HOW TO DISCOVER GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU!
FOUR FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS:
Franciscan Fraternities should be built on the foundation of four essential pillars: Spirituality, Formation, Fraternity and Apostolate. Each pillar does not stand by itself but supports the three other pillars, enabling the members of a fraternity to grow closer to Christ.
The Spirituality Pillar The Spirituality Pillar is aimed at providing the foundation for a Franciscan identity and mindset. This foundation includes prayer, discernment and contemplation. Secular Franciscans pursue ongoing growth in spirituality utilizing methods such as praying the Liturgy of the Hours once per day, praying the Franciscan Crown Rosary, reading and discussing Church and Franciscan teachings and spending time in Adoration with our Lord in church to name a few. The Formation Pillar The Formation Pillar is intended to mold and shape the individual’s charism throughout their Secular Franciscan journey. Formation includes: Orientation, Initial Formation, and Ongoing Formation. Formation may include reading and discussing books about St. Francis & St. Clare, or spending time with the Spiritual Assistant, discussing the popes' encyclicals, digesting the OFS General Constitution or Rule. Formation is never ending and one's conversion and growth is ongoing, whether in the process of Inquiry, Candidacy or is Professed in the Franciscan vocation. The Fraternity Pillar The Fraternity Pillar is the interactive piece aimed at living the formed spirituality with those who are on the same journey. Fraternity events give secular Franciscan's an opportunity to grow together in their faith, charism and friendship with one another. The Apostolate Pillar The Apostolate Pillar is a Gospel response by Secular Franciscans, who are “of one mind and one heart”, communicating an example of the early Christian Church. This Gospel focus is built on the following: (1) Working with fellow Franciscans in a cooperative and collaborative manner, respecting the person and their gifts, that will build up the Kingdom of God. (2) To help build up the Kingdom of God, Secular Franciscans should volunteer their talents and treasures. This helps out with the needs of the local parish, the local fraternity and the local community. An example of an Apostolate effort could include: - assisting/serving at Mass (e.g., altar server, lector, choir etc.) - leading the rosary and other devotions (Marian or other saints) before Mass or at a fraternity meeting - helping out charitable groups approved by the Church, such as a soup kitchen, or a crisis pregnancy center - a fraternity establishing their own charitable program to benefit the local community, such as running a food bank |
The primary goal of those entrusted with the responsibility of admissions to the Secular Franciscan way of life is discovering the will of God. While we Franciscan's desire to promote vocations and grow in numbers, we avoid what is popularly known as "recruitment”. Vocational work is ultimately a service offered to benefit the entire Church and not towards the growth and expansion of one particular religious institution. Any type of "recruitment", should always be done in the mind set of sending out an invitation, to answer the call from Jesus, to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis.
Discernment is a time when you pray, reflect on, and discuss your desire for vocation. It is the desire of the local fraternity to assist serious and mature men and women in discovering that particular state in life where they can sacrifice themselves for the Kingdom of God and grow in holiness. For most people that state of fulfillment is in marriage, yet many others find it in holy orders, religious, or in single life. It is during this time that you get to know the Franciscan way of life and the local fraternity gets to know you. Franciscans are people of the Gospel who follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. Those called to the Franciscan way of life, have found the peace and joy which comes from discovering and doing the will of God and loving Christ. Here are some examples of the essential elements which characterize the Franciscan way of life, and embody practical ways of living out the four pillars. These elements support and nourish the call to holiness:
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VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT TIPS!
1. Be quiet in order to hear the Lord's voice calling. Take time to pray and meditate in silence about your vocation, especially in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
2. If you can, find a spiritual director. This is a not a necessary requirement, but if you can, find a faithful practicing Catholic you can be open with, and can help you to develop your relationship with God, and to know yourself better.
3. Ask a Secular Franciscan about his/her journey towards the Franciscan way of life.
4. Read up on St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi another Franciscan saint.
5. Visit a local fraternity during a community meeting.
6. Build a relationship with a local Franciscan fraternity where you have a sense of coming home. Don't just talk the talk - walk the walk, with them as well.
7. Wait for the Lord. Discerning your vocation is a process. God's timing is always perfect - but seldom seems soon enough.
Remember, if you ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK, you may not find the vocation you thought you would…but by trying you'll certainly find out, one of the most important things in life:
2. If you can, find a spiritual director. This is a not a necessary requirement, but if you can, find a faithful practicing Catholic you can be open with, and can help you to develop your relationship with God, and to know yourself better.
3. Ask a Secular Franciscan about his/her journey towards the Franciscan way of life.
4. Read up on St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi another Franciscan saint.
5. Visit a local fraternity during a community meeting.
6. Build a relationship with a local Franciscan fraternity where you have a sense of coming home. Don't just talk the talk - walk the walk, with them as well.
7. Wait for the Lord. Discerning your vocation is a process. God's timing is always perfect - but seldom seems soon enough.
Remember, if you ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK, you may not find the vocation you thought you would…but by trying you'll certainly find out, one of the most important things in life:
Discerning A Call: Let The Holy Spirit Be Your Guide
For vocational information in discerning a call to the Secular Franciscan Order, contact your local fraternity in the country you are residing in, through the international CIOFS page.
Also, it is important to remember that each vocational journey into the OFS, is unique and distinct for each individual. Some may hear about the OFS from a friend, others from an advertisement in the parish bulletin, and others may find the OFS through an accidental Google search. The main thing a person must remember is to be open to the Holy Spirit to be your guide in your discernment to see if you are being called by Christ to join the OFS. Pray constantly to Jesus through the intersession of St. Francis and ask Christ to reveal His will in your life. Eventually you will know for sure if your are meant to be a Secular Franciscan.
For vocational information in discerning a call to the Secular Franciscan Order, contact your local fraternity in the country you are residing in, through the international CIOFS page.
Also, it is important to remember that each vocational journey into the OFS, is unique and distinct for each individual. Some may hear about the OFS from a friend, others from an advertisement in the parish bulletin, and others may find the OFS through an accidental Google search. The main thing a person must remember is to be open to the Holy Spirit to be your guide in your discernment to see if you are being called by Christ to join the OFS. Pray constantly to Jesus through the intersession of St. Francis and ask Christ to reveal His will in your life. Eventually you will know for sure if your are meant to be a Secular Franciscan.
More Questions?
If you have more questions in discerning a vocation in joining the OFS, and understanding the spirituality of St. Francis, check out the "Q & A" page and the "Resources" page for more information. If you wish to know the steps in how to join the OFS, check out the OFS joining page.
If you have more questions in discerning a vocation in joining the OFS, and understanding the spirituality of St. Francis, check out the "Q & A" page and the "Resources" page for more information. If you wish to know the steps in how to join the OFS, check out the OFS joining page.