Each session follows this general flow:
- Opening Prayer
- Brief Biography: 800 years of Secular Franciscans
- Reading: The week’s section of “The Rule”
- Discussion I: What does the week’s section mean?
- Discussion II: How can we apply the week’s section in our lives today?
- Closing Prayer
Below are links to view each weeks session for this series:
| Date | Section | Rule | Session Replay Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-30-2020 | Introduction | Replay Introduction | |
| CHAPTER ONE: THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER | |||
| 10-07-2020 | 1. | The Franciscan family, as one among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, unites all members of the people of God — laity, religious, and priests – who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. In various ways and forms but in life-giving union with each other, they intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church. | Replay Section 1 |
| 10-14-2020 | 2. | The Secular Franciscan Order holds a special place in this family circle. It is an organic union of all Catholic fraternities throughout the world and open to every group of the faithful. In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state. By their profession they pledge themselves to live the gospel in the manner of Saint Francis by means of this rule approve by the Church. | Replay Section 2 |
| 10-21-2020 | 3. | The present rule, succeeding “Memoriale Propositi” (1221) and the rules approved by the Supreme Pontiffs Nicholas IV and Leo XIII, adapts the Secular Franciscan Order to the needs and expectations of the Holy Church in the conditions of changing times. Its interpretation belongs to the Holy See and its application will be made by the General Constitutions and particular statutes | Replay Section 3 |
| CHAPTER TWO: THE WAY OF LIFE | |||
| 10-28-2020 | 4. | The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people. Christ, the gift of the Father’s love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly. Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel. | Replay Section 4 |
| 11-04-2020 | 5. | Secular Franciscans, therefore, should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in their brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity. The faith of St. Francis, who often said, “I see nothing bodily of the Most High Son of God in this world except His most holy body and blood,” should be the inspiration and pattern of their Eucharistic life. | Replay Section 5 |
| 11-11-2020 | 6. | They have been made living members of the Church by being buried and raised with Christ in baptism; they have been united more intimately with the Church by profession. Therefore, they should go forth as witnesses and instruments of her mission among all people, proclaiming Christ by their life and words. Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired by his example, let them devote themselves energetically to living in full communion with the pope, bishops, and priests, fostering an open and trusting dialog of apostolic effectiveness and creativity. | Replay Section 6 |
| 11-18-2020 | 7. | United by their vocation as “brothers and sisters of penance” and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel calls “conversion.” Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. On this road to renewal the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace. | Replay Section 7 |
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