FORMATION

INITIAL FORMATION

Postulancy

After a time of initial contact with the friars, if the Vocation Director and the candidate agree that God may be directing him towards Franciscan religious life, he will be asked to submit some forms and documents (Baptismal and Confirmation certificates, autobiography, medical examination letter of reference and other items.) in preparation to enter Postulancy.

Postulancy is the first of the three stages of initial formation; it is a transitional stage between life in the world and religious life. It provides the candidate with a concrete experience of Franciscan life. Postulancy is a time of discernment during which the candidate lives with the friars to get a closer, “inside” view. The objective of Postulancy is to allow the candidate to discover if the Postulant fits into Franciscan life: his capacity for living in community (sharing, being responsible and getting along with others) and for prayer. It also permits the friars to discern the Postulant’s ability to live Franciscan life. The Postulant is expected to participate fully in the life of the fraternity, living like a friar, but without taking the vows. He is expected to be present at community prayer and to be involved in some volunteer ministry. As well, he will receive instruction, which includes sessions with his Postulant Director as well as classes and workshops to facilitate his human, Christian and Franciscan growth.

Postulancy may last one or two years (most often begins  around the month of September).

During Postulancy, the community will evaluate the Postulant’s suitability for Franciscan Life. The Postulant is free to leave the programme at any time on his own accord or he may be asked to leave if it is thought that Franciscan life is not for him. If he is thought suitable, however, he is informed and the Postulant makes a formal request in writing to the Minister Provincial or Custos asking admittance into the Next stage: Novitiate.   

Novitiate

The stage of the Novitiate lasts a complete canonical year, and usually begins in the month of August-September. This is the "official" beginning of his Franciscan life. The novice undergoes a ceremony called investiture and from thence may now wear the religious habit. A retreat of one week precedes the celebration of being received into the novitiate. 

The novitiate is a privileged time of profound spiritual experience, sustained accompaniment, and periodical evaluations. This powerful experience is conducted by a Novice Master, who can count on the support of the community. Novitiate is a structured time in an environment of prayer and fraternal life. At the moment, the Novitiate takes place at Saltpond, a quiet region where we have a convent and a valley of prayer in the central region of Ghana. Other times our novices join other English-speaking novices in Zambia,together with others from Kenya, Tanzania and Burkina Faso under the umbrella of AFCOF. It provides an inner-culture experience. The Novitiate stage involves taking a break from professional activity and formal academic studies. It is above all a time to discern your vocation, with an emphasis on prayer and with opportunities to experience other pastoral activities. The Novitiate is designed to furnish the right people, environment and resources to acquire: 1) A solid understanding of the heritage of the Christian faith, the Catholic Church, and the Franciscan charism; 2) A prayerful experience; 3) An understanding of the three religious vows (poverty, chastity, obedience); and 4) Knowledge about the Rule, and Franciscan spirituality and history. 
At the end of the Novitiate year, the Novice requests in writing to his Minister Provincial to profess his first religious vows. Thus begins the time of formation in Temporal vows

Temporary Vows

After a year of Novitiate, the Novice professes temporary, simple vows. He will renew these yearly for approximately four years. The simply professed friar will live in a friary with other simply professed friars. The emphasis during this time is on Franciscan formation, fraternal life, and apostolic work and academic studies all under the direction of the Formation Director. They also receive regular spiritual direction from one of the brothers in the community, or with permission, someone outside the community. They also assume domestic tasks, such as making meals, cleaning, shopping, gardening etc.

Philosophical and Theological

These are formation periods for preparing the simple professed friar to ground his faith the Lord and the ministry he is about to embark. The importance of intellectual formation can not be over emphasized considering the demands and the nature of apostolates that we have. Through these formation the friar deepens the sacred mysteries about God through various arguments presented by theologians and philosophers in and outside the church. It also opens and prepared the friar to handle pastoral challenges in his future ministry. 



Solemn vows and Ordination  

After three (or more) years of temporary profession, the friar requests in writing to his Minister Provincial permission to profess solemn and permanent vows. Solemn Profession is a joyous occasion where family and friends are invited to join the friars in the celebration. The profession of Solemn Vows opens up the possibility to be ordained to the diaconate or the priesthood. 
Whether ordination is sought or not, all the newly solemnly professed friars have the option of entering into ministry or pursuing further studies according to the direction that best suits their gifts and the vision or needs of the custody, province or the general order. However formation does not cease but continues and is ongoing.

ON GOING FORMATION