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The Friar Minor is “sent to the entire world that in word and deed he may give witness to God’s voice and bring everyone to know that there is no one who is all-powerful but God” (LOrd 9).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; for He has anointed me, and sent me to proclaim the good news to the poor” (Lk 4,18)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY 

1. The Friar Minor Missionary is “inspired by God” (Rule 1223 12,1):
* He is compelled by a call and wants to respond generously. His own will is not the motivation.
* He is not trying to solve some personal problem, escape some difficult situation, or set off on an adventure.
The mission “ad gentes” is a unique vocation.

2.
Before the Lord and in dialogue with his Provincial Minister, the Friar Minor must engage in a profound discernment of the motivations that compel him. He prepares for his mission with great care.

3.
The Friar leaves his homeland and is sent:
* by the Provincial who considers him fit to go (Rule 1221 16,3-4)
* by the fraternity in whose name he goes.
In faith (vocation) and obedience (being sent), the Friar Minor goes to work:
* in the name of Another and not in his own name.
* In this way, he experiences both a geographical and cultural “exodus,” living itinerantly. .

4.
The Friar Minor moves to another fraternity which welcomes him:
* He is not just departing from somewhere, he is also arriving somewhere.
* The fraternity is still given priority in his pastoral activity.
* He lives in a multi-cultural or international fraternity, evangelizing in fraternity and minority.

5.
The Friar Minor is inserted in a “Sister Church”:
* He begins by listening and learning the local sentiments.
* He makes himself a disciple, placing himself at the disposition of the local pastoral project.
* He is open to respectful dialogue with everyone, living out his life of service through fraternal encounters and relationships with all people, without distinction.

6.
The Friar Minor is on a spiritual mission:
* He builds up the Kingdom of God in the hearts of people.
* He brings God to the people and the people to God.
* He lives, acts, and does all things for the love of God.
* He gives what he has received, sharing his faith and all other good gifts he has been given.

7.
The Friar Minor “in missione” works for the “implantatio Ordinis”
* He makes Francis and Clare known;
* He fincarnates the Franciscan charism;
* He supports, welcomes, and accompanies local vocations;
* He contributes to the formation of indigenous friars as well as the birth and development of the whole Franciscan family (Poor Clares, OFS, Franciscan sisters).

8.
The Friar Minor evangelizes with his life, by witness and by good example:
* He goes more to live his faith than to accomplish any project;
* He allows himself to experience conversion before trying to convert others;
* He shares before he teaches
* He courteously encounters others before working to organize any structures.

9.
The Friar Minor proclaims Jesus and His Word:
* When he sees that it is pleasing to the Lord (Rule 1221, 16:7) he preaches the Jesus who lives within him and not just abstract ideas, keeping his words brief and simple.


10.
The Friar Minor always maintains a balance between action and contemplation:
* He is a “collaborator with God Himself” (St. Clare).
* His strength comes from his prayer, from the Word and the Eucharist.
* He is a man of faith who proclaims the living Jesus with great joy..

“The Friars, following Jesus Christ...go throughout the world in joy and as servants, subject to all, peaceful and humble of heart” (CCGG 64)

Lord, give us the grace “to do that which we know You want us to do and to always desire only what pleases You” (St. Francis)

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