our rule its history and… its essence. our rule – history and essence presentation plan session...

Our Rule

Its History and…

Its Essence

Our Rule – History and EssencePresentation Plan

• Session 1: Penitential Movement• Questions

• Session 2: Our Four Rules - History• Sharing

• Session 3: Our Present Rule - Essence• Sharing

• Sunday Wrap Up

Penitential MovementBegan with Need for Reconciliation

•Baptism – Early Church•Restoration

•First Three Centuries - Repentance•Segregation

•Hierarchal Structure - Repentance•Confession to Bishop – Lifetime Penalties

•Next Stage – •Confession – Harsh Lifetime Penalties – Laying of Hands

•Fifth Century -• Confession, Harsher Lifetime Penalties

Early Christian Community

Baptism – Remission of All Sins

Sin Caused a Breach in Community

Repentance

Restoration by Community

First Three CenturiesRepentance

• Segregation (Similar to Shunning)

• Exclusion from Eucharist

• Still in Community

Hierarchal StructurePenance

•Confession to Bishop

•Public Confession

•Fasting

•Penitential garb

•Ashes

•Segregation

Progression to More Severe Penance

Canonical Penance•Private Confession to Bishop•Segregation, •Exclusion from Eucharist, •Separate place in liturgical assemblies•Penitential practices•Reconciliation through imposition of hands •Prayer of community •Stigmatized for rest of life

Fifth Century

Adoption of a habit Live a secluded life Prohibition from feasts Renunciation of administrative juridical and military functions Prohibition against practicing business Absolute continence even for married spouses Sobriety in food and drink until death

They were welcomed back to Eucharist, however the penitential practice continued

They were condemned to a quasi-monastic life

•The original purgative intent of the imposed penance (to coerce the sinner to

repentance)

•became subordinated to its punitive aspects

•by which penitents were stigmatized for

the rest of their life.

The Irish ChurchA Monastic Church

Monks made Confession to the Abbot

Received Spiritual Advice

Were Given Penance

Then Were Given Absolution

Strange HappeningsFifth to Seventh Century

• Voluntary Penance

• Not for Serious Sin but for Desire for Perfection, or

• In preparation for death

• Freely asked to enter the Order of Penance

• These Penitents became a kind of “Third Order before its time”

Monastic Way of Life

It should be noted here that

During the Middle Ages the Monastic Way of Life

was held up as the Ideal

To follow fully - was to be a Monk

Awakening of the Laity11th and 12th Century

• The 11th and 12th Century was an time of drastic societal change

• Feudalistic Society gave over to a Mercantile Society

• Also, there was an awakening of the consciousness of the laity.

• We could speak of this as a growing awareness of the universal call to holiness

It was the Time of the PreacherThe Itinerate Preacher

• Hermit Turned Preacher

• Proclaimed Poverty as the Best Means for Attaining Salvation

• A True Apostle must be Poor as Jesus and the Apostles were.

Jeopardy – The Game

• Some of the disciples went to Rome, where they presented themselves to the Pope.

• After their orthodoxy was examined, the Pope admitted them into his presence, and was struck by what he saw – they were barefoot, dressed in wool, without baggage, having all things in common like the apostles; naked, following the naked Christ.

• The pope approved their choice of poverty.

• WHO IS ???

Waldensians and Humiliati

Innocent III

• The John XXIII of his time

• Gave approval to lay groups to live a life of poverty• Approved lay men to preach

• He sanctioned their practice of gathering on Sunday to hear one of the lay members preach

• Approved Rules for penitential orders

• Approved the Protoregula (Verbal approval of a rule of life for Francis and the friars)

• Thomas of Celano described Innocent III as “burning with zeal for justice in the things that the cause of Christian faith demanded”

Other Penitential Practices

• Pilgrimages to Sacred Places

• Participation in the Crusades

Enter Francis of Assisi

• Francis entered into the Penitential Movement

• First as a hermit (Legend of Three Companions)

