Our Rule…

1. Our Rule…

2. Its History… and its Application

3. A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane • Our History – • What happened? • What’s different? • What will happen next?

4. * Most Orders in existence at the time of St. Francis - such as Augustinians & Benedictines - followed a monastic way of life. • Francis and his brother friars, on the other hand, lived in the world & in true poverty… they followed Jesus’ example of: Prayer and …Ministry –> Action in the world!

5. * Members of the Third Order of St. Francis, having family responsibilities, also followed Jesus’ example by living a life of prayer and action, but their poverty differed from that of the friars in that they followed the gospel value: “…poor in spirit”. (Matt 5:3) Poor, poor Clare – The papacy denied her and her companions the right to live in complete poverty as Francis did… and, so, they were relegated to live a monastic life style – this was NOT what Clare wanted… nor did the Pope expect a fight!

6. But First… How Did We Get Here? • In 1206 Francis was inspired to pray in front of the Crucifix at the Church of San Damiano when… Jesus spoke to him! “Francis, go rebuild my house which as you see is falling apart.”

7. Rebuild the Church… ??? • He was stunned… and didn’t realize the scope or full meaning of Jesus’ words • Francis got to work rebuilding the Porziuncola and a few other small churches. But this was NOT the beginning of Franciscanism!

8. On 24 February 1209, after Mass at the Queen of the Angels Church (aka. The Porziuncola ), Francis asked the priest to explain the morning’s gospel… The story had been of about Jesus sending his disciples out to preach. “Take no silver, or gold or copper for your belts; no sack for your journey… the laborer is worth his wage.” (Mt. 10: 9,10) Francis exclaimed: “This is what I wish, this is what I seek, this is what I long to do with all my heart.”

9. 1209 –The Three Companions Two Friends, Bernard da Quintavalle & Peter Catanio wanted to join Francis & to live as he lived. But, not knowing what to do with their possessions, Francis suggested that they and he visit the Church of San Nicolo for consultation.

10. The Church of San Nicolo • Once there, Francis opened the “Book of the Gospels” three times… in honor of the Blessed Trinity • The texts found each time had similar messages! ( Matt. 19:21, Lk. 9:3, Matt. 16:24) • Francis Proclaimed: “O Brothers, this is our life and rule… and the life and the rule of all those who wish to join us. Go therefore, and act on what you have heard.”

11. And What Was the Message?The Evangelical Counsels! * Sell what you have * Give the money to the poor * And then come follow me And they did! And then took the habit of poverty which Francis had already adopted.

12. Yes, it all began 800 years ago…With the First Order…at the Church of San Nicolo April 16, 1209

13. By definition, all Orders must be hierarchical… each must have a Rule of Life and General Constitutions. • Our Order was erected under the authority of Rome (not a local Bishop). Therefore, our Order is directly accountable to the desires/needs of the Papacy – and the Papacy can even change our Rule!

14. The purpose of a Rule is to bring order to an Order – to enact a common goal and a common lifestyle. St. Francis wrote a Rule for the Brothers and Sisters of Penance in 1221… But… the original text was lost! However, its content was preserved through a revised text issued in 1228…

15. Francis’ Rule sustained “The Third Order” for the next 68 years… UNTIL 1289… Pope Nicholas IV, ofm Revised the Rule Apostolic Constitution “Supra Montem” September 16, 1289

16. The Nicholine Rule, added three articles: 1) In its prologue, Blessed Francis is named as founder of the Order (But Francis had already been canonized in 1228) 2) The Order must have Franciscan Friars as Spiritual Assistants 3) The Order should not select a specific apostolate, but instead, its members were to live good Christian lives in brotherhood. Apostolates would follow and bear FRUIT !!!

17. The following 600 years were filled with good times and bad… ------------------------------------------------------ • 1300’s The Pope was kidnapped & the papacy was moved to Avignon, France. It remained there under seven popes and was not returned to Rome until 1378.

18. 1400’s---A Time of Total Confusion !!! - Three Popes at the same time - Many Priests trained only to say Mass! - Church hierarchy was corrupt! • Bishoprics were sold • Bishops absent from their diocese • Hierarchy amassed money & power

19. 1492 -- Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue, and…discovered the New World!This opened the doors leading to the expansion of missionary fields all over the world.

20. (The Next 400 years)1500-1900 -- The Period of Reformation& the Inquisition --The names of Martin Luther, John Calvin and Johann Hess were spoken everywhere.

21. The Council of Trent was called in response to the Reformation • The Reformists became people of “The Book” (The Bible) • Catholics became people of Tradition & Liturgy. • Daily Mass became common; adoration of the Blessed Sacrament become popular. • The decisions of the Council caused the divide between the Church and Reformists to deepen.

22. Galileo excommunicated The Period of Enlightenment Begins Galileo introduced the scientific view that the SUN is the center of the universe… NOT the earth ! This was against Church teaching! And Rome was not happy!

23. --1888 -- The Third Orderwas sent in a new direction! • Pope Leo XIII (Third Order) -- Decided that The Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis no longer met the needs of the Church. He updated the rule to apply to “modern life” by issuing a Papal Bull:"Misericors Dei Filius"(3 May 1888). • Prayer and Indulgences were to become the most important aspects of the Order • Jesus was NOT mentioned in this Rule - NOR was the gospel or Ministry (action)

24. The Leonine Ruleconsisted of a series of numbered rules – not just one *** Rule! *** - It consisted of three chapters, followed by an appendix of three chapters. - It set out indulgences and privileges of third order members - It adapted the old Rule as best it could and modified whatever seemed outdated.

