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FRANCISCAN YOUTH: are those young people who want to follow Jesus in the way of Francis and Clare. I have advised Friars, Sisters, and Secular Francisans to remember that the group is
Please don't complicate Franciscan Youth groups by private revelations or devotions. While they may be important to an individual or two, they distract the Youth from Franciscanism and the simple life of the Gospel. THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER: is committed to helping Franciscan Youth in their vocational journey, and in fact young Franciscans are urged to consider the SFO Rule as an inspirational document. Secular Franciscan Fraternities are to help FranYouth Fraternities interact with each other at all levels, including the international. IF YOU WANT TO FORM A FRATERNITY OF FRANCISCAN YOUTH WHERE YOU LIVE THE GOSPEL: Contact the National Fraternity of Franciscan Youth closest to you.. |
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BEYOND FRANCISCAN YOUTH
Franciscan Youth and Vocations: We have to understand that Franciscan Youth Groups are not only meant to be sources of vocations to the Religious Franciscan Orders or the Secular Franciscan Order. FranYouth groups (GIFRA, JUFRA, etc.) are meant to help adolescents discover their calling by God to be baptized adolescent Catholics who look to St. Francis for inspiration. This is their vocation. But, what happens when they are out of adolescence? NEW POST-FRANYOUTH GROUPS. I believe that it is very important to organize groups of young adults, for those Franciscan Youth members who pass from adolescence into adulthood. Although the S.F.O. General Constitutions set the top age limit for FranYouth at 30, surely that is already too old for anyone to be in a group with adolescents. Only some of the FranYouth will decide to discern a vocation to the Religious Order or the Secular Order. I urge that the top age limit for FranYouth be 18. But for those who wish to continue in this kind of group, with a sense of community based in Franciscan values, but without the desire to be in a more structured group, I believe we need a new entity like the one in Bolivia (simeon@comteco.entelnet). If for no other reason, so that we do not lose the FranYouth members simply because they are growing out of adolescence. Young adults today need a strong supportive community in which they can continue the task of conversion. If all we have is FranYouth, we fail them. If all we have are groups for married couples, we fail the single people among us. WHAT TO CALL IT? Not "Friars" or "Poor Clares" or "Secular Franciscan Order" or "Franciscan Youth"--those titles are already in use. Call it whatever you want, but please call it together to help these young adults in their life in the Church. HOW TO ORGANIZE IT? Friars and Sisters who are Spiritual Assistants, and other Friars and Sisters, can do this. I am talking about those who are talented, serious about their own Franciscan life, and knowledgable about young adults. They should start with Franciscan Youth groups and separate the teenagers from the young adults to have two groups. It is that simple, and I believe it is important that this be done now. THESE ARE NEW TIMES, NEEDING NEW WAYS OF EVANGELIZING. The values we promote as Franciscan men and women are for all people of all times and places. We have to work in the cultures in which we live and know. We must also remember that the Gospel of Jesus is not about culture, but about transforming cultures by the Good News we hear from the Spirit. FOCUS ON THE POINT: to help men and women of all ages follow Jesus as St. Francis did. I believe this should move us to go beyond FranYouth. |
 
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