1986 FORMATION REVIEW OF FRANCIS OF
2005 A review of this report from the
viewpoint of the
structure of novitiate from a systems theory perspective.
Every person and everything is part of the
system.
[The provincial
formation council asked for this review. The formation directors
discussed this and
Maury Smith, ofm, wrote the report.]
I BROTHERIHG
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
Concretely, our life is one of brotherhood
amongst men; it is a spiritual communion of humble and joyful service in love,
mutual self-giving and the common acceptance of the same Franciscan vision of
life. (Medellin25a)
Brotherhood is of the utmost
importance as an element in formation, s.inc3 it offers candidates the
necessary context for the true development of their personality. (Medellin25c)
Today greed, racism, oppression
and war divide peoples. But the seeds of hope, of new life can be seen in
groups which promote human rights, ecumenism, trade unions/ unity among youth
and practical sharing with people in developing countries... Such solidarity,
sharing of life and work, is characteristic of a family, and this is what we
humans are, all brothers and sisters.... When. People saw the friars, they
described them as men of God who showed an honest concern7, a
smiling face, mutual respect, gentleness and love. Their very lives gave
witness to the good news. They - not only believed and proclaimed, but more
importantly in their lives together and with the people they experienced the
gospel values of Jesus Christ. If we really desire to evangelize today, people
must first see in us those same values that were obvious in the lives of the
early friars... Our lifestyle as brotherhood can be an example to a world
hungering for community and longing for a mew and more human society.
(
This question is valid for all
the friars and the fraternity as a whole. In the final analysis, it is our life
in fraternity, in minority, which constitutes our primary and fundamental means
of announcing the Gospel. It is within this frame of reference that we must
critically evaluate the services with the friars actually render and can
render... (Rome7)
The local fraternity is the place
where the friars share their life and faith, and it is the center of their
gospel witness. It is in and through the local fraternity that on-going
formation should primarily take place. (
Formation to a life of
brotherhood grows out of a common faith in Christ, for it is in him that we are
brothers... Francis so much wishes us to live as brothers that without
fraternity there is no Franciscan life. (
The house chapter is of the
greatest importance in this formation to a sense of community. Rather than
concerning itself with management of material things, the chapter should show
greater care for providing for a review of life and dialogue about religious
life. (Medellin48c) [cf. Fulfill your vows to the most high,
The novitiate is a time of
intense formation fop. The religious and Franciscan life, the principal purpose
of which is that the novice learn to know those things
which are primary and essential to Franciscan religious life. (Medellin40b).
B. At your local level, what are the goals of
the process that help bring out this area of formation?
At the Novitiate
level, BROTHERING, living in and developing community, is an important
experience of growth and one of the two major goals. . The novice is expected
to develop an, ability to interact with the other members of his community in a
caring, proactive and participative style. He learns brothering by living in
community.
Developing a sense
of the importance of the House Chapter as a tool for growth for all friars is
seen as paramount in the Novitiate experience. The novice should develop an
ability to take on all roles (facilitator, secretary, recorder, and process
observer) in the context of the house chapter.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that Carry out
these goals?
1. A one month
community building workshop begins in August and September: The novitiate
community discusses and practices human relationship skills: giving and
receiving feedback; problem solving in a group; the skills of facilitation,
recording, and process observation; communication skills; conducting community
chapter; etc.
2. Weekly house
chapters are held to develop the skills learned in the community building
workshop.
3. At the weekly house chapter, time is set aside to express
individual feelings in order to give the novices a chance to learn how each
member of the community is doing at a given time. In addition, time is also
provided for the novices to give feedback, both positive and negative, to one another.
4. The novices are
encouraged to plan and develop Their own style of recreating
together both on the Day to day basis as well as for large celebrations And holidays.
5. The novices are
asked for input into the formation Of the daily
schedule. They are also consulted and allowed to give input into most matters dealing
with the ordinary life of the Novitiate.
2005: As often as
possible we have a retired elderly friar live in the formation friary so that
the novices learn of the province from the elderly and learn how to relate to
older friars. Any friar not on the
formation staff who lives in the formation friary is an influence on the
formation process. And it seems this is
especially true if he is the cook.
