Pursuing the priesthood as a Franciscan

[ncjake]

First off I'd like to say hi to everyone, as you can tell by my post count I'm new. I'll get to the point though. I've known that God had been calling me to the priesthood at least since I was in middle school. I haven't felt any pull towards the diocesan life, and I've had a really hard time deciding between the orders. I have, however, always felt a great attachment to St. Francis of Assisi, and through much prayer think that the Franciscan life is what the Lord is calling me to. Right now though I'm basically at a starting point, not sure which Franciscan group to get in touch with, and I guess I'm just asking you guys(and girls, of course) for some friendly advice. I would really appreciate it. God bless

[stlmom]

Welcome, you'll get tons of good suggestions here!

[the_rev]

[url="http://www.mfva.info"]http://www.mfva.info[/url]

[zunshynn]

or Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. I am partial to the MFVA though.

[karin]

The Franciscan Friars of the renewal are awesome! their website is [url="http://www.franciscanfriars.com/"]http://www.franciscanfriars.com/[/url] my younger brother is looking into them too. BTW welcome to the phorum
God BLess and Mary keep
Karin

[magnificat]

Welcome & God bless you on your discernment journey!

[franciscanheart]

Welcome!

[ncjake]

Thank you all for your fast replies, I appreciate it. I will definitely check out those orders. I'm really glad I found this forum. As I said I feel that the Franciscan life is the one God is calling me to, but I'm taking my time and have a while to make my mind up. I'm really excited about this path though.

What about Capuchins? I understand they are Franciscans but what makes them distinct?

[franciscanheart]

I'm not the best answer on this one but I'll tell you that the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are 'CFR's. :

[friarMatt]

Hi Jake,

My name is Br. Matthew. I am a Franciscan friar and I just finished my second year of theology in my studies for the priesthood. [url="http://www.franciscans.org"]The website for the Conventual Franciscans[/url] feel free to click and explore. We have tons of information about Francis, the life of the friars and the path towards solemn vows and ordination.

in Francis and Clare,
fr. Matt Foley, OFM Conv.

[cappie]

[quote name='Jake' post='982170' date='May 16 2006, 11:57 PM']
Thank you all for your fast replies, I appreciate it. I will definitely check out those orders. I'm really glad I found this forum. As I said I feel that the Franciscan life is the one God is calling me to, but I'm taking my time and have a while to make my mind up. I'm really excited about this path though.

What about Capuchins? I understand they are Franciscans but what makes them distinct?
[/quote]

I'm a bit slow to reply...been a bit busy...besides I didn't want it to appear a bidding war :

There's good info on the Caps (I presume you are in the USA) at [url="http://www.capuchin.com/"]Capuchins[/url]

[MC IMaGiNaZUN]

I would so join the CFRs if God actually called me. Check them out they are worth your time and discernment.

SHALOM

[LouisvilleFan]

From what I know of them, the Conventual Franciscans are a good order. The Friars of the Renewal seem to be the most outspoken about their orthodoxy, but the important thing is to discern where God wants you to be rather than worrying about which order a "real Catholic" should join (having said that, I am definitely an orthodox Catholic). They have a nice retreat center at Mount St. Francis, Indiana (near Louisville) and I'm now belong to one of the Conventual parishes in Louisville. Sometimes I hang out with one of the brothers who lives at the parish. He's encouraging me to look into the priesthood, which I was pretty gung-ho about until... well, I met this girl Now... I dunno... just open to wherever God leads, or the possibility of church discipline changing to allow optional celibacy for the priesthood ;-)

Edited May 17, 2006 by LouisvilleFan

[TheOliverOrder88]

I have to say, the life that Saint Francis of Assisi led is pretty sweet. I have also felt drawn to that sort of life. Though if anything I am pretty sure it is the diocesan. We'll see though...

[srmarymichael]

Don't forget about the Franciscans at EWTN... check them out too.

