Thursday July 24 2008 12:47:24 CDT
"I have done what was mine to do;
may Christ teach you what you are to do."
— Saint Francis of Assisi, The Francis Book
Table of Contents
The Mission Statement of The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans
(adopted at the Tenth General Chapter, St. Louis, MO, June 1994)
Celebrating God's presence and grace in everything, following the Poor Christ of the gospels in lives of mutual care and accountability in harmony with the
faith and practice of the whole Franciscan family, we are the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. We seek to grow in the knowledge and love of God and to serve Jesus Christ in faithfulness to the spirit and example of St. Francis of Assisi.
In the nature of this edition of the 'blue book', write out what you understand this statement to mean. How is it possible to live by the example of St. Francis in today's world? As you read the General Rule and Principles of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans, along with the historical documents, continually ask yourself, "How can I translate this into my own life, my own lifestyle?" Be open to the Spirit to lead you, to inspire you, and to assist you in implementing your own Personal Rule of Life.
We Are Franciscans
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone was born in late summer or fall, 1181, in Assisi,
Italy. Renamed Francesco by his father, he became Saint Francis to the rest of the world.
Francis was reared in a well-to-do household, imitated the troubadours and knights of his time, became a prisoner of war at 21; and soon after, before the crucifix in the chapel of San Damiano, began a lifetime of spiritual transformation.
He began nursing lepers and repairing broken churches. He vowed to live a life "in
obedience, in chastity and without property; and to follow the teaching and footsteps of Christ."
His first followers were brothers, or friars, and later became officially recognized as a
religious order known as the First Order of Saint Francis, or Friars Minor ('Little Brothers').
One of his early followers was a wealthy and beautiful young woman named Clare. She left all comfort for a life of hardship and prayer. Her devout life attracted other women. They became known as the Order of Poor Clares, sometimes called the Second Order of St. Francis.
Francis soon recognized that there were people who could not give up their spouses, children, or jobs who desired to follow him in a spirit of renunciation, prayer and service. He responded by establishing the Order of Penitents, now known as the Third Order of Saint Francis, or Secular Franciscans. They take a Rule of Life for themselves which includes prayer, meditation, active service and renewed commitment to the Church.
Three Orders of men and women, raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, who recognize
they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans follows in the tradition of this early Third Order.
We consist of members of any Christian denomination, men or women, married or single, ordained or laity. Though following the ordinary professions of life, we sense a call to a lifelong dedication under a definite discipline and vows.
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The General Rule of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans
(as adopted November 22, 1983)
Prelude
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, clergy and laity, who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Christ calls us to follow this way so that he may send us, like Francis, to offer all that we have and all that we are. We shall strive to be living witnesses among all nations to the great truth that in Christ "there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and freemen, between men and women" (Galatians 3:28); that there are no barriers of race or nations in God's family. There is only the All-loving Creator, the Divine Redeemer, the one fellowship in the All-Wonderful Comforter.
The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans consists of men or women, married or single, ordained
or laity from any Christian denomination; who, though following the ordinary professions of life, feel called to a lifelong dedication under a definite discipline and vows. This is in accord with St. Francis' intention when he encouraged the formation of a Third Order, recognizing, as he did, that unlike Friars Minor and the Sisters who followed St. Clare, many of God's children are called to serve God not in a literal acceptance of the evangelical Counsels of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, but in an observance of their spirit in the ordinary professions of life.
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Principles
1. We covenant together, as the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans, to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people. Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel.
2. We seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ in our brothers and sisters, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and in liturgical activity.
3. We shall go forth as witnesses and instruments of the Church's mission among all
people, proclaiming Christ by our life and words. Called like Saint Francis to rebuild the Church and inspired by his example, let us devote ourselves energetically to living accountable to our respective denominations and in spiritual fellowship with Christians everywhere.
4. As the successors to the original "brothers and sisters of penance" (the
original name of the Third Order), and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let us conform our thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical interior change which the gospel itself calls "Conversion". Human frailty calls us to strive for this conversion daily.
5. Following the example of Jesus, let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all we are and do. Let us participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let us join in liturgical prayer in
one of the forms in use in the Church.
6. The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans shall follow the example of Mary by imitating her complete self-giving and by
praying earnestly and confidently.
7. We shall faithfully fulfill the duties proper to our various circumstances of life. We shall also follow the poor and crucified Christ and witness to him even in difficulties and persecutions.
8. Christ chose for himself a poor and humble life, even though he valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying our own material needs. Let us be mindful that according to the gospel we are stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God's children. We shall strive to purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power.
9. As members of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans, with a gentle and courteous spirit, we accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ. A sense of community will make us joyful and ready to place ourselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom we shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.
