THE OFS RULE: OFS INSTRUMENT of CONVERSION (Week One)

For the 6 Fridays of Lent, we will read and meditate on our Rule. Each week, we ask that you read a portion of the Rule at this link: https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EN-OFS-Rule-s.pdf (You can download the PDF to your computer or tablet.)

The reflections and questions that follow will focus on how our Rule asks us to live, the role that conversion and penance play in our lives, and our mission as members of the Church of Christ. The topics below will guide you as you write in your journal or discuss with your fraternity, a small group, or a prayer partner. We hope that this series will aid you in strengthening your vocation and provide opportunities for daily conversion.

Week One: Please read the Prologue to our Rule (both sections) Concerning Those Who Do Penance and Concerning Those Who Do Not Do Penance.  

St. Francis speaks directly to us in the Prologue to our Rule. The earliest version of “The First Letter to the Faithful” (the Earlier Exhortation) is housed in a library in the city of Volterra in Italy. Therefore, it is often called the “ Volterra Letter.” You can read the letter on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition website. Francis talks to us about the joy we will have if we live a life of penance and what we will suffer if we do not. Both portions of the Prologue encourage us to examine our lives as Catholics and Franciscans and to make changes where needed.

(Before proceeding to the questions, read and consider both sections of the Prologue.)

+Key Learnings: What are the four most important points (in your opinion) that you discovered as you read the Prologue?

+Living the OFS Rule: What about the Prologue presents a challenge for you to live out? Why?

+Conversion: The Holy Spirit speaks to each of us in a very personal way. As you read the Prologue, please explain how it touched and changed you and brought you closer to God.

+Discernment:  What can you put into practice right away?

+Key Takeaways: Please list three key takeaways to living as a Franciscan that this portion of the Rule will help you to achieve.

+Challenge Yourself: Choose one of the takeaways as your personal spiritual challenge for this week and resolve to carry it out.