Syllabus for the Formation of SFO in India.

The aim of the formation programme is to deepen the values of the Secular Franciscan life, done in and through prayer, studies, fraternal life, knowledge of the SFO, self examination etc. There are two main stages in the formation of a SFO member, namely the Initial formation and the ongoing formation. Taking into account of these two stages I have prepared a short syllabus based on the guidelines for formation of the SFO given by the Presidency of the International Council of SFO, Rome.

The Syllabus

1. The Initial Formation: This is applicable to the stages of Initiation and Novitiate. Here the main focus should be on vocation in reference to the Secular Franciscan vocation. This stage of formation involves two main stages: a) the Initiation stage b) The Novitiate stage

1.1 The Initiation Stage: Here some topics could be dealt such as
1.1.1 The Notion of Vocation
1.1.1.1. The Meaning and its Nature (Scriptural background)
1.1.1.2. The dimensions of Vocation: Personal. Fraternal and Communal
1.1.1.3. The Franciscan Characteristics of Vocation: Minority, fraternity, secularity etc.

1.1.2 The Topics to be studied:
 Elements of Christology
 Life of St. Francis and St. Clare
 Elements of Franciscan Spirituality
 History of the Franciscan family with a particular reference to the SFO
 The Rule of SFO

1.2 Novitiate: The purpose of this stage is the maturation of the Franciscan vocation

1.2.1 Three dimensions of Vocation
 Human
 Christian
 Franciscan

1.2.2 The topics to be studied
 The Theology of the Sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist
 Christology with reference to the participation in the triple office of Christ: Priestly, Prophetic and Royal.
 Practice of theological and cardinal virtues
 Continual metanoia (conversion) through the listening and living the Word of God, the Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation
 The General Constitutions of SFO: The Secular Franciscan way of life
 Ecology, fraternity, peace and justice.

2 The On going formation: This stage involves life after the final profession of the SFO members. It is a progressive development of the Secular Franciscan, journeying towards “mature personhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.”(Eph. 4,13). It is to be faithful to the vocation and an encouragement in the journey of daily conversion, which will lead one to conform one’s thoughts and deeds to those of Christ (Rule 7). One can follow certain guidelines here:
 Living the Rule number four of SFO: “going from the Gospel to life and from life to the Gospel.”
 Studying the writings of St. Francis and the documents of the Church
 Praying the daily SFO office and living the Baptismal promises.


3 The Agents of Formation
 The Principal agent: The Holy Spirit
 The Person to be formed: the candidate
 The entire fraternity
 The council with the Minister (president)
 The Novice Master
 The Spiritual Assistant.

It is my greatest desire that we follow this syllabus in forming the SFO members in different stages. As the National fraternity of SFO in India strives its best for the formation of each and every SFO brother and sister, let us cooperate with them. I wish all the best to every commission.

Fr. Rocky D’Cunha, Cap.
National Spiritual Assistant, SFO.

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