E. CANDIDACY PHASE

RITE Rite of Admission [ Ritual P. 11 ]

3.2 Rite of Admission 3.21 the rite of admission, which precedes the time of formation or candidacy, should be simple and plain. It is appropriate that this entrance into the Secular Franciscan Order take place within a celebration of the Word of God with the whole fraternity present, and not during the celebration of the Eucharist.

3.22 The normative elements that should be clearly and evidently highlighted for the candidates are the following: a) the request and the will to experience the gospel life, like Francis of Assisi;

b) having in mind that the request is related to a possible future commitment to live this way of life, with the help of a fraternity, in communion and harmony with the whole Franciscan family.

This period of formation begins with the Rite of Admission into the Secular Franciscan Order, the public acceptance of the Candidate’s request and intention to live the gospel life in the manner of St. Francis.

During CANDIDACY, the entire fraternity participates in, and nurtures the ever deepening of the Candidate’s evangelical living out of the SFO Rule. It is important that the Candidate be given opportunities to experience, internalize and integrate the gospel values presented in SFO Rule.

The time of CANDIDACY is an extended period, lasting at least 18 months. Just because the minimum time of Candidacy is 18 months, there is no reason why that time frame should be the maximum. In particular circumstances, it may be prudent to Extend the actual time beyond 18 months to broaden and deepen the Candidate’s formation experience.

The main purpose of CANDIDACY is to prepare the Candidate to make PERMANENT COMMITMENT PROFESSION of the SFO Rule. However the fraternity, through the decision of the Fraternity Council and the Formation Director/Team, together with the Candidate discern one of the three possible options:

1.Extension of the actual time of Candidacy before profession. Permanent Commitment. 2. Profession, Permanent Commitment followed by a structured time of special continuing education in which are covered an in-depth study and further experience in the area of Scripture, Ecclesiology, Franciscanism and fraternity structure, etc. 3. Temporary commitment is discouraged.

SUGGESTED CONTENT FOR CANDIDACY PHASE The Pauline Rule The Volterra Letter (prologue to the Rule) Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels Franciscan Spirituality Franciscan Apostolic Life Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1.What content would you add to your fraternity’s Candidate Phase? 2. How well does your fraternity understand the Candidacy Phase, and what needs be done? 3. What did you see today that was new to your understanding of the Candidacy Phase? 4. What is the most important thing you learned today that needs to be added to the Candidacy Phase in your fraternity?