• Frances’ understanding of Metanoia

Early Documents

Proto-regula

First Exhortation

Second Exhortation

Rule of 1221

Rule of 1289

Early ExhortationLetter to All the Faithful

Discovered by Paul Sabatier in Volterra Italy

Published in 1900 with the title:These are the words of life and salvation:

Whoever reads them and puts them into practice

will find life and salvation from the Lord

Kajetan Esser’s Discovery

In a 1974 Study, Esser noted that

“It is quite clear that we have before us a written instruction directed to the people who

have joined the penitential movement…

a movement which Frances and his fraternity were deeply attached”

Later Exhortation

Last paragraphs almost match those of the First Exhortation

In the earlier paragraphs of the document, Francis was defining a way of life of the

penitent while being sensitive to the need to stay within orthodoxy

considering the heretical movements that challenged the Church at that time

Increase of Followers of Francis

Penitents old and new entered this order because it bore

Francis’ stamp of catholicity

Rule of 1221

Cardinal Hugolino, who cared for Francis and his followers, contributed to the writing of the

Rule of 1221

Pope Honorius III verbally approved the Memoriali Propositi - Rule of 1221

Although there is no proof that this approval actually took place

1221 - 1228

Some changes were made to the Rule of 1221 up until 1228

In 1228, Pope Gregory IX (Cardinal Hugilino) approved the Penitential Rule,

and it remained fixed - without modification

However, no written approval of this Rule has been found

Rule of Nicholas IV - 1289

• At the request of various Franciscan entities, Nicholas IV approved, in writing, a Rule for Franciscan Penitents in his bull Supra Montem

• There were a few changes from the Memoriale Propositi

• One addition was to officially legislated a closer bond with the friars by placing the Penitents under a clerical order

• However, the penitents of Lombardy refused to accept this mandate from Nicholas IV and continued to elect a lay person as their visitor

1289 - 1883

For 600 years Tertiaries followed the Rule of Nicholas, with various degree of rigor

Various Popes interjected their own influences such as adding indulgences for

certain religious exercises and certain feast days

And relaxed days of fasting

Session II

Why did Leo XIII feel the need to write a Rule?

To renew the Church(He wanted a spiritual revival as had

taken place during the time of St. Francis)

To make it acceptable to all Catholics seeking Christian perfection, he

simplified it(He thought the Rule of Nicholas was “a

rather forbidding Rule”)

Leonine Rule Basics

•Wear a small concealed scapular as a habit

•Observe the commandments

•Avoid extremes of cost and style

•Be temperate in eating and drinking

•Fast on only extraordinary days each year

•Minimally say daily “Twelve Our Fathers, Twelve Hail Marys and Twelve Glory Be”

Immigrants

Third Order Congresses

• First one in 1921 (4300 in attendance)

• Every 5 years, hence the term Quinquennial

• Third one in San Francisco (1931)

• Last one in Pittsburgh

National Fraternity

• Federation of provinces, begun in 1922 and realized by 1941

• National Constitution was written in 1922

A Previous Proposal for a New Rule?

In 1950, the Ministers General initiated a movement towards the creation of a new Rule and a new Constitution

The pursuit of a new Rule was discontinued, but a new Constitution was approved in August 1957

The newly formedInternational Interobediential Council, that included the four

Commissaries Generals, approved the

International Constitution

And The Times They are A’Changin

Second Vatican Council

• How did the Third Order in the United States React following the Second Vatican Council?

• Although the document Decree on Religious Life did not specifically call out Third Orders for renewal

• The Documents: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, and the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity certainly implied a renewal of the Third Orders

Renewal was the catch word

Renewal was addressed at the 1967 Quinquennial Congress held in Philadelphia, by keynoter, Tom Ricard

Also, a special gathering of the National Boards was held at the St. Mary’s Retreat House in Lemont, Illinois to address Renewal

Rule of 1978

There was a spirit of renewal following the Second Vatican Council

And a ground swell from many in leadership for a new rule to meet the needs of modern society

When and How Was the Process of Developing a New Rule

Begun?November, 1965, just before the closing of the Second Vatican Council

The Commissaries General wrote a letter to the Ministers General requesting that the process of forming a new Rule be started

Permission was granted

On March 9, 1966 a letter of announcement was written by the Commissaries General to all nations inviting their leaders and Tertiaries to offer their suggestions.