[Guest Pilgrim Without Permission]

[quote name='Jake' post='982170' date='May 16 2006, 02:57 PM']
Thank you all for your fast replies, I appreciate it. I will definitely check out those orders. I'm really glad I found this forum. As I said I feel that the Franciscan life is the one God is calling me to, but I'm taking my time and have a while to make my mind up. I'm really excited about this path though.

What about Capuchins? I understand they are Franciscans but what makes them distinct?

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Hello Jake, may Christ Our Lord, give you his peace.i am a Canadian, currently in Italy, just now finishing a pilgrimage that has lasted just over 2 years, and i have witnessed alot.
I am taking advantage of the free internet here at the Benedictines.

I too am very attracted to The way of following Our Lord as St Francis did.
Having worked with the C.F.R.s at their beggining, and knowing much about them, i can only highly recommend them. They actually are what you could call a reform or renewal of the Capuchin Tradition, of Franciscans.

Another radical(rooted)Community of Franciscans VERY similar to the C.F.R.s are the 'Franciscani Minori Rinnovati', based in Sicily, Italy,(Novitiate is a former Prison in Corleone)(with French , Spanish and English speaking) but do have missions in Columbia, Africa, and parts of Italy.
They are pretty much like European C.F.R.s , but have a close link with Padre Pio, and are more Contemplative, living just on the edge of towns, very poor and radical preachers.Sometimes you see them in Rome barefeet and all...
St Francis and the early Friars spent alot of time in solitude and the common life lived outside of the city, as well as alot of intenerant preaching.

[/quote]
The link to the C.F.R.s is [url="http://www.franciscanfriars.com/"]http://www.franciscanfriars.com/[/url]

a few links, french, with photographs of the 'Franciscani Minori Rinnovati'
[url="http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?cat=3&rep=134"]http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?cat=3&rep=134[/url]
[url="http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?cat=3&rep=134&page=2&horz=V&vert=V&rec=un%20nom,%20n%B0%20de%20photo,%20lieu,%20reportage"]http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?ca...eu,%20reportage[/url]

and finally a link to everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
[url="http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html"]http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html[/url] works only well in Explorer

[url="http://www.franciscan-archive.org/fontes.html"]http://www.franciscan-archive.org/fontes.html[/url]
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I will pray for you that God will grant you the Grace to hear, then to know, then to DO only His Holy will, with Joy.

[Guest Pilgrim Without Permission]

[quote name='Pilgrim Without Permission' post='983659' date='May 17 2006, 04:50 PM']
The link to the C.F.R.s is [url="http://www.franciscanfriars.com/"]http://www.franciscanfriars.com/[/url]

a few links, french, with photographs of the 'Franciscani Minori Rinnovati'
[url="http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?cat=3&rep=134"]http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?cat=3&rep=134[/url]
[url="http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?cat=3&rep=134&page=2&horz=V&vert=V&rec=un%20nom,%20n%B0%20de%20photo,%20lieu,%20reportage"]http://www.esprit-photo.com/galerie.php?ca...eu,%20reportage[/url]

and finally a link to everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
[url="http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html"]http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html[/url] works only well in Explorer

[url="http://www.franciscan-archive.org/fontes.html"]http://www.franciscan-archive.org/fontes.html[/url]
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I will pray for you that God will grant you the Grace to hear, then to know, then to DO only His Holy will, with Joy.
[/quote]
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Oh P.S. while the [url="http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html"]http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html[/url] has ALOT of great info, it is run by a Tradtionalist movement regarding Liturgy etc..so the opinion pieces are slanted thus...great resource all the same
Peace.

[OLAM Dad]

Jake,

Pax et Bonum and welcome to Phatmass.

I've spent some time this past week (and in the past) with the MFVA and concur that they are a very cool and blessed order. They are building a new friary on the grounds of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. It's going to be great, they are really outgrowing their current facility.

Michael