Article 17

In their family they should cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life, striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ.

By living the grace of matrimony, husbands and wives in particular should bear witness in the world to the love of Christ for his Church. They should joyfully accompany their children on their human and spiritual journey by providing a simple and open Christian education and being attentive to the vocation of each child.

Above all, Franciscans herald the family as the basic unit of society. This has been attested to in Church documents especially since Vatican II. Secular Franciscans should consider their own family to be the first place in which to live their Christian commitment and Franciscan vocation. They should make space within it for prayer, for the Word of God, and for Christian catechesis. They should concern themselves with respect for all life and in every situation from conception until death (GC 24.1). The way spouses love each other and affirm the value of fidelity is a profound witness of their own family, the Church, and the world. (GC 24.2). A Christian home is the bedrock from which children embark on their spiritual and vocational journeys. It is also the foundation from which children learn to embrace themselves and care for others.

Source: F.U.N. Formation text: "The Rule of the SFO – 3-23-2011 Page 40 of 46"

 

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7-13-2012