II. PRAYING
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
Participation in the mysteries of
Christ is arrived at by obedience to his words, which are heard in the reading
of holy scripture and the book of creation, and by the response which the friar
gives in personal, communal and liturgical prayer, in contemplation of the
footprints of God in all creation, and
above all by his conscious and profound participation in the celebration of the
Eucharist. (Medellin43b)
In this era, which is marked by desacralization and socialization, we must give special
attention in formation to life with God to the growth of the individual in
personal prayer. (Medellin44)
The novitiate is a time of
intense formation for the religious and Franciscan life, the principal purpose
of which is that the novice learn to know those things
which are primary and essential to Franciscan religious life. (Medellin40b)
[it is only through prayer both
personal and in common, in adoration, praise and thanksgiving, and by dying to
oneself in joyful and humble service of the brothers that one is enabled to
live this gift of celibacy. (Medellin32b)]
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that
help bring out this area of formation?
Along with the
goal of brothering, PRAYING developing one's relationship with God is the other
major goal of the Novitiate. The novice is expected to develop skills in the
realm of personal and communal prayer and to adopt a regimen of regular
personal and communal prayer.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry out
these goals?
1. The novitiate community prays together three times a day:
Morning Prayer, Eucharist, and Evening Prayer.
2. The novice is
expected and encouraged to spend one hour a day in personal prayer.
3. Monthly days of
recollection are provided for the novices. These are days spend in prayerful
consideration of major documents of the Order.
4. Once during the
Novitiate Year, the novice spends two weeks in Hermitage (a week of prayer and
a week of service). The staff is giving consideration to adding a second but
shorter hermitage experience during Advent.
5. The novices are
given experience in leading prayer before meals and at community prayer.
6. A developmental
approach is taken with praying the psalms. Morning and Evening Prayer start
very simply in the initial stages of the Novitiate Year and move to more and
more elaborate settings. A wide variety of praying styles is encouraged and
modeled.
7. Weekly
conferences on the subject of prayer are used to expand the notion of prayer as
it is experienced in the spiritual writings of the Church and in the experience
of the Church in our world today. (Team: Sr. Sue Bradshaw and
8. An atmosphere
of quiet is maintained in the "dormitory" area of the Novitiate at
all times. At the same time, the morning hours of the day are always designated
as times for prayer and prayerful reading.
9. The novices are provided with a limited, number of
opportunities to pray with other members of the community of believers through
charismatic prayer groups, various parish communities, other novices, and other
religious communities.
10. The novices
are also provided with a developmental approach to shared prayer within the
context of the daily prayer schedule.
11. The novice may
request a private day of recollection somewhere other than the usual site if he
feels the need to be alone.
12. The focus of
Spiritual Direction in the Novitiate is one's experience of God
in prayer. The emphasis is on
praying as relating to God.
III.MINISTERING
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
St. Francis wished to proclaim
the kingdom of God not only by preaching but also, and especially, through the
example of his apostolic life. In a very realistic way he wanted to respond to Christ
poor and naked on the cross, as he reveals himself in the person of the poor
and needy. Apostolicity, therefore, is an essential element of our life... (Medellin27a)
As friars minor, then, we are
called to be an "evangelizing vanguard," in a church which must be
continually re-incarnated and renewed. Accordingly, we must be especially alert
and sensitive to the movements of the Holy Spirit, both within and without the
church. Besides ministering to the faithful, we see a need to reach out in our
own societies to those yet untouched by the gospel and to those alienated from
the gospel as traditionally presented. Buy our presence we will try to help
them interpret their experience and encourage the good that we find. If it
seems to be God's will, we will explicitly proclaim the lord. (
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that
help bring out this area of formation?
Since we have a
two year introduction to Franciscan life, ministering outside of the Novitiate
community is not a major goal of the Novitiate. Rather, this aspect of Franciscan
life is the focus of the program at Sacred Heart, the second year of
introduction to Franciscan life. In the Novitiate, emphasis is placed on
ministering to one another. It is also a goal of the Novitiate to develop a sense
of being ministered to or being evangelized by those who are usually thought of
as the recipients of our ministering or evangelizing..
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1.
Novices are expected to serve the needs of the Novitiate community by their
household chores, their roles in liturgical prayer, their cooking, and their
care for our guests.
2. The only major
outside activity of this kind is the "Learning from the Poor"
experience. Saturdays are set aside to visit "poor" people. The
novices are encouraged, through group reflection afterwards, to see what they
have gained through •their exposure to the people they have visited. A
conscious effort is made to keep them out of the service mode in this program and
to see themselves as being with and learning from the faith of the poor.
3. On occasion,
brief ad hoc help is given to those in need when this
does not interfere with the Novitiate process [e.g. Participation in
Franklin/Johnson
IV. SIMPLE LIFE
STYLE/POVERTY
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
As the friar minor pursues the apostolic
life of Christ and the apostles, he wishes to be a sign of and bear witness to
the coming of the kingdom of God , by means of a life which is at once joyful,
humble, simple, calm, and fully human. (Medellin24b)
Franciscan poverty is intimately
connected with minority and fraternity. Based on hope and faith in God, it is,
first and foremost, a religious attitude whereby a friar minor commits himself
to a struggle for freedom from self... (Medellin31a)
The formation of the brothers
should take place in an atmosphere of poverty: the houses should be simple, and
located in modest neighborhoods. Yet poverty must never be confused with dirt
or neglect. Contact with the poor should be encouraged that the brothers may
know their difficulties and longings and get a glimpse of what at times is a
truly evangelical sense of comradeship and solidarity. (Medellin50d)
Already in the Old Testament and
especially in the new, God's compassion for the poor, is explicit. Jesus gave
poverty its deepest meaning in his own person: in his birth, life and death on
the cross. He identified with the poor. In word and action he proclaimed the
power of being powerless. Far from marginalizing the poor, Jesus put them at
the center of his life and ministry. In sending out the apostles, Jesus demanded
that they go in poverty. Mary his mother also lived as one of the poor. Francis
found Christ through the poorest of the poor, the leper. The love of the father
was made real for him through the poor infant of
It would be most helpful if the
brothers got to know the cost of living and were taught to keep the house
expense accounts: and thus realize that they are responsible for the material
life of the-community. (Medellin50f)
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that
help bring out this area of formation?
In mutual planning
with the Sacred Heart Program, a developmental approach is taken to this issue.
The Novitiate is really the site of a transition from a lifestyle that could be
called "collegiate" to the simply life style of the friar minor. The
goal of the Novitiate is effect that transition so that the friar comes to an
appreciation of the simply life style and its relationship to the other goals
of Novitiate Formation. The Novitiate raises consciousness of this issue and
starts the novices on the road to a simple lifestyle. Sacred Heart builds on
this and deepens the experience of the simple lifestyle.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1. The Novitiate
Year is a year spent without money. While the novices are encouraged to express
their needs to the staff, they are not to keep any money of their own.
2. The novices are
encouraged to come with only those things they will need.
3. Monthly days
off are provided when the, novices can leave the
4. The
"Learning from the Poor" Experience confronts the novices with the
simple life styles of those who are visited.
5. Community
recreations are kept simple (beer and soda with a few snacks).
6.
Almost all necessary maintenance and cleaning is done by the total Novitiate
community itself, professed and novice.
7. The petty cash
box is used for all purchases made by the novices. Each novice takes a turn at
balancing the cash box. The novices are expected to do their own shopping for
personal items of clothing, toiletries, etc.
V.SEXUALITY/CELIBACY
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
Celibacy for the kingdom of god makes
the paschal mystery visible in the church, and indeed, because it is so close
to the life and death and new life of Christ, it is a more meaningful sign of
that mystery. It proclaims that life itself is the true meaning of death, that
to live fully means continually to die to self for love. In fact,
self-fulfillment is achieved only through the total gift of self in love,
offered in a spirit of joy and simplicity. - (
To grasp the meaning of celibacy,
the candidates must appreciate ever more deeply how celibacy offers them
complete disponibility for the kingdom of god and the
needs of all men... By living with others within and without the fraternity, by
natural meetings with persons of the other sex, by dialogue with educators and
other competent persons, it will become evident both to the candidates and the
educators whether they possess sufficient and growing maturity. (
Besides ordinary contact with
their families, it will be useful for candidates to have occasional encounters
and work experiences with women so that they may learn something of the
particular character and psychology of the opposite sex, which will be often
helpful for them in their future apostolate.
