The conversation explores the concept of profession as a secular Franciscan and its significance in the lives of individuals who choose to embrace this path. It highlights the core ideals of poverty, humility, and simplicity championed by St. Francis and emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with all of creation. The conversation also discusses the process of formation and discernment that individuals go through before making their profession, as well as the responsibilities and commitments that come with being a professed secular Franciscan. It concludes by offering resources and contact information for those interested in exploring the Franciscan way of life.
Profession as a secular Franciscan involves a conscious choice to shape one's life around the core ideals of poverty, humility, and simplicity.
The profession signifies a commitment to living in harmony with all of creation and making a positive impact on the world.
The process of formation and discernment prepares individuals for their profession and deepens their understanding of the Franciscan way of life.
Professed secular Franciscans have responsibilities to live a life of poverty, humility, and simplicity, actively participate in their Franciscan community, and be witnesses to the gospel in their daily lives.
Being a professed secular Franciscan offers the benefits of a deeper sense of purpose, a supportive community, and opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
Paul (00:01.27)
Hi everybody, welcome to Our Walk Together. I'm glad you found some time to be with me today and to kind of reflect with me on what profession as a secular Franciscan means. I recently published a recording of the Rite of Profession as a secular Franciscan, the one that I just recently took, did. You can find it on my website, Our Walk Together or any other of the usual, perhaps.
platforms, I thought today it might be beneficial to talk about profession and what this means. As followers of St. Francis of Assisi, many individuals make the transformative decision to commit themselves to the secular order, the secular Franciscan order. This is known as profession and this solemn commitment signifies a deeper dedication.
to living a life grounded in the principles of Franciscan spirituality and values. The secular Franciscan profession is a significant milestone in the lives of those who choose to embrace this path. It represents a conscious choice, a conscious choice to shape their lives around the core ideals, the core ideals of Franciscans, poverty,
humility and simplicity that were championed by St. Francis. Through profession, individuals commit to living in harmony with all of creation. How important is that these days? To live in harmony with all of creation and to strive to make a positive impact on the world around them. By embracing the Franciscan way of life, individuals become
of a larger community that supports and guides them in their spiritual journey. This community can provide a vital network of support, encouragement, and accountability that helps individuals to grow in their understanding and practice of the Franciscan values.
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Profession in the secular Franciscan order is a formal commitment made by individuals to live according rather to the ideals and the principles of St. Francis. It's a solemn ceremony that marks the dedication of a life of poverty, humility, and simplicity.
The profession signifies a conscious choice to follow the Franciscan way of life and to strive for spiritual growth and transformation.
In the secular Franciscan order, profession is not limited to the clergy, as we sometimes think. Only clergymen take religious vows or profession. It's open to lay individuals who desire to live out the Franciscan charism in our everyday lives.
The profession in the secular Franciscan order is a visible sign of one's commitment to follow the teachings of St. Francis and to embrace a life of service, prayer, and contemplation. The profession ceremony in the secular Franciscan order is deeply meaningful. It's a meaningful and significant event. It's a public declaration.
of one's commitment to live according to the ideals and the values of St. Francis of Assisi. The ceremony itself is marked by solemnity and reverence as individuals make their profession before God, their Franciscan community, their family, their friends and the whole community. During the profession ceremony itself, individuals
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make promises to live in poverty, chastity, obedience, according to their state of life. These promises are not taken lightly as they require individuals to let go of attachments to material possessions and to embrace a life of simplicity and detachment and to submit their will to the greater good of the community and the teachings of St. Francis.
The profession ceremony itself is a time of celebration, joy, and reflection. It's a time for individuals to reaffirm their commitment to the Franciscan way of life and to seek the grace and guidance of God and their Franciscan community to live their promises faithfully. To enter into a profession as a secular Franciscan, individuals must meet certain requirements.
These requirements ensure that individuals are prepared and that they're ready to embrace the Franciscan way of life. One of the primary requirements for a profession is a period of formation and discernment. This period allows individuals to learn more about the Franciscan charism, spirituality, and values.
and it provides an opportunity for individuals to deepen their understanding and their commitment to living the Franciscan way of life. Initially, for not less than three months, the individual attends the fraternity meetings to see if this might be right for them. The formation process of the Franciscan order is a gradual and deliberate journey that prepares individuals for profession.
It consists of several stages, each with its own focus and objectives. These stages provide the individual with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to live out their Franciscan vocation. To start with, individuals express their interest in joining the secular Franciscan order and begin to explore the Franciscan way of life. They attend meetings,
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participate in Franciscan activities and engage in conversations with the members of the order to discern if this is the right path for them. After the inquiry period, individuals after.
