|
|
|
Values and Goals of Franciscan Formation |
|
|
|
Building the Catholic Foundation
"Let all the brothers be, live, and speak as Catholics."
(St. Francis of Assisi, The Earlier Rule, 1221)
Saint Francis cherished his Catholic faith and insisted that his followers know and live the authentic teachings of the Church. In response to this mandate, each Franciscan student studies the basic teachings and traditions of the Church. According to the appropriate stage of formation, the student is formed in the Scriptures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, documents of Vatican II, Franciscan history, Franciscan spirituality, the lives of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Rule and Constitutions.
Praying in the Spirit
"We are spouses when the faithful soul is united by the Holy Spirit to our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, Later Admonition and Exhortation, 1220)
According to the Constitutions of our Order, the first and foremost duty of those in formation is ‘the contemplation of things divine and assiduous union with God in prayer.’ This primary concern for the friar’s spiritual life flows from St. Francis’ admonition to St. Anthony of Padua, allowing him to teach sacred theology to the friars providing it did not ‘extinguish the Spirit of prayer and devotion.’ The candidate to our way of life is therefore formed in the art of prayer. As Conventual Franciscans we follow a schedule of common and individual prayer including the worthy celebration of the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, common meditation, Lectio Divina (Scripture reflection), Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotional prayers, traditional Franciscan prayers and devotions, regular days of recollection and retreats, and spiritual direction.
Engaging in the Apostolate
"They must rejoice when they live among people considered of little value and looked down upon, among the poor and the powerless, the sick and the lepers, and the beggars by the wayside."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, The Earlier Rule, 1221)
Each Franciscan student is engaged in some form of ministry during his years of formation. He is encouraged to reach out to the poor and disadvantaged through various ministries, such as participation in soup kitchens and visitation to the sick and elderly, through catechesis and involvement in youth ministry, and by involvement in the pro-life movement.
Living in Balance
"Those brothers to whom the Lord has given the grace of working may work faithfully and devotedly so that, while avoiding idleness, the enemy of the soul, they do not extinguish the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all temporal things must contribute."
(Saint Francis of Assisi, The Later Rule, 1223)
From the time of Saint Francis himself, the Franciscan community has been balancing a religious life of both active service and contemplative prayer. The formation program endeavours to strengthen the students' ability to achieve a balanced life of prayer, work, fraternity, study and recreation. |
|
 |