Responses to the Request for Suggestions

The gospel as the Rule of Life

The attachment to the humanity of Jesus, especially his passion

The way to the Father through Christ

Being lead to Christ through the Spirit, the Minister General of the Order

Loving Christ by absolute fidelity to the Church, his spouse

Relating to all people as servant, as their brother or sister

Living with deep respect for the world, a joy and freedom, and as servant to all

Living with a sense of the sacredness of human activity, all things, and all creation

For the Rule to reflect adequately the secular nature of the Order, the responses recommended that the new Rule:

Remove traces of the monastic life

Incorporate the decrees of Vatican II, especially Lumen Gentium, Guadium et Spes, and Apostolicam Actuositatem

Present profession not as an entrance into religious life, but as an adult renewal and confirmation of one’s Baptismal commitment

Emphasize the personal nature of the secular vocation and the need for community

Express the totality of one’s involvement and commitment

Survey of North American FederationModerators and Directors Responses

Is Renewal of the Third Order possible?76% answered Yes

What hinders Christians from joining T. O.?Misleading image, rigoristic, massive prayer society, no programs of action, dominated by clergy and religious, not run by laity

What is needed for Renewal?A grasp of the spirit of St. FrancisTranslate the Gospel spirit into a layman’s vocation

Interobediential Meeting in Assisi

In Assisi, on January 2 – 8, 1968, representatives of the four Franciscan families met in joint conference…The meeting took place at St. Mary of the Angels, but with no Secular Franciscans present.

The twelve male religious present did address this incredible incongruity.

First Draft of Rule – July 1968

• A first draft of the Rule was submitted to Tertiaries and Directors everywhere for consideration and comments.

• Responses were to be sent to the general headquarters of the four branches of the Order.

North American Federation’s Critique of the 1968 Rule

Does not conceive people as they are now actually living in the world

Lacking…the need to participate in the needs of the world

The concept of Vatican II is absent

The ecumenical spirit is lacking

The eschatological view is blurred

Not enough stress put on the Third Order as essentially a lay order

Deals too much with the rights and power of the priests

Nothing is mentioned about the Third Order message and mission to the world

Francis’ spirit is not expressed in this rule of life

Only moral regulations and invitations to devotional practices

Nothing is said about continuous conversion

The text does not get across the spirit of renewal

The draft of the rule is composed for a dying Third Order, not for tomorrow’s Third Order

Board Meeting, Lemont, Illinois, May 1969

North American Federation Draftof Their Rule

The NAF requested Provinces to submit an experimental RuleFive texts were submittedThe St. Joseph Province’s Rule was selected for experimental useRequest was made to the Ministers General for its use in North America

Approval

The text of the experimental Rule was temporarily approved for North America by

the Franciscan ministers general on November 24, 1971, with conditions.

Letter from Ministers General

• We give our temporary approval in the ‘Way of Life for Lay Franciscans’ …on condition that:

• The Divine Office be recited

• Each fraternity shall have a priest schooled in Franciscanism as spiritual moderator. He shall have a voice and vote in the proceedings of the Council…except when …considering…economic administration

Assisi Congress - 1969

• Third Order members from various countries were invited to work with the friars on the Rule Project

• Three Committees and five language groups were formed to address three aspects of the project:

