Morning Prayer

V. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen
V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who on the eve of your sufferings instituted the Blessed Sacrament.
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who sorrowful onto death, prayed to your heavenly Father,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, whose sacred body in your agony was bathed in a bloody sweat.
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who, betrayed by Judas were taken captive.
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who were led bound to Annas and Caiphas,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who were declared by the high priest guilty of death,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Scripture Reading (Optional)
Sunday          John 12:23-28
Monday         Matt 16:21-23
Tuesday         Matt 27:45-61
Wednesday    Mark 15:29-47
Thursday        Luke 23:33-49
Friday            John 19:25-37
Saturday        Mark 10:32-34

Meditation (moment of silent prayer)

V. Let us pray:
ALL: O God * who caused the precious body of our blessed Father Francis * to be brought forth from darkness to light: * grant us, we beseech you, * to escape from the night of sin * and to direct our steps in the way of peace and justice * Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Evening Prayer

V. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen
V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at the first hour of the day were delivered up to the heathen judge Pilate,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at the third hour were cruelly scourged, and crowned with thorns.
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at the sixth hour were nailed to the cross with heavy nails,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at the ninth hour gave up your spirit into the hands of your Father.
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at vesper time were taken down from the Cross and placed in the arms of our Mother,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

V. O Lord Jesus Christ, who were borne by your most afflicted Mother and your dearest friends to the tomb,
R. Have Mercy on us.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Scripture Reading (Optional)
Sunday          Heb 9:11-15
Monday         Heb 5:7-9
Tuesday         2 Cor 4:7-14
Wednesday    1 Cor 1:18-25
Thursday        Eph 2:13-18
Friday            Phil 2:5-11
Saturday        Phil 2:7-14

Meditation (moment of silent prayer)

V. Let us pray:
ALL: O Lord Jesus Christ * who, when the world was growing cold, * renewed the sacred marks of your passion in the flesh of the most Blessed Francis, * to inflame our hearts with the fire or your love, * mercifully grant that by his merits and prayers * we may always carry the Cross * and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Through Christ out Lord. Amen

What is a Spiritual Assistant?

The answer to this question is spelled out in Article 89 of the SFO's General Constitution:
 
1. By virtue of the vital reciprocity between the religious and the secular members of the Franciscan Family and in regard to the responsibilities of major superiors, spiritual assistance to the fraternities of the SFO at all levels must be assured as a fundamental element of communion.
 
2. The spiritual assistant is the person designated by the competent major superior to carry out this service for a specific fraternity of the SFO.
 
3. To be a witness of Franciscan spirituality and of the fraternal affection of the religious towards the Secular Franciscans, and to be a bond of communion between his Order and the SFO, the spiritual assistant should be a Franciscan religious, member of the First Order or the TOR.
 
4. When it is not possible to give such a spiritual assistant to the fraternity, the competent major superior can entrust the service of spiritual assistance to:
a. religious brothers or sisters of other Franciscan institutes;
b. diocesan clerics or other persons, specially prepared for such service, who are members of the SFO;
c. other diocesan clerics or non-Franciscan religious.
 
5. The previous authorization of the superior or the local ordinary, when needed, does not exempt the Franciscan major superior of the responsibility for the quality of the pastoral service and of the spiritual assistance given.
 

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