So, you're feeling called to join the Franciscan Order? That's awesome! It’s a big decision, but also a super rewarding one. The Franciscans are all about living a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. If you're drawn to serving the poor, living simply, and deepening your relationship with God, then this might just be the right path for you. This guide will walk you through the steps to see if this life is the right fit for you.

Understanding the Franciscan Order

Before diving headfirst, it’s important to understand what the Franciscan Order is all about. The Franciscans aren't just one big group; there are actually several different branches, each with its own focus and way of life. The main branches include the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.), the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.), and the Third Order Regular (TOR). Each of these orders lives out the Franciscan charism, but they do it in slightly different ways.

The Order of Friars Minor (OFM), often simply called the Franciscans, is the largest of the branches. They emphasize community life, prayer, and service to the poor and marginalized. You'll find them working in parishes, schools, hospitals, and various social justice initiatives. Their focus is broad, encompassing a wide range of ministries.

The Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.) places a strong emphasis on community life and the celebration of the sacraments. They often serve in parishes and are known for their intellectual tradition. Their friaries tend to be larger, reflecting their communal focus. They often engage in ministries that involve teaching and scholarship.

The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.) is known for its commitment to a simple life and its emphasis on preaching and pastoral care. They often work in poor and underserved communities, living among the people they serve. The Capuchins are known for their distinctive beards and their dedication to a life of austerity and prayer.

The Third Order Regular (TOR) is open to both men and women, and they can live in community or as secular Franciscans while living in their own homes and workplaces. The TOR focuses on integrating Franciscan values into everyday life, whether they are single or married. They are dedicated to serving others and living out the Gospel in the world.

To really get a feel for which branch might be the right fit for you, do some research. Visit their websites, read about their history and charism, and if possible, spend some time with the friars or sisters. This will give you a firsthand look at their life and help you discern if you’re a good match.

Initial Contact and Discernment

Okay, so you’ve done your homework and you're still feeling that pull towards the Franciscan Order. What's next? It's time to reach out! Most orders have a vocation director – someone whose job it is to guide potential candidates through the discernment process. You can usually find contact information on their website.

When you reach out, be honest about your interest and your background. The vocation director will likely want to know about your faith journey, your work experience, your relationships, and why you’re drawn to the Franciscan life. This isn’t an interrogation; it’s a conversation to help you both figure out if this is the right path for you.

The discernment process is all about prayer, reflection, and conversation. You’ll be spending time talking to the vocation director, meeting with friars or sisters, and visiting their communities. You'll also be spending a lot of time in prayer, asking God to guide you.

Some questions to consider during this time:

• Am I drawn to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience?
• Do I feel called to serve the poor and marginalized?
• Am I comfortable living in community?
• Do I have the emotional and spiritual maturity to handle the challenges of religious life?
• Do I have any major obstacles (like significant debt or family obligations) that would prevent me from fully committing to the Franciscan life?

Be patient with yourself during this process. Discernment takes time. It's not something you can rush. Trust that God will reveal the path that is meant for you.

Application and Candidacy

If, after the initial discernment, both you and the Franciscan Order feel like you’re a good fit, the next step is the application process. This usually involves filling out a detailed application form, providing transcripts, getting letters of recommendation, and undergoing a background check. They want to make sure you’re a good person and that you’re entering into this decision with open eyes.

Once your application is complete, you may be invited for an interview. This is your chance to share your story, your hopes, and your dreams with the leadership of the order. It’s also their chance to get to know you better and assess your suitability for religious life.

If all goes well, you’ll be accepted as a candidate. This is a formal period of getting to know the community better, often lasting one to two years. You'll live with the friars or sisters, participate in their prayer life and ministry, and take classes to deepen your understanding of Franciscan spirituality.

During this time, you’ll be learning about the history of the Franciscan Order, the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare, and the core values of the community. You’ll also be developing your prayer life, learning how to live in community, and discerning your gifts and talents for ministry. It’s a time of intense formation and growth.

