Are You a Franciscan at Heart?

Are you attached to

St Francis of Assisi or St. Clare or hundreds of other Franciscan Saints?

Then perhaps you may have a vocation to the Secular Franciscan way of life

God may be calling you to live the Gospel in a uniquely Franciscan way

Secular Franciscan OrderThe Secular Franciscan Order was begun 800 years ago by St. Francis of Assisi …..

who brought the Gospel to life ….

and helped spark a rebuilding of church and faith.

Secular Franciscan Order

Secular Franciscans seek to ….

follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis.

Secular Franciscan Order

We are married, single, clergy ….

living in the world,

moving quietly forward in the company of others ….whom we regard as our brothers and sisters in Christ and Francis.

St. Joseph Cupertino Fraternity(Ellicott City, Maryland)

Three members of the Little Flower Fraternity in East Baltimore ….

were asked to form a new fraternity at St. Marks in Catonsville MD ….

by Fr. Larry Kubeara OFM Conv.

St. Joseph Cupertino Fraternity(Ellicott City, Maryland)

In January of 1980, ….those three members started meeting at St. Marks guided by our first Spiritual Assistant Fr. Ross Syracuse OFM Conv.

St. Joseph Cupertino Fraternity(Ellicott City, Maryland)

Over the past 30 years we have grown from 3 members to about 38 members and still growing

We now meet at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, MD

What Is a Vocation to the SFO?

The SFO is a special movement of the holy spirit within the church.

This is a calling to Christians to a specific way of living ….striving to live the gospel life according to the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Calling

All Christians are called to holiness

We are prompted by the spirit to deepen this calling

We live out this vocation through prayer and service

Calling

A person is a Franciscan NOT because ….he or she is better, different, more

gifted ….or more needy than anyone else

But precisely because ….one is called so by the spirit to fulfill the goal of holiness

We travel the path of this vocation by being active in three specific areas of our lives:

(1) Prayer(2) Service(3) Community

(1) PRAYER Penance

ReconciliationDaily conversion

EucharistMass

PrayerLiturgy of the Hours

(1) PRAYER Evangelization

(pictures of Francis and Clare) Study

(inquiry candidates) Contemplation

(in silent conversation with God)

(2) SERVICE

Simplicity of Life

Humility (St. Francis and St. Clare)

(3) COMMUNITY

Community(gathering)

Creation(p.2-5 ?)

Three Phases of Formation Process

Phase I: Orientation Phase II: Inquiry

Phase III: Candidacy

Formation: Phase I -- Orientation

Those who are interested in exploring the SFO are expected to attend

at least 3 regular fraternity gatherings and

3 orientation meetings

The orientation classes give an overview of the life of St. Francis, the Franciscan Family, and expectations of the Secular Franciscan Order

Formation: Phase II -- Inquiry The topics of the inquiry classes

focus onseveral major aspects of the SFO, such as:

Called to HolinessPrompting of the Holy SpiritGetting to know Francis and Clare….

Formation: Phase II -- Inquiry

Provide the chance to share your faith journeys, needs and expectations of the Secular Franciscan Order

The inquiry process can last from 9 to 12 months

Formation: Phase II -- Inquiry After Inquiry ….

Petition to be admitted to the Order

Conditions for Admission are:Profess the Catholic FaithBe in good standing with the Catholic ChurchBe at least 18 years of ageShow clear signs of a vocation

Formation: Phase II -- Inquiry

►The Rite of Admission ….takes place within a celebration of the Word of God, with the whole fraternity present.

Formation: Phase III -- Candidacy

Candidates embark on a study and sharing of

Basic Catholic teachingLife of St. Francis and Franciscan SpiritualityFraternity and Franciscan lifestyle….

Profession

Profession follows the completion of Candidate Formation:

• Incorporates the candidate into the Secular Franciscan Order

• Is by its nature a perpetual commitment.

ApostolateWe live out the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by ….

practicing self-emptying charity to our neighbor through our various Ministries ….

Bob’s Ministry at The Franciscan Center

We feed the hungry and thirsty ….by working in shelters and soup kitchens. To provide those who come to shelters with the best service and counseling possible and to see Christ in all those who enter through the doors – Bob Longo, OFS

Rite of Initiation

We minister to the spiritually poor by …. being active members in our fraternities

Sheila Solomon, OFS Lecturing

We support our parishes

Family / Work

We bring Christ to those around us ….

our family, friends, and in the workplace

(Fraternity Group Picture)

We minister to each other and those we come in contact with in our daily lives by …. being open and available for the Holy Spirit to use us as instruments of His peace

St. Joseph Cupertino Fraternity(Ellicott City, Maryland)

Come join us ….

Call Bob Longo at 410-451-0943 or

Sherry Lewis at 410-788-5395 for more information.