Young Franciscans “ YOUFRA ”

A way of Franciscan Vocation

Young Franciscans YouFra as underlined in the Secular Franciscan Order General Constitutions Article 96-97

H i s t o r y Initiated in Italy in 1948 by Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. It started as GIFRAC (Gioventu Francescana di Azione Catolica) “Franciscan Youth of the Catholic Action” In 1954 adopted by the Capuchins In 1958 by the Conventuals and the Third Order of Saint Francis In 2009 all these youth Franciscan movements became united. Today it is one International Young Franciscan movement spread in more than 60 countries worldwide.

What is YouFra Young Franciscans or YouFra is a Catholic movement of young people who in the same manner as Saint Francis of Assisi served Jesus in the same manner as He did and formed as an integral part of the Secular Franciscan Order

Spiritual Characteristics formed by young people from age years old (Const. 96.2) attracted to Saint Francis of Assisi and his way of life who feel are called by the Holy Spirit to deepen their vocation (Const. 96.2) to share in the experience of Christian life in fraternity in the light of the message of St. Francis of Assisi deepen their own vocation within the context of the Secular Franciscan Order (Const. 96.2)

Organizational Charateristics Franciscan Youth has a specific organization (Const.96.5) An organization with its own constitution It’s own financial resources Its own local, regional, national fraternities Its own elected leaders Having SFO providing support, mentoring, guiding and assisting with their formation and structuring support system in every level, always ever ready to invite them to pursue a deepening adult vocation to the Franciscan Gospel life as professed SFOs. Teaching method adequate for the needs of the world youth According to the existing realities in various countries

Specific Characteristics Young persons attracted to St. Francis, who wish to deepen their Christian and Franciscan vocation. Young persons having the feel of the call of the Holy Spirit to undergo, in fraternity, the experience of Christian life. Progressive discovery of St. Francis, his project of life and his values. Ecclesial and social presence, in order to have concrete apostolic experiences. They accept the Rule of the SFO as an inspirational document.

Having personal and formal commitment made before GOD and the fraternity to live that inspiration. “ The Promise” An integral part of the SFO and belonging to the Franciscan Family, the accompaniment and animation is provided by the lay Franciscans. The proper National Statutes approved by the National Council of the SFO or, in its absence, by the Presidency of the CIOFs, which sets the conditions to belong to the Franciscan Youth.

YouFra’s Vocational Journey YouFrans deepen their vocation in the light of the message of St. Francis through an itinerary of progressive and on going formation. Vocational discernment being the main focus and their journey is made up of stages: a)Initiation b)Formation of the Promise in the YouFra c)Deepening One’s Vocation

Form and Contents of YouFra Formation YouFra teaching methods adequate for the needs of the world youth. (Const. 96.5) According to the existing realities in various countries (Const. 96.5)

Organization of YouFra (Fraternity) Local Regional National International

Relationship between YouFra and SFO SFO responsible for YouFra being part of its own pastoral service to the youth and promotions of vocations. (Const. 96.2) YouFra considers the SFO Rule as an inspirational document and accepts it individually and as a group. (Const. 96.3) YouFra as component of the Franciscan family, an integral part of SFO. (Const & 97.3) YouFra representative forms part of the SFO Council (Const. 97.4)

YouFra representative in international council are elected according to the international statutes (Const. 97.5) YouFra joining the SFO (Const. 96.4) Belonging simultaneously to Franciscan Youth and to the SFO. SFO as Fraternal Animator of the YouFra SFO providing Spiritual Assistance to YouFra

Building and Rebuilding YouFra SFOs responsibility to build viable and active YouFra movement and organization. Strong need for NAFRA to envision, initiate and spur nationwide YouFra movement. Regional Fraternities and their councils will primarily do and work with local fraternities.

This will require: Establishing a national YouFra vision and goals through collaborative national youth commission. Facilitating national networking and communication with regional and local OFS Franciscan Youth chairs, and with YouFra members and leaders as they emerge. Initiating communications and outreach project to connect with young adults who are interested in forming YouFra fraternities. Developing new YouFra materials and curriculum for formation and servant leadership training.

Developing initial draft guidelines for YouFra formation. Disseminating successful models for YouFra fraternities. Hosting annual regional gatherings for YouFra and OFS. Training SFO who have gifts and vocation to work with YouFra as animators. Facilitating a new generation of YouFra to eventually take over responsibility for building the basic infrastructure, remembering “more charism, less structure” to foster a perpetual, viable, and dynamic YouFra movement throughout the country and around the world.

SFO as Animators of YouFra As SFO, by virtue of our vocation, we must be ready to share our experiences of evangelical life with the youth who are attracted to Saint Francis and to seek the means of adequately presenting it to them. SFO should see the vitality and the expression of the Franciscan Youth fraternities and should accompany the youth in their journey of human and spiritual growth with proposal for specific activities and contents. SFO as fraternal animator is a fundamental presence supporting young people in their discernment, especially regarding their Franciscan vocation.

As fraternal animators we must work within SFO fraternity to foster proper understanding of the importance of YouFra, to involve it in its activities and to encourage a sense of responsibility for YouFra. As fraternal animator, together with the Spiritual Assistant and the council of Franciscan Youth we should guarantee an adequate Secular Franciscan formation. To foster communion among YouFra members, the SFO council should adopt appropriate means for growth in Franciscan and ecclesial life and encourage everyone to a life of fraternity.

Conclusion Building the Young Franciscans/YouFra through our dedication and perseverance to share time and presence in providing necessary means to carry out the needed services will result in our mutual enrichment. That is for YouFra, the SFO and the Franciscan Family as we fulfill our common mission in the church and in our society. It is indeed a gift and a privilege to take such dynamic youthful spiritual responsibility.

Questions When we build for YouFra, how will it be relevant to them? How will it be attractive and meaningful and feed their hunger? How will we offer a vision for Franciscan life that will inspire and energize? How will we show them our balance of contemplation and action that transforms ourselves and the world? How will we live out our fraternity life that models Christian discipleship and love? How will we engage and sustain, rather than just dazzle, attract and release? Why will they want to join us?