FOREWORD

 Guidelines for the Formation of the Friars for Understanding and Assisting the SFO were first published in 1992 by the Conference of General Assistants of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO). They are, intended to respond to the felt need of the Franciscans, religious and secular, to prepare themselves better to "walk together in the ways of the Lord" (1).

 A reciprocal understanding and vital communion required by belonging to the same spiritual family does exist and should continue to be developed among all Franciscans (2). The various components "can and must unite their efforts, with a view to cooperation and exchange of gifts, in order to participate more effectively in the Church's mission" (Vita consecrata, 54), this exchange of gifts "often brings unexpected and rich insights into certain aspects of the charism, leading to a more spiritual interpretation of it and helping to draw from it directions for new activities in the apostolate" (VC 55).

 The Rule and the Constitutions of the SFO (3) frequently confirm the principle of belonging to the same spiritual family. They refer to the vital, reciprocal communion and to the duty of the First Order (OFM, OFMConv, OFMCap) and Third Order Regular (TOR) to provide pastoral care and spiritual assistance. There is, in fact, a double substantial relationship between the SFO and the First Order and TOR:

- sharing the common charism:

The Rule of the SFO speaks of the "life-giving union" with one another that must exist between the seculars and all the branches of the Franciscan Family, in order to make present, in various ways and forms, the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church (cf. Rule SFO 1).

- spiritual and pastoral Assistance:

In virtue of this "communion", according to a longstanding tradition, it is the competency of the Superiors of the First Order and TOR to assure the spiritual assistance through "suitable and well prepared religious", and the pastoral visit to the Fraternities of the SFO (cf. Rule SFO 26).

The Secular Franciscan Order, pledged to "renew its own life, its own formation and the organization of the Fraternities", must count on a spiritual assistance updated and dynamically coordinated with the other components of the Franciscan Family in its single mission. "Consecrated persons should remember that before all else they must be expert guides in the spiritual life, and in this perspective they should cultivate the most precious gift - the spirit" (VC 55).

The SFO General Chapter of Fatima (1990) says: "As regards the role of animation of the spiritual Assistants themselves, there is need for a particular formation, that is, preparation of the friars regarding the SFO. This preparation must be conscious and must be incorporated into the program of formation - initial and ongoing - of all the friars. Even though not all are, or will be, spiritual Assistants, it certainly is necessary that all know, understand and affirm the truly essential role of the SFO for the realization of their own personal vocation" (4).

The General Chapter SFO, held in Rome in 1996, says in its conclusions: "The Presidency, in collaboration with National Councils, will find ways and moments to ... stimulate a more adequate formation of all the friars in regard to the SFO, so that they can help secular Franciscans to live their form of life better" (5).

 The religious Franciscan Orders, to whom belongs the altius moderamen, have made their own the principle of "life-giving union with each other" and have made it evident in their legislation, but also the General and Provincial Ministers, in Letters and various interventions, continually exhort the friars to know the SFO still more and better, and require an adequate preparation of the spiritual Assistants.

 The present guidelines are presented to all Franciscan religious, possibly to be inserted in their formation programs, for the knowledge of the SFO within the Franciscan Family, in its mission in the Church and in the world, and to prepare those who are called to serve as Spiritual Assistants.
 

I. PROGRAMS FOR TEACHING ABOUT THE SFO

a. In Initial Formation

1. Postulancy (See Course for Postulants)

2. Novitiate (See Course for Novices)

3. Post-Novitiate

 It will be helpful to remember that what is proposed in this paragraph should be understood not as being an addition of other material to the program of the post-novitiate; but rather in the sense of developing, also, in the dimensions indicated, the material of the present curriculum such as history, spirituality, ecclesiology, social doctrine, etc. 

a) The history of the Franciscan Family, including the SFO in its essential lines through the centuries; its presence and development in one's own country; relations with the First Order; birth of new Orders and Congregations from the SFO.

b) The nature, identity, structure and organization of the SFO according to the new Rule and Constitutions, emphasizing its secular character and the unity of the Order.

c) Accentuate the vision of the Church as the People of God and of communion (Lumen gentium, Gaudium et spes, the final document of the 1985 Synod).

d) Deepen the role of the lay faithful, co-responsibility and cooperation between the clergy and the laity, religious and seculars, in the mission of the Church (Evangelii nuntiandi, Christifideles laici, Letter of the Ministers General on the Vocation and Mission of the Franciscan Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World).

e) In the study of the Church's social teaching (from Rerum Novarum onwards), pay specific attention to the duties and responsibilities of the laity.

f) Deepen the nature of spiritual and pastoral assistance to the SFO, its collegiality and the identity of the Assistant.

g) Readings: Unconfirmed Rule (1221), Memoriale propositi (1221), Supra Montem of Nicholas IV (1289) and Misericors Dei Filius, of Leo XIII (1883)

h) have pastoral experiences together, guided by the spiritual Assistant and participate in fraternity meetings, moments of prayer, and celebrations in the different phases of the life of the SFO Fraternity.

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(1) Cf. Letter of the Ministers General on the occasion of the consignment of the Rule, 4-10-1978.

(2) Cf. Statutes for the Spiritual and Pastoral Assistance to the Secular Franciscan Order, Rome 1992, n.l.

(3) Cf. Rule 1; Const. 1.4; 85-91; 92, 94, 95.

(4) Cf. Conclusions of the General Chapter SFO, Fatima 1990, in Bulletin CIOFS, XII, n.2, 1990, p.6.

(5) Cf. Koinonia 1996, n.4; Internet http://www.ciofs.org/PER/1996/LC96EN28.HTM