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Why does the Secular Franciscan Order have Apostolic
Commissions?
"Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal
and evangelical world, so that the Kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful
that anyone 'who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself' let them exercise
their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service." (Rule, Article 14)
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Peace and Justice Commission
"Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of
their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they
should make definite choices in harmony with their faith." (Rule, Article 15)
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Work Commission
"Let them esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption, and service of the
human community. (Rule, Article 16)
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Family Commission
"In their family they should 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... By living the grace of
matrimony, husbands and wives in particular should bear witness in the world to the love of Christ
for His Church. They should joyfully accompany their children on their journey by providing a simple
and open Christian education and being attentive to the vocation of each child."
(Rule, Article 17)
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Ecology Commission
"Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which 'bear the imprint of the
Most High', and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the
Franciscan concept of universal kinship. (Rule, Article 18)
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Youth / Young Adult Commission
"To foster communion among members, the council should organize regular and frequent meetings of the
community, as well as meeting with other Franciscan groups, especially with youth groups..."
(Rule, Article 24)
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Formation Commission
"...By their profession they pledge themselves to live the Gospel in the manner of Saint
Francis by means of this Rule approved by the Church." (Rule, Article 2)
"...Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the Gospel,
going from Gospel to life, and life to the Gospel. (Rule, Article 4)
"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."
(Rule, Article 5)
"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 itself calls 'conversion'."
(Rule, Article 7)
"Admission into the Order is gradually attained through a time of initiation, a period of formation
of at least one year, and profession of the Rule. The entire community is engaged
in this process of growth by its own manner of living. (Rule, Article 23)
"To promote fidelity to the charism as well as observance of the Rule and to receive greater
support in the life of the fraternity, the minister or president, with the consent of the
council, should take care to ask for a regular pastoral visit by the competent religious superiors as
well as for a fraternal visit from those of the higher fraternities according to the norm of the
Constitutions. (Rule, Article 26)
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Website design, layout, and graphics copyright 2007 Judy Stouffer, SFO. Page contents copyright 2007 La Verna Region. All Rights Reserved.
Page last updated: March 10, 2007
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