Vocation

What is vocation?
How do I know if I am being called?
What are the requirements for joining?

What does it mean to be Franciscan?

Living a religious life includes making a public profession of vows, and solemnly promising to uphold something beyond the scope of most lives. Those called to a religious live express love for Christ by imitating him as closely as possible. They enflesh in themselves the life he had in this world. Jesus of Nazareth was poor, chaste, and obedient. To be like him, we vow poverty, chastity, and obedience. As one Franciscan jokingly describes it, the vows mean, "No money, no honey, and I have a boss!" These three vows enable us to carry our mission.

Brotherhood

Not all Franciscans are priests. Saint Francis was not an ordained priest. In embracing the vocation of a brother, this Friar is a living reminder of the importance of brotherhood in the life of the Order, the life of the Church and the life of the world. The Franciscan brother preaches the Gospel by his actions and presence From its very inception, Saint Francis desired that his community see itself and show itself to the world as a brotherhood.. The specific word that better reveals roots is fraternity, a word derived from the Latin word frater, meaning "brother". Simply put, a Franciscan friar, whether he is ordained or not, is in essence a brother.

Being Franciscan

What are the steps to become a Franciscan?

Friar Initial Formation: Those who choose to join us enter our initial formation program. Formation in the Franciscan tradition integrates the human, spiritual, and educational dimensions of the person. We try to help each person understand his unique life call and thereby become a fully contributing member of our fraternity. By sharing our life and values, we encourage each person to progress in holiness, fraternity, and dedication to his ministry within the Church.

Program of Initial Formation - Postulancy:
For one or two years, a man lives with a friar community and engages in various aspects of its life and work. During this time, the candidate is presented with workshops to help him develop the psychological and emotional qualities necessary for religious life and ministry.

Program of Initial Formation - Novitiate:
As a novice, the candidate's goal is to deepen his relationship with God. He is introduced more intensely to the Rule of Life of the Friars and to the history and traditions of the Franciscan Order. At the conclusion of the novitiate year, the candidate professes his first vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience) as a Franciscan Friar.

Program of Initial Formation - Post Novitiate:
The four years after first profession are spent developing a competence for service to the church in programs of study suitable to the kind of work the friar aspires to perform. Friars who are candidates for priesthood are enrolled in a Master of Divinity degree program preparing them for pastoral ministry. The friar’s initial formation concludes with the profession of solemn or final vows, an event that fully incorporates him into the Province and the Franciscan Order.

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