Conversion In Franciscan spirituality and history

To begin… Can you think of a truly life-changing event in your experience? Can you think of a truly life-changing event in your experience? If you can, share with the persons next to you about your experience. How were you affected? If you can, share with the persons next to you about your experience. How were you affected? Do you have a “burning question” to which you need an answer before we conclude this session? Do you have a “burning question” to which you need an answer before we conclude this session?

Transformation/Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis/Transformation The word "metamorphosis" derives from Greek-- μεταμόρφωσις, The word "metamorphosis" derives from Greek-- μεταμόρφωσις, "transformation, transforming", "transformation, transforming", from μετα- (meta-) from μετα- (meta-) "change" + μορφή (morphe), "form". "change" + μορφή (morphe), "form".

Transformation-Conversion- Metanoia Hebrew --shûb—turn, return also nahamah—repentence Hebrew --shûb—turn, return also nahamah—repentence Latin – conversio—turning, return --poenitentia—repentence, conversion Latin – conversio—turning, return --poenitentia—repentence, conversion Greek – μετάνοια Metanoia-change of mind and heart, a turning from sin (internal) Greek – μετάνοια Metanoia-change of mind and heart, a turning from sin (internal) -- ἐ πιστροφή, "return" epistrophe— -- ἐ πιστροφή, "return" epistrophe— epi—on or uponstrophe- to twist or turn about epi—on or uponstrophe- to twist or turn about turning (back) to God (external)

Gospel reference to conversion "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.“ kingdom of Godgood newskingdom of Godgood news κα ὶ λέγων ὅ τι πεπλήρωται ὁ καιρ ὸ ς κα ὶ ἤ γγικεν ἡ βασιλεία το ῦ θεο ῦ : μετανοε ῖ τε κα ὶ πιστεύετε ἐ ν τ ῷ ε ὐ αγγελί ῳ. (Mark [1] Mark[1]Mark[1]

Francis’ Conversion If you were able to view the beginning of the motion picture, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” or from your reading about Francis’ life: If you were able to view the beginning of the motion picture, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” or from your reading about Francis’ life: What was the experience of Francis’ conversion like? What was the experience of Francis’ conversion like? What does it mean to feel like being at “loose ends?” What does it mean to feel like being at “loose ends?” What were the reactions of people around him? What were the reactions of people around him? Can you think of other “saintly” people who have had similar experiences? Can you think of other “saintly” people who have had similar experiences?

Spirituality of Conversion Not easy to grasp Not easy to grasp Complex process of transformation Complex process of transformation Involves identifying our biases and clarifying through questioning Involves identifying our biases and clarifying through questioning The Mystery of God’s grace active in our lives The Mystery of God’s grace active in our lives Ways of looking at conversion: Ways of looking at conversion: Personal biography Personal biography Insights from Sacred Scripture Insights from Sacred Scripture The Sacraments and Liturgy The Sacraments and Liturgy Insights from theology Insights from theology

Personal Biography Personal story in its stages and crises gives insights into a person’s transformation Personal story in its stages and crises gives insights into a person’s transformation How does an individual’s worldview develop, become integrated and transform? How does an individual’s worldview develop, become integrated and transform?

Insights from Sacred Scripture Judeo-Christian Scriptures describe conversion as having two parts: Judeo-Christian Scriptures describe conversion as having two parts: Turning away from sin—metanoia/repentance Turning away from sin—metanoia/repentance Turning to God—epistrophe/enlightenment Turning to God—epistrophe/enlightenment Stories of conversion: Stories of conversion: David David Zaccheus Zaccheus The Samaritan Woman The Samaritan Woman The Prodigal Son The Prodigal Son Paul Paul OT Prophets OT Prophets John the Baptist John the Baptist

Conversion and Sacrament RCIA Periods RCIA Periods Precatechumenate Precatechumenate Catechumenate Catechumenate Enlightenment Enlightenment Mystagogia Mystagogia Formation periods Formation periods Orientation/Inquiry Orientation/Inquiry Candidacy Candidacy Profession Profession Newly Professed Newly Professed

Catechumenate and Conversion Conversion is symbolized as JOURNEY of TRANSFORMATION led by Spirit of God Conversion is symbolized as JOURNEY of TRANSFORMATION led by Spirit of God Communal experience—encouragement and witness Communal experience—encouragement and witness On-going process, celebrated in stages with Eucharist as highpoint On-going process, celebrated in stages with Eucharist as highpoint Conversion is a lifetime experience of transformation Conversion is a lifetime experience of transformation

Theological Insights about Conversion Developmental theories give insight from psychology— Developmental theories give insight from psychology— Freud, Jung, James, Erikson, Kohlberg, Piaget Fowler and Faith Development Lonergan and Conversion theory

Lonergan and Conversion Conversion—a set of judgments and decisions that move a person from an established horizon into a new horizon of KNOWING, VALUING and ACTING Conversion—a set of judgments and decisions that move a person from an established horizon into a new horizon of KNOWING, VALUING and ACTING Three kinds of Conversion: Three kinds of Conversion: Intellectual Intellectual Moral Moral Religious Religious Christian Christian Franciscan Franciscan

Order of Penitence in History Developed from early form of Sacrament of Penance Developed from early form of Sacrament of Penance Received as one time opportunity to be reconciled with the community Received as one time opportunity to be reconciled with the community Public Sin—Public Penance Public Sin—Public Penance Required entrance into Order of Penitence Required entrance into Order of Penitence Rigorous penitential lifestyle Rigorous penitential lifestyle Eventually evolved Voluntary Penitents seeking “perfection”—origin of SFO as St. Francis “refounds” Penitents Eventually evolved Voluntary Penitents seeking “perfection”—origin of SFO as St. Francis “refounds” Penitents

Earlier Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance Proto-Rule Proto-Rule Prologue to Pauline Rule Prologue to Pauline Rule Recommendations to Penitents wishing to “walk with Francis”—to do Penance Recommendations to Penitents wishing to “walk with Francis”—to do Penance

5 Fundamental Elements of Penitential Lifestyle 1. To love God 2. To love our neighbor 3. To resist sinful tendencies of our fallen nature 4. To receive the body of Christ in the Eucharist 5. To act or live in conformity with our conversion

Be Transformed!