1. D. THE INQUIRY PHASE

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

3. 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.

4. 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 ]

5. 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.

6. 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:

7. 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?

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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?