Franciscans of Reconciliation

This article is a listing of general expectations we have of inquirers, postulants, and novices, as well as what they can expect of us on the formation journey toward solemn profession as Franciscans of Reconciliation. Please bear in mind, however, that to enter into formation with a religious order is to enter into a relationship. These expectations may be renegotiated along the way, according to the particular needs of the candidate and his or her relationship with the Order.

Moving from Inquirer to Postulant

In order to be received as a postulant of the OFR, the inquirer will:

• Identify the nearest OFR house, to which he/she will relate. Local houses meet at least monthly for Chapter, so an inquirer should consider that a minimum expectation for meeting with the brothers and sisters.
  
  
• Complete an application for membership.
  
  
• Make an initial contribution of $25 in financial support of the Order. This is the normal monthly contribution made by members to our common purse. (The amount may be adjusted by the Guardian to accommodate individual circumstances, so that no one experiences undue hardship.)
  
  

The inquirer can expect that the Order will:

• Acknowledge receipt of the application in a timely manner.
  
  
• Inform the applicant when he or she has been accepted as a postulant.
  
  
• Celebrate the reception of the postulant ritually in the context of the local Chapter meeting or, where a parish exists, in the context of the parish liturgy. A simple wooden Tau cross is given as the external sign of an OFR postulant.
  
  
• Assign a counselor/companion to journey with him/her through the postulancy.
  
  

Moving from Postulant to Novice

In order to be admitted to the novitiate, the postulant will:

• Be 21 years of age or older.
  
  
• Profess the Catholic faith.
  
  
• Be active in a Catholic faith community.
  
  
• Live according to the Rule of the Order.
  
  
• Participate regularly in the community's life through attendance at local Chapter meetings and other events.
  
  
• Complete the curriculum for postulants.
  
  
• Establish a pattern of regular financial support of the work of the Order.
  
  
• Request admission to the novitiate by a letter to the local Guardian.
  
  

The postulant can expect that the Order will:

• Fully welcome him or her into the community's life and mission.
  
  
• Encourage and guide him or her throughout the formation process.
  
  
• Discern as a local community the postulant's suitability for membership in the Order.
  
  
• Inform the postulant when he or she has been accepted as a novice.
  
  
• Celebrate the reception of the novice ritually in the context of the local Chapter meeting or, where a parish exists, in the context of the parish liturgy. The external sign of an OFR novice is the Franciscan habit with an unknotted cord.
  
  
• Assign a counselor/companion to journey with him/her through the novitiate.
  
  

Moving from Novice to Profession

In order to be permitted to make profession in the OFR, the novice will:

• Be active in a Catholic faith community.
  
  
• Live according to the Rule of the Order.
  
  
• Participate regularly in the community's life through attendance of local Chapter meetings and other events.
  
  
• Complete the curriculum for novices.
  
  
• Continue a pattern of regular financial support of the work of the Order.
  
  
• Request admission to profession by a letter to the local Guardian.
  
  
• If married or partnered, provide a letter of support from his or her spouse, indicating support for the novice's decision to continue with vows.
  
  

The novice can expect that the Order will:

• Continue to share in the community's life and mission with him or her.
  
  
• Encourage and guide him or her throughout the formation process.
  
  
• Discern as a local community the novice's suitability for membership in the Order.
  
  
• Recommend to the General Council those novices approved for simple profession, for the General Council's confirmation and authorization to receive vows.
  
  
• Inform the novice when he or she has been approved to make simple profession.
  
  
• Celebrate the profession of vows ritually in the context of the local Chapter meeting or, where a parish exists, in the context of the parish liturgy. The external sign of a professed member of the OFR is the Franciscan habit worn with a cord that has three knots.
  
  
• Commit to the ongoing Franciscan journey with the brother or sister.
  
  

Simple v. Solemn Profession

Each novice deemed ready for vows will begin with simple profession. Simple profession entails taking vows that are renewed annually, until such time as the brother or sister is prepared for solemn profession. Solemn profession is, by its nature, a life commitment.