Good morning everyone, or whenever you are reading this.
Now that you know I am a Franciscan. I am going a bit deeper in my profession. When you want to be a Franciscan there is 2-3 years of classes to prepare you. When you finish the classes and the council of your fraternity and you think you are ready. There is a profession, it is really a great and holy rite. Profession happens during a mass and as i said earlier it is a rite. The Secular Franciscan Order is an order of the Catholic church. It is a mass I will remember for the rest of my life.
I will be a Franciscan for ten years on October 10th 2019.
I have been the minister or president of my fraternity for over 5 years.
But for the last two years or so i have been feeling a need to go deeper.
Most fraternities have a spiritual assistant. I have met and befriended some spiritual assistants. Some have been priests, brothers and nuns.
Most these days are just regular secular people like you and me.
The spiritual assistants have a job is to foster communion with the Church and with the Franciscan Family through witness and sharing of Franciscan spirituality; to be a bond of communion between the First Order and the OFS. or Secular Franciscan Order.
To become a spiritual assistant there is another 2+ years of classes and other things. Luckily it is by email and once or twice a year we get together and have a class together. I have started class in May and have really learned a lot. Not just about being a spiritual assistant but on Franciscan spirituality and more. It has helped my prayer life and has added a whole section to my library. I am also a book nerd and love to read. So i am reading a lot but i am thinking more which is a change for me. i’m not always good at slowing down and taking my time but with this i really have to because like any course work there is homework. Most of the work i really have to think about.
Which is good because the more i learn the more i can help people if i am lucky enough to pass the course.
If you are ever thinking about the Secular Franciscan Order go to this link for information.
https://secularfranciscansusa.org/are-you-called-to-the-secular-franciscan-life/
