T
el. E fax: 0039-06.972.70.312
e-mail ciofs@ciofs.org

Rome, May 28, 2006
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Circ. 41/02-08

“The franciscan novitas: Mission and testimony”

To the SFO National Concils
To the SFO International Councillors and YouFra
To all Brothers and Sisters

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Good!

Consider and see what is our vocation, which is a specific vocation that gives form to our life and apostolic activity in the world (GG.CC 2,1). The secular state characterizes our spirituality and our apostolic life and is expressed according to our respective conditions, that is, contributing to building up the Kingdom of God by our presence in life-situations and in temporal activities (CC.GG. 3,1-2).

Today all of us, members of the Secular Franciscan Order, must bear witness to our faith and to our vocation before all men: in our family life, in our work, in our joys and sufferings, in our associations with all men and women, brothers and sisters of the same Father, in our presence and participation in the life of society, in our relationships with all creatures (GG.CC. 12, 1).

Dear brothers and sisters, our preferred apostolate is our personal testimony in the society in which we live. We must, therefore, be recognized through our testimony of: “see how they love one another”. This testimony must be “the sign” of our presence, not the use of a dress (habit) or uniform, which at times implies a cost which many of our brothers and sisters cannot afford. The habit makes the friar, not the secular........

Brothers and sisters, consider and see. In this regard, and in view also of the inquiry which is at times directed to us regarding the use of a habit, we would like to offer the “Opinion of the CIOFS Presidency” (herewith enclosed), in order to clarify this matter.

Your Brother in Christ and Saint Francis

Rosalvo Gonçalves Mota, OFS
Vice-General Minister

Encl. 1

T
el. E fax: 0039-06.972.70.312
e-mail ciofs@ciofs.org

CIOFS PRESIDENCY
Juridical Commission

OPINION REGARDING THE USE OF A “HABIT” IN THE SFO

1. Considering that, after the II Vatican Council and in conformity with its orientations, the Catholic Church has invited all “lay faithful” to assume their own functions, in full respect of their secular state;

2. Considering that, as decided by the Holy See, the fundamental documents of the various religious and secular Institutes, as well as of the secular institutions, had to be revisioned in view of their “updating” and “return to the sources”;

3. Considering that along this line the SFO Rule, approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978, makes mention only of the use of a distinctive sign (art. 23), which must be regulated by the Statutes, and that the General Constitutions (art. 43), determines that the national Statutes must establish “a distinctive sign of belonging to the Order (TAU or other Franciscan symbol)”, without any indication of “taking the habit”;

4. Considering, also, that the SFO Ritual, in the Ritual of Admission, does not make any reference to “taking the habit”, but contemplates only the consignment of the Gospel, the Rule and the General Constitutions to the candidates;

5. Considering, finally, that the Secular Franciscans are obliged to respect and observe the Rule and the Constitutions.

The Juridical Commission of the CIOFS Presidency is of the OPINION, that, in obedience to the Rule, the Constitutions and the Ritual, the local Fraternities of the SFO cannot continue practicing the rite of “taking the habit” in admitting new candidates, who in turn, must not use a habit, under the responsibility of the respective Councils and Ministers. It insists, furthermore, that each National Council of the constituted Fraternities is responsible for ascertaining that the distinctive sign established by their national Statutes is respected and that each of the provisional national Councils are respectful of the decision taken in the Chapter. The above mentioned sign must be in harmony with the secularity of the SFO.

Rosalvo G. Mota, SFO

Vice General Minister

Coordinator of the CIOFS Juridical Commission

N.B.: If some ancient Fraternity still conserves the tradition of a habit or uniform, it may be used in certain meetings, as an absolute exception.