2010 Regional Chapter

SFO Profession Is of Equal Importance,
Fr. Richard Says in Opening Workshop

Profession in the Secular Franciscan Order is “on par with” and “of equal importance to” profession made by friars or any religious.

That was the opening statement made by Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM, both regional and national spiritual assistant, during his morning workshop on the importance and sacredness of profession. The workshop kicked off the annual regional gathering, held April 16-18 at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY.

He quoted Br. Felice Cangelosi, the vicar general of the Capuchin Franciscans, who de­clared at the Order’s international gathering that the Church recognizes Secular Franciscans as belonging to a real Order, and that profession in the Order is of the same importance as religious profession -- different, but of equal import.

“It is seen by the universal church as the same thing, as giving ourselves over to God,” Father Richard said.

Profession has a number of awesome elements:

• It is Holy Spirit-driven: An invitation to vocation. Furthermore, the minister invokes the Holy Spirit and calls the Holy Spirit down on the people being professed.
  
  
• It is a fundamental moment in the life of who you are.
  
  
• It is a unique moment, an intense moment with God.
  
  
• It’s a ritual done in a public arena, in the presence of the fraternity, and a platform to give a response to God.
  
  
• It’s dedicating oneself to service of God’s kingdom, and it’s grace-filled, because “we couldn’t do that without a big dose of God’s grace.”
  
  
• It’s a consecration, a dedication to God’s exclusive service while living in the world as a single or married person… to be at God’s total disposal.
  
  
• It’s not a part-time commitment. The professed person becomes God’s property, and God is working in that person’s life, prodding the transformation. It’s starting the day thinking one is a vessel waiting to be filled with God’s grace. It’s praying daily. It’s daily conversion...living the Gospel.
  
  
• It glorifies God.

Because of the importance and sacredness of profession, it is vital to have a discernment process during the formation of candidates.

The profession ceremony should take place during Mass, with a friar or priest present to be the witness for the church and Order, he said. He even encouraged fraternities to postpone profession until a friar or priest can be scheduled to participate.

“You are Franciscan men and Franciscan woman in your own right,” he said, and, quoting Brother Felice, he added: “The SFO profession has the dignity of solemn and religious profession and cannot be considered lesser than that of a religious profession.”