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The Third Order | The Franciscan Family | Not Anglican/Episcopalian? | Becoming a Tertiary | Resources for tertiaries |

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The Formation of a Tertiary

THIRD ORDER, SOCIETY OF ST. FRANCIS
FORMATION PROGRAM

The Third Order Formation program consists of a minimum 3 year period of both discernment and formation - discernment as to God's call to the religious life in general and to the Franciscan life in particular, and formation as a Franciscan tertiary. This period consists of a period of aspirancy, usually lasting several months, a period of postulancy of at least 6 months and a period of novitiate of at least 2 years.

The aspirant begins the process by completing the Personal History Form, including a spiritual autobiography, and writing a personal rule of life which is consistent with the Principles of the Order and the nine prescribed areas of the Rule, including: Holy Eucharist, Penitence, Personal Prayer, Self-Denial, Retreat, Study, Simplicity, Work and Obedience. The aspirant also is introduced to some tools for discernment in which s/he begins to intentionally listen for God's call. There is usually a waiting period of several months in which the aspirant "tries on" living with the proposed Rule, does some reading about discernment and about St. Francis, and does some praying about discernment. Once the aspirant has an approved Rule of Life and begin to live it, as demonstrated by making the first monthly report, s/he is made a Postulant.

The formation program consists of monthly reporting to a formation counselor; (usually by mail, less frequently in formation classes, one-to-one with a counselor, by phone or by e-mail) in how the person is living the personal Rule of Life; regular work with a Spiritual Director; study of the Formation material; and involvement with the local Franciscan fellowship where such is available. Formation is a team process consisting of the person in formation, the formation counselor, the Formation Director and his/her Assistant and the Chaplain. The process is confidential within the team.

Postulancy is a trial period with the main focus on discernment whether the postulant and Order are suited to each other. Postulants report for at least 6 months and 6 reports. During this time either the postulant or the formation team may decide that the Franciscan life is not right for the individual, and the process is ended. At the end of 6 months and 6 reports, at the recommendation of the formation counselor, the spiritual director and the local fellowship convenor, the postulant may apply for admission as a novice.

The novice joins the community by making a promise to continue the formation process, follow the Principles of the Order and continue to follow the personal Rule of Life. The promise is made for one year. After the period of at least one year, the formation progress is reviewed by the team as well as the spiritual director and the local fellowship. During this period the novice continues to work with the personal Rule of Life, fine tuning it to fit the individual's life situation. S/he studies Franciscan spirituality and the life of St. Francis and participates in the sacramental life of the church, including the Eucharist and Reconciliation. After a minimum of 24 months as a novice and 24 novice reports, the novice may apply for life profession. The novice is evaluated by the formation team on commitment to the Order as demonstrated by following the personal Rule of Life, financial commitment to the Order, involvement with the local fellowship where this is available and regular spiritual direction. With recommendation by the formation counselor, the spiritual director and the local fellowship, the novice may request permission to make life profession. A ballot is compiled based on the novice's request and the recommendations and is voted on by the Chapter. If elected to profession, the Chaplain notifies the individual of same and gives the mandate for profession. The individual then makes his/her life profession to the community.