Incorporation of the Youfra members
into the SFO
1. Introduction
Franciscan Youth (Youfra) has existed, as an organized structure within the Franciscan Family, belonging to the reality of the SFO, since the middle of last century. Before then, it did not exist and the only option for young people was to choose a commitment to the evangelical life through one of the three Franciscan Orders. Francis, Clare and Elizabeth all made their final religious commitment when they were still very young, as was the case for many other young Franciscans.
Obviously, in the past, the need to have a distinct structure was not felt. In fact, the Rule of 1883 by Leo XIII allowed for the admission into the Order of those who were only 14 years old!
So, why, at a certain point, has the need been felt to establish an organized Franciscan Youth within the framework of the SFO?
During the last century, the world has experienced many changes, including changes to the way we live in relation to one another. Many of the fundamental values of society have radically changed. The world, once strictly divided into social classes, now tends to be divided by age groups, which often do not talk to one another and often live their challenges in conflicting ways. As a result, intergenerational relationships have changed.
In recent decades, the Franciscan Family, supported by its base and with the Church’s help, has made an effort to respond to the changing needs and dynamics of youth in an effort to offer answers, space for discernment and support for the realization of young vocations. The Youfra is the privileged place for Franciscans to achieve all of this.
When the time arrives for youth to be confronted with the challenges of life, and they feel attracted particularly to the Christian life and St. Francis’ spirituality, they are at a point in their lives when they are still completely "secular" and living in the world. Through Youfra, they are offered the possibility of entering a vocational journey into the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO).
The Secular Franciscan Order, part of the Franciscan Family and composed of members living in the secular state, is the Order that is best suited to accompany this journey, including encouragement and assistance as required. That is why the Church has entrusted Franciscan Youth to the SFO.
"The SFO, by virtue of its very vocation, ought to be ready to share its experience of evangelical life with the youth who feel attracted to Saint Francis of
The journey of the Youfra has a precise timeframe. Once young people understand and accept their own vocation, the members of the Youfra embrace it, whatever it is and enter into what will be their permanent state of life. Among these possible vocations, there is the option of committing oneself to live a Franciscan “form of life” while remaining in the secular state; that is, entrance into the SFO. Choosing the SFO, in fact, fully corresponds to an authentic vocation, a precise condition and form of life (“The vocation to the SFO is a specific vocation that gives form to the life and the apostolic activity of its member”, SFO General Constitutions, Art. 2.1). Entering the SFO, therefore, is a definitive project of life which imparts a very precise “character”.
The vocational discernment may occur while a young person belongs to Youfra and, if this discernment leads to a vocation as Secular Franciscan, the Youfra members may start the process of admission, formation and profession into the SFO, while still remaining in Youfra. This is what this document refers to as simultaneous belonging, or "double belonging."
Such incorporation into the SFO is highly recommended because, once an authentic vocational discernment has been made, entry into the state of life that God has prepared for the young person should not be postponed.
2. Fraternal Animation
Fraternal animation is the best means that the SFO and Youfra Fraternities can use to more naturally incorporate members of Youfra into the SFO.
Fraternal animation is synonymous with accompaniment. Its primary goal is to be present with youth on their journey of Franciscan, as well as human and Christian, growth. For this reason, the Fraternal Animator becomes a fundamental presence to support young people in their discernment, especially discernment regarding a secular Franciscan vocation.
This accompaniment becomes an important point of reference from the very beginning. The Fraternal Animator becomes a focal point for Youfra members in helping them to authentically understand what it means to be Secular Franciscan and what the SFO represents. For this reason, it is necessary for every Youfra Fraternity to have a Fraternal Animator from the SFO Fraternity to which it is connected. This will ensure a better knowledge of the Secular Franciscan vocation and of the Fraternity into which the Youfra members may enter.
The accompaniment provided, the close relationship developed with the Youfra fraternity and the fact of being a point reference will allow the Fraternal Animator to be a witness of life for Youfra members, a witness who offers himself/herself, always freely, to serve the Franciscan youth and to help them to discover their vocation in life.
The Fraternal Animator’s presence in the group, together with that of the Spiritual Assistant, will give Youfra the assurance that they are linked to the Franciscan Family and will provide a unique opportunity to enrich their lives. Both individuals, in addition to their specific responsibilities of accompaniment and guidance, must also be engaged in the formation of the group.
In addition to his/her direct contribution of accompaniment to the Youfra group, the Fraternal Animator also has a secondary responsibility, as clearly defined in the Conclusions of the 1st International Youfra Assembly: to serve as a connection or bridge between the SFO and Youfra. In this sense, the Fraternal Animator must work with the SFO Fraternity to implement what is described by the General Constitutions in Article 97.1 of the General Constitutions: "The SFO Fraternities will promote the vocation to the Franciscan Youth by means of appropriate and dynamic initiatives. They should see to the vitality and the expansion of the Franciscan Youth fraternities and will accompany the youth in their journey of human and spiritual growth with proposals for specific activities and contents.”
This mandate is referenced in the CIOFS document 'Youfra, a Way of Franciscan Vocation', that underlines in Article 26: "one of the most important means will always be the close contact with the SFO Fraternity. For this reason, the local Fraternities should create spaces for the young, either by allowing them to participate in their meetings, or by entrusting to them specific tasks in the Fraternity. It is equally important that the SFO fraternities be flexible in their organization and that they seek creative ways of forming special groups in the Fraternity, under the guidance of the council of the Fraternity".
The Fraternal Animator, therefore, must also work within the SFO Fraternity to foster a proper understanding of the importance of Youfra, to involve it in its activities and to encourage a sense of responsibility for Youfra. This will require, as a precondition, the building of a sense of trust between Youfra and the SFO, with the aim of promoting, supporting, helping, directing, caring and being at the service of the younger brothers and sisters who are searching and discerning their journey towards Christ, following the example of Francis, Clare, Elizabeth, Louis…
Through the accompaniment of the Fraternal Animator, the final goal is to develop an environment in which Youfra may concretely feel that it is being accompanied by the SFO at every level of its structure.
Therefore, it is important that the Fraternal Animator carry out his/her service with due care while, at the same time, taking advantage of an important opportunity to grow within his own Fraternity.
The International Youfra Assembly described the Animator’s principal characteristics as: dynamism, consistency, spirituality, formation, dialogue, respect, great ability to listen, young in spirit, ability to stay in touch with young people and to be open to learning.
3. Spiritual Assistance
In the vocational journey of the Youfra members who wish to enter the SFO, the role of the spiritual assistance is of great importance. In addition to guaranteeing their fidelity to the Franciscan charism, communion with the Church and union with the Franciscan Family (SFO General Constitutions, Art. 85.2), the Spiritual Assistant has a particular responsibility in their formation and in their vocational discernment.
The Spiritual Assistant must be a witness of Franciscan spirituality and be able to communicate the fraternal affection of the religious towards youth. In addition to helping them in their vocational journey, the Spiritual Assistant will have: