D. THE INQUIRY PHASE

Ceremony of Introduction And Welcoming [ Ritual page 9 ] RITE: Ceremony of Introduction And Welcoming [ Ritual page 9 ]  

3.1 Ceremony of Welcoming 3.11 The ceremony of welcoming at the beginning of the period of Inquiry is a simple and paraliturgical expression of the community’s interest in the newcomers and its support for their searching out the Secular Franciscan vocation.

3.12 It does not take place within liturgical celebration, the context of a ritual or liturgical celebration, but rather as part of the fraternal portion of part of the regular meeting of the community. [ Ritual p. 4 ]

The INQUIRY PHASE as the first period of initiation, is a time of discernment and choice of the Franciscan life. During this time, the Inquirer participates in the life of the Fraternity, and comes to understand the way of life.

At the same time, the fraternity comes to know the Inquirer better, so that it can discern his/her request to become part of the fraternity. During this phase, the INQUIRER with the help of the Formation Director/Team would seek to discern these basic questions:

What is a vocation, and how am I called? What is gospel life, and how am I called to live it? What is a vocation to the Secular Franciscan Order, and how am I called to live this way of life?

It is the proper function of the Council together with the Formation Director/Team to dialogue with the INQUIRER to determine suitability and readiness of the INQUIRER for admission to Candidacy.

SUGGESTED CONTENT FOR INQUIRER PHASE The Catholic Church in light of Vatican Council II. Lay Spirituality Life of St. Francis History of the Secular Franciscan Order Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order Organizational Structure of the SFO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What content would you add to your fraternity’s Inquiry program? How well does your fraternity understand the Inquiry Phase, and what needs to be done? What did you see today that was new to your understanding of the Inquiry Phase? 4. What is the most important thing you learned today that needs to be added to the Inquiry Phase in your fraternity?