The 25^th Anniversary of the Rule of the SFO

The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order: Inspirational Document for YOUFRA

The Rule, a Document of Co-responsibility

Go Out to Encounter the Young

Spiritual Assistance to YouFra

The Responsibility of YouFra

Conclusion

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The Rule, a Document of Co-responsibility

Through the details which the Rule of the SFO offers one is able to enter into the life of the fraternity of YouFra - its organization, its animation and direction, the communion among the members, etc.

Go Out to Encounter the Young

It is an urgent task, not to be done hastily, but after each Fraternity of the SFO has reflected and shared, it should look at itself, as the Church itself does, as a mirror which “perceives in young people a journeying towards the future which awaits it and finds the image and the call of that joyful youth, with whom the Spirit of Christ ceaselessly enriches it”. [1] The SFO has to show that same sensibility. It is the opportune moment to go out and meet the young person and to hold an open dialogue with them which favors the encounter and the exchange between generations - in such a way that the riches of both benefit, regenerate and strengthen both: SFO and YouFra.

The Franciscan Family in general, but the SFO concretely, has a whole series of possibilities which can relate with today’s youth. This is offered in the first place by the person of Francis of Assisi: his life and his spirituality; in the second place, the heart of the Rule of the SFO which beats in harmony with the heart of the young person, who seeks fraternity, justice, harmony with creation, peace, ecology, etc. - always deepening in the living and acting person of Christ, with the aspiration of becoming a witness by his life and words; [2] in the third place, the Franciscan youth expects that the SFO takes care of “the vitality and the expansion of the Franciscan Youth fraternities”. [3]

This demands from the Fraternities of the SFO an effort which the General Constitutions describe as accompaniment of “the youth in their journey of human and spiritual growth with proposals for specific activities and contents” [4]. Accompaniment includes completing vocational promotion and taking care of the life which is being born - without neglecting the young person’s own personality. In accompaniment attention must be given to the sensibility of the person being accompanied and listened to. It is necessary to know how to take care of the seed - watering it as well as protecting it from the heat, so that too much water may not drown it or too much sun suffocate it.

The person who accompanies, who frequently is also the “fraternal animator” [5], has to become a companion. While he is accompanying the young Franciscan, he is growing at the same time, he identifies himself with the youth, without mixing up or neglecting their roles, which are diverse. The Fraternity as well as the “fraternal animator” have to confront one another frequently not only with YouFra, but also among themselves to evaluate the journey which they are making.

The “fraternal animator” has to create a space of close communion between the SFO and YouFra. Formation is the principal task of the “animator”, together with the Council of YouFra and the Spiritual Assistant, so that the Young Franciscans may grow as Christians and Franciscans, convinced of their identity and belonging.

Spiritual Assistance to YouFra

The Spiritual Assistant of YouFra normally is the Assistant of the SFO. His task is spiritual assistance. He should try to work in close collaboration with the “fraternal animator” and the Council of YouFra.

The specific objective of the Spiritual Assistant is to give witness of the Franciscan spirituality, the fraternal love of YouFra, and the vital communion among the Franciscan religious and the members of YouFra. This does not mean that it is only a question of giving, but also of being capable of receiving - of allowing oneself to be involved in the reciprocity of communion and fraternal love on the part of YouFra. At the same time, this assistance makes the Spiritual Assistant a bridge of communication and of exchange of goods between two Fraternities: that of the religious and that of YouFra.

Spiritual Assistance to YouFra demands from the Assistant that he be an active member in the process of formation of the Young Franciscans. His task is that of collaborating in the formative process and of discernment with the fraternal animator. The Assistant should not forget that his task is only one of collaboration, and that he must leave space for the Secular Franciscans.

The Spiritual Assistant must know how to listen, wait, have patience, and be faithful. Fidelity, above all, is important during difficult moments of discouragement and loss of heart. He has to live with YouFra, sharing and offering substantial content while keeping in mind that the starting point and the goal to be attained is the same for all the Yufrists. At the same time, he has to keep in mind that, since not all follow the same rhythm, he has to be very attentive to those who need more help.

The Responsibility of YouFra

The responsibility of YouFra in this accompaniment, even though it is aided by a Spiritual Assistant and a “fraternal animator”, does not diminish at all. The two persons mentioned are complementary, but do not substitute or replace the task or work of the YouFra, of the Council, the Fraternity, and the formation team.

YouFra, by using the methodology proper to the world of the young and its pedagogy [6], presents (1) fraternal life to its members with the purpose of developing in them an ecclesial sense, a love for Christian and Franciscan vocation, and an insertion in the life of the local Church; (2) the service of mission in the Church and in society, the integration of prayer, contemplation and the sacraments in the spiritual journey; (3) dialogue and collaboration with the Franciscan fraternities and other ecclesial groups; (4) a formation which is geared to the youth of its members; and, (5) the celebration of moments of recreation, doing in such a way that “they themselves are capable of manifesting a Christian mentality in all the aspects of their existence, including those of leisure and amusement”. [7]

On the other hand, YouFra is also co-responsible in the Council of the Fraternity of the SFO at its corresponding level. [8] Both Fraternities, SFO and YouFra, may be considered as communicating vessels, mutually participating of the values of one another and in the responsibilities which each one has.

Conclusion

YouFra Fraternities are a serious commitment for the SFO and requires the Spiritual Assistance of the First Order and Third Order Regular. It involves the Secular Franciscan Order because the young Franciscans want to participate in the Franciscan and Secular Charism. These are talents which should not be kept hidden, put away - so to speak - only for ourselves; they have to be put into play. The SFO, having received this talent, commits itself to run the risk - and in the risk is included life, and life, evangelically speaking, can only be obtained through surrender. YouFra is the fruit of the donation and the gift of Secular Franciscans; they assume the care of YouFra as part of their pastoral ministry and vocational promotion of the youth.

YouFra involves the First Order and Third Order Regular because they have committed their word to the Church to provide “spiritual assistance”. Not only for this reason, but also because as members of the Franciscan Family, they have to know and love YouFra and its “vocational journey” which, in ways and forms that are different from religious life, expresses the same charism of the common Seraphic Father.

I conclude by inviting the Fraternities of YouFra to engage themselves profoundly in the Fraternities of the SFO, to feel the human and spiritual affection of the Assistant and feel themselves grafted to the Fraternities of the SFO who are “particularly responsible” for Franciscan Youth.[9]

Peru: Encarnación del Pozo, SFO, Minister General, Ivan Matic, OFM, and Valentín Redondo, OFM Conv., represented CIOFS in a visit to the National Fraternity of Peru from October 12-20. It was a long week of dialogue with the Ministers Provincial of Peru, the National Council, the Regional Council of Lima-Callao, and the Fraternities of St. Francis in Lima and Barranco. An extraordinary National Chapter was also celebrated. One day was dedicated to an explanation and discussion of the Statutes for Assistance with the Spiritual Assistants from the First Order and the Third Order Regular. A special moment was dedicated to YouFra with a focus on promotion, animation, and formation of regional fraternities.

Malta: Benedetto Lino, CIOFS Councilor, and Valentín Redondo, OFM Conv., conducted a visitation of the National Fraternity of Malta on October 27 - November 2. Meetings were held with the National Council, Spiritual Assistants, local fraternities, and the Ministers Provincial of the First Order. The structure of National Council and guidelines for animation and governance of local fraternities were reviewed. The meetings were conducted in a fraternal dialogue and in spirit of service to the brothers and sisters of the SFO.