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After that initial period, individuals enter the inquiry stage. This stage is a time of deeper exploration and preparation. Candidates deepen their understanding of Franciscan spirituality, values, and history. They participate in information classes, spiritual retreats, and engage in personal reflection and discernment. Following this inquiry stage, individuals,
enter the period of probation, which is generally called candidacy. This stage is a time of intense preparation and discernment leading up to profession. Candidates continue their pro their formation and engaged in a more focused study of the Franciscan rule and the life of St. Francis. They also participate in community life, service projects.
and regular meetings with their Franciscan community. Upon completion of the candidacy period, individuals are ready to make their profession in the secular Franciscan order. This is a significant milestone in their Franciscan journey and marks just the beginning of their commitment to live according to the ideals and the values of St. Francis.
Profession in the secular Franciscan order involves a dedicated commitment to spiritual practices and discernment. These practices and discernment help individuals to deepen their relationship with God, explore their vocation, and prepare their hearts and minds for the profession. Prayer is an essential spiritual practice for those preparing for a profession.
Through prayer, individuals seek guidance, wisdom, and strength from God. They cultivate an intimate relationship with God and open themselves to the will, His will, and direction in their lives. Prayer helps individuals discern if the Franciscan way of life is truly their calling and prepares them for the commitments and the responsibilities of profession.
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Contemplation is another important spiritual practice during the preparation period. Contemplation allows the individuals to enter a deeper silence and stillness where they encounter the presence of God and listen to his gentle whispers. It is in contemplation that the individuals can discern the movements of the Holy Spirit and gain clarity and insight into their vocation and the path.
They're called to work, to walk. Discernment is an ongoing process during the preparation period. It involves carefully considering one's motives, desires, and gifts in the light of the Franciscan charism and the call to live that life of poverty, humility, and simplicity. Discernment requires individuals to be honest with themselves.
wise counsel and to be open to the signs and promptings of the Holy Spirit. It's through the discernment that individuals can confidently and authentically respond to God's call to profession.
Professed secular Franciscans have certain responsibilities and commitments that they undertake as part of their vocation. These responsibilities and commitments are rooted in the Franciscan charism and are designed to help the individuals live out their faith and make a positive impact upon the world and the world around them. One of the primary responsibilities,
of the Franciscan is to live a life of poverty, humility, and simplicity. This means embracing a lifestyle that's detached from material possessions, seeking to live with only what's necessary, and being mindful of the needs of others.
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It doesn't mean that you live in abject poverty. It means that you still have to provide for your family. You still have to have a place to live. You still have to do the things that are part of our everyday lives. But it's the spirit that we do those things in which becomes important. Profess secular Franciscans are called to be good stewards of the earth's resources. And how important is that?
these days.
and to use them responsibly and sustainably.
Sometimes we need to think what that really means. Another responsibility of a professed secular Franciscan is to engage in ongoing formation and spiritual growth. Professed secular Franciscans are encouraged to deepen their understanding of the Franciscan tradition, spirituality, and values. They participate in ongoing formation classes, retreats, and workshops.
to continue their growth and development as Franciscans. This ongoing formation helps them to live out those commitments more authentically and effectively. Professed secular Franciscans have a responsibility to participate actively in their Franciscan community. I want to say that again, professed Franciscans have a responsibility to participate actively.
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in their Franciscan community. They attend regular meetings, contribute to the life of the community, and support and encourage their fellow Franciscans. Community life in this way provides a support system and a network of accountability that helps individuals to stay faithful to their commitments and to grow in their Franciscan vocation. In addition to these responsibilities, professed secular Franciscans are called to be
witnesses to the gospel in their daily lives. It's not something we do once in a while. It's not something that happens in church on Sunday or whenever, but it's in our daily lives that we witness the gospels. The saying among Franciscans is that we live a life that takes the gospels to life and life to the gospels. When you think about it, they really make sense.
All of us strive to live out the Franciscan values of love, compassion, and justice in all of our interactions with others. They seek to be instruments of peace, reconciliation, and healing in a world that's often marked by division, violence, and injustice.
Living out the Franciscan charism in everyday life is a central aspect of the vocation of a professed secular Franciscan. It involves integrating the Franciscan values and ideals into all aspects of one's life, including work, family, relationships, and personal pursuits. One way that professed secular Franciscans live out
live out the charisms is through their commitment to simplicity.
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They strive to live with only what is necessary, resisting the temptation of consumerism and materialism. They embrace a lifestyle that's focused on the essential and seek to be content with what they have rather than constantly seeking more. This is not a once time. This is an ongoing process.
of understanding in life what those things are. Another way, secular Franciscans live out the charism is through their commitment to poverty. This is always a big question one, but poverty in the Franciscan sense is not about destitution or lack, but about detachment from material possessions,
and a reliance on God's providence. Profess secular Franciscans trust in God's abundance and share their resources with those in need, recognizing that everything that they have is a gift from God.
