Candidacy Formation November 18, 2018 Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018

Opening Prayer O God, send forth your Holy Spirit Into my heart that I may perceive, Into my mind that I may remember, And into my soul that I may meditate. Inspire me to speak with piety, Holiness, tenderness, and mercy. Teach, guide, and direct My thoughts and senses From beginning to end. May your grace ever help and correct me, And may I be strengthened now With wisdom from on high, For the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen St. Anthony of Padua Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18 2018

II. Open questions related to last month’s discussions. III. SFO Rule I. Opening Prayer II. Open questions related to last month’s discussions. III. SFO Rule Article 4 The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people. Christ, the gift of the Father's love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly. Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel. Article 5 Secular Franciscans, therefore should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity. The fait of Saint Francis, who often said, “I see nothing bodily of the Most High Son of God in this world except his most holy body and blood,” should be the inspiration and pattern of their eucharistic life. Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018

IV. Constitution Article 8 1. The Secular Franciscans commit themselves by their profession to live the Gospel according to Franciscan spirituality in their secular condition. 2. They seek to deepen, in the light of faith, the values and choices of the evangelical life according to the Rule of the OFS: —  Rule 7 in a continually renewed journey of conversion and of formation; —  Rule 4,3 open to the challenges that come from society and from the Church's life situation, "going from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel;" —  in the personal and communal dimensions of this journey. Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018

IV. Constitution - Continued Article 9 Rule 5 The spirituality of the Secular Franciscan is a plan of life centered on the person and on the following of Christ,9 rather than a detailed program to be put into practice. Rule 4,3 The Secular Franciscan, committed to following the example and the teachings of Christ, must personally and assiduously study the Gospel and Sacred Scripture. The fraternity and its leaders should foster love for the word of the Gospel and help the brothers and sisters to know and understand it as it is proclaimed by the Church with the assistance of the Spirit10. Article 10 Rule 10 "Christ, poor and crucified", victor over death and risen, the greatest manifestation of the love of God for humanity, is the "book" in which the brothers and sisters, in imitation of Francis, learn the purpose and the way of living, loving, and suffering. They discover in Him the value of contradictions for the sake of justice and the meaning of the difficulties and the crosses of daily life. With Him, they can accept the will of the Father even under the most difficult circumstances and live the Franciscan spirit of peace, rejecting every doctrine contrary to human dignity. Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018

IV. Constitution - Continued Article 11 Mindful that the Holy Spirit is the source of their vocation and the animator of fraternal life and mission, Secular Franciscans should seek to imitate the faithfulness of Francis to His inspiration. They should listen to the exhortation of the Saint to desire above all things "the Spirit of God at work within them."11 V. The Rule of SFO – Theresa Baker SFO, pp. 7 – 17 VI. The Franciscan Journey Chapters 12 and 13 VII. The Incarnation Article in Catholic Update Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018

VIII. Reflection Questions 1. During this time in Candidacy you are going on an Emmaus walk of sorts, which area (please define area in the most general sense) is the hardest for you at this present moment? Which area is the easiest at this present moment? 2. Write about an experience when you encountered Christ in your brothers and sisters that left you changed. Take as an example Francis and the leper. 3. How does the Church enhance your vocation? What is your current relationship with the hierarchy of the church?  4. Why is Jesus important in the life of a Franciscan? What motive brought Jesus to earth in the Incarnation? Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018

enlighten the darkness of my heart your holy and true command, Closing Prayer Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out your holy and true command, Amen Prayer Before the Crucifix St. Francis of Assisi Padre Pio Fraternity – November 18, 2018