25. The Third of Order of St. Francis followed the Leonine Rule for the next five generations… …and its numbers grew! – a period of time when HISTORY HAPPEND FAST !!!!

26. 1902 – Production of automobiles began 1903 - Man Can Fly! The Wright Brothers were the first to take to the air!

27. 1914-1918 - The First World War • 1929 –The Great Depression • 1939 –World War II began • 1941 - Pearl Harbor bombed, & USA entered the War 1945 the unthinkable… An Atomic Bomb destroyed Nagasaki… a major Catholic Population center in Japan. WWII came to an end.

28. - 1948 - The Dead Sea Scrolls are Discovered Catholic Biblical scholarship began in earnest under Pope Pius XII The Psalms Scroll with transcription.

29. < 1957 – Russia launched the first satellite into space – Sputnik! 1958 – USA launches its first satellite –> Explorer I !!! <> The Space Race is on!

30. The 50’s & 60’s! 1956 – Elvis Presley is the King of Rock N Roll Music 1960 – John Kennedy – a Catholic - elected as 35th president of the USA… And assassinated in 1963 - 1969 - Neil Armstrong is first man to walk on the moon.

31. But, then, earlier in the 60’s… Something BIG Happened !

32. Pope John XXIII (Third Order) called for a Church Council with these words: “Open a window and let in some fresh air.” The Vatican II Ecumenical Council

33. Vatican II Documents - Lumen Gentium - Gaudium et spes - Perfectae Caritatis

34. “Lumen Gentium” *The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church* - Is the basis for all remaining documents - Speaks of the People of God: the laity, religious & ordained - Speaks of living the gospel (Article 4 of our Rule ?) & the Church’s call to holiness

35. “Gaudium et spes”Pastoral Constitution On The Church In**** The Modern World **** • Addresses work, universe (ecology), marriage, family, respect for human life, education, economic & social life, political life, warfare and peace. • Articles 13-19 of our Rule are based in this document

36. “Perfectae Caritatis”“Decree On The Up-To-Date Renewal **** of Religious Life” **** • Those in religious orders take vowsfor life. We Secular Franciscans make public promisesfor life. Our Order and the various religious orders have each been canonically erected within the Church. • This document required all religious orders to re-examine their “General Constitutions” and “Rule of Life” so as to be in harmony with their charism and the needs of the Church. We were required to do so as well.

37. “General Constitutions”:a document that guides interpretationof an Order’s Rule & it must agreewith Canon Law. <>AndbecauseCanon Law must agree with all the Church’s teachings (the Council’s documents included), we had to wait for Canon Law to be rewritten before we could address our GC’s.

38. Canon Law Approved - 1983! • Code of Canon Law: • 301.3 Associations of the Christian faithful which are erected by competent ecclesial authority are called Public Associations • 303 Associations whose members lead an apostolic life & strive for Christian perfection while living in the world & who share the spirit of some religious institute under the higher direction of that same institute are called third orders or some other appropriate name. (SFO)

39. The “Third Order of St. Francis” is a Public Associationand changed its name… it became the Secular Franciscan Order ! - The Order wasno longerconsidered “third class”,but recognized as a true order (Benedict XV 1921, Pius XII 1956, JP II 1988)

40. But We Had More Work To Do! - The Order did its homework, re-wrote our Rule, and submitted it to the Papacy for approval. ---------------------------------------------- • After several attempts, our Rule was finally approved and…….

41. The Rule Today …it was Promulgated by Pope Paul VI (THIRD ORDER) • He wrote: “… we approve & confirm with our apostolic authority & sanction the Rule of The Secular Franciscan Order… we abrogate the previous rule of what was formerly called the Franciscan Third Order.” • Signed: “Given at Rome at St. Peter’s under the ring of the Fisherman on June 24, 1978…”

42. The Rule of 1978 The Rule was delivered to our Minister General and it took effect October 4, 1978 BUT… Manuela Mattioli, OFS, Minister General said: “We must still arrange for the renewal of the Constitutions and Statutes.”

43. We Have Returned to our roots!!! (Perfectae Caritatis) • Our Rule again reflects Francis’ vision for the Order • 2000 - Our General Constitutions were promulgated!!!

44. What’s Different?What’s the same? • During our first 700+ years there was virtually no link between fraternities- – we now know each other and work together. • The Order’s identity came thru the Franciscan Friars --- – now we must take charge of our Order.

45. Under the Leonine Rule: • We wore a small scapular and cord *** Today we wear a Tau • Our dress was to be simple and quiet--- *** Today, if I were bold, I could wear a nose ring! (But, why?)

46. Under the Leonine Rule we were to stay away from profane spectacles: *** Many took that to mean they should avoid movies, plays & Las Vegas. - Not according to the Rule today, … but we should always give good example *** We were to exercise moderation in eating!!! - Still a good idea! …but this is not in the Rule either!!!

47. Under the Leonine Rule we were to take communion once a month*** Our GC’s suggest that we attend mass & receive communion often • Our prayer life was specific & spelled out *** Today, our GC’s suggest prayer forms to be used, such as Adoration or reciting The Hours (Art. 14) • We were required to make a will *** Today, this is strongly recommended by our General Constitutions (Art. 23)

48. The SFO LIFE TODAY…

49. Is Governed by our Rule! • Opens with a Prologue (written by St. Francis) concerning those who do/do not do penance, followed by three Chapters and a Blessing of St. Francis And it is…

50. Simple and to the Point <> Chapter 1 – The Secular Franciscan Order Article 1 - 3 <> Chapter 2 – The Way of Life Articles 4 – 19 <> Chapter 3 – Life in Fraternity Articles 20 - 26