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Humility is another aspect of living out the Franciscan charism.
profess secular Franciscan strive to cultivate a spirit of humility in their interactions with others. They seek to recognize the dignity and the worth of every person, treating others with respect, kindness, and compassion, no matter who they are. They're willing to serve others and to put the needs of others before their own. Living out the Franciscan charism involves commitment,
to prayer and to contemplation. Professed secular Franciscans dedicate time each day to prayer, seeking to deepen their relationship with God and to align their will with His. They engage in contemplative practices that allow them to enter into a deeper communion with God and to listen to His guidance and direction.
Paul (17:39.99)
Being a secular Franciscan, a professed secular Franciscan comes with its own set of benefits and challenges. The benefits are numerous and include a deeper sense of purpose and meaning, a supportive community and the opportunity to grow in holiness and spiritual maturity. One of the benefits of being a professed secular Franciscan is in the opportunity to live a profound,
purpose and meeting. By embracing the Franciscan way of life, individuals align their lives with the teachings of St. Francis and the Gospels. They become instruments of God's love, peace and justice in the world, making a positive impact on the lives of others and this health of this planet. They benefit from being, another benefit rather from being,
at Professed Secular Franciscan is the supportive community that comes with it. Professed Secular Franciscans are part of a larger network of individuals who share the same values, ideals, and commitments. This community is not just local, it's worldwide. And this community provides a network of support, encouragement, and accountability.
helping us all to stay faithful to their vows and to grow in their Franciscan vocation. Being a professed secular Franciscan also offers the opportunity for first, sorry, also offers the opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. This commitment and the responsibilities of profession,
provide individuals with a framework for ongoing formation and development. Professed secular Franciscans have access to resources, retreats, workshops, and other opportunities for growth and deepening their understanding of the Franciscan tradition. While being a professed secular Franciscan is rewarding, it also comes with its own set of challenges.
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One of the challenges that call to live the life of poverty, humility and simplicity in a world that often values wealth, power and material possessions. Professed secular Franciscans face the challenge of resisting the temptations of consumerism and living counter culturally. Another challenge is the commitment to ongoing formation and spiritual growth. Professed secular Franciscans need to invest time,
and energy into deepening their understanding of the Franciscan tradition and values. This requires a willingness to engage in ongoing learning and to challenge oneself to be open to new insights and perspectives. The challenges of being a profess secular Franciscan are not insurmountable, but require dedication.
perseverance and reliance on God's grace. Through prayer, community support, and a commitment to ongoing formation, professed secular Franciscans can navigate these challenges and continue to grow in their Franciscan vocation.
In conclusion, the secular Franciscan profession is a significant milestone in the lives of those who choose to embrace the Franciscan way of life and represents a conscious choice to shape one's life around the core ideals of poverty, humility and simplicity championed by St. Francis. Through the profession,
Individuals commit to living in harmony with all of creation and strive to make a positive impact on the world around them. The secular Franciscan profession is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires a period of formation, discernment, and preparation. It involves a commitment to ongoing personal and spiritual growth.
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as well as a willingness to submit one's will to the greater good of the community and the teachings of St. Francis. By embracing the Franciscan way of life, through profession, individuals become part of a larger community that supports and guides them in their spiritual journey. This commitment provides a vital network of support, encouragement,
and accountability. It helps individuals grow in their understanding and practice of the Franciscan values. Whether you're considering the profession or simply curious about the Franciscan way of life, let me assure you it is a path worth exploring. If you feel called to follow St. Francis as a secular Franciscan,
you can do a couple of things. You can contact me if you'd like, and you can contact me through our website, through my website, ourwalktogether .com. There's many opportunities in there for you to be able to send me a message, and I assure you, I'll get right back to you. You can also read literature and read things that are available on the internet.
All you gotta do is put in Secular Franciscans and you're gonna end up with about seven or eight pages of direct stuff that's really good. Or the easiest way if you feel called is you can call 1 -800 -FRANCIS. That's 1 -800 -372 -6247. The person who answers that phone,
will be able to direct you and send you to somebody who's local, maybe a local minister, head of one of the fraternities, who can give you a little more information and help you through the process.
Paul (24:39.798)
In addition to all of that, I just want to say that I would love to occasionally have guests on this show to discuss various issues and thoughts. If you're interested, just contact me through the website and I'll be happy to get back to you and we can talk together. And so, as we bring this to an end, I wish you all God's peace.