Secular Franciscan Spirituality Zvonimir Brusac' TOR

Summary of meetings

Conference of General Assistants

In the first three years of Koinonia, the theme Secular Franciscan Spirituality has been treated explicitly only in n.1 of 1994, in which were published the conclusions of the Seventh General Chapter held in Mexico on the theme, "Characteristic elements of the identity of the Secular Franciscan".
According to the SFO Constitutions, "It is the particular task of the Assistant to cooperate in the initial and continuing formation" of the members (89,4). It means to help them to be aware of what is specific to them. This is why the Assistants must know the guidelines of the ecclesiology of Vatican II and the main points of the document Christifideles laici (1988), on the vocation and the mission of the lay faithful in the Church and in the world. Besides, they must know how the guidelines of lay spirituality are present in the SFO Rule and General Constitutions.

First, I would like to offer an explanation of the title: "spirituality". Among the various meanings, this word is used to mean certain styles of Christian life connected with specific states of life (lay, priestly, religious spirituality) or with certain spiritual traditions (Benedictine, Franciscan spirituality). We use it precisely in these senses and so we speak of spirituality which issecular and Franciscan.

The SFO Rule is indeed a mature fruit of Vatican II and of subsequent reflection. At the same time it is a faithful expression of the Franciscan spiritual heritage.

Let us recall briefly the salient points of the Council's documents. The laity: who they are, their special character, their dignity as members of the People of God (cf. LG IV,30-36); the universal call to holiness in the Church (LG V); the close union of the Church with the entire human family ( GS 1); the legitimate autonomy of earthly realities ( GS 36); the help that the Church intends to give to human activity through Christians ( GS 43). The decree Apostolicam actuositatem speaks about the laity's vocation to and formation for the apostolate and about the aims, fields and means of the apostolate.

The Rule gives the Franciscan spirit and face to the above mentioned indications (cf. Rule 4-19). The combination of lay and Franciscan spirituality becomes more concrete in the Constitutions (8-16 on the form of life and 17-27 on active presence in the Church and in the world). In this context, we should note two documents of the Ministers of the Franciscan Family: "I Have Done My Part", for the Eighth Centenary of the Birth of St Francis (1981), and "Vocation and Mission of the Franciscan Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World" (1989), both giving vital indications and practical suggestions. In the first document, close to the subtitle, "Concrete efforts to heal human ills", the specific role of the SFO is described (ô 72).

Both these aspects of spirituality (secularity and franciscanism) have been treated in almost all the international meetings of the SFO: "The Sense of responsibility of the TOF and of the Tertiaries today in the Church and in the world" and "Formation of Tertiaries with regard to today's problems so as to be a leaven in the world" (cf. Atti del Congresso 1975); "The Values of the Rule and Formation" (cf. Atti dell'Assemblea plenaria del CIOFS 1979); "Mission of the laity in the Church and in the world of today" (cf. Atti del VI Capitolo Generale 1990). The Seventh General Chapter 1993, was dedicated directly to the secular aspect of SFO spirituality.

Finally, I would like to point out two books regarding our theme: Jaime Zudaire, Con Francesco alla sequela di Cristo. Introduzione alla spiritualità e all'organizzazione dell'Ordine Francescano Secolare (Assisi 1996, 2 ed., p.309), and Giuseppe Lazzari, Nel mondo con Francesco d'Assisi. Ricerche e riflessioni per una lettura fraterna della Regola dell'OFS (Roma 1988, p.309).

Conference of General Assistants

11 October 1996: Valentín Redondo OFMConv, now resident at the General Curia, Piazza Santi Apostoli 51, Rome, met with the other three Assistants at Garbatella.
Fr Carl presented his report on the Seminar on St Francis held in Moscow. They discussed the continuation of their work in Eastern Europe and made plans for their three-day meeting at Camerino in November.
They were able to finalise arrangements for pastoral visits and their presence at elective Chapters. Fr Ben had not been able to meet the Conference of Ministers General on 2 November.