(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2025 Issue #116)
by Layna Maher, OFS
National Formation Commission Chair
Initial formation is the first step in a lifelong journey of learning, growing and discerning our vocations. It allows us to experience life in fraternity along with the privileges and responsibilities of the brothers and sisters. Initial formation gives the individuals and the fraternity tools to discern if they have a Franciscan vocation and if this is the path they will take and promise to live for the rest of their life.
Ongoing formation provides continuous opportunities for conversion and transformation as we strive to live our Rule. Good formation changes us and challenges us to question how we’re doing on that journey. It gives us opportunities to reflect on our lives, the choices we make, the interactions that we have, and if we truly are living life to gospel and gospel to life. Formation supports us to continue growing in our vocation as we study the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare, the OFS Rule, and the gospels.
The lives and writings of St. Francis and St. Clare inspire and ground us. Their radical love, humility, and faithfulness light our path, reminding us that formation is not simply intellectual study but a call to interior conversion and outward witness.
Our OFS Rule gives us clear guidance on how we are to live our lives, calling us to simplicity, peace, justice, and care for creation. Living our Rule shapes how we relate to God, others, and the world. According to Article 4 of the OFS Rule, “Secular Franciscan should devote themselves to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to the gospel.” Reading and reflecting on the gospels will help us to walk in the footsteps of Francis as he followed in the footsteps of Jesus. As we become more and more familiar with the gospels, the Word of God becomes more and more alive in us, guiding our choices and actions.
Article 15 of the OFS Rule calls Franciscans to “… individually and collectively be in the forefront of promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith.” It’s often in the difficult choices about what we’re willing to share of our lives, our time, and our resources.
Living our Rule
shapes how we
relate to God,
others, and the
world.
Photo By: ATC Comm Photo from Pexels
In the gospels, Jesus gives us clear direction on how we are to live, love and forgive. For example, we can read and reflect on “The Judgment of the Nations” in Matthew 25 and ask “‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?” Who are the marginalized in our communities? Do we see them? Do we help them? Do we love them? There are many people, including the young, old, homeless, sick, imprisoned, immigrants, and poor around us in need. We are called to be Christ to them. The actions and choices we make in our life tell the world who we are and what we value. Living the tenets of the gospel help us to shine the love and light of Christ into the world.
Formation gives us the opportunity for conversion, transformation, and to discern if we are truly living our OFS Rule and fulfilling our profession promise. Formation guides us as we figure out how we are called to be joyful, humble followers of Christ and to bring God’s love and light into the world
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/09/formation-the-heart-of-secular-franciscan-life/
The Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order (2005) is no longer in print.
Recently, a dog bit me. At our initial encounter, he seemed friendly but as he was passing me, he turned around to bite my leg. Not a nip – a real bite! I did nothing to provoke it. But who really knows … the dog didn’t give me a reason for the action.