Formation Materials and Resources

“Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.”

Secular Franciscan formation materials center around key documents like the Rule, Constitutions, and Ritual, using tools like the “Come and See” Manual for Orientation and Inquiry stages, thematic guides (e.g., CIOFS Thematic Guides), and supplementary resources like Fratelli Tutti studies and Concordances for ongoing growth.

You can find these materials on national and international OFS websites (like our website here, OFS International and OFS Great Britain, etc.), regional/local fraternity sites (see more below), and specialized bookstores with many available as downloadable PDFs or physical books; below are perhaps some materials to start your journey with us:

“Come and See” Manual for Orientation and Inquiry Stages

OFS International Formation Resources Site

OFS Great Britain Formation Resources Site

OFS Great Britain Ongoing Formation Resources Site

OFS Juan de Padilla Region Formation Resources Site

OFS USA Formation Resources Site

OFS USA Ongoing Formation Resources Site

OFS Australia Formation Resources Site

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Key Materials & Resources

Core Documents:

The fundamental texts are the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, the General Constitutions, and the Ritual.

Initial Formation Manuals:

For “Come & See” and “Up to Now (FUN)”: A comprehensive manual covering foundational topics for new members, including Catholic doctrine, Franciscan history, and vocation discernment.

The book “Fully Mature in the fullness of Christ” by Benet A. Fonck, is a comprehensive resource for those going through the Inquiry and Candidacy Stages of Formation.

The Franciscan Journey: A series of presentations and supplementary readings for initial formation.

Ongoing Formation Resources:

CIOFS Thematic Guides: International guides focusing on specific themes like the Rule, Franciscan spirituality, and social teaching (JPIC).

Concordances: Modules that link Scripture, the Rule, and the Constitutions for deeper understanding.

Fratelli Tutti: Study guides and reflections on Pope Francis’s encyclical.

OFS Holy Half Hours & Articles: Resources for monthly formation meetings on the Rule.

Franciscan Mariology: A distinct theological understanding of Mary, Mother of Jesus, rooted in the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi.

Whatever the material, our original source of formation material is the Gospel, jointly with the Rules, Constitutions and Traditions.

Franciscan Sources:

Writings of St. Francis, St. Clare, biographies, and other Franciscan authors.

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The Story of Brother Fire

There is something fascinating about Brother Fire. One could stare at a candle flame for a long time, just enjoying the marvellous colour of yellow, orange, red, white, and sometimes blue.

At times, we may get tempted to touch it and we did. It is interesting why we feel the need to touch it, there is something attractive about it. This is probably why Brother Fire represents the Mystery of God. His beauty attracts us, even though we cannot understand it. The warmth gives comfort, but we should not try to own or control it, because we cannot. We will get burnt.

When it comes to our Franciscan experience, Brother Fire can remind us of community life. Brother Fire is like God, who gets everyone to keep coming back to the community. He is like the Holy Communion that unites us with God and with one another.

Like those in the campfire, Brother Fire is the centre of the community that gathers everyone. Without Brother Fire, the gathering will be cold and might even be tormenting. We must be together with God in our midst. God has to be part of our relationship with one another. Otherwise, we may end up ‘burning’ each other.

Reflection

• What warms your heart?

• Think of your family or community(s) that you belong to. What is it that bonds you together?

• Think of a person that used to or should be very close to you, but somehow, for some reasons, your relationship has been ‘burnt’ for some time. Now, would you bring God as part of your relationship with that person?