10. We shall individually and collectively be in the forefront of promoting justice by testimony of our human lives and courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, we should make definite choices in harmony with our faith.
11.We shall esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption and service of the human community.
12. In our families, we shall cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for life; striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ.
13. We shall respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which "bear the imprint of the Most High", and we shall strive to move from the temptation of exploiting Creation toward the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.
14. In obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and the example of Saint Francis, we are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly. We are compelled to seek out ways of resolving conflict through non- violent means, trusting in the presence of the divine soul in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon.
15. Since we are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let us accept death serenely as an encounter with our God.
16. As members of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans we covenant to draw up and live by a Personal Rule of Life based on the Rule of this Order and falling into these disciplines: Worship, Prayer, Penitence, Work, Lifestyle, Mission, Obedience, Community. We shall always be under supervision and accountable to an advisor.
17. Admission into this Order is gradually attained through a time of orientation, a period of formation of at least two years, and profession of the Rule. The entire community is engaged in this process of growth and formation. Profession by its nature is a permanent commitment. Members of any Christian denomination may belong to the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. This Order is a self-governing body whose members meet annually, and is governed by its professed members who shall elect officers and make rules as they see fit, in accordance with this Rule and in harmony with Jesus Christ.
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A Benediction
May whoever observes all this be filled in heaven with the blessing of the Most High
Father, and on earth with that of his Beloved Son, together with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter."
Appendix
Secondary Documents
The Rule of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans stems from the wisdom and inspiration of
the Episcopal Third Order and the Roman Catholic Secular Franciscan Order Rules. These documents were used: Source Documents for the Living Tradition of the Society of Saint Francis; The Way of Saint Francis; and The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Original Source Documents
With slight modifications, the present translation of the Third Order Rule is that of Fr.
James Myer, O.F.M., prepared for The Words of St. Francis, Franciscan Herald Press, 1952. It is based upon the so-called Venice version of the Rule, which was discovered unexpectedly in the library of Landau in Codex 225-226. This codex dates back to the 13th Century or at the latest the 14th Century. The Third Order Rule forms the second part of this codex (fol.183r- 185y). For further explanation please see Archivum Franciscanum Historicum, Vol. 14, pp. 109-121. Section two is included in this booklet for historical purposes. Members of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans prayerfully aspire to fulfill the spirit, not the letter, of the original Rule of 1221.
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First Rule of the Third Order
Here begins the Rule of the Continent Brothers and Sisters.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The memorial of what is proposed for the Brothers and Sisters of Penance living in their own homes, begun in the year of our Lord 1221, is as follows:
Chapter One: Daily Life
1. The men belonging to this brotherhood shall dress in humble, undyed cloth, the price of which is not to exceed six Ravenna soldi an ell, unless for evident and necessary cause a temporary dispensation be given. And breadth and thinness of the cloth are to be considered in said price.
2. They shall wear their outer garments and furred coats without open throat, sewed shut or uncut but certainly laced up, not open as secular people wear them; and they shall wear their sleeves closed
3. The sisters in turn shall wear an outer garment and tunic made of cloth of the same price and humble quality; or at least they are to have with the outer garment a white or black underwrap, or petticoat, or an ample linen gown without gathers, the price of an ell of which is not to exceed twelve Pisa denars. As to this price, however, and the fur cloaks they wear, a dispensation may be given according to the estate of the woman and the custom of the place. They are not to wear silken or dyed veils and ribbons.
4. And both the brothers and the sisters shall have their fur garments of lambs' wool only. They are permitted to have leather purses and belts sewn in simple fashion without silken thread, and no other kind. Also other vain adornments they shall lay aside at the bidding of the Visitor.
5. They are not to go to unseemly parties or to shows or dances. They shall not donate to actors, and shall forbid their household to donate.
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Chapter Two: Abstinence
6. All are to abstain from meat save on Sunday, Tuesdays and Thursdays, except on account of illness or weakness, for three days at blood-letting, in traveling, or on account of a specially high feast intervening, namely, the Nativity for three days, New Year's, Epiphany, the Pasch of the Resurrection for three days, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, St. John the Baptist, the Assumption of the glorious Virgin Mary, the solemnity of All Saints and of St. Martin. On the other days, when there is no fasting, they may eat cheese and eggs. But when they are with religious in their convent homes, they have leave to eat what is served to them. And except for the feeble, the ailing and those traveling, let them be content with dinner and supper. Let the healthy be temperate in eating and drinking.
7. Before their dinner and supper let them say the Lord's prayer once, likewise after their meal, and let them gives thanks to God. Otherwise, let them say three Our Fathers.
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Chapter 3: Fasting
8. From the Pasch of the Resurrection to the Feast of All Saints they are to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, but still observing the other fasts enjoined in general by the Church.
9. They are to fast daily, except on account of infirmity or any other need, throughout the fast of St. Martin from after said day until Christmas, and throughout the greater fast from Carnival Sunday until Easter.
10. Sisters who are pregnant are free to refrain until their purification from the corporal observances except those regarding their dress and prayers.
11. Those engaged in fatiguing work shall be allowed to take food three times a day from the Pasch of the Resurrection until the Dedication feast of St. Michael. And when they work for others it will be allowed them to eat everything served to them, except on Fridays and on the fasts enjoined in general by the Church.
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Chapter 4: Prayer
12. All are daily to say the seven canonical Hours, that is: Matins, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline. The clerics are to say them after the manner of the clergy. Those who know the Psalter are to say the Deus in nomine tuo and the Beati Immaculati up to the egem pone for Prime, and the other Psalms of the Hours, with the Gloria Patri; but when they do not attend Church, they are to say for Matins the psalms, or any eighteen psalms, or at least to say the Our Father as do the unlettered at any Hours.
The others say twelve Our Fathers for Matins, and for every one of the other Hours seven Our Fathers with the Gloria Patri after each one. And those who know the Creed and the Misere mei Deus should say it at Prime and Compline. If they do not say that at the Hours indicated, they shall say three Our
Fathers.
13. The sick are not to say the Hours unless they wish.
14. All are to go to Matins in the fast of St. Martin and in the great fast, unless inconvenience for persons or affairs should threaten.
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Chapter 5: The Sacraments, Other Matters
15. They are to make a confession of their sins three times a year and to receive Communion at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. They are to be reconciled to their neighbors and to restore what belongs to others. They are to make up for past tithes and pay future tithes.
16. They are not to take up lethal weapons, or bear them about, against anybody.
17. All are to refrain from formal oaths unless where necessity compels, in the cases
excepted by the Sovereign Pontiff in his indult, that is, for peace, for the Faith, under calumny, and in bearing witness.
18. Also in their ordinary conversations they will do their best to avoid oaths. And should anyone have sworn thoughtlessly through a slip of the tongue, as happens where there is much talking, he should the evening of the same day, when he is obliged to think over what he has done, say three Our Fathers in amends of such oaths. Let each member fortify his household to serve God.
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Chapter 6: Special Mass and Meeting each month
19. All the brothers and sisters of every city and place are to foregather every month at the time the ministers shall see fit, in a church which the ministers will make known, and there assist at Divine services.
20. And every member is to give the treasurer one denar. The treasurer is to collect this
money and distribute it on the advice of the ministers among the poor brothers and sisters, especially the sick and those who may have nothing for their funeral services, and thereupon other poor; and they are to offer something of the money to the aforesaid church.
21. And, if it be convenient at the time, they are to have some religious who is informed in the words of God to exhort them and strengthen them to persevere in their penance and in performing the works of mercy. And, except for the officers, they are to remain quiet during the Mass and sermon, intent on the Office, on prayer, and on the sermon.
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Chapter 7: Visiting the Sick, Burying the Dead
22. Whenever any brother or
sister happens to fall ill, the ministers, if the patient let
them know of it, shall in person or through others visit the
patient once a week, and remind him of penance; and if they find
it expedient, they are to supply him from the common fund with
what he may need for the body.
23. And if the ailing person
depart from this life, it is to be published to the brothers and
sisters who may be present in the city or place, so that they may
gather for the funeral; and they are not to leave until the Mass
has been celebrated and the body consigned to burial. Thereupon
each member within eight days of the demise shall say for the
soul of the deceased: a Mass, if he is a priest; fifty psalms if
he understands the Psalter, or if not, then fifty Our Fathers
with the Requiem aeternum at the end of each.
24. In addition, every year,
for the welfare of the brothers and sisters living and dead, each
priest is to say three Masses, each member knowing the Psalter is
to recite it, and the rest shall say one hundred Our Fathers and
the Requiem aeternum at the end of each.
25. All who have the right
are to make their last will and make disposition of their goods
within three months after their profession, lest any one of them
die intestate.
26. As regards making peace
among the brothers and sisters or non-members at odds, let what
the ministers find proper be done; even, if it be expedient, upon
consultation with the Lord Bishop.
27. If contrary to their
right and privileges trouble is made for the brothers and sisters
by the mayors and governors of the places where they live, the
ministers of the place shall do what they shall find expedient on
the advice of the Lord Bishop.
28. Let each member accept
and faithfully exercise the ministry of other offices imposed on
him, although anyone may retire from office after a year.
29. When anyone wishes to
enter this brotherhood, the ministers shall carefully inquire
into his standing and occupation, and they shall explain to him
the obligations of the brotherhood, especially that of restoring
what belongs to others. And if he is content with it, let him be
vested according to the prescribed way, and he must make
satisfaction for his debts, paying money according to what
pledged provision is given. They are to reconcile themselves with
their neighbors and to pay up their tithes.
