Happy Anniversary, Secular Franciscans!

The celebration of a Jubilee Year for the Order was announced by our Minister General Tibor Kauser, from June 6, 2018, to June 6, 2019, to commemorate the 40^th Anniversary of our current OFS Rule. Pope Paul VI approved this Rule June 24, 1978, just one week and 40 years ago! 

CIOFS recently gifted us with the wonderful history of our Rule: http://www.ciofs.org/portal/en/celebrating-40-years-of-the-ofs-rule  

From the very beginning of his ministry, Saint Francis found people who desired to follow his way of life and spirituality — yet were married or did not want to become a vowed religious. Saint Francis responded by writing “The First Letter to all the Faithful” around 1215. So many people wanted to follow Francis that the Rule of the Secular Franciscans was approved in 1221 — at that time, we were called the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, and later still the Third Order of St. Francis. Then from this Order, the Third Order Regulars (T.O.R.) emerged in the 15th century. The Order continued as the Third Order of St. Francis, Secular. 

In 1883, Pope Leo XIII gave the Franciscan Third Order Seculars a new Rule which contained three chapters and spelled out what should and should not be done: for example, receive monthly Holy Communion and confession, and recite the Office of 12 Our Fathers and 12 Hail Marys. The Order became more of a devotional society than an Order.

 

Near the end of the Second Vatican Council, the Ministers General in Rome directed the General Spiritual Assistants to update the Rule of the Third Order Seculars to make it more contemporary. This was the first time that the lay members of the TOS were invited to participate in modifying what was called the Leonine Rule. Suggestions and revisions were sent in from all over the world, and it became apparent after the first draft, that the lay Franciscans wanted more direct involvement in spelling out their “Way of Life.”

A meeting was convened in Assisi in October 1969, with 25 Third Order Seculars from all over the world. The English speaking group had 6 members, 3 from the US, one each from Canada, the UK, and Australia.

One of these “commissions” developed the 17 Essential Elements of Franciscan Spirituality which was integral to the writing of the New Rule. There were many revisions before the final version was presented for approval to the Sacred Congregation for Religious. After even more modifications, it was signed by Pope Paul VI on June 24, 1978, after 12 years of work. In 1978, its name was changed to the Secular Franciscan Order, SFO, and then again in 2011 we became the OFS. And here we are today!

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Secular Franciscans profess to follow the Gospel completely – and at your own profession, you have promised to fulfill the Rule. As we reflect today on our Rule, let its meaning - and its demands – soak into your mind and heart, and then your life! The work of building the Kingdom of God takes many people, working together, to make “a more fraternal and evangelical world” – even and especially in our ordinary lives! It is our responsibility as Franciscans, as children of God. It requires dialogue, prayer, and ongoing formation. It requires us to cultivate a spirit of peace, fidelity to our Rule and our Catholic faith, and respect for life and creation in all its stages and expressions.

Our Franciscan Rule encourages conversion – that “radical interior change,” which does not mean a one-time occurrence, but conversion is a persistent and aspirational requirement for all of us. This radical conversion, this change of heart and turning to God, includes regular attendance at fraternity gatherings, a willingness to serve on council, and participation in the growth and health of the fraternity. Lady Poverty Region has offered two vehicles to assist you in your Franciscan conversion experience: one from Father Christopher which is based on our Rule, and another published last year on our newsletter, La Pobrecita, to encourage either your own individual or your fraternity conversion. (These handouts and the “17 Elements of Franciscan Spirituality” will be posted on the website.)

Our Rule makes it clear that we follow the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus, rather than our own way. Franciscans commit themselves to making changes through ongoing formation, to grow in Gospel living. From within yourself, discover ways to express the Gospel in your daily life as a Franciscan, to enrich the Church and the world. To follow the Gospel and “make Jesus our center and inspiration” requires faith in Jesus, trust in the Father, and awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit acting in each one of us. 

Fr Lester Bach states: “Formation at all levels finds expression in a change of attitude, opinions, and in love for others. If people in formation look the same after several months, something is missing in their formation. Understanding is good – but it is only a half-way point without personal conversion in practice! 

No matter how much we learn, how much we read, how many talks and retreats we attend, even how much we pray, if formation does not transform us, we need to reexamine our goals.” 

 

Tibor Kauser, in his June 24 letter to the Order states: “To celebrate our Rule is to make it live, and only this way will be faithful to the proposal of Jesus, who invites us to love one another as brothers (and sisters.) Our Rule, a truly Franciscan one, helps us to discover how we shall live our vocation on a daily basis, what our everyday life should be like. We are not ‘Sunday Franciscans’ or ‘afternoon Franciscans.’ The Rule has to inspire every moment of our lives.” Please read his entire letter, as well as our national minister Jan Parker’s letter, at our NAFRA website. It would make an excellent ongoing formation topic this year of Jubilee!

Peace, Mary Nelson, OFS

Regional Formation Director