THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS, TOR

Fransiscan Friars, TOR
The Franciscan Friars, TOR

THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS, TOR

ST. BERNARDINE MONASTERY - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PROVINCE

  • About the Friars
    • Who We Are
    • Leadership
    • Province History
    • Our Ministries
    • Care 4 Creation
    • Events
    • The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO)
      • Who Are The Secular Franciscans
      • Lay Vocation: Priest, Prophet and King
      • Lay Vocation: Specific Mission is the Consecration of the Secular Order
      • How to Become a Secular Franciscan
      • Locating a Fraternity Near You
    • Reflections
      • Advent 2017
      • Lent 2018
      • Franciscan Feast Day 2018
      • Reflections for 2019
      • Franciscan Feast Days 2019
      • Advent 2019
  • Support Us
    • Support Online
    • Planned Giving
    • FAQs On Charitable and Planned Giving
  • Mass Association
    • Mass Cards
      • All Occasion
      • Gregorian
      • Health & Healing
      • Novena
      • Triduum
      • Sacraments – Holidays – Holy Days – Feast Days
      • Sympathy
    • Enrollments
      • Annual
      • Health & Healing
      • Perpetual
      • Pet Enrollment
      • Sacraments – Holidays – Holy Days
  • Gift Shop
    • The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop – Online Store
    • The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop – Hollidaysburg, PA
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How to Become a Secular Franciscan

“They have been made living members of the Church in Baptism; … Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses and instruments of her mission among all people Proclaiming Christ by their life and words.”

Is God Calling You to the Secular Franciscan Order?

The process of becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three separate stages and culminates in a lifelong commitment to live the gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This formation process unfolds in regularly scheduled formation sessions during which the home study material is thoroughly discussed.

The first stage, Orientation, provides time for dialogue and developing relationships in fraternity. During Orientation you will be introduced to the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare and share in Franciscan prayer life. You will be given general information about the Secular Franciscan Order. Orientation is a time to discern if the Spirit is calling you to a Secular Franciscan vocation. The period of Orientation is a minimum of three months.

The second stage, Inquiry, is the first formal period of initiation. It is a time of in-depth study of the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. During Inquiry you will learn about the Franciscan Charism and Franciscan history. You will deepen your understanding of what it means to be secular and Franciscan, and you will continue to discern if the Spirit is calling you to the Secular Franciscan way of life. The period of Inquiry is a minimum of six months. If a vocation is discerned, the Inquirer is received into the Order.

The third stage, Candidacy, is the final formal period of initiation. It is a time of preparing for permanent commitment by immersion into fraternity life. Central to this stage of formation is Article 4 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order which states, “The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.” The period of Candidacy is a minimum of eighteen months and culminates in permanent commitment to the gospel life.

After profession of the Rule and permanent commitment to the gospel way of life, the newly professed member joins the rest of the fraternity in ongoing formation.

Address

The Franciscan Friars, TOR
PO Box 139
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Local (814) 695-3802
Toll Free (866) 695-3802

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Quick Links

  • About the Friars
    • Who We Are
    • Leadership
    • Province History
    • Our Ministries
    • Care 4 Creation
    • Events
    • The Secular Franciscan Order (SFO)
      • Who Are The Secular Franciscans
      • Lay Vocation: Priest, Prophet and King
      • Lay Vocation: Specific Mission is the Consecration of the Secular Order
      • How to Become a Secular Franciscan
      • Locating a Fraternity Near You
    • Reflections
      • Advent 2017
      • Lent 2018
      • Franciscan Feast Day 2018
      • Reflections for 2019
      • Franciscan Feast Days 2019
      • Advent 2019
  • Support Us
    • Support Online
    • Planned Giving
    • FAQs On Charitable and Planned Giving
  • Mass Association
    • Mass Cards
      • All Occasion
      • Gregorian
      • Health & Healing
      • Novena
      • Triduum
      • Sacraments – Holidays – Holy Days – Feast Days
      • Sympathy
    • Enrollments
      • Annual
      • Health & Healing
      • Perpetual
      • Pet Enrollment
      • Sacraments – Holidays – Holy Days
  • Gift Shop
    • The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop – Online Store
    • The Friar’s Nook Gift Shop – Hollidaysburg, PA
  • Prayer Request
    • Prayer Requests
    • Book of Remembrance
  • Login
    • My Account

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