1. AGENTS OF FORMATION F. The Spiritual Assistant
The Spiritual Assistant through the witness and sharing of his/her own life is a key agent of Formation.

2. What do the General Spiritual Assistants have to say?
In a new manual they have recently
written, they state among the duties:
The assistant’s specific area is
spiritual:
Fostering communion with the Church
Bearing witness to Franciscan Spirituality
To co-operate in formation
and to nourish the Christian life of the
fraternity.

3. He/she may serve in one or more of the following areas depending on the needs of the fraternity.
As a member of the Formation Team. Initial and On-Going.
2. As a resource person for the
Formation Team.

4. As an educator of the Initial and On-Going Formation Team.
4. As an evaluator of the Formation programs, both Initial and On-Going.

5. G. The SPONSOR
The sponsor is a professed member, suitably qualified, who “walks with” the candidate through the studies and activities during the time of Candidacy.

6. The sponsor may be chosen by the
Formation Team or by the candidate.
The sponsor becomes a most valuable agent of Formation because of the personalized attention given to the candidate.

7. Sponsors as Agents of Secular Franciscan Spirituality
Plants
Gospel
Seeds
By Holy Manner of Living
Available
Model
Open
Releases
And
Appreciates
The
Fragrance
Of the
Other
Nurtures
Growing
Spirituality
Walks
with
Prays
Shows special
Interest

8. H. Higher Levels of Fraternity
Higher Levels of Fraternity (Regional, National, International) also participate in the formation and updating process of individual members and of local fraternities.

9. They may:
provide guidelines for the
formation programs;
suggest styles and techniques of
teaching;
recommend resources and
bibliography;
and may also evaluate processes of
formation used on local levels, and
suggest improvements.

10. In situations where there is lack of
personnel prepared for formation at
the local level, several options are
possible:
a) A Formation Program held in
common with several near-by
Fraternities may be organized;

11. b) a travelling Formation Team might be responsible for the local Formation until a Formation Team is organized; c) a program to train Formation Teams may be established.

12. 3. Where these or similar alternative types of formation are used, there must be no minimizing of the fundamental relationship between the candidate and the local Fraternity to which he/she belongs. The candidate must always be an active part of the local Fraternity, and the Fraternity must always be an important agent in the candidate’s formation.

13. St. Francis Region Spirituality Investment Co.
MISSION STATEMENT
We bring a
spirituality economy
to your fraternity

14. St. Francis Region Construction Co.
MISSION STATEMENT We repair houses that have fallen into ruin.

15. DISCUSION QUESTIONS
1. In your fraternity, how could a/the Spiritual Assistant help you? 2. How could you improve the teamwork aspect of a council and Spiritual Assistant in your fraternity? 3. How do you understand the sponsor program? 4. How do you understand that the SFO is a hierarchy with levels of governance? 5. Have you surrendered to your vocation as brothers and sisters of penance?