It's important to remember that candidacy is still a time of discernment. You're not committed to joining the order at this point. It's a chance for you and the community to see if this is truly the right path for you.

Novitiate

After candidacy, if both you and the Franciscan Order are still feeling good about things, you'll enter the novitiate. This is a more formal period of formation, typically lasting one to two years. During the novitiate, you'll be living in a specific novitiate house, focusing on prayer, study, and reflection. You'll also be learning more about the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and how to live them out in your daily life.

The novitiate is a time of intense spiritual growth and self-discovery. You'll be challenged to confront your weaknesses, to deepen your relationship with God, and to surrender your will to the will of the community. It’s not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

During the novitiate, you'll have a novice master who will guide you and mentor you. The novice master will help you to discern your calling, to grow in your faith, and to develop the skills and virtues you need to live a life of service. They will also help you to understand the Franciscan Order's constitutions and traditions.

At the end of the novitiate, you’ll make a decision – with the guidance of the novice master and the community – whether to profess temporary vows. If you choose to do so, you’ll publicly commit yourself to living the Franciscan life for a period of time, usually one to three years.

Temporary Vows and Formation

So, you've made it through the novitiate and professed temporary vows! Congrats, guys! This is a big step. You are now officially a member of the Franciscan Order, albeit on a temporary basis. During this time, you’ll continue your formation, deepening your understanding of Franciscan spirituality, and developing your skills for ministry.

Temporary vows are a chance to live the Franciscan life more fully, while still having the freedom to discern whether this is truly your calling. You'll be living in community, participating in the common life, and engaging in ministry. You'll also be continuing your studies, either in theology, philosophy, or some other field relevant to your ministry.

During this period, you'll be working closely with a formation director, who will help you to integrate your faith, your life, and your ministry. The formation director will provide guidance, support, and accountability as you continue to grow in your vocation. This is a time of continued learning, growth, and service.

Each year, you'll renew your temporary vows. This is a chance to recommit yourself to the Franciscan Order and to continue discerning your calling. It’s also a chance for the community to assess your progress and to provide feedback and support.

Final Vows and Ordination (for Priests)

After a period of temporary vows, typically three to six years, you’ll make another big decision: whether to profess final vows. This is a lifetime commitment to living the Franciscan life. It’s a solemn and joyful occasion, marking the culmination of years of discernment and formation.

When you profess final vows, you are promising to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience for the rest of your days. You are committing yourself to the Franciscan Order, to the community, and to the service of God and neighbor. It’s a profound and life-changing commitment.

For those called to the priesthood, ordination typically follows final vows. This involves several stages, including diaconate ordination and priestly ordination. As a Franciscan priest, you’ll be serving the Church through the sacraments, preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. You’ll also be living out the Franciscan charism of poverty, humility, and service.

Even after final vows or ordination, formation continues. The Franciscans believe that formation is a lifelong process of growth, learning, and deepening one’s relationship with God. You’ll continue to participate in ongoing formation programs, retreats, and workshops throughout your life.

Living the Franciscan Life

Whether you become a brother or a priest, joining the Franciscan Order means embracing a life of simplicity, prayer, and service. It’s a life of community, where you’ll share your joys and sorrows with your brothers. It’s a life of mission, where you’ll be sent out to preach the Gospel and to serve the needs of others. It’s a challenging life, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

The Franciscan Order has a rich history of saints, scholars, and missionaries who have changed the world. By joining the Franciscans, you’ll be joining a tradition of holiness, service, and love. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of St. Francis, St. Clare, and countless others who have dedicated their lives to following Christ.

The Franciscan life isn’t for everyone, but if you feel called to it, it can be a path to deep joy, fulfillment, and holiness. Take the time to discern carefully, to pray earnestly, and to listen to the voice of God. If you do, you’ll find the path that is meant for you.