30. After these particulars
are complied with, when the year is up and he seems suitable to
them, let him on the advice of some discreet brothers be received
on this condition: that he promise he will all the time of his
life observe everything here written, or to be written or abated
on the advice of the brothers, unless on occasion there be a
valid dispensation by the ministers; and that he will, when
called upon by the ministers, render satisfaction as the Visitor
shall ordain if he have done anything contrary to this condition.
And this promise is to be put in writing then and there by a
public notary. Even so, nobody is to be received otherwise,
unless in consideration of the estate and rank of the person it
shall seem advisable to the ministers.
31. No one is to depart from
this brotherhood and from what is contained herein except to
enter a religious Order.
32. No heretic or person in
bad repute for heresy is to be received. If he is under suspicion
of it, he may be admitted if otherwise fit, upon being cleared
before the Bishop.
33. Married women are not to
be received except with the consent and leave of their husbands.
34. Brothers and sisters
ejected from the brotherhood as incorrigible are not to be
received in it again except it please the saner portion of the
brothers.
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Chapter 8: Correction, Dispensation, Officers
35. The ministers of any
city or place shall report public faults of the brothers and
sisters to the Visitor for punishment. And if anyone proves
incorrigible, after consultation with some of the discreet
brothers, he should be denounced to the Visitor, to be expelled
by him from the brotherhood, and thereupon it should be published
in the meeting. Moreover, if it is a brother, he should be
denounced to the mayor or the governor.
36. If anyone learns that
scandal is occurring relative to brothers and sisters, he shall
report it to the ministers and shall have opportunity to report
it to the Visitor. He need not be held to report in the case of
husband against wife.
37. The Visitor has the
power to dispense all the brothers and sisters in any of these
points if he finds it advisable.
38. When the year has
passed, the ministers with the counsel of the brothers are to
elect two other ministers; and a faithful treasurer, who is to
provide for the need of the brothers and sisters and other poor;
and messengers who are at the command of the ministers are to
publish what is said and done by the fraternity.
39. In all the above
mentioned points no one is to be obligated under guilt, but under
penalty; yet so that if after being admonished twice by the
ministers he should fail to discharge the penalty imposed or to
be imposed on him by the Visitor, he shall be obligated under
guilt as contumacious.
Here ends the Rule of the Continent
"All
powerful, all holy, most high and supreme God, sovereign good,
all good, every good, you who alone are good, it is right that we
must give all praise, all glory, all honor, all blessing; to you
we must refer all good always.Amen"
— The Praises before the Office
St. Francis of Assisi
Omnibus of Sources
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Personal Rule of Life Report Format
Your Rule should contain the following items, relating to various sections of the General Rule and Principles, sections of which are mentioned in parentheses.
1. Worship:
daily devotions, Liturgy of the Church, Eucharist, Scripture
(2,5)
2. Prayer:
meditation, contemplation, intercession, solitude, retreat,
fasting (2,5,6)
3. Penitence:
daily conversion, self- inventory, acts of reconciliation (4,8)
4. Work:
occupation, avocation, study, duty (7,10,11)
5. Lifestyle:
simplicity, conversation, peace- making, tithing
(3,8,12,13,14,15)
6. Mission:
charity, justice, peace, equality, respect (3,8,10,13,14)
7. Obedience:
humility, accountability, submission (3,6,7,8,11,15,16,17)
8. Community:
family, Church, Order of Ecumenical Franciscans (2,3,8,16,17)
Date of last meeting with
spiritual director __________________
Share how your Rule helped
in your spiritual growth in the past month.
What are your joys,
expectations, current needs?
Your regular monthly report should include the aforementioned items in order for the
formation counselor to respond to your concerns. To review, read
through the General Rule and
Principlesof the Order of Ecumencial Franciscans and
seek for the spirit of the words. Compose your Personal Rule
using the guide of the eight points above, touching upon the
elements suggested for each point, and prayerfully consider the
heritage behind those points in the sections of the Rule and
Principles noted in parentheses.
To be considered for postulancy, one must submit a draft of a Personal Rule, give
evidence they are involved in a local Christian congregation or
seeking such an involvement, secure the helpful relationship of a
spiritual director with whom you meet monthly, submit a spiritual
autobiography outlining your experience of God's grace to date,
and a brief self-introductory statement along with a photograph
suitable for publication in the newsletter of the Order,
"Fiddlesticks".
Use this document to begin a notebook file of all your
OEF. documents. Review the General Rule and Principles often.
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Benediction
May our God: Creator, Christ and Comforter, bless and guide you now and forever in the path of spiritual vitality that rings with simplicity, peace and joy
after the manner of Sts. Francis and Clare.
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