It is only through prayer both
personal and in common, in adoration, praise and thanksgiving, and by dying to
oneself in joyful and humble service of the brothers that one is enabled to
live this gift of celibacy. (
B. At your local level, what are the goals of
the process that help bring out this area of formation?
Through formal
input and modeling of the celibate lifestyle, the novice is exposed to the life
of celibacy as a life of "kenosis," a life of selfless love. This
kenotic theme is explored in the earliest days of the Novitiate experience and
is carried through the entire year.
It is also a goal
in the Novitiate to create situations in which healthy interaction with members
of the opposite sex can be initiated.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1. The novices participate in a workshop on all three vows with
other novices, male and female. This workshop highlights the vows from the
perspective of generosity vs. niggardliness.
2. A
"Celibacy Workshop" is held in the spring featuring (currently) Mr.
John Kramer, a married layman, who studied for the Archdiocese of
3. A workshop on
the theology of religious life is conducted in the spring based on Lozano's
Discipleship.
4. The presence of
two women on the novitiate staff (in the persons of Sr. Susan Bradshaw, O.S.F.
and Mrs. Grace Lang) affords the novice contact with a woman on a regular
basis.
5. Participation
in programs offered by the local parish (
VI. PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY & INITIATIVE/OBEDIENCE
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
Yet for a truly personal response
to the resolve to embrace religious life an absolute requirement is human and Christian
maturity. Such maturity is attested by the presence or absence on the part of
the candidate of certain personal characteristics, such as victory over self-centeredness,
spontaneity and acceptance of himself and of' others, the knack of getting
along with others and dialoguing with them, balanced self-sufficiency, the
capacity for personal initiative and work, a sense of responsibility and
self-control, the ' ability to live and work with others and be open to new
ideas and values, together with the firm proposal to be faithful to one's
vocation. (Medellin16)
By affording the brothers a
gradual and correct use of their liberty and sense of responsibility, formation
will help and strengthen them in making decisions which will enable them
consciously to order their lives...
Formation towards responsibility
can best take place when the community life presents the atmosphere found in
family life. This happens particularly when the young men are allowed gradually
to help determine the very life of the community; when everything concerning
them is discussed with them; when a sense of trust is fostered among all in the
fraternity, since such trust will make them feel accepted, useful, approved,
and render them active sharers in the life of the religious family. (
According to the Franciscan spirit,
the observance of juridical norms rests not on the external bonds of
discipline, but on the sense of responsibility on the part of each individual.. (Medellin33c)
Obedience supposes a real and
permanent disponibility which flows from a sense of
responsibility. (Medellin49c)
All the friars should be taught
to be willingly and actively interested in the care and maintenance of the
house, as a necessary part of fraternal life. (
The whole fraternity of the
novitiate has an essential role in formation. The fraternity, then, should be
constituted with this perspective uppermost in mind. In the life of the
brotherhood there should be ample room for co-responsibility, for the sharing
of tasks, and for an authentic experience of a poor and fraternal life. (
B. At your local level, what are the goals of
the process that help bring out this area of formation?
As indicated in
the reference cited above, this particular area of formation finds its
expression in almost all of the other nine that have been listed for this
survey. It is the goal of the Novitiate to develop a sense of responsibility
toward the community lifestyle as it is discerned and decided in the community
chapter. Each novice is expected to develop a proactive stance to community
life.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these .goals?
1. The novice is expected to take responsibility for the
cleanliness of his area of the building, his turn at doing the dishes, and his
turn at cooking (including clearing his menu with Brother Camillus two days
ahead of time).
2. The novice is
expected to take responsibility for the liturgy on a rotating basis. He is to
submit liturgical plans to the Associate Director by the Tuesday preceding that
liturgy so that they can discuss and evaluate them together. :
3. The novice is
expected to be open and above board in discussing his feelings in the context
of the community chapter. He is also expected to give honest feedback to other
members of the community. It is also his responsibility to raise
whatever issues he wishes to discuss at community chapter.
