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Copyright © 1998-2010 Society of Saint Francis, European Province |
| Growing into the life | ||||
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Ongoing Formation - Stages on the way… Having made contact with the brothers or sisters, there will be an opportunity to come and live alongside as an Enquirer for a short period to get a better feel for the way of life. If it feels right to take the next step and the community is in agreement you will return to your own home to continue the process of discernment and to complete an application form, which includes providing references, and a medical questionnaire, before being invited for an interview. If accepted you will be admitted as an Aspirant, one who has been invited to come and test their vocation to the religious life. A date will be arranged for you to come to one of the houses to begin that process. When you arrive you will be admitted as a Postulant.The sisters receive a Tau Cross as a visible symbol of their association with the community and the brothers wear a brown over smock. During this time you begin to live community life and get involved with some of the daily tasks, so that you are able to deepen your experience of this way of life. After a three to six month postulancy, if you and the community feel it is right, the next stage is to begin a three to four year period as a Novice. As a novice you receive the brown habit and a rope with a
single knot signifying a commitment to the community. During this
period you are accompanied on the journey by the Novice
Guardian, undertake some study and receive formation in the
Franciscan way of life, and can expect to experience different
aspects of the life in various houses. The novitiate can be ended by
either side at any time.
In consultation with the Novice Guardian and the Minister
Provincial novices can apply to be allowed to make vows. If
elected by the Provincial Chapter
novices make their First Profession
in vows (poverty, chastity and
obedience) and receive a rope with three knots to represent these
three vows.
(l-r: Peter is presented for novicing; Sr Liz makes her First Profession in vows)
The vows are commitments that we make to a way of life that
makes demands on the whole person. The vows are not ends in
themselves, but are a way of helping us to live the gospel, to
follow more closely in the footsteps of Christ and to share with
others the love of God. Despite what people often think the vows
bring with them an immense amount of freedom and liberation.
As Franciscans (in common with many other religious
communities) we take the three vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience.
Poverty – The person called to the religious life feels a
desire to live simply and the vow of poverty means assuming a new
relationship with things. This means living with our brothers and
sisters in simplicity with an openness of heart – sharing all that
we have both materially and spiritually. This vow expresses
dependence on and trust in God’s care for us. We receive no
individual pay, but any income goes into the corporate ‘pot’ to be
shared as needed and so we live as a family having all things in
common.
Thus the vow of poverty endeavours to encourage us to seek the
riches of Christ, to be found not in material possessions but within
our own being, in our relationship with Christ and in our
relationship with others. We are encouraged to have our heart set on
that spiritual home where our treasure lies.
Chastity – This vow is about “giving ourselves in undivided
love to Christ, in celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God and
in his love for all” (SSF Profession Service). In other words the primary relationship is that with God. The
calling to celibacy is a vocation in its own right and those who
embrace this calling do so because that is how they believe God is
asking them to serve him. It is a vow of immense liberation. There
is a greater availability to God and a greater freedom to respond to
where God might be calling us to be as there are no other committed
relationships to consider. In making this commitment there is a
mutual love and care for one another, to which we witness in our
daily relationships and through which we endeavour to make the light
of Christ shine to all whom we meet. Obedience – This vow is about listening and responding to God,
as God’s will is made known through the people and situations of
life, and is firmly rooted in prayer. Those living this form of life
commit themselves to listening to God through the decisions of the
community and through those who are appointed to positions of
leadership. If we look to Jesus as an example, his obedience points to the
Father’s will and was made possible because they were united as one
in and through prayer. After a period of three to seven years First Professed brothers and sisters can apply to be elected to Life Profession by the Provincial Chapter. Top
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