Rules to become a Secular Franciscan

"They have been made living members of the Church in Baptism;....
    therefore the should go forth as witnesses and instruments
                of her mission among all people
Proclaiming Christ by the life and words."

Is God Calling You to the Secular Franciscan Order?

The process of becoming a Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three
    separate stages and culminates in a lifelong to live the Gospel
    following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This 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
    St. Clare and share in the 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 3 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 a secular and Franciscan, and you will
    continue to discern if the Spirit is calling you to the Secular Franciscan way of life.
    The period Inquiry of a minimum of 6 months. If the vocation is discerned, the
    Inquirer is received into the Order.

The third stage, Candidacy, is the 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 way of 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.

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