4. The novice is
expected to take responsibility for all staff formation direction sessions that
are held concerning his development by preparing ahead of time and leading the
discussion in them.
5. The novice is
expected to take responsibility for his spiritual development by seeking out
his spiritual director at least once a week.
10
6. The novice is
expected to visit the novice master once a month on his own initiative.
7. The novices are
engaged in a program of Scriptural reflection during the liturgy during the
second half of the Novitiate year. He is expected to develop his Scriptural
reflection and present it to the Associate Director at least two days in
advance of his presentation.
8. The novices are
responsible for how they use their-time (especially the evening hours and
weekends). The novices are responsible for what they do for recreation in the
evening and for special recreations or parties.
9. The style of
the novice master is to discuss an event or issue with a novice and then let
the novice make the decision as often as is possible.
10. All reports,
written and verbal, about a particular novice are
shared with that novice both verbally and in writing.
11. The principle
which underlies all of these specific structures is the fact that we operate
under an experiential-learning model -- the novice learns by doing.
VII.SOCIAL JUSTICE
CONSCIOUSNESS
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
Our desire to create, in the very
heart of the city, a fraternal community, where men of divers types and
•backgrounds share life, goods, work; a fraternity which renounces all dominion
in order to serve, which chooses a life-style that brings it close to the poor
and makes it sensitive to the lot of all who are oppressed, creates, whether we
wish it or not, both social and political repercussions... Starting there and
taking into account our vocation as men of peace, we will be able to take part
truly in the problems and social and political struggles of our day. This
requires serious and correct information so that we can avoid sentimental
enthusiasms, summary unjust judgments, irresponsible declarations, and will be
capable of an objective analysis of situations. (Madrid: the vocation of the
order today, 33-34)
Francis understood from his own
experience of God as his father and creator of the world - and his experience
of Jesus as his brother - that only love can protect and defend every created
being. Francis himself served as a peacemaker on many occasions. He admonished
his lay followers not to bear arms for any reason, thus bringing an end to the
many wars of his
Time
and place. His was perhaps the most successful peace
movement in human history. Being peacemakers is a vital part of our Franciscan
life and our evangelization of the world. (
The pastoral formation of the
brothers must especially be concerned with the different socio-cultural
conditions and the situation of the church in various regions. (Medellin57a)
Our formation
programs should include, at every stage, those elements which are
characteristic of a Franciscan vision of mission and evangelization. (
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that
help bring out this area of formation?
Inasmuch as the
Novitiate is an introduction to the Franciscan lifestyle, it is can also be
said that, since a highly developed social conscience is part of that
lifestyle, the Novitiate is an introduction to thinking about and looking at
the world from a perspective of social justice. It is, therefore, the goal of
the Novitiate to assist the novice in looking at the world from a position of
minority.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1. Peace and
justice issues are raised within the fabric of the Novitiate through the
conferences, homilies, workshops, being with the poor during the poor during
the "Learning from the Poor" experience, helping with Christmas
baskets and participation in our local parish's social witness programs.
2. The novices are
introduced to the local representative of the Office of Justice and Peace
(currently
3. Each novice
chooses an area of concern for which he will accept responsibility. He apprises
the Novitiate community of significant events and concerns within the
parameters of that issue at community chapters.
4. A community
bulletin board is devoted to issues of a justice and peace nature.'
5. The novices are
introduced to the Director of the Office and Justice and Peace through a two
day workshop on Social Justice Consciousness.
6. Jonathan
Foster, O.F.M. conducts a two day workshop on social accommodation.
7. Towards the end of the Novitiate, in preparation for their
ministry with the poor out of Sacred Heart, we conduct a week-long
Servant-Leadership Workshop followed by a six week summer process that deals
with our theology of mission and ecclesiology and how it shapes our ministry
and our style of evangelization. This summer process has elements of formal
input, practical experience in ministry, and days of recollection for
reflection on the experience.
8. This year
(1985), the novices will be participating in an experience offered by the
Archdiocese of
VIII.
