are: Observer, Inquiry, Candidacy, and Profession.
Observer
Observer stage, is basically a time where an individual visits a fraternity to determine a possible vocation to the OFS. It is a time whereby an individual attends at least three (3) Fraternity meetings and may or may not proceed into the formation program.
Inquiry
The inquiry stage, is an invitation for an individual to go to fraternity meetings, for a period of six months to twelve months, in order to see if he or she has a vocation to be a Secular Franciscan. Once the visits are completed, the person interested in joining, is asked to write a formal request for admission to the Order, and to get a formal letter of recommendation to prove orthodoxy/catholicity. There may also be some forms to be filled out at the inquiry stage, as well. The letters must be submitted to the minister of the fraternity. The Council of the fraternity (which is the minister, vice-minister, secretary, treasurer and the master of formation) reviews the request through prayer. The decision is given to the person interested in joining, and to the brothers and sisters of the fraternity. Once approved by the Council, he/she proceeds to candidacy.
At the end of Inquiry, if a vocation is discerned, the Inquirer is received into the start of the formation (candidacy) program and the Rite of Admission is performed.
If desired by the fraternity, the inquirer could mutually select with the Formation Director, a sponsor to journey with him/her through Candidacy.
Candidacy
Candidacy stage is the final period of formation. The lessons in the formation stage covers Franciscan charism, history, and deepens the understanding of what it is to be a Secular Franciscan. This time period is a minimum of 12 - 36 months, and culminates into permanent commitment to the Gospel life. Having completed the time of formation, the person interested in joining, submits a written request for profession into the Order. The letter must be submitted to the minister of the fraternity, and the Council. The Council of the fraternity, through prayer, decides on the request, as a group. The decision is given to the person interested in joining, and if accepted, is professed. The Rite of Profession is performed according to the Ritual.
Profession
Temporary Profession, may proceed for a period of one but not to exceed three years. This is at the discretion of the Council of the day. Temporary profession is not the norm. Most people proceed to a perpetual state.
Perpetual Profession is for life. Articles received during profession are a copy of the Gospels, a Crucifix, and a profession candle or ring. Once professed, a Secular Franciscan goes through ongoing formation on the life and spirituality of St. Francis and St. Clare, including the teachings of the Catholic Church.
It is the hope and desire of all those who are professed into the OFS, will live out the universal call to holiness and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through His Catholic Church.
The time of initiation is intended for the discernment of the vocation, and for the reciprocal acquaintance between the fraternity and the person interested in joining the Order. The period should guarantee the freedom and the seriousness of entrance into the Order. Participation in the meetings is an indispensable presupposition for initiation into community prayer and fraternity life. There are 4 phases for a person to go through, before being professed into the Order. They are: Observer, Inquiry, Candidacy, and Profession.
Observer
Observer stage, is basically a time where an individual visits a fraternity to determine a possible vocation to the OFS. It is a time whereby an individual attends at least three (3) Fraternity meetings and may or may not proceed into the formation program.
Inquiry
The inquiry stage, is an invitation for an individual to go to fraternity meetings, for a period of six months to twelve months, in order to see if he or she has a vocation to be a Secular Franciscan. Once the visits are completed, the person interested in joining, is asked to write a formal request for admission to the Order, and to get a formal letter of recommendation to prove orthodoxy/catholicity. There may also be some forms to be filled out at the inquiry stage, as well. The letters must be submitted to the minister of the fraternity. The Council of the fraternity (which is the minister, vice-minister, secretary, treasurer and the master of formation) reviews the request through prayer. The decision is given to the person interested in joining, and to the brothers and sisters of the fraternity. Once approved by the Council, he/she proceeds to candidacy.
At the end of Inquiry, if a vocation is discerned, the Inquirer is received into the start of the formation (candidacy) program and the Rite of Admission is performed.
If desired by the fraternity, the inquirer could mutually select with the Formation Director, a sponsor to journey with him/her through Candidacy.
Candidacy
Candidacy stage is the final period of formation. The lessons in the formation stage covers Franciscan charism, history, and deepens the understanding of what it is to be a Secular Franciscan. This time period is a minimum of 12 - 36 months, and culminates into permanent commitment to the Gospel life. Having completed the time of formation, the person interested in joining, submits a written request for profession into the Order. The letter must be submitted to the minister of the fraternity, and the Council. The Council of the fraternity, through prayer, decides on the request, as a group. The decision is given to the person interested in joining, and if accepted, is professed. The Rite of Profession is performed according to the Ritual.
Profession
Temporary Profession, may proceed for a period of one but not to exceed three years. This is at the discretion of the Council of the day. Temporary profession is not the norm. Most people proceed to a perpetual state.
Perpetual Profession is for life. Articles received during profession are a copy of the Gospels, a Crucifix, and a profession candle or ring. Once professed, a Secular Franciscan goes through ongoing formation on the life and spirituality of St. Francis and St. Clare, including the teachings of the Catholic Church.
It is the hope and desire of all those who are professed into the OFS, will live out the universal call to holiness and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through His Catholic Church.