PROFESSION in the Secular Franciscan Order Theological and Liturgical Foundations Fr. Richard Trezza, O.F.M. Pictures courtesy of Bob Stronach, SFO

Profession: A gift of the Spirit The Spirit is in charge During the rite of Profession, there is an intense dialogue between the candidate and God The liturgical moment gives us a chance to make a response to God The Profession liturgy is a “confession of faith”. Encarnita del Pozo, OFS; Minister General General Chapter – Hungary 2008

The Grace of Profession “since the Lord has given me this grace, I renew my baptismal promises and consecrate myself to the service of His kingdom. . . . Formula for profession” We need God’s grace to “dedicate ourselves to the service of His Kingdom”. One cannot serve the Kingdom without recognizing the role of the Spirit in life. Profession is then: 1st a unique gift of the Spirit and 2nd empowers one to live out the gospel life-project – proper to Secular Franciscans. Benedetto Lino, OFS, General Councillor and author of the Syllabus for the New Formation Manual

Profession: An Action of the Church Profession comes about through God’s intervention, who … Works through Jesus Christ, who … Works through the Church Profession is simultaneously the action of Christ and of the Church Profession is an ecclesial act … an event in God’s eternal time – a kairos moment! Fr. Felice Cangelosi, OFM Cap giving his talk on Profession at the General Chapter in Hungary, 2008.

Profession and Fraternity The local fraternity makes the action and the presence of the Church visible. Profession must be celebrated in the presence of the fraternity … the privileged place. As a result of Profession, the fraternity receives a gift from God in the persons of the newly professed. Profession is a sacred covenant with God and with your fraternal brothers and sisters The newly elected General Council CIOFS – General Chapter 2008

Ministries in the Celebration of Profession The Candidates by their sacraments of Initiation exercise their priestly role in profession. The local Minister and the priest witness invoke the Holy Spirit and receives the Profession The Fraternity makes the Church visible The priest witnesses the action of the Church, guarantees the suitability of the candidates and ratifies the promises made in the name of the Church Fr. Felice Cangelosi, OFM Cap.

The Spirit in the Celebration of Profession The Spirit accomplishes the “sanctification” of the candidates During the ceremony, the Minister invokes the Spirit upon the candidates Profession is an “epiclesis” – a New Pentecost Some of the Chapter delegates at the Esztergom Cathedral – Hungary 2008

Profession and the Eucharist The priest associates the promise of Profession with the Eucharistic sacrifice The candidates give themselves as an oblation – gift to the Father The candidates as priests and victims make themselves completely available to God Profession like Eucharist is not a one-time event but a gift of life, for life International, national and regional Spiritual Assistants at Mass in Budapest, Hungary 2008

Baptism and Profession Baptism produces a consecration Baptism configures a person to the Paschal mystery of Christ … dying and rising Baptism makes one a living member of the Church Profession gives the grace to help one live out this promise, to deepen and intensify. Fr. Felice making a point in his talk

Consecration To dedicate, to reserve something, to destine a person for God and His exclusive service In Profession, a person places him/herself into the hands of God enabling Him to take hold of them The person no longer belongs to him or herself but is at God’s total disposal The professed becomes God’s property and is therefore made “sacred” and by the gift of the Holy Spirit we are drawn into the life-project (Gospel-life) as envisioned by Francis. The retired Franciscan Cardinal of Esztergom celebrates the Mass closing the year of St. Elizabeth of Hungary - 2008

The Value of Profession in the OFS The OFS Profession is a true and proper profession according to the Church’s understanding It is not a “light” Profession meaning the OFS Profession has the dignity of a solemn and religious commitment and cannot be considered inferior to that of “religious” – although the two are different in content due to the multiple action of divine grace in a diversity of charisms. Encarnita del Pozo, OFS, Minister General, distributes bread at end of Mass closing out the celebratory year of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

After the Manner of St. Francis A Secular Franciscan promises to live out the Gospel as mediated by St. Francis by his example and instruction Profession puts before you the radical, light filled and joyful style in which Francis listens to the Gospel and commits himself to it. Fr. Felice’s exclamation point!

Following Christ For Francis, to follow Christ meant; following Christ’s poverty, humility, His very life, His precepts, His doctrine, His will, His goodness, following the spirit of the Scriptures, following the Good Shepherd and following in the footsteps of Christ. Fr. Ivan Matic, OFM, General OFM Spiritual Assistant; Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM, Provincial Spiritual Assistant, Holy Name Province; Fr. Trujillo Cano, TOR, General TOR Spiritual Assistant at the Mass in Esztergom, Hungary - 2008

Sharing When you made your own profession, what did it mean for you? How has your consecration effected your approach to life?