PROFESSIONALTRAINING
A. What are the theological
principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of formation?
Conscious both of the human
importance of labor and of the example of st.
Francis, those charged with the formation of the younger friars must take due
care to note their capabilities and inclinations and spur them on to develop
the talents the lord has given them and, practically, to use their free time
well. Even more positively, they should provide opportunities for them to use
such talents for the good of their own development and for the benefit of
others. (Medellin54d)
All friars shall receive from
their provinces equal possibilities of training for occupations compatible with
the Franciscan vocation, in the context of service to the church, to the order,
and to the development of people, always in the spirit of the words of St.
Francis: "that they desire to have above all the spirit of the lord and
his holy operation." (
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that help
bring out this area of formation?
The Novitiate is,
by definition, non-academic in its scope. In fact, the Novitiate staff
purposely stresses vocation over career concerns during this Novitiate year.
However, without compromising that definition, the novices are encouraged to
develop their natural talents for the service of the Novitiate community as
much as they are able.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1. The novice is encouraged to develop skills that will serve himself and
the community, e.g. Under the able tutelage of Brother Camillus, each novice
is asked to learn how to cook a simple meal. Examples of this nature abound.
2. While the primary
focus of the program of Scriptural reflections is one of faith sharing, the novice
is encouraged to develop good public speaking style under the direction of the
Associate Director.
3. Each novice is,
according to his ability, asked to learn enough about music that he can lead
the congregation in song. He is asked to learn the basics of a keyboard. Those
who are musically gifted are given the opportunity to enhance those skills
under the able tutelage of Mrs. Grace Lang who offers music lessons in voice,
keyboard, and guitar.
4. Each novice is
surveyed at the beginning of the year regarding skills and interests and is
assigned tasks that will help him develop those same skills and interests, in
addition to others that the Directors deem would be helpful.
5. The novices
have access to a shop area with basic tools and implements for working with
one's hands in maintenance.
IX. FAITH
DEVELOPMENT.
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
The experience of faith in God in
the personal encounter with Jesus Christ is central to Franciscan life, as is
obvious in the writings of Francis and in other texts. From whatever side we
approach it (prayer, fraternity, poverty, presence among men) the evangelical
way of life refers us back constantly to faith. The continuous recommendations
of the rule on the search for God , its absolute and unique primacy in the life
of the brothers; on the adoration and love due him; on the following of Christ
and life according to the gospel; an openness to the sovereignty free breathing
of the spirit; on constant prayer that must be first and foremost in our lives;
the evangelical motives proposed for the various aspects of the conduct of the
brothers (contemplation, fasting, prayer, clothing, poverty, work, begging,
food) demonstrate sufficiently that at the root of such a life there is a
unique experience of faith in God who is
love. (GGCC, chap. 2, par. 1) ;
The vocation of the friar minor
is not something in a void; it is shaped by the actual situations and
particular cultures of each group and region. Therefore, we Have to search
continually for a fuller and more concrete expression of our Franciscan life,
by knowing, understanding, and sharing the conditions of the people among whom
and for whom we are called. How would we be true to our vocation as friars
minor and followers of him "who died for all" were we to be estranged
from the social, economic, political, cultural and religious reality of our
contemporaries - a reality in which we ourselves are caught up? It is
important, then, to read the signs of the times and to face the reality of the
world, in order to transform it according to the gospel and our Franciscan charism. (
Our Franciscan charism should be given priority in our life and
activities. It should be emphasized in all stages of formation, both initial
and on-going, as well as in those spheres which are related to formation -such
as the preparation of new educators and the renewal of centers and programs of Franciscan
studies. (
The primary goal of on-going
formation is to help the friar minor live his vocation daily through a process
of personal and community conversion, of developing his capacities for gospel
life and witness. Therefore, ongoing formation should not be viewed as
something imposed from outside, but as the responsibility and right of every
friar, who must develop in himself the spirit of renewal and continual growth.
(
The friars should be introduced
to the history of the church through the ages, as also to the lives of those
who were examples of great faith... (
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that
help bring out this area of formation?
The first goal of
the Novitiate, which does not go without saying, is that the novice
know his faith.