1. The Secular Franciscan Order and its characteristics in the world today

2. The essential elements of a Franciscan Spirituality for the laity

3. The fundamental laws of government of the Order

The Assisi Congress

Item 1 - Characteristics

1. A community of brothers and sisters

2. On a pilgrimage to God

3. Committed to living the Gospel

4. Following the spirit of St. Francis

5. According to the Rule and as seculars

6. In communion with all Franciscans

Item 2 – Essential Elements

1. To live the gospel according to the spirit of St. Francis

2. To be converted continually (metanoia)3. To live as a brother or sister of all people and of all

creation4. To live in communion with Christ5. To follow the poor and crucified Christ6. To share in the life and mission of the Church7. To share in the love of the Father8. To be an instrument of peace9. To have a life of prayer that is personal, communal

and liturgical

Item 2 – Essential Elements

10.To live in joy11.To have a spirituality of a secular character12.To be pilgrims on the way toward the Father13.To participate in the Apostolate of the Laity14.To be at the service of the less fortunate15.To be loyal to the church in an attitude of

dialogue and collaboration with her ministers16.To be open to the action of the Spirit17.To live in simplicity, humility, and minority

Fr. Bob Stewart’s Breakdownof Seventeen Points

• To Live the Gospel

• Following Francis

• Through Conversion

• In Community

• As Seculars

• In Vital Reciprocity with All Franciscans

Redactions

• There were nine redactions of the Rule, beginning with the 1968 version, that was soundly rejected, before reaching the final version that was promulgated by Pope Paul VI, 1978.

• Following is a review of the 1974 redaction, the 1975 redaction and the 1977 redaction

Critique of the 1974 redaction“In the Midst of the World” Paragraph

AddedThe members of the International Commission most strongly criticized the 1974 text for its failure to present adequately a specifically “secular.” spirituality.

A paragraph was added to Article 9, titled: In the Midst of the World,

“As seculars, we have our own vocation: living in the midst of the world, engaging in various duties and works of the world…By our witness and our action, joining with that of other men and women, we will work in these different sectors towards the realization of the plan of God for the world.”

Critique of the 1975 Redaction

While the 1975 redaction rightfully acknowledges and appropriately stresses the secular nature of the Secular Franciscans’ vocation, it fails, at least in part,

to present the concrete involvement in social and political spheres which it proclaims as the vocation of the Secular Franciscans.

That omission must have been added to later redactions, because articles 15, 16, 17 and 18 address these issues

1975 Redaction

• An International Commission and the Presidium worked on providing one redaction after another

• Finally in 1975, a draft was sent to the National Councils throughout the world that included three chapters:

• Prologue• Norm of Life• Fraternity

Local Commission

• In September of 1976, after the Assistants General had analyzed the various nations’ responses to the 1975 Redaction, the Presidential Council of the International Interobediential Council decided to form a “Local Commission” to whom they entrusted the task of redacting the Rule.

• The Local Commission consisted of five lay people and two religious.

Results of the Local Commission

The Local Commission attempted to reformulate the 1975 redaction according to the responses received from the National Councils throughout the world.

Bad Idea

The Local Commissions added apious or “monastic” tone to the text

• A mention of chastity

• The obligation to make a testament

• An authentic veneration of the clergy and acceptance of their teaching

• Adoration of the Eucharist

• Frequent recourse to the sacrament of reconciliation

• Praying the liturgy of the hours

• Fostering religious vocations

1977 Redaction• The text omitted the somewhat pious or monastic aspects

contained within the text submitted by the Local Commission

• The April 1977 Redaction very closely parallels the Rule of 1978.

• The major difference is the addition of the Earlier Exhortation – Earlier Letter to all the Faithful – as Prologue.

• This inclusion simply appeared in the text sent by the Ministers General to the Curia

• The Rule of 1978 followed the guidelines initially set by the Assisi Congress in 1969

• At the end of October, 1977, the text was sent to the Sacred Congregation of Religious for approval with minor adjustments.

• The text was sent to the Secretary of State, Cardinal Jean Villot, who in turn placed it on the desk of the Holy Father

Pope Paul VI Document of Approval

The Beginning