Guidelines to Initial Formation Chapter 2 Sections D & E Agents of Formation

Council, Formation Director & Formation Team The Fraternity Council has big responsibilities! – –Among other things… it is to be VITALLY concerned with the formation process !

The Council… is NOT “just responsible” for formation in the fraternity… it MUST TAKE an active role in it.

It Must Adapt Formation Programs… to meet the mandated the processes, needs, & abilities of those involved. – –Time and available space should be adjusted to meet those needs.

The Council Must… Continually evaluate the formation process and program. Continually improve the process. Design the formation programs to meet the needs of those “being formed”. N.B. This applies to both ongoing and initial formation.

The Council Must… Discern a vocation actually exists ! Not a warm body… to become the new Minister! Discern that the prospective member has the ability to make a life-long commitment And… does he/she actively and fully participate in the life of the fraternity/ Order? N.B. A vocation is not based just on a person’s desire to join an Order. (any Order ?)

The Council is Responsible for the Initial Formation in the Fraternity... ► ► Orientation ► ► Inquiry ► ► Candidacy

And… The Council is Responsible for the On-Going Formation in the Fraternity

General Constitutions   Article 37.4 states that the formation process shall be governed by the National and Regional Councils.   Article 40.4 states that a style of teaching which is Franciscan in nature… should be adopted.

The National Statutes State in Article 5 (Form of Methodology) a. a. The form (i.e. content & process; cf. Gen. Const., #38.2) to be employed [used] in both initial and on-going formation is that found in the “Guidelines for Initial Formation”. b. The method to be used in formation should both be interactive (conversational) and experiential (practical) in nature.

The Region’s Guidelines for Formation The Executive Council of the St. Francis Region, Southern California, selected a formation process that follows the “Guidelines for Formation” as mandated. Those “Guidelines” were assembled by: The National Formation Commission of The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the USA. *** We follow this process as it is… STATUTORY !!!

Formation: …Is not just information ! It is information, transformed by the heart & desire thru the Holy Spirit… affecting how we live, how we think, how we act… even how we pray and play. It is that information that leads to on- going conversion.

Formation …is the life blood and the substance of being fraternity, of Being Franciscan. …is that single element in fraternity life that causes us to grow in our understanding of what it means to BE Franciscan, to grow in our faith, and to grow in our relationships as brothers/ sisters in the Lord.

Who Forms Who? The presenter (leader) of a formation session is known as the Formator. A Formator only provides the means that allows one to be “formed”. An individual forms himself/herself through the efforts of the Holy Spirit … and is NOT formed by the FORMATER.

The Council Must Implement: The Rule The Constitutions And The Statutes for: Admission ………………. Profession And Dismissal of unsuitable Candidates in formation

Who Should Lead the Formation Sessions? Professed members who are knowledgeable and well suited for this ministry. All Council members should be formators ! The Fraternity Council should provide the necessary training for this essential work. N.B. Preparation/training for this ministry should be done in advance of need.

Formation Director and The Formation Team The Formation Director is an elected member of the Council at the Local level. The Formation Director is appointed at the Regional, National and International Levels. The Formation Director and the team are crucial in the life of the fraternity. They are the facilitators/enablers who move Candidates toward profession.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions After weighing the spiritual maturity of the various members of the fraternity, and… After weighing their specific abilities and qualifications… The Council is to select the Formation Team from its professed members.

The Formation Team Must be able to share… but not dominate a conversation Must be able to talk freely about spiritual, psychological, and social issues (but not as a psychiatrist !) Must be able to discuss Franciscan values Must be able to offer guidance for spiritual growth

Knowledgeable and Well Suited Eager to guide Inquirers and Candidates toward Profession. Must be able to impart adequate know- ledge of scripture & how to live the Gospel Must be able to give instruction in Secular Spirituality, Franciscanism, and Theo- logical Reflection. Should be able to interpret the signs of the times.

AND…. Work with and cooperate with the Council, the Formation Director, and the Spiritual Assistant.

. How many members in your fraternity meet these ideals? Do you? …… If not… YOU WILL !!!

Discussion Questions 1. What is formation? 2. Who is responsible for formation/ Why? 3. Why can’t we just use a “cookie-cutter” formation program? 4. What is the purpose of Initial Formation? 5. What is the purpose of On-Going Formation? 6. Who decides the content & process used in formation? Why? 7. Are all potential members automatically advanced to profession? Why? Why not? 8. Why does a fraternity need a formation team? 9. What qualities should a formator possess?