With the aid of
daily homilies centered on the mystery of Christ, a full and developed program
of instruction through the keeping the liturgical year, and formal input, the
novice is called to develop his understanding of the mystery of grace, the life
and mission and ministry of Christ, and the call to witness to the kingdom of God
.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1. In conjunction with O.L.A. and Sacred Heart, the Novitiate
staff participates in a process of discernment about the level of faith
development in each candidate. According to the need of the Candidate, the
friars aid him in enhancing his faith through formal input and other faith
developing experiences.
2. The novice is
introduced to the notion of spirituality through a series of conferences based
on the theology of grace, and the life of Francis of Assisi by Bonaventure, a
theology of Franciscan Spiritual Life.
3. During the Advent season, conferences on Christology
introduce the novice to the person of Jesus. The novice is also asked- to read
and prayerfully consider a book about Christ during the Advent season.
4. During the Lenten and Easter season, an adaptation of the
RCIA introduces the novice to the concept of conversion and repentance. This is
followed by reflections on the major symbols present in the Easter Vigil throughout
the Easter Season culminating in a celebration of Pentecost and the mystery of
the Spirit in our lives.
5. Built into the
weekly prayer conferences is a time for faith sharing.
6. The conference on the life of Francis, on the Rule and the
Constitutions also contain a faith sharing element.
7. The novices are
encouraged to participate in faith enrichment programs offered at the local
parish.
8. The history of
Sacred Heart Province is studied not so much from the perspective of when, where,
and why, but more Who, what, from the perspective of the spirit and faith of
the friars who have gone on before us.
9. The conferences
on the Rule include the historical perspective but emphasize the paranesis of Francis. The rule is discussed from the
viewpoint of the faith response of the friar's life today.
10. It is stressed
to the novices that ours is a life of deep commitment to Jesus. Thus it takes
years to become a mature friar. One's life as a friar must be nourished
throughout one's life.
X. LITURGY
A. What are the
theological principles operative in formation in the Province in this area of
formation?
Participation in the 'mysteries
of Christ is arrived at by- obedience to his words, which are heard in the
reading of holy scripture and the book of creation, and by the response which
the friar gives in personal, communal and liturgical prayer, in contemplation
of the footprints of God in all creation, and above all by his
conscious and profound participation in the celebration of the Eucharist. (medellin43b)
B. At your local level, what are the goals of the process that
help bring out this area of formation?
Intimately tied to
the question of prayer, the celebration of the liturgy in a prayerful and
reflective style is a primary goal of the Novitiate. The liturgy is considered
the primary formation process in the Novitiate. The process is developed in
conjunction with the calendar of the liturgical year [e.g. Hermitage during
Lent, Christology during Advent, etc.].
In addition, the
novices are to be given the opportunity to study the liturgy from a
historical/theological perspective.
C. At your level, what are the specific structures that carry
out these goals?
1. Conferences on
the history of the Liturgy of the Hours, the history of the Eucharist, the
liturgical documents, planning Eucharistic liturgies, the Rite of Christian
Initiation, and the Liturgical Year are built into the Novitiate program.
2. The novices
plan and celebrate daily weekday liturgies.
3.-The novices are
exposed to a variety of liturgical styles (Sunday liturgies in the local parish
or in other parish settings, some Lenten liturgies in a parish setting, Holy
Week liturgies at St. Paschal Friary, Oak Brook, Illinois, and less formal
liturgies on Saturday).
4. The
"hinge" hours of the Liturgy of the Hours are celebrated daily
according to the recent documents of- the Church (sung morning and evening
prayer).
5. The novices are
exposed to a variety of ways of praying the hours.
2005 Addenda:
2005
Spiritual Direction Professional Development Case Conferences.
The Spiritual
Directors for the novices are the novitiate and post-novitiate staff plus a few
carefully chosen priests and sisters.
These Spiritual Directors meet together quarterly to improve their
spiritual direction skills through the use of the case conference tool. They take turns presenting an anonymous
spiritual direction verbatim. The focus
is more on the spiritual director then the directee. The directee
benefits from the spiritual directors improving their skills and
understandings.