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Rule 23
Requests for admission
to the Secular Franciscan Order must be presented to the local
fraternity, whose council decides upon the acceptance of new
brothers and sisters.
Admission into the Order
is gradually attained through a time of initiation, a period of
formation of at least one year, and profession of the rule. The
entire community is engaged in this process of growth by its own
manner of living. The age for profession and the distinctive
Franciscan sign are regulated by the statutes.
Profession by its nature
is a permanent commitment.
Members who find
themselves in particular difficulties should discuss their
problems with the council in fraternal dialogue.
Withdrawal or permanent
dismissal from the Order, if necessary, is an act of the
fraternity council according to the norm of the constitutions.
Rule 22 defined the
role of the local fraternity. Rule 23 points out how we can become a
loving fraternity of dedicated Secular Franciscans. Requests for
admission is made without coercion or undue influence by any member
of the fraternity. The individual wishing to be admitted is
generally asked to do so orally or in writing. The applicant must be
an active Catholic, in the State of Grace, and be in complete union
with the Roman Catholic Church. The application received will be
given to the fraternity council who are responsible to make a
decision if the new sisters or brothers will be admitted. The length
of the process is set forth in the Statutes of the Secular
Franciscan Order in USA.
The last part of
Rule 23 is very important. If members-to-be are absent from initial
formation without having an approved excuse, the council and only
the council can make the determination to retain the applicant or
dismiss him/her. While we love to have new candidates, new sisters
and brothers desiring to walk this journey with us, fraternity and
formation attendance is a life-long commitment and priority in the
lives of Secular Franciscans. A fraternity is a family. It is home
for us Franciscans.
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5-12-2008
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