In Franciscan spirituality and history

Can you think of a truly life-changing event in your experience?

If you can, share with the persons next to you about your experience. How were you affected?

?

Signature concept which specifies the uniqueness of the Secular Franciscan Order.

In Franciscan writings referred to as “Doing Penance”

Not easy to grasp Complex process of

transformation Involves identifying our

biases and clarifying through questioning

The Mystery of God’s grace active in our lives

Ways of looking at conversion: Personal biography Insights from Sacred

Scripture The Sacraments and

Liturgy Insights from theology

Personal story in its stages and crises gives insights into a person’s transformation

How does an individual’s worldview develop, become integrated and transform?

Judeo-Christian Scriptures describe conversion as having two parts:Turning away from

sin—metanoia/repentanceTurning to

God—epistrophe/enlightenment Stories of conversion:

DavidZaccheusThe Samaritan WomanThe Prodigal SonPaulOT Prophets John the Baptist

RCIA PeriodsPrecatechumenateCatechumenateEnlightenmentMystagogia

Formation periodsOrientation/InquiryCandidacyProfessionNewly Professed

Conversion is symbolized as JOURNEY of TRANSFORMATION led by Spirit of God

Communal experience—encouragement and witness

On-going process, celebrated in stages with Eucharist as highpoint

Conversion is a lifetime experience of transformation

Developmental theories give insight from psychology—Freud, Jung, James,

Erikson, Kohlberg, Piaget

Fowler and Faith Development

Lonergan and Conversion theory

• Conversion—a set of judgments and decisions that move a person from an established horizon into a new horizon of KNOWING, VALUING and ACTING

• Three kinds of Conversion:– Intellectual– Moral– Religious

• Christian– Franciscan

A complex experience that transforms Within a Christian community Process of hope Caught up in the promise of a new

creation And transformation in Christ. Franciscan –singular character of Order Supported by initial and ongoing

formation

Developed from early form of Sacrament of PenanceReceived as one time opportunity to be

reconciled with the communityPublic Sin—Public PenanceRequired entrance into Order of Penitence

Rigorous penitential lifestyleEventually evolved Voluntary Penitents

seeking “perfection”—origin of OSF as St. Francis “refounds” Penitents

Critical element and character of the Secular Franciscan Order

Known as Brothers and Sisters of Penance

Francis’ plan was to devote his life to “doing penance”

1215 Proto-Rule Prologue to Pauline

Rule Recommendations

to Penitents wishing to “walk with Francis”—to do Penance

1. To love God2. To love our neighbor3. To resist sinful tendencies of our fallen

nature4. To receive the body of Christ in the

Eucharist5. To act or live in conformity with our

conversion

Rule 7 in a continuing renewed journey of conversion and of formation.

United by their vocation as brothers and sisters of penance and motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by mens of tht radical interior change which the gospel itself calls conversion.

The Holy Spirit will come to rest on his penitents and dwell in them.

We are children of the Heavenly Father when we do His will.

In the Holy Spirit we are united to Jesus. We become spouses, brothers, and

mothers in the Lord. We carry him in our hearts and bring

him forth by means of our holy works.

1) How would you define penance as understood by the Brothers and Sisters of Penance?

2) What does it mean to conform to radical interior change?

3) How important is evidence of conversion in the initial formation of prospective members?